Questions from an Asian European Sword Collector
Nov 5, 2014 8:24:58 GMT
Post by Croccifixio on Nov 5, 2014 8:24:58 GMT
A bit of a background
"Collector" is a bit of a misnomer. Actually, I just really love swords. When I was a child, I distinctly remember idolizing Prince Philip from Sleeping Beauty, specifically because he used a pretty badass sword. Since then, I've been enamored by European Medieval chivalry, and specifically swords (and later on, swords in general, though I dislike the Cinqueda and basket-hilt broadswords for aesthetic reasons). Time flew, and now I'm a lawyer, but until very recently had no real sword. That changed pretty quickly when I stumbled on some modern jousting videos. One click led to another, and I found Skallagrim on youtube, which led me to research the Albion Caithness, and ultimately led me here (and myarmoury and a thousand other wonderful sword sites). I've been reading and researching non-stop ever since.
What now
Well the past few months of reading and watching videos has taught me to appreciate my own martial culture (I'm Filipino), so I imposed a policy on my sword-buying: for every foreign sword I get, I need to get a Filipino sword.
Hence, I am now the happy owner of a second hand TFW Celtic Dress Sword, second-hand TFW Gayang, and a brand-new engraved KCB Kris Wave. I like to support my countrymen whenever I can, so I plan that my initial collection be mostly sourced from TFW, KC, KCB, and Geisha's Blade. In a couple of years, maybe I can convince the wife to let me buy an Albion/AA or custom.
I also plan to do a review for all of my current swords since I found none on this site (I've been cutting with them in short stints, since I have yet to build a proper cutting stand).
The actual questions
So, having lurked here for the better part of three months (only PMed a member with a specific query)... I need active help in making a decision. Fortunately, after that long and irrelevant introduction, I go to the heart of this thread:
What swords do I get next?
I'm planning my collection to look like this by the end of 2015:
1. TFW Celtic Dress Sword (I never thought I'd appreciate a European short sword, but this thing is amazing, and has some similarities to actual specimens). It was previously in someone's collection and was never used. The blade rusted in some spots and the scabbard and hilt weren't well-maintained, but I managed to clean the blade up and the non-maintenance for 2 years actually made it look better in my opinion, or at least more authentic. Got it for half the original price.
2. TFW Gayang (a fooking beauty-and-the-beast of a sword). Its second-hand state is nice, but there were a lot of issues I noticed later on. The blade had a few small nicks at the belly. It was allegedly used in the XO Blade Olympics a year ago and went through abusive stuff, like cutting thick wood. The wood stained the blade, and I was only able to remove it after spending time sanding the blade and polishing it. Got it for 70% the original price.
3. KCB Kris Wave. This is actually a gift for my dad, since I prefer the Kris Luma style (thicker blade with a pistol-like grip). Got it for the normal 99 USD price.
4.
5.
For my fourth sword, I'll need a non-Filipino sword as per my policy. This time I want a two-hand sword (my first love). My options are
A. Euro (200-400 USD)-
H/T GSOW (230 at KOA + 49 shipping + 35 Customs = 314)
KC Teutonic/Crusader III (300? + 49 + 45 = 394)
Windlass Roven (263 sharpened at MRL + 49 + 40 = 352)
KCB Custom (267 converted, no shipping). It will look something like this except with a steel pommel and a fancier scabbard: i.imgur.com/sCTnpZA.jpg
I'm also open to other suggestions. If you think the Fullered Bastard from H/T is better than the GSOW, of if the other Windlass options like the GBS or Homildon Hill are better that any of these, please let me know your thoughts.
My preference is actually a type XIIIa or XIIa, but a XX is nice too. I'm aware that the KC Teutonic is different, but the reviews here are just so glowing about this sword that I need to have it as an option.
The TFW is out of my price range, though I love their scabbard work. I'll discuss the higher end swords in a bit.
B. Japanese Katana/Tachi/Handachi (200-400 USD)-
KC 29 (135 for the bare blade + around 80 for good fittings + 49 + 20 = 284 or 300+ for the full thing + 49 + 40 = 394)
Hanwei Practical Elite (216 + 49 + 32 = 297)
Geisha's Blade Gin no Sakura Hamdachi (found at www.geishasblade.com/shop/katana ... -handachi/ for 333.33 no shipping required).
I'm a bit scared to try the ebay forges cause they seem to be 50-50 in terms of quality. And I simply trust ebay less than KOA/SBG/MRL/CSS etc. DF... I've read too little about to put them above the Hanwei. Same with Ronin. , sold out and not really a good brand to mention here. I'm willing to learn, of course, and I often read the Japanese Sword forums, but I really can't make up my mind.
I can't increase my budget, because of financial concerns, marital concerns, and choice concerns. If I go up to 400-500, I think the only real options for Euros are VA/ATs. But then there are potential second-hand AAs/Albions for that price! Thus, I'm left with TOO many choices. Besides, I don't think I "deserve" one of the big As yet until I've proven myself capable of maintaining and enjoying my current blades.That's why I have to set a hard ceiling per sword. If I rush into the upper end of Albions, AAs, and customs, I probably wouldn't be able to enjoy the Hanweis and Windlasses of the world.
Thanks in advance for the help, and apologies for having you wade through all that text.
Regards from a new and excitable member
"Collector" is a bit of a misnomer. Actually, I just really love swords. When I was a child, I distinctly remember idolizing Prince Philip from Sleeping Beauty, specifically because he used a pretty badass sword. Since then, I've been enamored by European Medieval chivalry, and specifically swords (and later on, swords in general, though I dislike the Cinqueda and basket-hilt broadswords for aesthetic reasons). Time flew, and now I'm a lawyer, but until very recently had no real sword. That changed pretty quickly when I stumbled on some modern jousting videos. One click led to another, and I found Skallagrim on youtube, which led me to research the Albion Caithness, and ultimately led me here (and myarmoury and a thousand other wonderful sword sites). I've been reading and researching non-stop ever since.
What now
Well the past few months of reading and watching videos has taught me to appreciate my own martial culture (I'm Filipino), so I imposed a policy on my sword-buying: for every foreign sword I get, I need to get a Filipino sword.
Hence, I am now the happy owner of a second hand TFW Celtic Dress Sword, second-hand TFW Gayang, and a brand-new engraved KCB Kris Wave. I like to support my countrymen whenever I can, so I plan that my initial collection be mostly sourced from TFW, KC, KCB, and Geisha's Blade. In a couple of years, maybe I can convince the wife to let me buy an Albion/AA or custom.
I also plan to do a review for all of my current swords since I found none on this site (I've been cutting with them in short stints, since I have yet to build a proper cutting stand).
The actual questions
So, having lurked here for the better part of three months (only PMed a member with a specific query)... I need active help in making a decision. Fortunately, after that long and irrelevant introduction, I go to the heart of this thread:
What swords do I get next?
I'm planning my collection to look like this by the end of 2015:
1. TFW Celtic Dress Sword (I never thought I'd appreciate a European short sword, but this thing is amazing, and has some similarities to actual specimens). It was previously in someone's collection and was never used. The blade rusted in some spots and the scabbard and hilt weren't well-maintained, but I managed to clean the blade up and the non-maintenance for 2 years actually made it look better in my opinion, or at least more authentic. Got it for half the original price.
2. TFW Gayang (a fooking beauty-and-the-beast of a sword). Its second-hand state is nice, but there were a lot of issues I noticed later on. The blade had a few small nicks at the belly. It was allegedly used in the XO Blade Olympics a year ago and went through abusive stuff, like cutting thick wood. The wood stained the blade, and I was only able to remove it after spending time sanding the blade and polishing it. Got it for 70% the original price.
3. KCB Kris Wave. This is actually a gift for my dad, since I prefer the Kris Luma style (thicker blade with a pistol-like grip). Got it for the normal 99 USD price.
4.
5.
For my fourth sword, I'll need a non-Filipino sword as per my policy. This time I want a two-hand sword (my first love). My options are
A. Euro (200-400 USD)-
H/T GSOW (230 at KOA + 49 shipping + 35 Customs = 314)
KC Teutonic/Crusader III (300? + 49 + 45 = 394)
Windlass Roven (263 sharpened at MRL + 49 + 40 = 352)
KCB Custom (267 converted, no shipping). It will look something like this except with a steel pommel and a fancier scabbard: i.imgur.com/sCTnpZA.jpg
I'm also open to other suggestions. If you think the Fullered Bastard from H/T is better than the GSOW, of if the other Windlass options like the GBS or Homildon Hill are better that any of these, please let me know your thoughts.
My preference is actually a type XIIIa or XIIa, but a XX is nice too. I'm aware that the KC Teutonic is different, but the reviews here are just so glowing about this sword that I need to have it as an option.
The TFW is out of my price range, though I love their scabbard work. I'll discuss the higher end swords in a bit.
B. Japanese Katana/Tachi/Handachi (200-400 USD)-
KC 29 (135 for the bare blade + around 80 for good fittings + 49 + 20 = 284 or 300+ for the full thing + 49 + 40 = 394)
Hanwei Practical Elite (216 + 49 + 32 = 297)
Geisha's Blade Gin no Sakura Hamdachi (found at www.geishasblade.com/shop/katana ... -handachi/ for 333.33 no shipping required).
I'm a bit scared to try the ebay forges cause they seem to be 50-50 in terms of quality. And I simply trust ebay less than KOA/SBG/MRL/CSS etc. DF... I've read too little about to put them above the Hanwei. Same with Ronin. , sold out and not really a good brand to mention here. I'm willing to learn, of course, and I often read the Japanese Sword forums, but I really can't make up my mind.
I can't increase my budget, because of financial concerns, marital concerns, and choice concerns. If I go up to 400-500, I think the only real options for Euros are VA/ATs. But then there are potential second-hand AAs/Albions for that price! Thus, I'm left with TOO many choices. Besides, I don't think I "deserve" one of the big As yet until I've proven myself capable of maintaining and enjoying my current blades.That's why I have to set a hard ceiling per sword. If I rush into the upper end of Albions, AAs, and customs, I probably wouldn't be able to enjoy the Hanweis and Windlasses of the world.
Thanks in advance for the help, and apologies for having you wade through all that text.
Regards from a new and excitable member