Del Tin Medieval Hand and a Half (DT2142)
May 7, 2014 18:44:31 GMT
Post by Bryan Heff on May 7, 2014 18:44:31 GMT
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Overview -
The Del Tin medieval hand and a half sword (DT2142) is a long bladed XIIIa great sword. It seems to be one of the more popular Del Tin models. Del Tin actually makes 3 swords of very similar proportions, 2 seem to share the same blade, this one under review as well as their "14th Century" hand and a half sword (DT5143) both are long bladed XIIIa types but with different pommels and guards. Del Tin also makes a DT2146 which has what appears to be the same pommel and cross as the DT2142, but with an unfullered blade and a ricasso, but the overall dimensions seem to mirror the DT2142.
Purchasing/shipping/disclaimers -
I purchased this sword used from KOA. I have had my eye on this model (and the DT5143) for quite some time and had been close to getting one off the second hand market several times but never successfully. When this one was posted on the KOA site for the price and condition it was near impossible for me to resist, so I bought it. It arrived in a large brown box and the sword was bound grip to point in brown packing paper twisted the length of the blade and the voids in the box filled in with the same paper. I very good packaging job. KOA's description of the faults ,and by faults the tiny scuff or 2 on the blade and what they describes as dents in the leather, was 100% accurate. This blade could probably have been sold as new. It is in near perfect condition. KOA is a great vendor. I have purchased from them on several occasion and their honesty and customer service is stellar.
Specifications
Overall Length: 48 1/4"
Blade Length: 39 3/8"
Blade Width at guard: 1 13/16"
Overall Grip Length: 7"
Cross guard Length: 9 1/2"
Pommel: 2 1/4" Wide 1 3/4" high x 1 3/4" thick
Weight: 3 lbs, 13.5 oz
PoB: 6 1/2"
Blade:
The blade on this model is quite long, even for a great sword. There are actually quite a few examples of XIIIa's getting this long and longer, but usually they seem to have a wider blade. In addition, of all the Great Swords currently available in the production market, I am going to say this may be the longest blade, or close to it. As mentioned the blade is a bit narrow I feel and would actually prefer it to be a bit wider. This model comes in at under 2 inches, almost a 1/4 inch under 2. Other large war swords from this great sword era that I have owned (H/T GSOW and Albion Baron) both have blades at the base around 2 1/4". I bring this up only as an observation and a point of personal preference for me. The blade itself is very well done. It is unsharpened but the edges are close to being "finalized". Probably no more than 2 mm wide, probably a bit under that. There is no waves or hammer marks on the blade which is perfectly straight and slightly tapers in the profile as it works its way to the point. The point is slightly rounded off. The fuller is very typical of Del Tin swords in that it is straight and very neat, but has a slight rounded or washed out look to it, which I actually like quite a bit. I imagine (no actual data other than pictures) that historical examples would be more in line with what a DT fuller looks like than say an Albion fuller, which is super crisp well defined and sharp. Bottom line is the DT fuller is quite nice and extends 28 1/2" of the blade and then terminates in a smooth way into the final part of the unfullered blade. The unfullered tip section is essentially lenticular in shape, but when really held in certain light you can see that the center section is basically flat, so almost between true lozenge shape and a really well blended hex shape. For all intents and purposed its lenticular, I am just splitting hairs and being very specific with what I am seeing. There is good distal taper as well. My calipers are NOT super precise but I measured approximately 5 mm down to about 3 mm, so nearly 50% taper. KOA stats are right in that same ball park and I believe their stats are the more accurate.
Grip:
The grip is black, has a central riser and one on either end, all being pretty thin. The seam is glued and it is done really well, it can be seen but its hardly noticeable. The leather work on this version is really quite nice overall. When compared to the blade length I feel that the grip is a bit short. I can fit both hands on it, but they are basically right together unless I grab some portion of the pommel. With a bit longer grip I feel handling would improve as you would have better spacing and probably more control over the long blade. The grip is thick, almost borderline too thick but ultimately not. There is definitely plenty to grab on to. It tapers slightly from the cross to the pommel.
Pommel:
The pommel is a type J and is nicely done. Its thick but not bulky and works really well with the sword. Its shape is a distorted disk, with the sides being wider than the top and bottom. I decorative element has been etched into the faces on either side and are most surely done by hand with some kind of etching tool in my opinion. Not flawless by any means but done with care and it looks good. The peen is not perfect but is quite good in my opinion and seems to really lock everything down. This sword rings like a bell when the blade is struck.
Cross Guard:
The cross guard is a very simple straight cross that swells in the middle where the blade slot is. Its basically square in cross section. The blade slot is well done and fits with pretty tight tolerances to the blade.
Performance:
The sword handles well especially for its size. It is firmly a 2-handed sword though in my opinion. There is plenty of blade presence with this model and it feel powerful in hand. The blade has a fair amount of flex as is normal for this type of cutting blade, but it still maintains plenty of stiffness. When dry handled and moved at speed, no blade waggle or whip occurred and the sword felt solid and moved well. It will not stop on a dime but I don't think that was part of what the original makers of swords like these where going for. This is a man killer. Those poor souls from history that were unfortunate to get in the path of a sword of this type probably lost body parts, entrails and their life.
Overall:
I love swords from the Viking age up through the high middle ages so this type really fits what I like in a sword. I also have a soft spot truth be told for Del Tin swords. I think they make some really nice pieces for a price point that while not cheap, really seems to me to be well worth the cost. This sword is no exception. It looks great. If historical accuracy is important to you, and to me it is, it certainly has that going for it, as most Del Tins do. You can see why they would be popular with the reenacting folks. The blade is long and the grip is a bit short for my tastes, and the blade I feel could be a bit wider. But those are personal gripes and they are minor ones for me at that. Overall its a sword I am very happy with. I think the maker Del Tin has a really good model here and from what I can tell this one has been around a while and has a lot of fans. In addition the seller KOA also gets A+ marks for their honestly and customer service.
Overview -
The Del Tin medieval hand and a half sword (DT2142) is a long bladed XIIIa great sword. It seems to be one of the more popular Del Tin models. Del Tin actually makes 3 swords of very similar proportions, 2 seem to share the same blade, this one under review as well as their "14th Century" hand and a half sword (DT5143) both are long bladed XIIIa types but with different pommels and guards. Del Tin also makes a DT2146 which has what appears to be the same pommel and cross as the DT2142, but with an unfullered blade and a ricasso, but the overall dimensions seem to mirror the DT2142.
Purchasing/shipping/disclaimers -
I purchased this sword used from KOA. I have had my eye on this model (and the DT5143) for quite some time and had been close to getting one off the second hand market several times but never successfully. When this one was posted on the KOA site for the price and condition it was near impossible for me to resist, so I bought it. It arrived in a large brown box and the sword was bound grip to point in brown packing paper twisted the length of the blade and the voids in the box filled in with the same paper. I very good packaging job. KOA's description of the faults ,and by faults the tiny scuff or 2 on the blade and what they describes as dents in the leather, was 100% accurate. This blade could probably have been sold as new. It is in near perfect condition. KOA is a great vendor. I have purchased from them on several occasion and their honesty and customer service is stellar.
Specifications
Overall Length: 48 1/4"
Blade Length: 39 3/8"
Blade Width at guard: 1 13/16"
Overall Grip Length: 7"
Cross guard Length: 9 1/2"
Pommel: 2 1/4" Wide 1 3/4" high x 1 3/4" thick
Weight: 3 lbs, 13.5 oz
PoB: 6 1/2"
Blade:
The blade on this model is quite long, even for a great sword. There are actually quite a few examples of XIIIa's getting this long and longer, but usually they seem to have a wider blade. In addition, of all the Great Swords currently available in the production market, I am going to say this may be the longest blade, or close to it. As mentioned the blade is a bit narrow I feel and would actually prefer it to be a bit wider. This model comes in at under 2 inches, almost a 1/4 inch under 2. Other large war swords from this great sword era that I have owned (H/T GSOW and Albion Baron) both have blades at the base around 2 1/4". I bring this up only as an observation and a point of personal preference for me. The blade itself is very well done. It is unsharpened but the edges are close to being "finalized". Probably no more than 2 mm wide, probably a bit under that. There is no waves or hammer marks on the blade which is perfectly straight and slightly tapers in the profile as it works its way to the point. The point is slightly rounded off. The fuller is very typical of Del Tin swords in that it is straight and very neat, but has a slight rounded or washed out look to it, which I actually like quite a bit. I imagine (no actual data other than pictures) that historical examples would be more in line with what a DT fuller looks like than say an Albion fuller, which is super crisp well defined and sharp. Bottom line is the DT fuller is quite nice and extends 28 1/2" of the blade and then terminates in a smooth way into the final part of the unfullered blade. The unfullered tip section is essentially lenticular in shape, but when really held in certain light you can see that the center section is basically flat, so almost between true lozenge shape and a really well blended hex shape. For all intents and purposed its lenticular, I am just splitting hairs and being very specific with what I am seeing. There is good distal taper as well. My calipers are NOT super precise but I measured approximately 5 mm down to about 3 mm, so nearly 50% taper. KOA stats are right in that same ball park and I believe their stats are the more accurate.
Grip:
The grip is black, has a central riser and one on either end, all being pretty thin. The seam is glued and it is done really well, it can be seen but its hardly noticeable. The leather work on this version is really quite nice overall. When compared to the blade length I feel that the grip is a bit short. I can fit both hands on it, but they are basically right together unless I grab some portion of the pommel. With a bit longer grip I feel handling would improve as you would have better spacing and probably more control over the long blade. The grip is thick, almost borderline too thick but ultimately not. There is definitely plenty to grab on to. It tapers slightly from the cross to the pommel.
Pommel:
The pommel is a type J and is nicely done. Its thick but not bulky and works really well with the sword. Its shape is a distorted disk, with the sides being wider than the top and bottom. I decorative element has been etched into the faces on either side and are most surely done by hand with some kind of etching tool in my opinion. Not flawless by any means but done with care and it looks good. The peen is not perfect but is quite good in my opinion and seems to really lock everything down. This sword rings like a bell when the blade is struck.
Cross Guard:
The cross guard is a very simple straight cross that swells in the middle where the blade slot is. Its basically square in cross section. The blade slot is well done and fits with pretty tight tolerances to the blade.
Performance:
The sword handles well especially for its size. It is firmly a 2-handed sword though in my opinion. There is plenty of blade presence with this model and it feel powerful in hand. The blade has a fair amount of flex as is normal for this type of cutting blade, but it still maintains plenty of stiffness. When dry handled and moved at speed, no blade waggle or whip occurred and the sword felt solid and moved well. It will not stop on a dime but I don't think that was part of what the original makers of swords like these where going for. This is a man killer. Those poor souls from history that were unfortunate to get in the path of a sword of this type probably lost body parts, entrails and their life.
Overall:
I love swords from the Viking age up through the high middle ages so this type really fits what I like in a sword. I also have a soft spot truth be told for Del Tin swords. I think they make some really nice pieces for a price point that while not cheap, really seems to me to be well worth the cost. This sword is no exception. It looks great. If historical accuracy is important to you, and to me it is, it certainly has that going for it, as most Del Tins do. You can see why they would be popular with the reenacting folks. The blade is long and the grip is a bit short for my tastes, and the blade I feel could be a bit wider. But those are personal gripes and they are minor ones for me at that. Overall its a sword I am very happy with. I think the maker Del Tin has a really good model here and from what I can tell this one has been around a while and has a lot of fans. In addition the seller KOA also gets A+ marks for their honestly and customer service.