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Post by Psychochink on Apr 29, 2014 6:32:35 GMT
So finding a decent one of these seems to be problematic at best.
Even if I could find the Hanwei version, my meanderings tell me it's not exactly solidly constructed (plastic? really?). Anybody know of any other good (and attractive) offerings out there?
Y'know, without looking at something like the A&A Town Guard sword, which is getting a bit on the pricey side...
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Post by Dave Kelly on Apr 29, 2014 9:50:52 GMT
MRL makes a copy of the Munich. Used to have it's own main gauche, now out of production.
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Post by Psychochink on Apr 30, 2014 0:24:43 GMT
Couldn't find much in the way of reviews of that - I gather it's received the stamp of approval (Windlass being a bit hit and miss sometimes)?
So then the next question becomes, who does a better sharpening job as a rule? MRL or KoA?
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Post by Ramsay318 on Apr 30, 2014 0:49:03 GMT
Kult of Athena is a bit more consistent, I think, but I'd almost say send it out to a third party.
And as the proud owner of the Town Guard, I would simply point out that you only really need one kidney. Seriously though, the blade on it is nearly twice as thick and just under a half inch wider than the Munich. It feels like it could stop a claymore, and still be fast enough to fend off a rapier. Plus it comes sharpened, and it's available for as long as A&A is in business. So, were I thee, I'd save monies and go a step up. It is worth the wait.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Apr 30, 2014 3:45:32 GMT
Where Hanwei uses plastic grip cores, it's because it's stronger than wood, for the price. Plastic can be cast, wood needs to be cut, so it's easier to have plastic grip cores that fit the tang closely. Wood splits along the grain, plastic doesn't have grain (or at least, you can make plastic without grain). Cheap wood cores are often cut (or worse, drilled) with lots of room around the tang. Close-fitting plastic is better.
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Post by Psychochink on Apr 30, 2014 4:55:19 GMT
My understanding is that the grip is hollow plastic, so it actually loosens upon use.
You sir, are a bad man.
Lalalalala! I am not listening! *browses A&A some more*
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Post by Grubnessul on Apr 30, 2014 8:48:40 GMT
Given that we're discussing kidneys for swords: danelliarmouries.com/index.php/c ... -schiavona A side sword with a schiavona hilt, need I say more? (in his side sword section there are some very nice other side swords as well)
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Apr 30, 2014 11:57:21 GMT
If that is the case, that's not a problem because it's plastic, but because it's made badly. If the core was wood, but the space inside was the same shape, it would loosen as easily, and the grip core would be more fragile. The problem with plastic is that for many swords, it's not a historical material. Some plastics used as substitutes for natural materials are not as grippy (like plastic rayskin, some synthetic leathers), which can also be a problem. But use the right plastics, and you have more strength than the natural materials (e.g., polycarbonate).
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Post by Ramsay318 on Apr 30, 2014 13:42:04 GMT
Search your feelings. You know it to be true!
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Post by Ramsay318 on Apr 30, 2014 13:43:37 GMT
Also, Grubnessul, I know nothing of Danelli. I've seen their stuff a few times, but nothing beyond that. Anything you can tell us about them?
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Post by Grubnessul on Apr 30, 2014 20:29:21 GMT
Someone from my group has a rapier made by him. I only had the pleasure of swing it around once, but it is very pretty and seemed good quality.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Apr 30, 2014 21:05:38 GMT
Danelli is a high end training/HEMA producer. Nothing they offer is live steel.
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Post by Grubnessul on May 1, 2014 21:37:02 GMT
Where exactly lies the border between those two?
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Post by Ramsay318 on May 2, 2014 4:34:00 GMT
It is a fine line known as the edge of the blade. If it's sharp, it doesn't get used for HEMA. Usually.
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Post by Psychochink on May 2, 2014 5:32:10 GMT
Also much safer blade geometry in the first place, so not even really suitable for sharpening, even if one wished to do so.
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Post by Grubnessul on May 2, 2014 7:48:16 GMT
Fair enough. You could always inquire if Danelli can do sharpening. Not really sure what the OP was looking for, given that A&A also has swords they claim are suitable for sparring.
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on May 2, 2014 8:02:50 GMT
When I asked Danelli, he told me he doesn't make sharps.
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Post by Anders on May 3, 2014 17:15:57 GMT
I haven't managed to get a hold of one yet, but everything I've heard about the Hanwei suggests it's a very good sword for the price, except for the grip.
Incidentally, Kult of Athena seems to have it on backorder again now.
It's a bit worse than just loosening. IIRC, it can actually cause the tang to bend if you hit something hard enough.
My plan was to try to fix that issue or failing that, make a whole new grip from scratch. I don't think it's a big problem if you're a bit handy.
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Post by Psychochink on May 4, 2014 22:55:36 GMT
KoA's got the Windlass version, which after a bit more research is what I've landed on - I resisted the A&A temptation and I'm on their notification list. That's...bad. I am not handy - or at least, not that handy.
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Post by A capella on May 4, 2014 23:07:15 GMT
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