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Post by randomnobody on Jan 29, 2015 0:55:56 GMT
That Irish isn't bad, but I won't be racing to buy abroad. The Leuterit was one I remembered having great reviews, but could never get myself into the thing. Once upon a time there was another Windlass Viking, back then they used Del Tin blades, I think, with a pattern-welded core between plain steel edges. I wish I could remember what it was called, I think it also started with an L, but my memory is gone. This was years ago, the last time I saw one, and it was only on Viking Shield then. Edit: and no, it wasn't the current "Damascus Viking." It was something else and I should have just bought one.
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Jan 29, 2015 1:02:51 GMT
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jan 29, 2015 1:12:20 GMT
Weird but that UK dealer doesn't seem to hip to the US, I can't proceed with finding out the shipping cost because USA is not a choice in the country dropdown.
-Josh
Ok, the dropdown still doesn't show the US but from their shipping chart it looks like it would be about $38 which combined with the lower price makes a better deal than getting it from Germany. Anyone shop with Medieval Weaponry?
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 29, 2015 1:32:49 GMT
Huh, that is odd. Try emailing? I've bought several knives from a shop in Spain that only lists other parts of Spain for their online shipping options. Have to email them for anywhere else. Bit of a pain, but they're good about it.
Edit: I just clicked the link myself and couldn't even see the page before an ad for their "New international shipping rates" popped up informing me that "We now ship to the USA from £24.50."
That's kinda hefty ($37.09 US), but that's international shipping for you.
Edit 2: £185.53 comes to about $281 US, plus $37+, so $318+ shipped. Hmm...
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jan 29, 2015 1:45:39 GMT
I can't proceed with a checkout or making an account because it won't let me skip choosing a country and the US is just not on that dang dropdown menu for some reason. I guess I could try and buy it through email if I wanted it. I'm still not decided but if I could actually get the Irish, it's a possible contender. The three top choices right now: Albion SL, Hanwei Irish and the DT2104 (with sharpening service where needed) -Josh
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 29, 2015 1:58:15 GMT
I'm also rather fond of the Del Tin, aesthetically, but I don't know how I feel about unsharpened (arguably blunt, I seem to recall a 3mm or better edge on DT?) swords. Yes, the SL by Albion is also unsharpened, but eh...
If you can get the Irish, I'd go for that one. Looks like the best of both worlds to me.
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Post by jwest on Jan 29, 2015 3:22:24 GMT
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 29, 2015 3:47:59 GMT
Huh, interesting stuff there. Gets expensive quick, but still pretty reasonable.
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Post by Bryan Heff on Jan 29, 2015 11:44:05 GMT
I have the Del Tin 2104 and a SL Clontarf. The Clontarf is the better handling sword. It's lighter and feels quicker in hand. My only gripe when I bought mine through Viking-shield was the sharpening ended a good 4-5 inches from the cross, so it had a slightly weird look as the edge did not go the full length of the blade. I fixed it by sharpening that final few inches and blending that edge in with the edge it came with. It bugged me quite a bit before b/c the transition between sharpened and not was very startling and the sword just looked very odd that way. It also has the wider less profile tapered blade but with the distal taper Albion does it does not end up feeling blade heavy. The blade shape to me is just classic earlier period viking sword, almost a hold over from the migration style swords.
The Del Tin is a longer sword, almost 33 inch blade and is definitely more in the shield smashing category in comparison but is probably the best handling Del Tin viking...or so it has been reported and of the 2 Del Tin Vikes I owned it certainly handles better and overall handles well. I really like the looks of the hilt fittings as well. Both have classic short viking grips which I personally like. For $100 more you are going to get a better sword with the SL IMO but I am very happy with all of my Del Tins so in either case I think you will get a winner.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Jan 29, 2015 21:49:22 GMT
Let me dig thru my posts on the Irish Viking...I was about to pull the trigger on one and William gave me a heads up, so I'll find specifics...
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jan 29, 2015 22:53:14 GMT
I think I read that one. I believe he mentioned that a few of the swords we've discussed were on the light side for his personal tastes. I have been reading as many viking sword reviews and threads as possible in the last few days...SO. MANY. MORE! I'm taking it many people like the Viking style swords, lol
I keep coming back to the Albion SL Viking because I will not be buying another and I want the one I have to be a good one. I have one customized Medieval and now will have one Viking. I am still drawn to the Irish Viking because of the fittings and grip length and the price is also appealing. I think I'll give myself another week or so to keep looking through options and if nothing else changes, I'll likely start paying off the ASL.
-Josh
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Jan 29, 2015 23:09:14 GMT
If you really mean to buy only one sword, get the Albion. Cheaper swords practically always lead to more expensive ones...
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Post by sonofarwyn on Jan 29, 2015 23:28:41 GMT
I agree with Luka, the Leuterit is a great sword for the dollar. Just wish it wasnt an alloy guard. Handling though is excellent!
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jan 30, 2015 1:24:30 GMT
The Leuterit is a little too blingy for me, I like the well worn low res finish and monotone color on the fittings and blade best.
Ordering the Albion would take me about 3 months to pay for and then will take about another 4 months in production but I'm really in no rush.
-Josh
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 30, 2015 2:10:17 GMT
You can't go wrong with a Albion. I remenber a destructive test video they did on one of their Viking sword which unfortunately is no longer available to watch. They repeatedly bent the blade in a vise into a circle, that's right the handle around and past the blade. Back and forth, one way then the other for what had to be a couple dozen time before the blade finally broke. I don't know why they removed the video from their site and Youtube because if that didn't sell you on Albion nother would.
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 30, 2015 2:14:57 GMT
My guess is they took it down because people were trying it for themselves, then demanding replacements after. It's happened to a lot of makers. If I ever buy another Euro, it'll probably be an Albion. Not likely a Squire, though they're certainly a great value for the money. I'd rather have something at the top of their tier to, as Luka suggests, avoid feeling like I need to buy another, better model later.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 30, 2015 5:30:00 GMT
Boy wouldn't that be nice, to not feel like you need to buy another sword. I've got five Viking swords now but know of about three more that I need to have. Then again I only have one gladius so I'll need to round that out with at least one more. Then I need one more claymore to balance out my display for them. I think death is the only cure for this, then you have to decide which one will be your burial sword.
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jan 30, 2015 6:59:44 GMT
I would be sold much faster on a demonstration of fine handling and cutting targets that I would be likely to cut rather than one on withstanding abuse I would never subject it to. Destructive testing never did much to pique my interests in a sword. I've seen many video demonstrations of swords being tortured and taking some pretty impressive abuse but then have actually inspected and handled some of those swords and quickly knew I would never want to own one myself due to many other reasons. I don't know much about Euro swords but I know that Albion has built quite a good reputation over the years and I've read a lot about how well they handle and perform and I also know I won't be cutting anything crazy or potentially abusive to the blade. I've been wanting to make a scabbard from scratch for a while now so this is another reason I think I'd be happy getting the Albion. I'm really glad I opened this thread because honestly, I would never have even looked at the Albion site assuming they were all way out of my price range. Thanks again for the help -Josh
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 30, 2015 14:16:50 GMT
I would never do that to a sword either but it doesn't hurt to know that it could take it. Had a name brand Chinese made sword blade break in my hand just trying to straighten a slight curve in it. Don't have to worry about any of my Albions doing that.
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ShooterMike
VIP Reviewer
Senior Forumite
I like swords, and my snowman did too!
Posts: 9,094
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Post by ShooterMike on Jan 30, 2015 14:59:38 GMT
I would be sold much faster on a demonstration of fine handling and cutting targets that I would be likely to cut rather than one on withstanding abuse I would never subject it to. I have a Next Gen Gotland. It handles very well and flies through all plastic bottle types as well as single-roll and double-roll tatami omote like the proverbial hot knife through butter. I too am tempted by a Squire Line Viking model with sharpening and a reworked grip cover. If you try one of the SLs offered from Viking Shield, that might be a winner too.
All the Albion offerings seem to handle well. I think the secret is to get the edge done correctly for period, and they're awesome in the cutting department.
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