|
Post by johnf on Feb 11, 2015 7:46:07 GMT
:)Hi all. I have some questions regarding those two. Being a big LOTR fan. I am trying to decide between which one. I really like the looks of both swords. And slightly prefer the looks of the Anduril. But i would want the one that handles better according to most people. I can't seem to find any info comparing the handling between the two. Except for a few people saying. The Ranger being the better handling of the two. I know. And with all due respect. Compared to the competition. These are massive swords. And also not really considered tops in the handling department by most people. More suited as a beater. But again. Being a LOTR fan. I like these two swords the best. And would want the better handling one. Would order from KOA. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by William Swiger on Feb 11, 2015 8:42:08 GMT
It was my understanding that DSA announced awhile back that both models were being discontinued.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2015 11:30:14 GMT
According to DSA DEFINITELY discontinued, sorry!
|
|
|
Post by KaOsBlaKbLaDe on Feb 11, 2015 13:36:40 GMT
Given that they might be hard to find if truly disontinued, i'd take the lighter of the 2 if handling will be your deal breaker. You're already aware that DSA lack much of the finesse of other blades, so if you like the looks equally then go for the easiest one to lift. I have a DSA gothic, and have worked it to the point where it's at least alive, but still an anchor as far as weight is concerned.
|
|
|
Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 11, 2015 13:36:53 GMT
johnf, good news, DSA still has 39 of the Anduril in stock at $500 to $625 and they say a limited quantity of the Ranger left at $520 to $645. KOA has one Anduril in their scratch and dent sale for $280, they say it has a bent blade with a twist in the tip area and a cracked scabbard. The blade could be straightened, if not by you by some people here who offer that service. As for the handling I can't help you there because I've never even held either sword. So it you really want one you better hurry, if you snooze you lose.
|
|
|
Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 11, 2015 14:01:08 GMT
|
|
|
Post by johnf on Feb 11, 2015 22:00:37 GMT
:)Thanks guys! Appreciate the info. I am leaning towards the Ranger. And thanks Gunner for the links. They worked fine.
|
|
|
Post by Svadilfari on Feb 12, 2015 1:52:59 GMT
I purchased one of the earlier DSA Andurils several years ago. I was NOT happy with it at all. Firstly, the blade fittings were NOT "mild steel" as advertised on their product page ( a fact they admitted in email's to me after the purchase) but some type of totally non-magnetic metal. Secondly - and to me, more worrying was the construction . If you consider that it's basicly a two handed weapon, the natural grip when swinging is with one hand up towards the pommel. That relatively massive, long metal 'pommel" ..is simply screwed on to a reasonably insubstancal tang about half-way down the entire length of the grip. The bending forces on that thread must be pretty substancial.
Not long after my purchase, I saw one youtube video when someone was practising with one where they said they only got in one or two swings before the blade and hilt parted company - big "Helicopter of Death" potential. :( After that, I've never gotten the nerve to try mine out in any serious cutting :( Nice looking wall hanger..but that's all I'd consider it. Other's may disagree..
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2015 6:50:56 GMT
Definitely right, Svadi...if i may shorten you so...;-) the non-steel, unidentificable metal of the fittings, the obviously too tiny tang and the simple screw-on construction are big No-Nos... The Ranger is far more solid, but far too heavy for what i consider to be a weapon of a light-armored woodland warrior...very big, very massive. Even the big Ranger sword from Gen2/Legacy Arms is MUCH lighter, but its not designed on the movie prop, only inspired.
|
|
|
Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Feb 12, 2015 8:48:26 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 12, 2015 13:23:38 GMT
The TFW Claymore is a great looking sword but the only spec's on their website is length and blade length. No weight, no point of balance and no blade thickness. And if you read the warning on KOA the wood on the TFW has a tendency to crack. Plus the runic writing on the blade of the DSA is nice. If johnf is a big fan of LOTR than he probably wants a sword as close to the original as possible not one that somewhat resembles it. From what I hear DSA corrected the metal problems on the first run of Anduril. Besides, it looks like johnf has decided on the Ranger anyways and TFW doesn't make one of them. Whatever you decide on John, enjoy. And welcome to the crazy world of people with sharp things.
|
|
|
Post by nddave on Feb 12, 2015 14:17:03 GMT
Sounds like all of them aren't very functional. Hell, I'd just go with one of the licensed United Cutlery models or even one of the Chinese knockoffs for around $40.00 on KOA. I mean if all your going to get to do is hang it on the wall anyway, might as well get the best looking wall hanger of the bunch and that would be the UC.
I Wouldn't waste my time or $500 on DSA that's for sure. TFW might be good but from the reviews I've read recently they're also really hit and miss, more so than Hanwei or Windlass. Plus you don't know if it's really constructed any better than DSA or UC and what weight it's sitting at.
Honestly if your wanting a sword like the LoTR Aragorn swords that's functional but sub $1000 I'd say go for a Valiant Armory Sword from their Custom Sword Shoppe. I'm pretty sure Sonny could make you a Ranger looking sword out of his stock hilt furniture. There's also the leather color options too.
If VA is out of your price range (shouldn't they're cheaper than DSA) them there's always the Windlass Sword of Roven. Which has similar design and size to the Aragorn swords.
In short you're really not going to find a truly functional great handling and looking LoTR sword on the production market. Best bet would be going custom and getting one from Brennan at Fable Blades, though that'll get you in the $2000+ mark.
So pretty much your options are a accurate looking wall hanger, a decent looking clunker wall hanger posing as a functional, better handling fully functional lookalikes that aren't LoTR swords or very accurate fully functional custom made swords.
If you don't have the cash for the custom but really want a LoTR sword and not a lookalike, I'd just go for the wall hanger. You'll be less disappointed from a $100-150 wall hanger than a $500 one. Plus just because it's a wall hanger doesn't mean you can't swing it around a little or sit it on your lap when watching the movies.
|
|
|
Post by William Swiger on Feb 12, 2015 14:26:23 GMT
If you are not in a hurry, Ernie would make something good with a Tinker blade.
|
|
|
Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 12, 2015 15:06:44 GMT
The Valiant Armory idea might be a good one if Sonny is willing to do it. There are some here who will say his swords are too heavy also. I have a Hedemark and yes it is heavier than my Albion Vinland or Clontarf but it doesn't bother me. It's about one third the price of what a Albion is selling for now and the Albion doesn't even include a scabbard. Heck, if John had acted sooner he could have got a Anduril sold by WETA made by Peter Lyon for a mere $6,000 plus $200 shipping and it still weighed 4.9 pounds. But that option is gone, they only made ten of them and they're all sold.
|
|
|
Post by nddave on Feb 12, 2015 15:25:40 GMT
The Valiant Armory idea might be a good one if Sonny is willing to do it. There are some here who will say his swords are too heavy also. I have a Hedemark and yes it is heavier than my Albion Vinland or Clontarf but it doesn't bother me. It's about one third the price of what a Albion is selling for now and the Albion doesn't even include a scabbard. Heck, if John had acted sooner he could have got a Anduril sold by WETA made by Peter Lyon for a mere $6,000 plus $200 shipping and it still weighed 4.9 pounds. But that option is gone, they only made ten of them and they're all sold. If he's got that kind of money he should just go with Brennan from Fable Blades and get a custom that's just as accurate but for half of the Weta price.
|
|
|
Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 12, 2015 15:51:10 GMT
I'm only guessing here but since John's new here he might be new to collecting as well. Not too many people these days can start off with a $3,000 custom and he did mention a " beater " so who whats to beat a $3,000 custom. We may all be pushing him farther than he wants to go. If he wants a " beater " than he may have been on the right track with the Ranger from DSA, say anything you want about DSA but they are a beater. In the end John will have to make the choice that works for him, let's not scare him away.
|
|
|
Post by nddave on Feb 12, 2015 16:01:15 GMT
I'm only guessing here but since John's new here he might be new to collecting as well. Not too many people these days can start off with a $3,000 custom and he did mention a " beater " so who whats to beat a $3,000 custom. We may all be pushing him farther than he wants to go. If he wants a " beater " than he may have been on the right track with the Ranger from DSA, say anything you want about DSA but they are a beater. In the end John will have to make the choice that works for him, let's not scare him away. Good point. The only issue I see with DSA being a functional sword beater or not is the construction and the fails in the tang mentioned above. If he is on a budget I think Yeshua's or Valiant is the best he's going to get. I'm sure Yeshua's could make him a pretty sweet model of either Aragorn sword for the price of the Valiant lookalike or DSA clunker.
|
|
|
Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 12, 2015 16:28:20 GMT
From what John said he's pretty much set on the Ranger and the early metal problems with the DSA was with the Anduril not the Ranger. Maybe John should contact Sonny at Valiant Armory just to see if he will build a Ranger and for how much. customswordshoppe.com/ Until he gets his beater Ranger he could pick up a UC Anduril as a wall hanger for $180 then he could have both swords.
|
|
|
Post by Alex.Moranz on Feb 12, 2015 16:44:15 GMT
All of these fine individuals have offered great advice John. I think it would help us better help you if you gave us a little bit more information. How much are you wanting to spend? Do you have to have a scabbard? What are you wanting out of the sword? Are you wanting a sword from LOTR or a sword that has the fantasy designs of a sword out of Tolkiens realm? If we had a better idea of what you want, then we can then hopefully help steer you towards a sword you'll truly be happy with.
|
|
|
Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 12, 2015 17:04:39 GMT
|
|