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Post by LG Martial Arts on Dec 24, 2013 2:02:02 GMT
So, I recently bought a VA Custom "Knights Templar" Signature Sword from a fellow SBGer and my wife wanted to "see/feel it" when I unboxed it today (will be posting pics soon)... well, she fell in love with it and now wants me to look for something similar for her but not as long since she's only 4'9" tall. Looking at her holding it in profile, it looked to be at least 8" to maybe a foot too long based on her height. The sword measures the following according to the stats on VA's page: Overall Length: 45" Blade Length: 36" Handle Length: 7 1/8" She loves the detailing, the weight, the handling, everything except the length and the Templar Cross (she's agnostic). I recommended a J type pommel with a coin in it instead of the Templar Cross. She also prefers the hand and a half over a single hander since her arms/forearms aren't that strong, plus she'll only be keeping it as a wall-hanger unless she decides she wants to do some practice cutting at some point. Here's VA's website The "Knights Templar" Signature Sword and some pics from SBG Pic 1Pic 2So, anyone got any suggestions? Probably going to have to go the custom route since I haven't really seen many hand and a half Euro swords with blades under 30". There's plenty of time, her birthday isn't until next summer!
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Dec 24, 2013 2:09:35 GMT
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Dec 24, 2013 2:42:26 GMT
great advice... she liked the heft of the sword (VA states it's 2 lbs. 12 oz.), although I can see her straining herself if she had to swing it full force or keep it extended for a while. A few weeks back, I let her do a couple of "practice" swings with my Munetoshi Tessen katana (2.35 lbs from SnA) and take a swing at a piece of tatami, at which point she said "ow!" and said her arm hurt. Like I said, she's not the most muscularly developed lady, weighing in at around 106 lbs at 4' 9". I would have to get her to measure her arm/waist to ground length, but am almost positive she likes the hand and a half grip better for aesthetics/comfort. aussie-rabbit, I'll take a look at the website you mentioned... thanks as well.
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Post by chrisperoni on Dec 24, 2013 3:57:15 GMT
I would ask Sonny at VA to set you up with a shorter blade using whatever pommel and cross your wife likes from Sonny's options. He can usually mix and match and might have some blades available that are not listed on his site. Not sure how long the tangs come but he might be able to outfit a single hand blade with a longer grip, or maybe if she likes a more narrow scent stopper pommel as on the Malatesta, she can gain some added space for two hands. Sonny might even be able to weld some extra tang onto a blade to buy you some length.
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Post by xenophon on Dec 24, 2013 4:30:42 GMT
Here's one under 30" (just barely) and in the ballpark for weight.. but with a massive 12" grip (firmly into two-handed territory, but it would mean a lot of leverage for weaker arms though): kultofathena.com/product.asp?ite ... rd+-+Brown
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Post by john570 on Dec 24, 2013 5:18:50 GMT
Try a VA Bristol and see if she likes it. It fits what I consider a very short bastard.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Dec 24, 2013 9:24:14 GMT
Thanks again for all the suggestions. The Bristol is a very, very nice piece, but would have to see what my wife prefers. I might take your advice chrisperoni and have a "semi" custom sword made out to her specs. She was talking about "shield maidens" and what it would have been like to live during the age of Vikings/LOTR... I've had swords for a long time now, even before we were married (wall-hangers at the time), but she's never been this interested in them before. I guess her "warrior" side is coming through, what with being part French, German, Native American, and Mexican American
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Dec 24, 2013 16:02:34 GMT
Maybe customize H/T Bastard would fit her well.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Dec 24, 2013 17:31:40 GMT
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Post by Valandur on Dec 24, 2013 19:18:31 GMT
Are there any sword shops within driving distance? Where she could handle a bunch of different sword types to see if one suits her? Too bad its not Renn season, lots of choices at a faire.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Dec 24, 2013 20:06:00 GMT
No sword shops anywhere near us (hint, we live almost at the very tip of South TX), and the TX Renn Faire that just happened recently was about a 10 hr drive north... so, no go for that idea Thanks though for all the suggestions. Great looking swords all around. I guess I'll just have to buy one of each until she finds her "one" and keep the rest for me! :twisted:
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Dec 24, 2013 20:53:02 GMT
My would be a H/T bastard sword, maybe reworked by Ernie.
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Post by john570 on Dec 25, 2013 9:55:00 GMT
I've had a H/T bastard, EMSHS and a VA Bristol. I'd go with the Bristol over the H/T's. It just fits what I think a two hander should be for a petite woman or young girl plus it comes with a hot scabbard. It's just a nice tight little sword all around. The H/T's aren't heavy but I think will be a bit to long in the blade for her.
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Post by chrisperoni on Dec 25, 2013 15:12:43 GMT
Sonn/VA is in Grapevine, Texas if that's a doable drive?
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Post by Insane on Dec 25, 2013 15:35:14 GMT
You can't go wrong with the H/T bastard. I have the fullered and it puts a smile on my face each time i handle it.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Dec 25, 2013 17:30:13 GMT
Just checked, and Grapevine's roughly 520 miles North of where I live, so, unless we were doing a road trip to visit my brother who lives in Austin (around 320 miles North), that's also a no-go. Thanks for all the suggestions - love them all. I'm a JSA guy with limited experience handling Euros, so I appreciate all everyone has added to this post.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Dec 25, 2013 17:31:56 GMT
That is a good suggestion. You could buy a bare H?T bastard blade (either fullered or nonfullered) at KOA. Then send it to Ernie at Yeshua's. He can put on the hilt of your choice. I'm not sure if he does this, but he might also cut down the blade length to something that would be right for your girlfriend to use easily - maybe to 30 inches. Ernie does great work - below is a photo of a sword of mine that he gave a new guard and pommel. Attachments:
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Post by john570 on Dec 26, 2013 2:44:15 GMT
Since your wife is small. If you go with as H/T blade over a VA and send it to Ernie. I'd go with a EMSHS blade and have him turn it into a bastard for her. I had a EMSHS with a grip and scabbard from crusader monk. It was a nice solid single hander. I just always wish I could fully grip it with two hands if I wanted. The blade I always thought would of made a better bastard sword then the H/T fullered bastard. I think the 33" blade on the H/T bastard might feel more like a two hander to her. But it is a light nimble good handling sword in my opinion. What type of over all look do you think she likes? Like more fantasy or historical and ask her what blade type she thinks will fit her style. I'd just show her albions next gen line up to pick a blade type.
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Aaron
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,369
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Post by Aaron on Dec 26, 2013 3:25:09 GMT
That's a pretty solid idea. Move the shoulders of the tang up and inch or two and have a fishtail pommel made so she's got enough grip. Would give you a 29-30" blade and a 6-7" grip, which is going to be damned hard to find in a production blade.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Dec 26, 2013 3:48:53 GMT
John570 and Aaron, great ideas from you both! I really dig that idea, making a smaller bastard sword out of a single handed blade. Outstanding! I'm sure that would really get the job done. Like I said before, her birthday's not until July, so I should have enough time to come up with something/make arrangements with VA/Ernie and get things done. Can't wait to start on this project!
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