DSA 12th Century Medieval Sword "MILITARIS TEMPLI"
Dec 31, 2012 23:21:18 GMT
Post by BIGGORILLAINK on Dec 31, 2012 23:21:18 GMT
Introduction
My first review:
I have always been fascinated with the Knights Templar order and the weapons they carried. When I first saw this sword on the Sbg review section I knew instantly that I needed one.
I've collecting real swords since June of this year so I'm still learning quite a bit more everyday. The Sbg forum has been priceless in my knowledge to make informed decisions on purchases.
I knew from what I read about DSA that they made over built swords that could take a beating. So I bought this sword without hesitation and have not regretted it since.
Historical overview
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (Latin: Pauperes commilitones Christi Templique Salomonici), commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple (French: Ordre du Temple or Templiers) or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders.[4] The organisation existed for nearly two centuries during the Middle Ages.
Officially endorsed by the Catholic Church around 1129, the Order became a favoured charity throughout Christendom and grew rapidly in membership and power. Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with a red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades.[5] Non-combatant members of the Order managed a large economic infrastructure throughout Christendom, innovating financial techniques that were an early form of banking,[6][7] and building fortifications across Europe and the Holy Land.
The Templars' existence was tied closely to the Crusades; when the Holy Land was lost, support for the Order faded. Rumours about the Templars' secret initiation ceremony created mistrust and King Philip IV of France, deeply in debt to the Order, took advantage of the situation. In 1307, many of the Order's members in France were arrested, tortured into giving false confessions, and then burned at the stake.[8] Under pressure from King Philip, Pope Clement V disbanded the Order in 1312. The abrupt disappearance of a major part of the European infrastructure gave rise to speculation and legends, which have kept the "Templar" name alive into the modern day."
I'm not the best at history so I did what I could copying and pasting text is no easy task.
Full Disclosure
I bought this sword from Kult of Athena: www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... rd+-+Brown
$339.95 plus $15 shipping. I dry handled it for a few weeks before sending to Odingaard for a custom scabbard and regrip. I've owned the sword since July but decided to use it for my first review.
I was given no special price breaks.
The custom scabbard and grip were purchased after I already owned had the sword. I sent to Odingaard's shoppe for a complete make over. Needless to say I'm biased towards him and his work
he has done a wonderful job on this sword a many others I own.
Initial Impressions
Unpacking and initial dry handling impressions... It arrived packed well and in a timely manor from KOA. My first impressions were a solid well built classic type XIIIa. It seemed a little heavy at first
but It was my second sword after the Guardian so it was no heavier than that. It is easy to wield and feels great with one hand but excels with two. The standard leather grip and basic scabbard
were okay for a standard offering but soon after purchase I was left wanting more.
Statistics
Blade Length: 35 3/4"
Handle Length: 7"
Overall Length: 45 1/2"
Guard Width: 9 7/8"
POB (Point of Balance): 5in
COP (Center of Percussion): 7" from tip 5 1/2" sweet spot towards the gaurd
Weight: 4lbs 3 oz
Components
The Blade
Classic Type XIIIa 1060 spring steel with a HRC 0f 53. Very durable and solid as all Dsa blades are. The fuller wonders a bit on both sides but for the price
what can you do.
The Handle
Wood handle wrapped with oxblood leather, Cord and containing 5 risers. very comfortable to wield and hold
The Guard
The classic spiked "Gaddhjalt" hilt this one of my favorite parts of the sword next to the pommel. At almost 10" across it looks rather imposing and
could easily be used in the scabbard to remove an eye of an unwary combatant.
The Pommel
Octagon style pommel for smashing the heads and faces of unwary infidels. I really do like this alot but the fake peen block and off center casting do bother me slightly but I have learned to live with it. Again for a sub $300 what can you do.
It has my first attempts at custom etching and engraving which turned out pretty well. The S stands for Spanjers family name and the holy cross was done to make it feel more finished. Not worried about this being historically accurate considering I'm not either.
The Scabbard
mmmm.... Odingaard Oxblood scabbard what more to say. The risers are perfect match for the sword and the Holy cross is just the icing on the cake. Also has a nice integrated belt extra long to fit my viking style girth.
I have antiuqed this a bit more with Steel wool and scotchbrite pads to really finish the look followed by a few coats of mink oil.
The Chape
Standard Odingaard chape with a holy cross I etched turned out lovely and helps with the overall package.
Handling Characteristics
This sword is heavy and a bit overbuilt but I use it for training and conditioning. It makes Atrim Xlla feel like a feather which I rather enjoy.
I'm 6'7" so my heavy and your are two different things. If you are not active and play vids all day perhaps the sword would not suite you. The sword is rather blade heavy and
does track okay but would take some training to heft around even with two hands. But once you become comfortable with it I feel this weapon would be devastating on the battlefield.
Test Cutting
Have not sharpen yet and planning not to. Tnothis is my training blade which I swing around everyday doing drills and pretending I know what I'm doing.
I did but a nice gash in my Apt ceiling which I promptly blamed on my cat my girlfriend was not amused.
Conclusions
I Love this sword dearly it's my first custom and my training sword to boot. I understand it's not for everyone but for the price you really get a great reliable sword. Sure it's not perfect but when you are paying around $300 you take it for what it is.
Pros
- Well made nice spring steel blade rings like a bell
- Classic spiked "Gaddhjalt" hilt
- Great classic look and feel
- A good sword for the price
Cons
- The fullers are a not even on both sides
- Mild steel fittings rust easily and requires frequent oil sessions
- Fake peen block and off center casting on pommel
- Some would find this sword to heavy and not historically accurate
The Bottom Line
A good sword for the money I would recommend If you are familiar with Dsa swords. It would also be a sweet display piece in your home or den.
Being an artist and designer by heart I did this rendering to make the sword feel like it has its own character.
Thx for reading this review any comments or crits are always welcome.
My first review:
I have always been fascinated with the Knights Templar order and the weapons they carried. When I first saw this sword on the Sbg review section I knew instantly that I needed one.
I've collecting real swords since June of this year so I'm still learning quite a bit more everyday. The Sbg forum has been priceless in my knowledge to make informed decisions on purchases.
I knew from what I read about DSA that they made over built swords that could take a beating. So I bought this sword without hesitation and have not regretted it since.
Historical overview
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"The Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon (Latin: Pauperes commilitones Christi Templique Salomonici), commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple (French: Ordre du Temple or Templiers) or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders.[4] The organisation existed for nearly two centuries during the Middle Ages.
Officially endorsed by the Catholic Church around 1129, the Order became a favoured charity throughout Christendom and grew rapidly in membership and power. Templar knights, in their distinctive white mantles with a red cross, were among the most skilled fighting units of the Crusades.[5] Non-combatant members of the Order managed a large economic infrastructure throughout Christendom, innovating financial techniques that were an early form of banking,[6][7] and building fortifications across Europe and the Holy Land.
The Templars' existence was tied closely to the Crusades; when the Holy Land was lost, support for the Order faded. Rumours about the Templars' secret initiation ceremony created mistrust and King Philip IV of France, deeply in debt to the Order, took advantage of the situation. In 1307, many of the Order's members in France were arrested, tortured into giving false confessions, and then burned at the stake.[8] Under pressure from King Philip, Pope Clement V disbanded the Order in 1312. The abrupt disappearance of a major part of the European infrastructure gave rise to speculation and legends, which have kept the "Templar" name alive into the modern day."
I'm not the best at history so I did what I could copying and pasting text is no easy task.
Full Disclosure
I bought this sword from Kult of Athena: www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... rd+-+Brown
$339.95 plus $15 shipping. I dry handled it for a few weeks before sending to Odingaard for a custom scabbard and regrip. I've owned the sword since July but decided to use it for my first review.
I was given no special price breaks.
The custom scabbard and grip were purchased after I already owned had the sword. I sent to Odingaard's shoppe for a complete make over. Needless to say I'm biased towards him and his work
he has done a wonderful job on this sword a many others I own.
Initial Impressions
Unpacking and initial dry handling impressions... It arrived packed well and in a timely manor from KOA. My first impressions were a solid well built classic type XIIIa. It seemed a little heavy at first
but It was my second sword after the Guardian so it was no heavier than that. It is easy to wield and feels great with one hand but excels with two. The standard leather grip and basic scabbard
were okay for a standard offering but soon after purchase I was left wanting more.
Statistics
Blade Length: 35 3/4"
Handle Length: 7"
Overall Length: 45 1/2"
Guard Width: 9 7/8"
POB (Point of Balance): 5in
COP (Center of Percussion): 7" from tip 5 1/2" sweet spot towards the gaurd
Weight: 4lbs 3 oz
Components
The Blade
Classic Type XIIIa 1060 spring steel with a HRC 0f 53. Very durable and solid as all Dsa blades are. The fuller wonders a bit on both sides but for the price
what can you do.
The Handle
Wood handle wrapped with oxblood leather, Cord and containing 5 risers. very comfortable to wield and hold
The Guard
The classic spiked "Gaddhjalt" hilt this one of my favorite parts of the sword next to the pommel. At almost 10" across it looks rather imposing and
could easily be used in the scabbard to remove an eye of an unwary combatant.
The Pommel
Octagon style pommel for smashing the heads and faces of unwary infidels. I really do like this alot but the fake peen block and off center casting do bother me slightly but I have learned to live with it. Again for a sub $300 what can you do.
It has my first attempts at custom etching and engraving which turned out pretty well. The S stands for Spanjers family name and the holy cross was done to make it feel more finished. Not worried about this being historically accurate considering I'm not either.
The Scabbard
mmmm.... Odingaard Oxblood scabbard what more to say. The risers are perfect match for the sword and the Holy cross is just the icing on the cake. Also has a nice integrated belt extra long to fit my viking style girth.
I have antiuqed this a bit more with Steel wool and scotchbrite pads to really finish the look followed by a few coats of mink oil.
The Chape
Standard Odingaard chape with a holy cross I etched turned out lovely and helps with the overall package.
Handling Characteristics
This sword is heavy and a bit overbuilt but I use it for training and conditioning. It makes Atrim Xlla feel like a feather which I rather enjoy.
I'm 6'7" so my heavy and your are two different things. If you are not active and play vids all day perhaps the sword would not suite you. The sword is rather blade heavy and
does track okay but would take some training to heft around even with two hands. But once you become comfortable with it I feel this weapon would be devastating on the battlefield.
Test Cutting
Have not sharpen yet and planning not to. Tnothis is my training blade which I swing around everyday doing drills and pretending I know what I'm doing.
I did but a nice gash in my Apt ceiling which I promptly blamed on my cat my girlfriend was not amused.
Conclusions
I Love this sword dearly it's my first custom and my training sword to boot. I understand it's not for everyone but for the price you really get a great reliable sword. Sure it's not perfect but when you are paying around $300 you take it for what it is.
Pros
- Well made nice spring steel blade rings like a bell
- Classic spiked "Gaddhjalt" hilt
- Great classic look and feel
- A good sword for the price
Cons
- The fullers are a not even on both sides
- Mild steel fittings rust easily and requires frequent oil sessions
- Fake peen block and off center casting on pommel
- Some would find this sword to heavy and not historically accurate
The Bottom Line
A good sword for the money I would recommend If you are familiar with Dsa swords. It would also be a sweet display piece in your home or den.
Being an artist and designer by heart I did this rendering to make the sword feel like it has its own character.
Thx for reading this review any comments or crits are always welcome.