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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Jan 28, 2015 21:49:11 GMT
I've been on this *exact* quest since I started lurking on SBG... So here's what I learned that hasn't been covered yet... Look for a used Albion Reeve. They can be considered a later period sword. And wow is the handling nice. I absolutely LOVE my Godfreid, and when I retire it, I'll buy another, but I have yet to find anything with the same weight/feel. Even my Reeve is a little heavier, but it has the same overall floaty feel. I'd love to have more hands on with the SL Albions...
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 28, 2015 22:02:13 GMT
The only real difference between the Squire Line and Next Gen is the finish on the metal and they don't cord wrap the grip. My Next Gen Vinland and Squire Line Clontarf sit next to each other on my display and if it wasn't for the grip you wouldn't notice any difference. Don't know what it cost to get a grip rewrapped but it can't be as much as the difference in the price of the two swords. Don't know why Albion don't also sell the Vinland and Clontarf Squire Line swords.
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 28, 2015 22:18:09 GMT
I, for one, am seriously considering the acquisition of a new Hanwei Godfred plus a SL Gotland. Toss-up between that one and the Vinland... I don't particularly care for the guard shape on the Gotland, but I'm not all about the engravings on the Vinland, either. If I had to pick a "real" Albion it would be either the Jarl or Huskarl, leaning to the former...which, of course, are triple the target price of this thread. Naturally. Still missing my Godfred...
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Jan 28, 2015 22:22:16 GMT
Just to throw a few more twigs onto the fire - Del Tin Vikings - I remember that 10 or so years ago, the DT2105, was widely considered to be the best of the DT Viking swords, as far as weight and balance are concerned. kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=DT2105 Also - it's not really a Viking sword, but consider the DT2070 Migration sword. Back in those Olden Days, it was regarded as one of Del Tins's best swords. kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=DT2070
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jan 28, 2015 22:33:56 GMT
So I just contacted Albion and found out that I would be able to use their payment plan even though it specifies it's only for orders over $500. Only thing is they don't accept paypal which is a slight inconvenience to me but oh well.
The Godfred, with a grip re-wrap, is also tempting me because of the praise and suspected good handling. Anyone know the tang situation with that sword, healthy and sound?
Random, what about the Clontarf? Less engraving than the Vinland and more of a simple guard.
-Josh
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 28, 2015 22:41:15 GMT
I liked the Godfred hilt as it was, the tang seemed substantial enough. The Clontarf is nice, definitely the middle between the two, but I like either side better. I dunno, maybe the Clontarf. Which one are you getting?
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 28, 2015 22:46:35 GMT
The Del Tin looks cool and I don't have any Viking swords with bronze/brass fittings. The only problem I have with them is Chrome-Vanadium is the metal companies like Harbor Freight uses to make their cheap Chinese tools. A wrench is one thing a sword is another.
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jan 28, 2015 23:02:05 GMT
The Del Tins do look pretty nice. The DT2105 is definitely too gold for me, never liked that color on swords and unfortunately, sooo many katana use brass. I do like that the guard and the pommel are swept away from the grip. That and the grip material itself looks like it would make for a comfortable handle. I also really like the fuller but the weight and pob seem like it would make it a stout feeling blade.
The DT2070 is lighter but with an 8" pob, not sure how that would feel. The guard is less gold-ish but the sharp lines on the pommel worry me. The grip is a good length though so maybe it would still be comfortable. The sharpened price is over my max though.
If the Godfred had the blade shape of the DT2105, it might be a done deal. I'm not loving the sharp point and super round fuller termination on the Godfred. Is this something found on any historical Viking blades?
-Josh
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Jan 28, 2015 23:18:18 GMT
I miss my Godfred too... I really liked it. Shame it's not peened but screw on pommel.
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jan 28, 2015 23:24:07 GMT
I miss my Godfred too... I really liked it. Shame it's not peened but screw on pommel. As in hex-nut or the whole pommel literally turns to tighten? -Josh
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Jan 28, 2015 23:35:52 GMT
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 28, 2015 23:42:05 GMT
I forgot about the pommel thing. Never had any issues with mine, though I do wonder if they didn't see fit to change to a hex nut with the success of the Tinker line... Yeah, I kind of doubt it.
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Post by sonofarwyn on Jan 28, 2015 23:42:21 GMT
I own quite a few, so I can suggest a few things. I also have really big hands, so vikings were a bit of a learning expierience for me. A handshake grip on a viking makes a HUGE difference in how they feel and handle. Hammer gripping the vikings with bigger pommels is painful. A handshake grip makes them much more comfortable, and the pommel then provides a nice "lock" to your grip, anchoring the sword.
Hanwei Godfred - I really like mine. The stock grip sucks, and I would swap that out immediately. Once that's out of the way, its a very light fast viking. Construction on them is quite good, and I really liked the fit and finish on the Damascus guard.
Kris Cutlery Viking Great sword for the money. Very solidly built, but definitely on the heavier end of the range. Think shield breaker!
Windlass Sticklestad - good all arounder, comfortable, solid, good grip. For the price, hard to beat. Like all things Windlass, it aint the top of the production heap, but a good deal for the money.
Hanwei Tinker 9th Century Viking Sword - This is the one I learned the difference between a hammer grip and handshake grip. Night and day feel on this sword once I changed how I gripped it
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Post by Arthur Dayne on Jan 28, 2015 23:46:33 GMT
Great topic and very helpful. I've been tabbing between this topic, Albion and Kult of Athena looking at the different Viking models discussed. Never had a viking style sword before so the insight is appreciated.
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 28, 2015 23:50:05 GMT
Just realized the post I'd typed up on my phone on response to the fuller/tip question.
Here it is:
I think those two aspects were the most complained about on the Godfred. Too pointy and a "bad" fuller. Never bothered me, but I always saw is as more of a "Viking-inspired single-hand sword" than any representation of an actual historic piece.
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Post by N Schiff on Jan 29, 2015 0:09:57 GMT
Another option is to go the semi-custom route with a HT Viking bare blade if you can find one (or just grind off the peen on a complete one). Total cost for the blade and fittings might be less than some of the other options. I had the guard and pommel made and put it together with my own grip, but you might also be able to do it through someone like Ernie within your budget. You can see mine in this thread: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/14897/new-viking-finishedApparently the pics on the thread aren't loading anymore, so here are the 2 of it finished:
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jan 29, 2015 0:19:35 GMT
I really tried everything I could as far as holding the h/t before I sold it but nothing I did kept it from being a painful experience. Digging into or rubbing against my hand hurt enough to make me not want to do any cutting with it. I got it back in the day when there was a two h/t for $160 deal and bought it with the emshs.... those were the days! If I had know it would never be the same I'd have picked up a bastard and long sword too.
Ok, so the Irish Viking is looking pretty good. Lightweight, nice shape to the fittings, long grip, peened pommel, all good. The fuller is a bit more narrow than I prefer and the tip a little more pointed but I can live with the fuller and I could probably do something to ease the point down. Even with shipping from Germany, it should be well within my max price. I believe it would be just under $340 shipped.
-Josh
Edit - has anyone purchased anything from Battle-Merchant? Good cs?
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jan 29, 2015 0:23:54 GMT
What is the style of pommel/guard on the Irish Viking?
-Josh
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Jan 29, 2015 0:35:00 GMT
What is the style of pommel/guard on the Irish Viking? -Josh I'm not sure, something between type L and Z.
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Jan 29, 2015 0:39:47 GMT
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