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Post by randomnobody on May 24, 2007 5:22:10 GMT
I have no idea how I missed that one.
I'm considering this sword as a result of my tendency to handle my Hanwei Marshall as though it were a rapier. Leads to some wrist strain, but once I get going, I tend to get a little carried away, and do a lot of sudden changes, etc., with a bit of fancy tip work. Nevermind how heavy the bloody thing is, or that pommel clipping my wrist if I should be oh-so-slightly off... But I can't get into rapiers themselves, as I vastly prefer the cut to the thrust, but cannot deny the value of a good thrust all the same. Do I hear compromise?
So I guess the $159.95 Kult of Athena charges (cheapest I've found thus far, beating out By the Sword by a mere $20) would be well-enough spent. I'll take this into consideration. Or should I get the Hanwei Cromwell, another of my considerations?
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2007 5:36:41 GMT
I know nothing at all about the Cromwell, so I can't advise you there. I do also have the Marshall, and there is no way to compare the Side Sword to it, they are totally different critters.
-John
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Post by jpfranco on May 24, 2007 11:46:21 GMT
I do own the Cromwell and it is a beautiful sword. It is "antiqued" and the handle is ray skin wrapped with wire. The balance is also very good. It come "hanwei" sharpened which means not very sharp. I did some light cutting with it (water bottles, boxes...and it preformed well. I do love the sword and would recommend it if your are looking for a great looking piece for light cutting. Click on pics to enlarge
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Post by randomnobody on May 24, 2007 15:48:22 GMT
The "totally different" may be what I'm looking for this time around, but how 'totally different' are they, really? What's your own opinion on which of the two is better, OVERALL? Surely the both fit their own niche, and you say there's no real comparison, but which of the two would you say you'd prefer? Nevermind my own wants or intentions with either, I'm looking for your own opinion here.
The Cromwell is a very nice-looking sword, even if I can't exactly fit it into any of the categories I know too well. Sure, it's "mortuary hilt," but what on earth does that mean, short of a fancy guard? Is it closer to a rapier, back sword, broadsword, saber?
Sorry to pull away from the topic, but the thread is rather dormant, anyway, and I'm not one to go starting new threads left and right.
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Post by jpfranco on May 24, 2007 16:01:03 GMT
The Cromwell is a very nice-looking sword, even if I can't exactly fit it into any of the categories I know too well. Sure, it's "mortuary hilt," but what on earth does that mean, short of a fancy guard? Is it closer to a rapier, back sword, broadsword, saber?
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The Cromwell is, according to Wikepedia :A mortuary sword is a kind of cut-and-thrust sword which was used after 1625 by the dragoons during the English Civil Wars. This (usually) two-edged sword sported a half-basket hilt with a straight blade some 90-105 cm long. These hilts were often of very intricate sculpting and design. In the 19th century it was conjectured that the ornate markings were meant to commemorate King Charles I, the executed English king. However this style of hilt predates the execution of Charles (1649). Another possible origin of the name comes from the half-basket guard itself, which often bears a passing resemblance to a human rib cage. Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortuary_sword" So it is a cut & thrust sword but with a single edge.
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Post by randomnobody on May 24, 2007 16:32:39 GMT
hmm... Might just pick one up (eventually), anyway, for the sake of having one of every generic sword type in my collection. It's the only mortuary that really appeals to me.
One of these days I'll own the entire Hanwei line, anyway. I'm comfortable enough with their work, and I've seen some great deals on their stuff, so I figure I won't be at any great level of loss for owning one of everything they offer, once I win the lottery.
Meantime my next sword has narrowed to a few Hanwei, this sidesword holding the high ground, Cromwell and Albrecht II/hand-and-a-half in second, any word of improvement on the Bastard?, or a katana (bushido or shinto, possibly musashi).
Anybody else put out a half-decent sidesword? Other than Windlass/MRL? I'll go ask Google.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2007 19:08:54 GMT
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Post by randomnobody on May 24, 2007 19:23:20 GMT
Wow. That is nice.
Can I borrow $525?
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2007 1:22:04 GMT
I'm sorry it's taken me awhile to come back to this, but I've picked up a second job working nights, and between the two jobs I'm too tired to do much more than scan through here once a day. That Angus Trim is a very nice looking sword, but for pure purty-ness I like the Hanwei better. Randomnobody, I believe you were asking what the real differences between using the Marshall and the Side sword were. I said that they were two different critters and they really are, without looking up the stats on the two swords I believe that they weigh in at about the same, however the Side Sword is balanced much better for rapid direction changes, and simply feels much lighter. I would have no real qualms about hacking at pretty much anything with the Marshall, the sword feels tough and extremely durable while the Side Sword seems to be more intended for fine sword work. Don't get me wrong here, I'm perfectly comfortable using the Side Sword on all my targets, but while I'd whack the Marshall into a tree stump, I'd hesitate to do the same with the Side Sword. The side sword is a cut and thrust weapon, and the Marshall is more of a cutting tool and hammering at somebody until they fall down sword, intended to be used against a heavily armored foe, as opposed to more of a dueling weapon as is the Side Sword.
-John
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Post by rammstein on May 27, 2007 1:30:23 GMT
Red john, I'm appalled that you said that!!! ;D ;D
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2007 2:08:06 GMT
Yeah, that's only because you're too young to get hammered. ;D
-John
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Post by randomnobody on May 27, 2007 2:40:53 GMT
I appreciate that input, redjohn. I'll agree with you on the Marshall being a heavy-duty sword, and I do think I'd like to pick up the Sidesword as well, for its finer workings. I'm kinda tired of destroying my wrist attempting things I probably shouldn't attempt with the Marshall...
Since By the Sword has it listed at $179, I do believe I may be purchasing one in the next month or so. Given stock levels and my own budget, etc. I'm dancing on my last pennies as it is.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2008 10:55:20 GMT
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Post by hotspur on May 30, 2008 1:51:22 GMT
Not to be a stump in the mud but this is not Angus Trim offering a sidesword for $525. It is ASA Swordworks and not even their current page. www.asaswordworks.com/The four-six month delivery time doesn't say which four-six months of what year. That may sound harsh but the collaboration that is ASA has had some issues delivering anywhere near to projected sheduling and there have been some seriously unhappy folk. If they list something in stock, that might be worth the gamble that it actually is. I'd just not want anyone getting the wrong impression on both counts. Christian Fletcher and Darkwood Armoury also work with Gus blades. Christian is the default retail for Gus' swords at this point. Lee Reeves has some stock. Cheers Hotspur; not that ASA hasn't turned out some very nice projects but there have been a good many issues over time
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2009 5:12:39 GMT
About the Cold Steel HNH, I emailed them about this problem and they said it had been "addressed." Sorry--I know this is from an earlier part of the thread but I just wanted to let ppl know what little I've found out.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2009 9:41:08 GMT
For a top quality side-sword that won't break the bank, I suggest going with Scott Wilson @ Darkwood Armory. I used to own this sword and regret terribly letting it go, but had bills to pay. www.myarmoury.com/review_dw_ss.html
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2009 19:54:39 GMT
I've owned the Hanwei Side Sword for about a year and the only issue I have with it is the fit of the scabbard. Shimmed the mouth and it's STILL loose.
As for the sword....
When I first got it, I sharpened the edges myself. Took the pommel off and filled the grip with JB Weld, then reassembled.
Won't hack at tree limbs or bash someone until they fall down, but I have full confidence in its integrity as a light cutter.
It's a very quick stabbin'/slashin' piece. It'd definitely be a favorite if it weren't for the loose scabbard and the fact that the scabbard needs a counterweight to balance the complex hilt....
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2009 23:59:05 GMT
I also own a Paul Chen Sidesword, and I absolutely love it. I had to sharpen it up when I got it, and yes, the fit in the scabbard is not ideal, but it is quite lovely nonetheless. As for structural integrity, all of the points are valid, but if you hold one of these things, you'll realize it's not the sort of thing you would be taking full swings to make cuts with. This thing is a thruster. I know it's said to be a "cut and thrust" sword, but as I understand it, that mostly refers to its geometry being far more effective than the rapier at producing nasty draw-cuts or push-cuts, which is quite true, both maneuvers being ones I don't think would stress the integrity of the piece. But this is not a blade you could chop someone's limb off with. Not only is it one of the more beautiful swords I own, but I have never held another sword that felt more nimble and agile in the hand. This sword makes you feel like a swashbuckler in a giddy way, and used to make me ponder about changing my last name to "Montoya" and go hunting for a six-fingered man. To top it off, you can pick one up for around a 150 bucks. It's a damn nice sword for what it is, and what it is is a damn nice sword. My $.02
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2009 15:00:33 GMT
WTF? Plastic handle?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2009 16:00:18 GMT
I also own a Paul Chen Sidesword, and I absolutely love it. I had to sharpen it up when I got it, and yes, the fit in the scabbard is not ideal, but it is quite lovely nonetheless. As for structural integrity, all of the points are valid, but if you hold one of these things, you'll realize it's not the sort of thing you would be taking full swings to make cuts with. This thing is a thruster. I know it's said to be a "cut and thrust" sword, but as I understand it, that mostly refers to its geometry being far more effective than the rapier at producing nasty draw-cuts or push-cuts, which is quite true, both maneuvers being ones I don't think would stress the integrity of the piece. But this is not a blade you could chop someone's limb off with. Not only is it one of the more beautiful swords I own, but I have never held another sword that felt more nimble and agile in the hand. This sword makes you feel like a swashbuckler in a giddy way, and used to make me ponder about changing my last name to "Montoya" and go hunting for a six-fingered man. To top it off, you can pick one up for around a 150 bucks. It's a damn nice sword for what it is, and what it is is a damn nice sword. My $.02 Ditto!! I owned one and intend to own another very soon. Mine was sharp as a tack and sliced through milk jugs with little effort. Under priced in my opinion. Probably the best sword, next to the Cromwell, that Hanwei makes currently.
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