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Post by admin on Nov 3, 2007 1:52:57 GMT
Deepeeka were mentioned in this thread briefly and are also on a current thread over at SFI... And to be honest, apart from Sept's review of a less than satisfactory Charlemane sword, the general consensus is that they are not good quality (considering that they sell for under US$100, its not a huge surprise). But is this the whole truth to it? Naturally, with spotty heat treat methods and questionable construction, they aren't going to be as tough as a Windlass, Gen2 or a Darksword. But then again, many historical medieval swords weren't either. When we look at the historical records, many medieval swords had varying levels of hardness througout the blade, in some cases with a HRC that doesn't even register on the scale. Many were also barely heat treated and would need to be bent back into shape after a solid blow or two and would be, by todays standards, considered to be terrible swords - and indeed, that a Deepeeka (one of the ones that isn't ridiculously heavy that is) would have been preferrable on the field of battle? Would this mean that Deepeeka swords may actually be MORE historically accurare of an 'average historical medieval sword' than a CNC lathed Albion? (no slights against Albion, there is little doubt that they are amazing swords, and the blades of high ranking landed gentry and the nobility were hand made with such attention to detail as to be almost as perfect). I realize that this debate could open a can of worms here. But I feel it is worthy of discussion... Especially as, our price point being sub US$300, that for very, very cheap swords - they are very much in the court. And I will be putting my money where my mouth is and getting a few Deepeeka swords for some serious testing and dismantling to try and remove the mystery of it. I have heard of a few people that really like their swords and claim that they aren't as bad as many like to think. And I'd like to think that if there are a few 'jewels in the junk' I might be able to uncover them. What do you think? - Paul
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 3, 2007 1:57:19 GMT
I hope you find something good. I might buy one if you do.
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Post by rammstein on Nov 3, 2007 1:59:58 GMT
Hnestly I think that medieval swords had poorER blade quality than their modern counterparts, however that doesn't mean they were bad swords. They hilt construction (read: where it matters) was exceptionally solid and their tangs were pretty darn tough. Depeeka fails on the hilt components so it doesn't even matter how strong (or weak) the blade is until the hilt is fixed.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2007 2:11:58 GMT
Paul: anything with a sandwich tang is probably ok, but i am really iffy about deepeeka, the only thing that has ever interested me from them is their pattern welded steel katana and khukuri which i may have to get at some point but i am aware of the difficulties of pattern welding so it makes me cautious. Just looking at their swords tells me what i need to know, the other problem is that their QC is lacking and that even if you get a good sword chances are that you got the 1 in 100 one and that even another sword of the same model will not be as good.
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 3, 2007 2:13:48 GMT
Excellent point on hilt construction, that does seem to be their downfall. I've just been browsing Kult of Athena, checking out the Deepeka offerings, trying to find one that MIGHT host a sturdier hilt. I found this: www.kultofathena.com/images/AH3292_l.jpgI figure a ring hilt style might give the best idea of what's inside the handle, since it does, after all, extend visibly beyond. That's pretty narrow, I can't imagine it being much thicker any closer to the guard. Even if it were, I question if it would hold up separately. I'm not even comfortable with comparing (outward appearances) to the Gen 2 Irish, www.kultofathena.com/images/IP0012_l.jpg in this case... Though that may just be an extra cover on the Gen 2? Anybody verify this? Also, just for fun, here's the Windlass: www.kultofathena.com/images/500258_l.jpgDeepeka's looking skinny, or are the other guys hiding something?
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 3, 2007 8:49:57 GMT
I bought a deepeeka gladius on close out (don't recall from where). It looked a bit rough on the finish and was missing a end cap and the scabbard fit was way tight so I sent it back. Not before I dismantled the hilt however, LOL. It had the typical screw on assembly common with lower end gladii. It wasn't a bad looking blade to me tho I wouldn't consider it functional. I may get one again just to have as I like to collect all things gladius. I wouldn't get it to actually use for cutting tho. I like the look of some of their Greek blades also.
Just my impressions.
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Nov 3, 2007 11:07:05 GMT
I bought a deepeeka gladius on close out (don't recall from where). It looked a bit rough on the finish and was missing a end cap and the scabbard fit was way tight so I sent it back. Not before I dismantled the hilt however, LOL. It had the typical screw on assembly common with lower end gladii. It wasn't a bad looking blade to me tho I wouldn't consider it functional. I may get one again just to have as I like to collect all things gladius. I wouldn't get it to actually use for cutting tho. I like the look of some of their Greek blades also. Just my impressions. Hey Ric Could you please describe the tang at the shoulder through to the thread. Was the thread welded on or carved onto the tang? How broad was it? It's funny but I believe the shoulder end is the most important. Below is a pic of an old Angus Trim Irish sword disassembled (Lees Armoury). What amazed me is how narrow the tang is and how uneven and crooked. Also how tiny the threaded section is. Obviously there is scope for imperfection and size variation. ![](http://www.leesarmoury.com/irishdisassembled.jpg) ![](http://www.leesarmoury.com/swordgrass5.jpg) Also you'll notice the handle isn't in line with the blade, and off to one side. The wheel looks a little crooked. The threaded section is off to one side. If you look close its a really sloppy job. (Ok guys, Not in the face)
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2007 13:07:27 GMT
Yeah, but look how thick the exposed portion is on the Trim to the Deepeeka. It's alot thicker.
I really don't know about them. I like the look of a few of their smaller blades and daggers.
However, I really like the look of their scabbards. Almost every one is supposedly wood core, and leather or brass covered. Maybe that's where all the quality is going?
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 3, 2007 16:15:52 GMT
brenno, it's been a while and I am more educated about tangs now than I was then. I seem to recall that the threaded portion on the deepeeka gladius was welded on. It appeared fairly thin at the shoulder and it did taper rather quickly twoard the threaded part.It was uneven, and actually the whole fit and finish was sloppy. At the time function wasn't a big issue for me as it is now because I wasn't cutting then, so I wasn't really looking at it for that. One of the main reasons I sent it back was it didn't have an end cap, just ended with an ugly screw sunk into the pommel, with a bit of the thread sticking out. I have since observed that was the way it was assembled and nothing was missing. I have seen that gladius at KOA: www.kultofathena.com/product~item~AH4211~name~Roman+Bone+Handled+Pompeii+Gladius.htmThis example looks a lot better put together than the one I had. I notice they don't show a picture of the pommel from the top, so I can't see if that ugly screw/nut assembly. I have a couple of gladii of similar quality I bought for fourty or fifty dollars cheaper. Wow, I seem to have dogged that model pretty bad, huh? I see that deepeeka has added some newer models and it's possible they have improved quality. Knowing what I know now, if I recieved the same gladius today, I'd probably keep it and fix it up for a display model. I say again I wouldn't try to cut with it. Darko, yeah I liked the scabbard too, however the one I got fit extremely tight, took a lot of force to get the blade in and out, not good, no no no. Could be fixed I guess.
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Post by rammstein on Nov 3, 2007 16:32:57 GMT
Brenno, that tang on the atrim is anything BUT thin....
seems actually rather beefy for the sword, actually. Plus, look at the strong radiused tang. That thing's not breaking.
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Post by septofclansinclair on Nov 3, 2007 16:44:08 GMT
I thinhk that part of the fault for my deepeeka was the fact that the hilt/handle/pommel was one solid piece of brass... Fatecaller and I shone a flashlight in there and the space is absolutely huge, way bigger than the tang. But to have a single piece like that is quite rare, so perhaps some of their other pieces constructed more normally will have better durability? I look forward to what Paul can find out.
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Nov 4, 2007 0:43:16 GMT
Anywho I'd love to see some of their medieval stuff disassembled and tested. How about their Braveheart sword?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2007 0:51:41 GMT
Take a look here: www.deepeeka.com/Any place that makes pet accessories as well as furniture should probably not be making swords. Who wants to bet they all come from the same factory?
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admin
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Post by admin on Nov 4, 2007 0:55:47 GMT
Anywho I'd love to see some of their medieval stuff disassembled and tested. How about their Braveheart sword? I dunno, I'd think that the bigger the swords - the more likely they are to go wrong.. ![::)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png) I suppose that what I am looking for is something that is worth the price paid (which is under US$100). I should be placing an order for maybe 2 or 3 to try out properly - I'm not expecting much of course, but hoping that perhaps there is something at least salvagable - or as a base for customization? Will see...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2007 4:11:14 GMT
Anywho I'd love to see some of their medieval stuff disassembled and tested. How about their Braveheart sword? I dunno, I'd think that the bigger the swords - the more likely they are to go wrong.. ![::)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/eyesroll.png) His name escapes me (Tsanfa?) but a poster here did a number of tests involving multiple hits against a tire pell (2000 being the objective), and all the sword that failed were 2 handed swords. He believes that it's because they hit harder. I suspect he's right, but also I would imagine that the longer the sword, the more challenging it is to manufacture. Add those 2 together and well, failure rate could get high. Ancalagon
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Nov 4, 2007 5:34:58 GMT
Yeah I'd rather a review on a sword that is likely to pass and I may want to buy.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2007 5:53:50 GMT
Longswords generate more inertia than a single handed sword and so they hit harder which can cause serious blade vibration if they aren't seated properly. The member is Tsafa not tsanfa ![:)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Oh dear, deepeeka are doing a reenactment range!
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Post by rammstein on Nov 4, 2007 14:16:15 GMT
Even worse...would you buy a piece of furtinture from a company who made swords ;D ;D ;D ??
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2007 14:39:15 GMT
I wouldn't buy a sword from anyone who didn't specialize in swords or weapons.
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Post by YlliwCir on Nov 4, 2007 15:12:49 GMT
It depends on what I'm going to do with the sword. Deepeeka's stuff may be good for reenactment or stage work. They fill some niche or they wouldn't be around this long. Pesonally, I wouldn't think the one I saw was functional. Still, I don't write them off as never buying one of their swords in the future.
Some think the swords alot of us use regularly don't come up to snuff. I try not to get all snobby.
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