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Post by LG Martial Arts on Apr 25, 2014 19:16:12 GMT
If you had an opportunity to buy a a Euro type sword, either a high end factory model or a full on custom, what would you choose? Length? Blade type? Weight? Handle size? Type of guard/pommel? I'm not too big on Euro swords, since I have a background in JSA/JMA, but having studied medieval literature and history (plus being on the fencing team for a brief stint) in college, I'm intrigued with Euro swords, how they were used, how they handle, etc. please feel free to add more elements I didn't add myself.
LG
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Apr 25, 2014 21:59:29 GMT
This is, like, way too big of a question answer succinctly. Unlike the Japanese sword tradition, which took place in relative isolation on an island nation and followed fairly smoothly connecting trends, the medieval European sword tradition covers an entire continent of criss-crossing influences, unrest, cultural and military exchanges with dozens of nations, city-states, rising and falling empires, religious movements and military tactics over a period of about 1000 years as many scholars define it. THAT is the range that the term "a Euro type sword" covers. Saying "I'm intrigued with Euro swords, how they were used, how they handle, etc." is a request better served by full books on the subject than by forum posts. Try reading an overview in one of the books by Ewart Oakeshott, for example. So while this answer is incomplete, it's the only one I'm able to give at the moment. A silly one with little context. I would buy this sword: www.peterjohnsson.com/vorpal-sword/I would buy it because it's a stylized myth of a piece that draws on and incorporates elements from several real historic swords, but divorced enough from a specific context to represent a sort of medieval 'ideal.' It has dimensions I like and impeccable craftsmanship. It reminds me of the things I love about swords.
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Post by Rob C on Apr 25, 2014 22:08:12 GMT
If it were my choice, I would have a lot of them haha, but trying really hard to nail it, mine would be like this: Pretty much it would be an XVIa, it would have the blade shape of the albion crecy, a long handle with a scentstopper or crown pommel (something like a type t4 or t5) and straight quillons with side rings, I like simple and utilitarian looks so I would not add anything aesthetically apart from a satin finish. The closest sword design to my perfect sword I have seen on would be this from Regenyei armoury. Unfortunately it is located in Hungary so I'm guessing the shipping would be ultra expansive, also note that this one is a blunt example, it just assimilates what I want on a sword when it comes to the overall design. www.regenyei.sg18.net/en_blunts_custom.html <-- it's the first one shown at this link. On the use it is a very broad subject, have any specifics? Also note that sword designs in Europe vary a lot from manufacturer to manufacterer, country to country and epoch to epoch,and while two "typical" european swords can look very similar they can be very different.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Apr 25, 2014 23:20:38 GMT
The answers you get will be varied depending on the taste of individuals. Bastard swords are my preference. I would want a cut and thrust blade, so it should be something akin to a XVIa or an XVIIIa/b. Blade length around 35 inches, 2 inches wide at guard tapering down to an acute point. Thickness starting at .250 (a little thicker that typical). At least 50% distal taper, doesn't necessarily have to be linear. Grip around 7 inches long. Pommel, a type V2, which lets me slide my left hand onto it a bit, and the flat shape allows good orientation of the blade edge. Either a straight type 11 guard, or maybe another type with a slight curve. Weight, 3 lbs, give or take a couple of ounces. I don't think anyone makes this sword. My Tinker stage combat sword's hilt looks like what I described, but the blunt blade is rather different. Attachments:
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Apr 25, 2014 23:38:07 GMT
I guess what I was trying to get at (though not eloquently enough) was this: if you had an opportunity to get your "dream" sword, what would it look like, weigh, etc.
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Post by mcapanelli on Apr 26, 2014 2:00:48 GMT
I paid about $550 for my Regenyei with shipping to NYC. Scott Brown, his U.S. representative, brokered the whole thing. The waiting time was long, about a year, but the sword was well worth it. I own longsword No XX on the same page. His prices have gone up a bit since I ordered but they're certainly still a great value. He can make them sharp too, just so you know.
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Post by Rob C on Apr 26, 2014 2:19:09 GMT
Big thanks for the info Mcpannelli! does he have a site or just an e-mail?
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Post by mcapanelli on Apr 26, 2014 2:21:29 GMT
You could contact Peter directly and he'll put you in touch with Scott. He just started a new venture and I'm not sure if the website is up yet, but he does stock Regenyei's and can take custom orders. I'll be picking up a single handed sword and a messer by the summer.
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Post by Rob C on Apr 26, 2014 2:27:45 GMT
Ok, big thanks again Mcpanelli, I have been staring at his swords with a sad face for the last few weeks .
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Post by Nilfgaardian on Apr 26, 2014 9:19:36 GMT
I'm currently waiting on a custom sword from Peter Regenyei although it will take some time before I get it. I think my ideal euro sword would be an exact copy of the Hanwei tinker GSoW, but of higher quality and with a stiffer blade.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Apr 26, 2014 22:25:15 GMT
When I did buy a high-end Euro, it was a classic thrusty longsword (needle tip, not cutting tip). Very MoR longsword, 1.5kg, 3' blade, 1' hilt. Well-balanced for a longsword, pommel that accommodates the hand moving down onto it. Nothing special, just an Albion Ringeck: albion-swords.com/swords/albion/ ... ck-xva.htm For further high-end Euro swords, I'd consider: longsword with cutting tip, otherwise similar size/weight to the Ringeck; typical Viking sword, 28-32" blade, about 1.2kg, snug grip (about 8.5cm, might need to modify); single-edged Viking (which would either be the Albion Berserkr or custom - not much choice); a messer or falchion. 24-30" blade, 600-900g; katzbalger with fishtail pommel (haven't thought much about the size); large two-hander with Parierhaken, about 66-70" overall, 2.5-3kg. These aren't "ideal" swords. Note that the longswords above are average, the Vikings are average, the two-hander is average. Generally, those swords would be better if they were lighter for the same size, or longer for the same weight. As average representatives of their types, they're ideal.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Apr 26, 2014 22:35:55 GMT
Lunaman, I've seen that sword in other posts... the Vorpal sword is magnificent. I'm thinking of a custom fantasy piece inspired by the Dragonlance Chronicles, most probably will be commissioned though Brenno at FableBlades, though it'll probably be a while before setting up the commission. This thread was meant as a way for us to hear from Euro type sword owners and open up a discussion about what makes an ideal sword for them, whether from a particular era, region, or pure fantasy. Thank you all for your input.
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Post by LemuelTheLemur on Apr 27, 2014 1:38:43 GMT
Whether one handed or two handed, my favourite euros have nice wide blades, limited profile taper and handle with authority without being cumbersome With that in mind, the aesthetics of the hilt is a very big draw for me. The guard needs to be elegantly shaped and sized as not to be bulky, but also not so thin that it looks fragile. I'm a sucker for the look of a waisted half wire grip despite never having held a wire gripped sword. Fishtails and faceted scentstoppers are my favourite pommels, but I've looked at so many that I think a sword with a nice wheel pommel is in order soon. Personally I like my swords to be perfectly symmetrical with nice crisp lines. I understand some people prefer their swords a little more rough around the edges, but "cleanliness is next to godliness" is what they say isn't it?
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Post by john570 on Apr 27, 2014 13:34:48 GMT
I'd say the vorpal and Crecy would be top on my list. But when I got back into collecting a few years ago. I ordered an atrim XIIa.4 as a good all around sword. That's tuff enough for the battlefield. Peter Johnsson's XIVa looks pretty good too.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2014 14:24:32 GMT
Waiting on something along those lines with a grip in the 14 inch neighborhood.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Apr 28, 2014 3:34:10 GMT
John and Jon, very nice swords!
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Post by john570 on Apr 28, 2014 10:01:10 GMT
I'm having Ernie do a version of Peter Johnsson's XIV bastard.
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Post by ArthursArmory on May 7, 2014 0:11:24 GMT
Think it is just a personal preference. What era of history nad people do you like? The Vikings? The Franks? ...etc. Really depends.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on May 7, 2014 1:54:36 GMT
In my case, even though I've read a lot of Arthurian romances, I prefer German type XVIa bastard swords... they just look right to me.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on May 7, 2014 2:19:05 GMT
As many have said too big a question but if I had to pick one sword that tops all the others I think it would have to be the only sword in my collection that has a name. I call it: The Sword Sean Shall Never Own. viewtopic.php?f=6&t=114.
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