CSS H/T Great Sword of War
Jul 10, 2014 19:25:44 GMT
Post by Morsus on Jul 10, 2014 19:25:44 GMT
Introduction
After a few months contemplating on what my next sword would be I decided to try something in the Tinker line. Though with the Tinker's plain looks I wanted to add some personality so I contacted Sonny at VA and he was very accommodating and patient with me! And the end result absolutely left me stunned!
Historical overview
Generally the H/T GSOW would fall into a type XIIIa though with the customization I'm really not sure what to classify this as anymore.
Large swords of this caliber have great cutting potential, both on foot and on horseback and can have devastating impacts on whatever is in its way. While fulfilling such potential in the cutting department the structure of the blade on the original GSOW is not well adjusted for thrusting though Sonny did a great job on fixing that issue with this particular blade.
Full Disclosure
I am rather new to collecting and my experience is only limited. Other than the normal purchase I have no affiliation with VA, or Hanwei.
Initial Impressions
The packing was well done. The sword came inside a large brown cardboard box with some packing paper on the inside and under the packing paper the sword itself was held securely between two long pieces of cardboard fitted over it. Very little room for it to move if it even could at all.
After unboxing and finally getting the sword out I was amazed. The very first thing I noticed when I held the sword (not taken out of the scabbard yet) was how light it was. I was expecting this to be much heavier than what it actually was. After reading other reviews on the GSOW I was expecting a much more unwieldy product even with the customization. Though I'm sure this has a fair bit to do with the new pommel and grip as well.
Statistics
Taken from Kult of Athena and other than the weight and POB everything else is right.
Overall Length: 47 3/8'' Blade: 35 7/8'
Weight: 3 lb 9.5 oz (Possible a bit lighter, haven't actually weighed it)
Edge: Sharp
P.O.B.: 4 5/8'' (Mine is a little closer to 5 inches)
Thickness: 5 mm - 3 mm
Width: 56.6 mm
Grip Length: 9 1/4''
Pommel: Nut
The Blade
The blade came with a nice polish on it and no blemishes. I'm sure Sonny made sure that the blade had no dirt or anything on it before it was shipped.
The Edge is sharp and even sharper towards the tip where Sonny ground the blade into an actual point rather than the rounded tip on the original GSOW which I absolutely love because thrusts are fun so Sonny did a great job here!
Now, the problem. The blade is whippy as all other swords of this type generally are and after some research and looking at other reviews mine doesn't feel or appear more whippy than other swords of this type. I accept this but it still weighs in on my mind when I handle it. It definitely sags a bit under its own weight when held horizontally. Perhaps this isn't so much of a problem as my mind is making it out to be as opposed to it being a slight annoyance. Either way, this is no mark on Sonny or VA but rather on Hanwei themselves.
The Fuller is even and relatively straight. There are some minor waves but they don't throw off the line. Overall it's fairly symmetrical and with a Hanwei blade I wouldn't really expect a perfectly straight fuller, especially when the fuller runs the majority of the blade's length.
The Handle
This is one of my favorite parts of the sword. Sonny redid the grip with a dark blue leather and added a riser to each end of the grip. Under the leather the wood is cord wrapped and the entire shape of the handle is much more of an oval than rounded which is much more comfortable for me.
The Guard
Sonny removed the stock guard and replaced it with a curved guard that I requested. It's polished nice and smooth and fits well. There is a slight gap between the blade and the guard but it's nothing that impacts anything. Everything is nice and tight and looks good.
The Pommel
Ok, this is my favorite part. The original round pommel was replaced with a requested fishtail shaped pommel. The result is great and the pommel is still a hexnut as well which is a nice bonus. The only problem is a very slight ding in the center of the pommel on one side which might be due from shipping. It's hardly noticeable unless actually looking up close. But best of all, the pommel is extremely comfortable in my grip, whether I have part of my hand on it or all of my hand it remains solid and comfy.
The Scabbard
Absolutely beautiful. The scabbard is a nice deep blue to match the grip and has two central risers on the outer side. So beautiful in fact that I almost regret drawing the sword from it whenever I do :lol: It came with a leather belt and buckles for suspension as well. The metal chape at the end of the scabbard is tight and fits well. The buckles are fastened on tightly though the angle in which the sword hangs from the waist is a little low. Though this could be from me easily wearing it wrong.
Handling Characteristics
A sword like this is meant to hit hard so you don't get hit back so that means using a lot of blade presence and weight. Though with this sword, I really don't feel much weight, or at least not as much as other reviews claim. There is definitely a strong blade presence and I can feel the "whippiness" of the blade through horizontal movements but it feels... almost right? I feel that this sword is not only going to hit hard but it has a very unique and unexpected agile side, even when doing basic cuts with one hand. I do believe that the grip shape as well as the better grip itself helps out a lot with the handling. Before now I've been accustomed to rounded grips and I'm not sure if I can go back now Even in the thrusts, which this sword is not originally designed for it feels pretty good.
Overall, if the whippiness wasn't felt during horizontal movements then it would feel absolutely great.
Test Cutting
Haven't gotten to cut much with it lately aside from taking a few thrusts and vertical slices at the cardboard box it came in. The result was some light residue from the box on the blade that I had to wipe off but nothing more. The sword went through the box with ease and relatively little force. Just letting the weight of the blade fall resulted in some gashes in which the smallest was about five inches.
Conclusions
I absolutely love the work Sonny did. I feel he did a great job and created a very fine piece. The only thing I'd like to see done differently on the entire sword is the blade profile and less sag and whippiness as well as a straighter fuller but that's in Hanwei's court, not Sonny's. The custom work is gorgeous and it's everything I requested and then some!
Pros
-Excellent work by Sonny
-Fantastic Grip
-Great Pommel and Crossguard
-Handles pretty well
-Pointed tip for thrusting
Cons
-Blade Whippiness
-Blade Fuller
-Scabbard when hung from waist is on lower side (Not much of an issue for me, but may be to some)
The Bottom Line
I would absolutely recommend Sonny because his work is great! The GSOW itself I would recommend if you were looking for a Warsword focused on cutting though if you were skipping the customization process then there might be better alternatives.
Now, I'll quit with the words and let the pictures do the talking.
After a few months contemplating on what my next sword would be I decided to try something in the Tinker line. Though with the Tinker's plain looks I wanted to add some personality so I contacted Sonny at VA and he was very accommodating and patient with me! And the end result absolutely left me stunned!
Historical overview
Generally the H/T GSOW would fall into a type XIIIa though with the customization I'm really not sure what to classify this as anymore.
Large swords of this caliber have great cutting potential, both on foot and on horseback and can have devastating impacts on whatever is in its way. While fulfilling such potential in the cutting department the structure of the blade on the original GSOW is not well adjusted for thrusting though Sonny did a great job on fixing that issue with this particular blade.
Full Disclosure
I am rather new to collecting and my experience is only limited. Other than the normal purchase I have no affiliation with VA, or Hanwei.
Initial Impressions
The packing was well done. The sword came inside a large brown cardboard box with some packing paper on the inside and under the packing paper the sword itself was held securely between two long pieces of cardboard fitted over it. Very little room for it to move if it even could at all.
After unboxing and finally getting the sword out I was amazed. The very first thing I noticed when I held the sword (not taken out of the scabbard yet) was how light it was. I was expecting this to be much heavier than what it actually was. After reading other reviews on the GSOW I was expecting a much more unwieldy product even with the customization. Though I'm sure this has a fair bit to do with the new pommel and grip as well.
Statistics
Taken from Kult of Athena and other than the weight and POB everything else is right.
Overall Length: 47 3/8'' Blade: 35 7/8'
Weight: 3 lb 9.5 oz (Possible a bit lighter, haven't actually weighed it)
Edge: Sharp
P.O.B.: 4 5/8'' (Mine is a little closer to 5 inches)
Thickness: 5 mm - 3 mm
Width: 56.6 mm
Grip Length: 9 1/4''
Pommel: Nut
The Blade
The blade came with a nice polish on it and no blemishes. I'm sure Sonny made sure that the blade had no dirt or anything on it before it was shipped.
The Edge is sharp and even sharper towards the tip where Sonny ground the blade into an actual point rather than the rounded tip on the original GSOW which I absolutely love because thrusts are fun so Sonny did a great job here!
Now, the problem. The blade is whippy as all other swords of this type generally are and after some research and looking at other reviews mine doesn't feel or appear more whippy than other swords of this type. I accept this but it still weighs in on my mind when I handle it. It definitely sags a bit under its own weight when held horizontally. Perhaps this isn't so much of a problem as my mind is making it out to be as opposed to it being a slight annoyance. Either way, this is no mark on Sonny or VA but rather on Hanwei themselves.
The Fuller is even and relatively straight. There are some minor waves but they don't throw off the line. Overall it's fairly symmetrical and with a Hanwei blade I wouldn't really expect a perfectly straight fuller, especially when the fuller runs the majority of the blade's length.
The Handle
This is one of my favorite parts of the sword. Sonny redid the grip with a dark blue leather and added a riser to each end of the grip. Under the leather the wood is cord wrapped and the entire shape of the handle is much more of an oval than rounded which is much more comfortable for me.
The Guard
Sonny removed the stock guard and replaced it with a curved guard that I requested. It's polished nice and smooth and fits well. There is a slight gap between the blade and the guard but it's nothing that impacts anything. Everything is nice and tight and looks good.
The Pommel
Ok, this is my favorite part. The original round pommel was replaced with a requested fishtail shaped pommel. The result is great and the pommel is still a hexnut as well which is a nice bonus. The only problem is a very slight ding in the center of the pommel on one side which might be due from shipping. It's hardly noticeable unless actually looking up close. But best of all, the pommel is extremely comfortable in my grip, whether I have part of my hand on it or all of my hand it remains solid and comfy.
The Scabbard
Absolutely beautiful. The scabbard is a nice deep blue to match the grip and has two central risers on the outer side. So beautiful in fact that I almost regret drawing the sword from it whenever I do :lol: It came with a leather belt and buckles for suspension as well. The metal chape at the end of the scabbard is tight and fits well. The buckles are fastened on tightly though the angle in which the sword hangs from the waist is a little low. Though this could be from me easily wearing it wrong.
Handling Characteristics
A sword like this is meant to hit hard so you don't get hit back so that means using a lot of blade presence and weight. Though with this sword, I really don't feel much weight, or at least not as much as other reviews claim. There is definitely a strong blade presence and I can feel the "whippiness" of the blade through horizontal movements but it feels... almost right? I feel that this sword is not only going to hit hard but it has a very unique and unexpected agile side, even when doing basic cuts with one hand. I do believe that the grip shape as well as the better grip itself helps out a lot with the handling. Before now I've been accustomed to rounded grips and I'm not sure if I can go back now Even in the thrusts, which this sword is not originally designed for it feels pretty good.
Overall, if the whippiness wasn't felt during horizontal movements then it would feel absolutely great.
Test Cutting
Haven't gotten to cut much with it lately aside from taking a few thrusts and vertical slices at the cardboard box it came in. The result was some light residue from the box on the blade that I had to wipe off but nothing more. The sword went through the box with ease and relatively little force. Just letting the weight of the blade fall resulted in some gashes in which the smallest was about five inches.
Conclusions
I absolutely love the work Sonny did. I feel he did a great job and created a very fine piece. The only thing I'd like to see done differently on the entire sword is the blade profile and less sag and whippiness as well as a straighter fuller but that's in Hanwei's court, not Sonny's. The custom work is gorgeous and it's everything I requested and then some!
Pros
-Excellent work by Sonny
-Fantastic Grip
-Great Pommel and Crossguard
-Handles pretty well
-Pointed tip for thrusting
Cons
-Blade Whippiness
-Blade Fuller
-Scabbard when hung from waist is on lower side (Not much of an issue for me, but may be to some)
The Bottom Line
I would absolutely recommend Sonny because his work is great! The GSOW itself I would recommend if you were looking for a Warsword focused on cutting though if you were skipping the customization process then there might be better alternatives.
Now, I'll quit with the words and let the pictures do the talking.