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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2016 21:03:20 GMT
Kult of Athena is now stocking select Valiant Armoury swords! They cost the same price as directly from VA, but KOA has much better pictures and specs, that show off the beauty of the swords. VA doesn't have their own page on KOA, but their swords can be found in the new additions section www.kultofathena.com/new_items.asp
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Post by gruggier on Jul 14, 2016 2:36:57 GMT
I just purchased two of the viking swords. Hope they are worth it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2016 13:57:50 GMT
Which two did you purchase? Valiant Armoury is generally considered to sell great overall packages when it comes to swords. The leather work is outstanding. I've heard the blades themselves are basic and functional, far above Windlass in quality, but match Hanwei. They're a great deal if you want a sword and scabbard. I think you did well.
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Post by Sneakypete on Jul 14, 2016 15:18:50 GMT
Love the way those Viking swords look, but geez, check out those stats! 3+ lbs and a 7" PoB, that's a Del Tin level wrist-breaker right there!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2016 17:26:14 GMT
I don't know...i just bought and instantly resold a VA Irish Ringhilt...it was a catastrophy in terms of fit and finish, Blade totally asymmetric, bad gaps and so on...kept the scabbard and belt for my Talhoffer. By now I am too scared to purchase another VA, score is four lemons against my Bristol now...pity.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2016 17:31:48 GMT
I'm really sorry to hear that. That's the first time I've heard anything bad about VA. it's a shame
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2016 19:58:51 GMT
Yeah...i would like to order all of the longswords over a greater period of time, but i am totally unsecure right now...from Germany theres no reasonable way of returning an item...lots of paperwork and money...
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Post by gruggier on Jul 14, 2016 20:08:26 GMT
Which two did you purchase? Valiant Armoury is generally considered to sell great overall packages when it comes to swords. The leather work is outstanding. I've heard the blades themselves are basic and functional, far above Windlass in quality, but match Hanwei. They're a great deal if you want a sword and scabbard. I think you did well. The Hjalmarr The Norseman
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Post by gruggier on Jul 18, 2016 13:53:52 GMT
Cant wait getting these swords today!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2016 4:29:39 GMT
Strange...all of the VA swords have been sold! Do you guys accept those flaws? Am i too nitpicky? Or am i just VA cursed, so i get all of their lemons? Should have taken some pics before i sold them through...ah,but the war sword is till here...opinions on the pics? I mean, for a 500+ sword? Really? All of my five VA purchases looked kinda like this, except my Bristol from Aurelien (which has a slightly misaligned fuller) and my VA Warder (slightly bent tip area, last 10cm or so)...just like to know, is it normal, and is it to be accepted in that price range? Please understand, i dont want to bash VA...really. I am just too scared to make another effort here from Germany. Attachments:
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Post by William Swiger on Jul 19, 2016 9:12:52 GMT
I have owned many VA swords and still have a few. I think the selling points are the scabbards, grips and belts. I have never found the blades themselves to be any better than the better Windlass models or Hanwei. Pommels and guards are pretty average. I think without the accessories Sonny adds, they would be priced much lower and more in line with Windlass offerings.
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Post by gruggier on Jul 19, 2016 10:51:20 GMT
I received my two Viking era swords and I am happy for the most part. I will post pics etc later today but I do like them. I only have a Hanwei/Tinker and a Irish Viking era sword to compare them to. I do think the scabbard, grip, pommel, and belt, are def a step above to the point now I want to send in my Tinker and Irish to someone and get reworked and get nice scabbards for them! I cant comment on the VA blades however. I only have mid level inexpensive swords, but the blades on the VA seem nice and came very sharp. Maybe after I post some pics you guys can point some things out.
The two VA swords, are the nicest Viking era swords I have to date. I will get an Albion Jarl and Gaddhjalt one of these days but the are $$$. And don't get me wrong from what I read they are worth it, but its a lot of money.
I did just buy a DSA Viking 5 lobe from SBG store, so I will have something I think similar to compare to that is semi nice and $$.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2016 12:23:21 GMT
I have owned many VA swords and still have a few. I think the selling points are the scabbards, grips and belts. I have never found the blades themselves to be any better than the better Windlass models or Hanwei. Pommels and guards are pretty average. I think without the accessories Sonny adds, they would be priced much lower and more in line with Windlass offerings. Thanx Bill...that reflects my feelings quite good. Yes the leather work is awesome, but when i compare the blade level to those new Cold Steel/Dynasty Forge/Huanuo blades...meh. Especially here in Europe...IF you could grab a new VA sword youre in the 800-900 Euro area...basic Albion (without scabbard, ooookeee, i get it) started around 550 Euros (squireline) to 1000 Euros...we have czech guys which do a nice package in that level...
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Jul 19, 2016 13:58:22 GMT
I have several VA blades and none of them have the issues described here. Keep in mind that the last VA I bought was several years ago (not by choice, just a stoppage on new purchases on all swords).
Are they perfect? No way. But the imperfections, on the ones I own, are small and noticeable only under close scrutiny and do not effect handling. But then, I am less picky about minor blemishes than some and look more at the overall package. None of mine have warped or asymmetrical blades as some here have stated, so maybe I'm just lucky?
I disagree that the blades are no better than Windlass or Coldsteel. The distal taper on the models I own are superior to Windlass and Coldsteel's total lack of distal taper. Handling on the VA blades I own are much better than most any of the Windlass i own...and I own many Windlass..and I really like my Windlass blades. The edges on all my VAs are sharp and beautifully done.
These are not $500 blades. They are $250 blades with the balance for the fittings and scabbards. To me, these are among the best values out there. Well made scabbards can cost more than $250. And adding the grips and belts, put these at a great value for the money.
I do think the H/T's are better designed blades, but suffer from far worse finishing and scabbards. The H/Ts are also less money and are great for simple DIY projects. But for a complete package I do not think there is a better choice out there than the VAs in this price range.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2016 20:40:33 GMT
Dear ChrisA, do yourself a favor, put aside the i-hate-Cold-Steel-attitude (apologies if i do you wrong), and check out their new line, which are EXACTLY the same blades as sold by Dynasty or , here in Europe, Huanuo. LOTS of distal taper here, depending on blade geometry. Anyway, as i said, i dont want to bash VA...i am just kinda grumpy that mine always looked worse than DSAs or Windlasses...i would LOVE to collect all of them VAs, in all kinds of cool colors!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2016 21:26:28 GMT
The benefit of buying from KOA is that you get their amazing qc and customer service. Hopefully that will limit the amount of flawed VA swords being shipped
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2016 21:56:14 GMT
Indeed, that should help!
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Jul 20, 2016 0:16:28 GMT
Dear ChrisA, do yourself a favor, put aside the i-hate-Cold-Steel-attitude (apologies if i do you wrong), and check out their new line, which are EXACTLY the same blades as sold by Dynasty or , here in Europe, Huanuo. LOTS of distal taper here, depending on blade geometry. Anyway, as i said, i dont want to bash VA...i am just kinda grumpy that mine always looked worse than DSAs or Windlasses...i would LOVE to collect all of them VAs, in all kinds of cool colors! Sorry Holg. No hate for Cold Steel here. Never bought anything from them so I have nothing to hate them for (though I do hate their advertising). I just do my research and have avoided buying anything they sell, as the specs, looks and pricing do nothing for me. I have checked out some of their latest stuff at a recent outdoor expo and nothing I saw changed my thoughts. I never bash Cold Steel, or any other brands. I never said CS sucks or no one should buy it. I simply stated that I prefer the blades of VA over the other brands they were compared to (including Windlass). Also not sure if you mean they are same blades as Dynasty Forge...? If so, that doesn't mean much as I know little to nothing about their offerings. The little I just looked up shows some newer swords coming in at over 3lbs for their 1 handers. I, personally, prefer my 1 handers a bit less hefty. Their older euros I don't even wish to discuss. Here's the page I referenced: Dynasty Forge Euros
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2016 3:41:15 GMT
Well at the end it depends much on what one prefers...i myself prefer an almost flawless blade and good fit&finish over the infamous distal taper and hystorical correctness...if one could have both things, like an Albion, all the better...but the money... :-( ;-)
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Post by nddave on Jul 20, 2016 4:22:38 GMT
Well at the end it depends much on what one prefers...i myself prefer an almost flawless blade and good fit&finish over the infamous distal taper and hystorical correctness...if one could have both things, like an Albion, all the better...but the money... :-( ;-) See that's the thing about both Cold Steel and Dynasty Forge, neither have ever been applauded for a flawless blade or good fit and finish. Comparatively in regards to price point that's why those two vendors have been for the most part off most member's radars. Sure these new blades are better than those in the past in regards to asthetics but overall in regards to stats, they appear as they would handle the same as their predecessors. This is something that sticks and when competitive pricing is involved, the overall package of a Valiant with customization options hold more value to the buyer than either Dynasty or Cold Steel. Same as competitive pricing and package hold more value from specific manufacturers to buyer's in the katana market with the numerous manufacturers and vendors around. Ironic you applaud these new swords for their distal taper, yet when stats researched prove otherwise you disregard distal taper and historical accuracy. Yes if we want the best of both worlds get a $1000 Albion, that's obvious. But if you want something similar in a attractive total package, there's really no one else on the market but Valiant. Sorry if you've had bad luck with the few Valiants you've owned but you sound very hypocritical defending Cold Steel and the "hate they get...." yet judge Valiant so harshly due to a few swords you've personally owned. Especially when Valiant has had quite the stellar track record among members while Cold Steel and Dynasty Forge have not. I see two decent $600 swords between the Dynasty and Valiant, though with the Valiant I see more attention to detail, workmanship and positive stat variation. This is what matters to buyers and why big names are big names and popular choice is the popular choice. If it comes to be that Valiant is loosing it's consistency in quality, so will they loose their big name and the popular choice.
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