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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2008 14:05:14 GMT
Hey,
I was just wondering if anyone has any expierience with the Darksword Armory Elven long sword? I've been liking the look of this sword lately but I want to know how it feels/handles. Anyone have any idea? Thanks.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2008 16:37:43 GMT
I recently purchased one from Ebay, but it will probably take 10 days to get here with customs and all. I will let you know how it handles. It is a bit heavy, but the rest of the dimensions look good. I was looking at the 12th Century swords but came across this other deal which I couldn't pass up. I think it is a graceful and beautiful blade, but sturdy and capable of handling some aggressive cutting. I might have to do something to change the bright blue grip color, though. Although it is a tad more expensive, I am surprised it does not seem to have aroused much interest on this board. Perhaps it is the fantasy or Elf designation. Association with the Elves of Tolkien is a great thing, as they were the fairest and wisest of all the races of middle earth  . |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2008 16:57:06 GMT
I purchased a Glamdring ( used by Gandalf the Grey in LOTR ) from Martial Edge recently. From initial impressions it is very stout and fierce when hefting it. I liked it's looks better than the Elven sword. I was looking at picking up the Ranger sword from Dark Sword Armory. I would imagine the heft and wielding of it would feel the same way. Their reputation is sound for making very tough functional swords and they are popular in the SCA community. Since the swords are European style I would expect the style of deploying and implementing is different than my ninja to or wakizashi. All good fun.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2008 3:23:37 GMT
chev-
By some Elvish magic my sword arrived today. Now I am a novice and this is my first sword- but it seems huge. I am not a big burly dude and certainly not in shape for swordfighting- so the sword feels very heavy and slow to me. It also does not have a sharpened edge so it is not likely to cut anything until I have sharpened it. It does, however feel very solid with no rattles or loose pieces. The blade is a beautiful ,thick piece of 1060 steel and will be able to handle anything I will ever try to do with it. The fit and finish is very good. The grip is a darker color than in the website pictures, more of a navy blue, and to me it looks much better. The leather is a little thin to my liking but that is easy to fix or change later. For the time being I am going to wrap it with that
clingy vet wrap stuff. I am very pleased with my purchase. If you go to Ebay right now and look for Elf Medieval Fantasy Sword you can get the same price I got. I don't think you will be disappointed.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2008 3:11:28 GMT
thanks for the feedback java. I'm gonna go check out ebay now and take a look at what they've got.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2008 3:19:38 GMT
Unfortunately most of DSA really beautiful swords are too long to get into Australia or they are out of stock.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2008 3:22:44 GMT
Hey shmoopiebear
I checked out that glamdring and thats a nice looking sword. You say its pretty hefty. does it handle alright? Any particular problems with it? Whats the tang construction like on it? That sword has my interest.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2008 3:46:34 GMT
I don't want to deflate your enthusiasm but I want you to be aware of
a couple of things about the Elf sword. It is a beautiful thing, for sure.
However I have been looking at the thickness of the blade and am not sure I will be able to sharpen it myself. I am going to call Arms of Valor and talk to Jason. I am also going to measure the thicknesses every
six inches and talk to a machinist friend about what it would take to
put a 30 degree bevel on the edge. I know a little about the geometry
but need some help to figure out what is possible, what is affordable and what I would be willing to do.
It is a heavy sword and you will need to be prepared to accept this.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2008 15:24:22 GMT
Where did you buy your Sword from?
Thank you for posting about the thickness of the DS blade, I think it will give more people a sense of appreciation in the amount of work that goes into sharpening one of them.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2008 20:17:33 GMT
Hey shmoopiebear I checked out that glamdring and thats a nice looking sword. You say its pretty hefty. does it handle alright? Any particular problems with it? Whats the tang construction like on it? That sword has my interest. Upon cursory inspection of the sword I felt no rattle when lifting it with the sheath attached to it. The handle and hilt felt pretty solid. I have not had a chance to put it and another new sword through it's paces. They still have the petroleum grease on them and I live in a pretty humid environment hence the reluctance to clean them off at this point. I think I will make it a project this coming month as well as digging out my tung oil to protect the blades. All I can say is that I am pretty sure that the sword is made by the same forge that the Generation 2 Hobbit Sting ( now discontinued ) comes from. The Hobbit Sting seems to be getting good reviews but I have not found any reviews on the Glamdring which perplexes me. More on this when I have had a chance to delve further. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2008 1:27:08 GMT
Jason- You are right. I don't know if all the DS blades are as beefy as the Elf sword but they would be a challenge to anybody who hasn't had a lot of sword sharpeneing experience. I bought mine off of Ebay directly from DS. I did some measuring tonight and am still confused about how I would go about reshaping the blade if I was to attempt it. Here is what is messing me up. The current edge is about 0.070", and the distance to the rim of the fuller is 0.830" in round numbers. I just don't know if I should grind down the blade, which is about 0.225" thick at the rim of the fuller. Also I am not sure where to start the secondary bevel. Right now it is sort of a diamond shape(with a fuller of course)but if I flattened the center 50% it could be made into a hexagon.Maybe I am flirting with disaster. If shipping costs were not an issue I would probably send it to you. Is there any chance you are going to the Blade Show in Atlanta May 31-June 1? I will probably call you this week and get your advice. Thanks.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2008 20:34:37 GMT
Here is a link with an update on the Glamdring. Despite some very minor flaws from the forge it is still an amazing piece for the price. I may end up getting the Hobbit Sting next.
/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1201407100
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2008 5:37:13 GMT
Next time I want a sword I am going to Darksword. I am hoping they will put out a Type Xa. 37" long 31" blade. Right around 3 lbs.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2008 6:09:46 GMT
Tsafa: I think they have a custom option, or if you really want a certain type contact Eyal, I am sure that he will be more than happy to help you  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2008 17:15:23 GMT
I would be interested in doing a comparison of the Glamdring with the Ranger sword from DSA or the Elven King sword from Generation 2. I may have to end up getting either one to do this. Just wanted to clarify about the minor flaws in the Glamdring sword. The finish is not mirror but decent. It is rough in spots. There are very minor dings and divots on various parts of the sword from the hilt to the blade. Aesthetically this may bother some people but I think it gives the sword character unique to each one purchased. I noticed the fuller is a little off center on one side but otherwise it is straight and uniform. Upon examination of the edge it is top notch in terms of sharpening. Whoever sharpened it did an excellent job. The sword looks like it was meant obe used and probably was even tested before shipping. I would have no issue or hesitation buying another one of these. The sword looks and is meant to be functional after initial examination and doing a few practice swings. Now it is a matter of doing some test cutting with it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2008 17:02:28 GMT
hello ;D could some one post the exact weight and POB for the DSA elven sword , ive read what the websites say but im curious as to what they are once the in hand thank you |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2008 23:52:04 GMT
Here is what my experience has been so far(copied from another post)
OK, I was not quite ready to break this story but I'll tell you some of the facts. The DSA Elven and Ranger swords are both very attractive swords. You need to get your figures straight before making a buying decision, as they are on the higher end of prices of the swords we consider here. I measured the dimensions of my Elven sword with a digital micrometer and a digital scale accurate to tenths of ounces.The websites (DSA and Arms of Valor) said the blade width was 1.8 inches, mine was 2.36 inches. The websites said the weight was 4 pounds, 5 ounces, mine was 5 pounds, 5 ounces! I was bummed for a while because the sword I originally planned to get was only about 3 and a half pounds. I decided I did not want to spend another $42 to ship the sword back to Canada and I would make the best of it.I began to try to sharpen it with a file and could barely scratch the surface-the steel is tempered very hard and power tools can't be used or the temper and the sword
will be ruined. I called people but nobody had any good advice.
I was becoming more depressed by this time. Anyway, since I thought I had ruined the sword anyway I felt I had nothing to lose
so I TOOK IT APART. I had never done that before. Having the blade separated from the handle made it easier to manage, which gave me hope. I went to Lowes and bought a coarse Nicholson file
and found that with some effort I was able to sharpen about an inch on the blade. I figure it will take me eight months to sharpen the whole 72 inches. Since this is going to become a huge project like remodeling a house I have decided to dye the grip leather black,
and to sandblast and parkerize( like bluing)the pommel, crossguard and spacer.If you have never seen this go to the Arms and Armor website, look at one of their swords and click on hilt bluing. The only problem with the process is that you have to use boiling phosphoric acid, manganese dioxide and other explosive and deadly chemicals that will kill you if you touch them. Also, you will have the DEA busting your door in at some point as they will think you are running a meth lab! Nevertheless, these are the risks I must take. If I succeed I am going to call the finished product the Elven War Sword
and post the pictures on the board.
Anyway, my point is that in my case the website numbers were not
the same as the sword I was sent. It is probably just a mistake,but
be prepared to get a large and heavy sword. Save the packing materials in case you have to send it back. Do not try to sharpen it yourself unless you are experienced and good at that- the AoV sharpening deal is a bargain. Let me know what happens.
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