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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2006 5:20:35 GMT
I've just received this sword today, as a gift to my wife who became interested in swords after watching me doing my backyard cutting of Tatami mats and gallon milk jugs.
I was curious if anyone else had any experience with this particular sword, and if there was anything about it I might want to know before allowing her to swing it at anything, even the softest of targets.
My impressions of the blade are that it is very slim, and has what appears to be a fairly good flex without being wobbly.
I did the traditional cutting of the box it came in (what is it with this? is there any first time sword buyer whose first target was not the box it came in?) and it sliced through it neatly, no vibration through the mile long hilt, or any unexpected twisting that one might expect with a wide narrow blade.
I'm wondering if this would be alright for her to use on softer targets, perhaps pool noodles or the like, or if she should use something else for cutting?
I actually like this wife, and would like to keep her in one piece, and with minimal loss of important bodily fluids.
Anyone else's impressions or thoughts are very welcome, pro or con.
Red John
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Post by admin on Dec 10, 2006 10:55:54 GMT
I did the traditional cutting of the box it came in (what is it with this? is there any first time sword buyer whose first target was not the box it came in?) Why else do they put swords in a box?  Actually, to answer your question, the Dark Sentinal is generally viewed as a pretty nice sword for the money and I've only heard good reviews on it around the place. With regards to which targets to cut, pool noodles and water filled bottles are great targets for your wife to practice on. Just make sure that she is aware of where the blade is at all times, and to ensure that any limbs are well clear of the arc of the blade (i.e. don't cut diagonally down to the left with the left foot forward, etc). Obviously, the best advise is for her to get some training first, but if she is going to backyard cut - keep the targets light and always, always, always treat the sword like a gun that's always loaded.. Have fun and take care! ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2006 18:35:25 GMT
Thanks for the rapid response Paul, given your experience in creating two things from one thing with various long sharp shiny things I truly appreciate your feedback.
Actual training in something like Tamashigiri (sp?) or Iato is something I'm deeply interested in, however I've been unable to locate anything in the entire state of Arizona that might provide said training.
It appears that we are regulated to the realm of backyard cutters, at least for awhile.
I really like the appearance and the feel of the Dark Sentinel, it doesn't feel quite as meaty as some of my other blades, but I'd hate to relegate it to the status of wall hanger.
Long sharp shiny things should be used as long sharp shiny things in my opinion.
I've also bought yet another sword for myself that somehow morphed into a gift for my wife, but that would be a topic for another forum I believe.
Thanks again,
Red John
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Post by ShooterMike on Dec 13, 2006 2:55:27 GMT
Red John,
I too bought a Dark Sentinel because it was priced so atractively. When I got it I liked the blade but wasn't thrilled with the hilt. Being the destructive type I "forcefully disassembled" it by driving off the pommel cap and removed all the studs, then I cut off the suede handle wrap. I cut the wood handle down to about 10 inches, then wrapped it with hemp twine and replaced the pommel cap. My plan is to properly wrap the handle with leather ala a European sword hilt, and add a proper pommel to bring the POB back to about 4.5".
However, that's in the future. I took it with the hemp-wrapped handle to my tire pell and gave it a decent workout. I was amazed at how well it performed at both cuts and thrusts. On one particularly strond overhand drawcut the edge cut over an inch into the tread edge and sidewall. And it was easy to thrust completely through both sidewalls with a strong two-hand thrust from the hip.
I tried it on soda bottles and they literally allowed the sword to pass through the bottles while leaving them almost undisturbed, and the top just fell off.
If your DS performs like mine I'll bet you'll love it.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2006 16:11:33 GMT
I have to agree with Paul on the box cutting note. It's similar to sleeves on a t-shirt. They're obviously supposed to be napkins since they serve no other practical purpose. (I have a bad habit of wiping my mouth on my sleeves)
I have heard only good reviews about the DS. I hope it preforms well for her, we need more women in the sword community.
L.
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Post by ShooterMike on Jan 4, 2007 3:23:21 GMT
redjohn,
How are things going with your wife's Dark Sentinel? Is it cutting well? And how does she like the length of the hilt? Any more feedback after having it for a while?
Thanks,
ShooterMike
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Post by rammstein on Jan 4, 2007 3:34:08 GMT
is there any first time sword buyer whose first target was not the box it came in?/quote] Actually, my first real cutting sword (my previous two were a wallhanger rapier that I never saw the box of, it was a gift, and a trasining rapier with no point) I did not use to cut up the box, oddly enough. I used it against trees in the backyard ;D. Infact, the first sword I used for box -cutting was the shrewsbury which I got in october of '06, pretty recently. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2007 5:21:49 GMT
redjohn, How are things going with your wife's Dark Sentinel? Is it cutting well? And how does she like the length of the hilt? Any more feedback after having it for a while? Thanks, ShooterMike Hiya Mike, sorry it took so long to reply, I've just gone back to school for the first time in almost two decades, and it sucks up a lot of my time. The Sentinel is actually a very decent cutter, although I'd recommend it for lighter targets only, as a heavier target, even a Tatami Mat can cause the blade to flex a bit and possibly bend. Although oddly enough milk jugs it'll go through all day long, it just takes a bit more omph than with my katana's. The hilt took a bit of getting used to for her, but she's adopted an almost wood cutters axe grip on it at times, and with that can deliver some very serious power behind a swing. It's pretty wild to see this 5'3 woman decapitating a milk jug while the tip of the blade litterally goes wheeeet! through the air. The mad giggling that follows this concerned me for a bit, especially when she points the blade and tells me, "Henchman! Bring me another victim!" Like all things in a marriage, you adapt, and now I merely reply in my best Igor like voice, "Yesss great mistress." and set up a couple more innocent milk containers to meet their final end. I suppose it's fair to say that at this point she's fairly happy with the sword. Red John |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2007 0:45:23 GMT
The mad giggling that follows this concerned me for a bit, especially when she points the blade and tells me, "Henchman! Bring me another victim!" Mad giggling = ok... Yelling "Bring me another victim!" = slight nervousness... Dripping red food coloring into water bottles before cutting. = need to start finding her a new hobby... 
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Post by ShooterMike on Jan 9, 2007 1:23:00 GMT
Mad giggling = ok... Yelling "Bring me another victim!" = slight nervousness... Dripping red food coloring into water bottles before cutting. = need to start finding her a new hobby... Must disagree! Red food coloring in the milk jugs would be... PRICELESS! Especially with pictures. ;D |
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Post by admin on Jan 9, 2007 2:05:40 GMT
Yeah, must agree - red water in a milk jug looks pretty cool... I've seen it done before and toyed with the idea for my site a few times. But I remember being pretty harshly criticized for doing some test cuts on meat before as it kind of reminds people of the 'darker side of swords' - and I suppose you could say the same thing about the red coloring... Still... MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! (Maniacal Laugh!)  Hehe - glad to hear your wife is enjoying her cutting though! ;D |
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Post by ShooterMike on Jan 9, 2007 2:42:02 GMT
...The hilt took a bit of getting used to for her, but she's adopted an almost wood cutters axe grip on it at times, and with that can deliver some very serious power behind a swing. ... RedJohn, I'm glad she likes it. This is a great little sword, and you can get them sooo inexpensively. I could never get used to the extra long hilt though. Here's a picture of the hilt after shortening to about 11 inches or so. It was super easy. Send me a PM if you decide you would like the details. It took about an hour tops, and cost about $10 or less.  The only downside to this one is the two assembly brads showing through the wrap. If I did it again those would be on the outside of the wrap. That would probably look a lot nicer. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2007 20:01:45 GMT
That actually looks very cool, and I showed it to my wife, who seemed briefly tempted to do likewise. After a bit of thought though she liked the way it looks as is, and decided to keep it the way it is. On a similar note, I happen to have video of her making her first cuts with the Sentinel, but she refuses to allow me to host it. She was wearing really, really baggy cloths that day and she says it makes her look too fat.  Oh well, the video is not the best quality anyway. Red John |
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Post by hankreinhardt on Mar 16, 2007 20:14:46 GMT
The "Dark Sentinel" is a sword that I designed and had Raven Arms make for me several years ago. I let Barry and Paul reproduce it when I was doing some work for them. However, they did get it wrong. the original is fully double edged, and there is a smaller version that goes with it. I don't care much for the grip. Mine is made from bone that I picked up at the BLADE Show several years ago, and so it the smaller version. If anyone is interested I'll post pictures of the two. I did use their scabbard, since they can make better scabbards than I can. The sword cuts very well and also thrust nice too. Hank
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Post by Deleted on Mar 17, 2007 2:47:39 GMT
I love to see those pictures! Your version sounds better, I've thought that this sword could be double edged easily, and I'd no idea you'd designed it. If you ever come out with your version, assuming that there is not some type of legal issues with that, consider your first one pre-sold. My wife and I both really like this sword, and it cuts surprisingly well for such an inexpensive blade. Not to mention that it's just plain wicked looking. Fiery Red |
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Post by ShooterMike on Mar 18, 2007 15:28:52 GMT
Hank,
Add me to the list of folks who'd love to see pictures of your Dark Sentinel original. I would really like to see the smaller one too. I always though a smaller single-hand version of this sword would be great.
I never seem to remember to take this with me when I go a'cutting. I'm going to have to rectify that soon.
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Post by hankreinhardt on Jun 2, 2007 16:10:28 GMT
Hey, been really busy, had a hassle with a potential blood clot, then a quick bout with double pneumonia but am now hail and heart and just as obnoxious as ever. So will try to post a picture of both within the next day or so. Being computer illiterate I have to have my daughter do it. But if anyone cares to tell me how to post a photo, I'll do it.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2007 20:09:27 GMT
I'm glad you're back in full heath Hank, and I'm really looking forward to seeing your Sentinel photo's here.
As for posting pics, I always use free pic hosting, which is pretty self explanatory on their site. Although having your daughter do it would likely be an effort saver.
You had kids for a reason right? ;D
-John
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Post by rammstein on Jun 3, 2007 1:44:15 GMT
Hank, snap a shot of it with a digital camera and save it to your comp. Then use something like imageshak.us to upload it and save it as a URL. Copy and paste the url between img and /img (both img parts need to be in brackets - [ ]).
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