snap
Member
Posts: 88
Member is Online
|
Post by snap on Oct 29, 2015 6:29:00 GMT
While looking pretty is not the primary purpose of a functional sword aesthetics are a major consideration for most buyers, most of us won't go to great lengths to add a piece to our collection if we don't like the way it looks regardless of how it performs it's primary function as a sword. While a lot of the time we can overlook little things we don't like if they are far outweighed by what we do like there are features that are a deal breaker for some people even if the rest is good.
I personally hate multiple fullers. While I think a single fuller makes most blades look better multiple fullers just look plain wrong to me. Even if everything else about the sword is perfect I still won't consider looking past this cosmetic issue.
Are there any visual aspects that will prevent you from making a purchase you would otherwise make without hesitation?
|
|
|
Post by Vincent Dolan on Oct 29, 2015 7:53:22 GMT
While it's not really an issue these days, what with the upsurge in quality of Euros we've experienced in the last few years, the features that have always turned me off are unnecessary ricassos, fullers that don't extend into the guard, and tips that are just wrong for the blade shape; earlier CAS Iberia and pre-Sonny Suttles Valiant Armory stuff comes to mind most readily, but the Cold Steel Hand-and-a-Half sword is a shining example on the wrong tip for the blade shape point, even if the actual proportions (pre-grip lengthening) were rather pleasing. But those features, especially unnecessary ricassos, tend to remind me rather unfavorably of those dirt cheap wallhangers you find in flea markets.
Beyond that, for me, it's mostly how the different parts of the sword coalesce, how well they flow with one another; this can be a feature I love on other swords, but think it just looks wrong on the one I'm looking at, such as a fishtail pommel, which I normally love, but think looks pretty awful when paired with a straight crosspiece. It can also be parts that seem too big or too small for the sword when compared to the other parts. For example, it took me a long time to get to the point where the tea cozy pommel featured on the Albion Ritter looked anything but ridiculous, but I've come to realize that the reason it always looked so ridiculous to me wasn't it's unusual shape (well, not only), but that it just looks too large for the sword when compared to the slender crosspiece. Conversely, I've never been able to bring myself o like the looks of the Arms & Armor Irish Sword, as it has a ring pommel, slender blade, and great honking crosspiece (even if its cross-section is actually quite thin).
|
|
|
Post by Timo Nieminen on Oct 29, 2015 8:13:14 GMT
If I want the sword as an example of the historical type, then I'll be fussy about ahistorical features. Some won't necessarily be deal-breakers. For example, diamond-section tips are easy to make lenticular. Ahistorical fullers for the type would be a no-no.
Otherwise, the only aesthetic deal-breaker that comes to mind is idiotic and/or ugly engravings/etchings/inlays.
|
|
|
Post by Alexander on Oct 29, 2015 9:30:26 GMT
There are any number of atheistic things that can ruin a sword for me. But the one common thing is a bad grip. I really dont like the two slabs of wood grip. Doesnt seem to matter how they are shaped or colored just think it makes the sword look uncomfortable and cheap. There have been a few Scorpion swords that would have really like to get but the grips kept me from pulling the trigger.
|
|
|
Post by William Swiger on Oct 29, 2015 9:37:02 GMT
I have never been a fan of hex nut assemblies. I can live with a threaded pommel depending on the pommel type. I don't like pommels that have peen blocks cast into them. Not a fan of single-handed swords with grips over 4 inches. Like single-handed swords to weigh under 3lbs. Not a big fan of stainless fittings but own some. Not a fan of swords with little to no change in blade thickness.
|
|
|
Post by Croccifixio on Oct 29, 2015 10:02:17 GMT
Badly etched things on the blade. Asymmetric points/tips for what should be a symmetrical sword. Gaudy jewels except for spathae/vendel era swords. Exaggerated lines, length, curvature, and angles. Fat handles/hilts/tsuka. Untapered ricassos. Minor blade bends and hammer marks. Overly prominent secondary bevels. Narrow fullers.
|
|
|
Post by hussar on Oct 29, 2015 10:03:29 GMT
Acid green... Biohazard Symbols... Zombie Bull!@#$
oh and fake gemstones on chinese swords
|
|
Paul
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,771
|
Post by Paul on Oct 29, 2015 10:18:55 GMT
As a list of dislikes; - I don't like overly wobbly blades - I don't like fitting off center - I don't like points that "look" too delicate that need reinforcing - I don't like pitting, acid finish, blade coatings or aged finishes - I really don't like having to pay GST and fees to import swords valued over $1,000aud / $680usd
|
|
Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
|
Post by Luka on Oct 29, 2015 13:43:10 GMT
Too narrow fullers on migration period and viking age swords. :/ They deserve nice wide fullers they had historically. That is a problem with a lot of lower budget viking reproductions. Also, two dimensional fittings on low budget swords. Most historical fittings had very interesting profiles and curves. Nothing worse than a brazil nut pommel that is flat and angular. Thin, ok, but not flat.
|
|
|
Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Oct 29, 2015 14:29:48 GMT
I'll ditto Luka about narrow fullers on Viking swords but will add narrow blades as well. They look like a half breed between a Euro sword and a Viking sword. Like someone had a few parts lying around and threw a sword together. I also prefer brown grips over black ones, for some reason black just looks cheap to me.
|
|
SeanF
Member
Posts: 1,293
|
Post by SeanF on Oct 31, 2015 16:25:47 GMT
I'm a little picky, but the two main purely aesthetic things that get me: Twisted steel Forward curved cross guards. I'm totally fine with forward angled cross guards, just the round shape turns me off. The worst possible offender I can think of:
|
|
|
Post by gerrye on Oct 31, 2015 17:19:20 GMT
I'm liking mirror finish less and less and completely with the people who think black grips look cheap (er).
I really dislike cross-bindings on anything but on grips it comes off like the swordy equivelant of a mock-tudor frontage or Skallagrim's stone block wallpaper. Naff. Sorry Skall. I know it's in the manuscript illumination in the westminster psalter that the Albion chevalier was based on hilt-wise but even there it doesn't work on the recreation to my eyes. Medieval artists also drew mail to look like it was knitted and we all know how that looks *cough*BBC*cough*.
|
|
mali
Member
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF0-FZFZ-wA
Posts: 94
|
Post by mali on Oct 31, 2015 19:11:36 GMT
I'm not crazy about huge guards. I like them simple, small and elegant. When they get too large and intricate, they remind me of mass produced rat tail fantasy swords,
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Oct 31, 2015 22:02:29 GMT
I don't like mirror finishes.
|
|
|
Post by michaeljager on Nov 1, 2015 2:37:38 GMT
I like a really wide base on a medieval sword. I also like warsword dimensions, as far as looks (only). Have you ever seen John Lundemo's Sword of Hope? It looks amazing, and not just for the damascus material. I PM'd Robert Brandt, The owner of SOH, and he was kind enough to share his thoughts on it, he likes it immensely and thinks its very well engineered.
So if its too narrow, I wouldnt buy it I think, which really narrowed down my last sword purchase.
Oddly enough, I also love rapiers, but for a different reason I cant quite put my finger on. The romance?
I Second the over-decorated wall hanger stuff, ugh.
I like mirror finishes if its done right, like... Rob Miller right.
|
|
Alan Schiff
Registered
Manufacturers and Vendors
Posts: 464
|
Post by Alan Schiff on Nov 2, 2015 4:33:59 GMT
Anything with a lot of decoration puts me off, gilding and gemstones, etc. And I know I'll get flak for this next one, but I hate Brazil nut pommels. Just can't stand 'em. I'm also not a fan of most spatulate tips. Can't think of anything else that would automatically make me not purchase a sword.
|
|
|
Post by Svadilfari on Nov 2, 2015 9:50:50 GMT
The main thing that puts me off is too much "bling"..esp non-historical Bling. Unless, of course, the type of sword cries out for Bling, like some fantasy blades. The second, and possibly most important to me, is what's written on the price tag.
|
|
|
Post by William Swiger on Nov 2, 2015 11:52:11 GMT
And I know I'll get flak for this next one, but I hate Brazil nut pommels. Just can't stand 'em. I'm also not a fan of most spatulate tips. Can't think of anything else that would automatically make me not purchase a sword.
|
|
|
Post by demonskull on Nov 2, 2015 12:00:22 GMT
A few of the items already mentioned and one that hasn't been brought up yet. "S" guards, I like symmetry so S hilts are an immediate turn off.
|
|
|
Post by Bryan Heff on Nov 2, 2015 12:46:46 GMT
Fat grips Overly long grips for the wrong type of sword Mirror finishes Diamond cross sections on what should be lenticular swords Non symmetrical cross guard components, like 1 side ring but not 2. Not a huge fan of S guards but am starting to be OK with some of them Any kind of out of alignment (quality control usually) is a major turn off Floppy blades screw on pommels, unless its a round or cylinder shape, then OK with it, but a wheel pommel that is threaded I am not a big fan of. Any of the fuller issues already mentioned (too thin for the type, does not go all the way into the grip etc.)
|
|