|
Post by Paladin Ryan on Mar 15, 2016 21:09:28 GMT
So as some of you may remember I have been looking into getting a falchion. I like the stats on the upcoming Windlass Battlecry Hattin Falchion but given it already crosses past the $300 mark I figured I would inquire regarding custom options. So my question is, are there any custom makers of medieval swords that could do a decent falchion for a not too crazy price? Lets assume for this question that my budget maxes out at $400. That isn't a lot of money for custom work I know but I am curious if anybody knows a decent maker who could do a custom falchion in that range and get it to a customer in the US without paying half the price again of the sword in shipping. I know these may not be the most practical needs but I wanted to at least ask. Thanks in advance no matter the answer.
|
|
|
Post by Caboose on Mar 15, 2016 22:13:54 GMT
A full custom job for under $400? I'm certain you won't find anything, especially a falchion. A semi-custom is perhaps doable, like maybe get Sonny at VA to do a custom hilt on his regular falchion blade. I believe there are some other relatively affordable semi-custom places in Europe, but Sonny is the only one I can think of that does it in North America.
|
|
|
Post by chrisperoni on Mar 15, 2016 22:45:12 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Paladin Ryan on Mar 15, 2016 23:03:55 GMT
A full custom job for under $400? I'm certain you won't find anything, especially a falchion. A semi-custom is perhaps doable, like maybe get Sonny at VA to do a custom hilt on his regular falchion blade. I believe there are some other relatively affordable semi-custom places in Europe, but Sonny is the only one I can think of that does it in North America. Kind of what I was expecting. Semi custom would be fine if I found a company with light enough parts which, unfortunately, is an issue. I considered asking Sonny but the falchion they make is a bit on the heavier side. Getting a custom job is not really a priority for me at all. I am just trying to explore all options for getting a falchion that isn't overly heavy. This is why I like the Windlass Battlecry Hattin Falchion despite the blackened steel; it clocks in at 2.5lbs on paper which is in the range I was looking for (~2lb to 2.5lb ideally, 2.75lb at most). The blade shape also appeals. But seeing as the only listed price at the moment is $325 plus shipping, I wanted to at least inquire about nonproduction options. Long story short I am aiming for a more balanced weight for the falchion I eventually get and just wanted to ask around a bit more. As it stands I am probably getting either the Windlass Battlecry Hattin Falchion when it comes out or the new 2016 Cold Steel MAA Messer which is rather light on paper. A messer isn't exactly what I want but it is very affordable at knifecenter and visually appealing outside of the blackened steel whereas the Windlass is everything I want in a falchion minus the blackening but is (at preorder price on one site) much more expensive. Here are the Windlass and Cold Steel respectively in case it helps to get an idea of what I am looking for: www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-39561-hattin-falchion.aspxwww2.knifecenter.com/item/CS88GMSSM/cold-steel-88gmssm-man-at-arms-messer-sword-blued-1090-carbon-blade-leather-sheathIf only I had ~$1300 sitting around for an Albion Vassal. That would solve all of my issues haha. As is I am a college student so even getting $400 for a sword requires me making sacrifices in my other hobbies such as video games and Magic the Gathering (yes I am the nerdiest nerd to ever nerd I know).
|
|
|
Post by Paladin Ryan on Mar 15, 2016 23:10:30 GMT
One major issue... weight. The more I dwell on it, the more the 3lbs bothers me... I really want the sword to be more in the ~2lb to ~2.5lb range. The VA was my first thought in regards to buying a falchion but... well the weight kind of puts me off. And that is the issue, most affordable options have a weight issue. I am being picky, I know. A falchion is primarily a cutter but I still want it to feel alive in my hand as a sword rather and a heavy cleaver. That is the main draw of the upcoming Windlass offering and the new Cold Steel messer. I am expecting too much for my budget I know but I just wanted to explore every option.
|
|
|
Post by chrisperoni on Mar 16, 2016 0:33:17 GMT
Understandable.
Don't forget the sbg discount if your order from MRL. I belive it's a 10% discount. SBGWEB
Are you able to make any parts yourself?
If so you could try asking Fallen here' I'm not sure what he would charge for just the blade though.
Or see on rhe facebook pages. There are some newer makers out there who might be cheap
|
|
|
Post by Croccifixio on Mar 16, 2016 1:44:24 GMT
None in the US that I know of. Plenty in Eastern Europe though. Just recently reviewed one of them (In'Carius Craft) and you might just get something you like within budget.
|
|
|
Post by Paladin Ryan on Mar 16, 2016 2:15:45 GMT
Understandable. Don't forget the sbg discount if your order from MRL. I belive it's a 10% discount. SBGWEB Are you able to make any parts yourself? If so you could try asking Fallen here' I'm not sure what he would charge for just the blade though. Or see on rhe facebook pages. There are some newer makers out there who might be cheap I am not able per say. That said fallen does good work from what I have seen. Hell, given his falcata and falcata hybrid I am pretty sure he could do a mean messer. Now, once I finish getting the money together (selling my old laptop I just had repaired and refurbished via a warranty in addition to the $150 already in the "sword fund") getting a blade from fallen and hilt elsewhere is not out of the question assuming he is willing to do just a blade. And Croccifixio I read that review, very very nice. I am aware of some Eastern European makers but sadly shipping estimate often drag the cost out of range at a glance. That said, I will take a closer look and maybe contact some of them for more exact estimates on a custom falchion.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2016 2:47:52 GMT
I would talk to Rafal of In'Carius craft. I have a custom viking sword on the way. Shipping was inexpensive, considering that he was shipping from poland. Its $30, heavily insured. His work seems to be a little rough, though great handmade customs for the price. He's the only one i know of who could easily make you your falchion for within your price range.
|
|
|
Post by Paladin Ryan on Mar 16, 2016 2:50:57 GMT
I would talk to Rafal of In'Carius craft. I have a custom viking sword on the way. Shipping was inexpensive, considering that he was shipping from poland. Its $30, heavily insured. His work seems to be a little rough, though great handmade customs for the price. He's the only one i know of who could easily make you your falchion for within your price range. Seeing as how his name has come up more than once now I think I will look into him. If it isn't asking too much, how much did your viking cost you when all was said and done?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2016 2:54:40 GMT
when all said and done, it was $250, which was a great deal considering that i asked for a rather difficult pommel style, based off of the albion beserker. However, i did not get a scabbard, because ebay screwed me out of the $70 i was going to use for the scabbard and suspension system
|
|
|
Post by Paladin Ryan on Mar 16, 2016 2:56:59 GMT
when all said and done, it was $250, which was a great deal considering that i asked for a rather difficult pommel style, based off of the albion beserker. However, i did not get a scabbard, because ebay screwed me out of the $70 i was going to use for the scabbard and suspension system Good to know. Once I get the money together I will talk to him about it. Ideally a custom falchion would be priced similarly to the viking sword. I look forward to seeing how your viking sword turns out as well.
|
|
|
Post by Paladin Ryan on Mar 16, 2016 3:00:27 GMT
Ultimately it will depend whether I opt for custom or production on this. As I said, I am exploring all options. Thanks for all the input guys.
|
|
|
Post by Croccifixio on Mar 16, 2016 3:11:22 GMT
While its website isn't loading for me, Lutel has some really nice single-edged stuff. Not US, but a generally ok European production. www.lutel-handicraft.com
|
|
Razor
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,883
|
Post by Razor on Mar 16, 2016 16:06:00 GMT
You can try Roy Dunn from Olde Town Smithy.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Mar 16, 2016 17:03:45 GMT
The price on Knife Center’s Messer is not bad. Be patient until KoA and/or MRL has the Falchion in stock if that's the way you'd rather go. Their price will be lower than Medieval Collectibles, who I suspect does not have this in stock but forwards orders on demand. In addition to MRL’s probable lower price you can receive an additional 10% with the code.
|
|
|
Post by Timo Nieminen on Mar 16, 2016 23:29:12 GMT
So my question is, are there any custom makers of medieval swords that could do a decent falchion for a not too crazy price? Lets assume for this question that my budget maxes out at $400. In your budget range, and not overweight. See the falchions at www.seekyee.com/privateerarmoury/forecastle_gallery.htmThese are perhaps too light.
|
|
|
Post by LG Martial Arts on Mar 17, 2016 17:24:03 GMT
Be careful between Lutel and Lutel-Handicraft. The business split up several years ago, and one of the former partners kept the original name (Lutel has a pretty bad reputation on their items, all of them being sub-par), while Lutel-Handicraft ( www.lutel-handicraft.com ) is the complete opposite, with decent custom swords, etc. *Edit: here's a link to a post on SBG from a few years back about both companies sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/42325/
|
|
|
Post by Paladin Ryan on Mar 18, 2016 0:32:56 GMT
Just an update, I am likely going with the VA offering despite my hesitation regarding weight. Sonny has been extremely accommodating and helpful in my our email exchanges, offering any color I want for the leather even though the site only has a limited selection for the falchion and giving me price estimates if I wished to add a belt in the style of some other swords he offers to it. All in all, while the weight isn't ideal I think Sonny is offering the best overall deal in terms of what you get for what you pay and I can't imagine a more pleasant person to deal with in such a purchase all in all. Also, VA has a nice t-shirt for sale as well which I may or may not see about buying when I finally get the rest of the money for my sword.
|
|