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Post by gruggier on Sept 6, 2016 12:06:51 GMT
Anybody notice the new DSA Ulfberht? I like it. Just curious what the community thinks.
www.darksword-armory.com/medieval-weapon/one-handed-sword/the-ulfberht-2208/
"The Ulfberht is hand forged in India from EN-45 Spring Steel and tempered to a Rockwell of 48-50. Hand made under Darksword guidelines to create a balance between affordability and functionality, the handle and Scabbard are made in Montreal Canada, in the Darksword Armory shop. The Blade is etched by Darksword Armory inc.
The sword can be used for actual combat and for cutting practices when ordered sharp. The guard and pommel are made in Mild Steel. The grip is made of Oak and wrapped in black leather.
Specs for the Ulfberht sword
Blade: EN-45 High Carbon Spring Steel Total length: 36″ Blade length: 30″ Blade width at base: 2″ Guard & Pommel: mild Steel Weight: TBD"
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Sept 6, 2016 13:32:56 GMT
There isn't enough information available to make a judgement. I'd like to see some more specs like weight, and especially blade geometry/balance.
I couldn't get the Read More part to work. Does it say where the blade is made?
Aesthetically, it's not that pleasing, compared to similar efforts that I've seen, of course much more expensive.
Also, when they say that you can order the blade blunt or sharp, do they use the same blade design for each? It seems to me that the geometry for a good blunt and a good sharp must be different - either one or the other.
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Post by Voltan on Sept 6, 2016 15:57:12 GMT
It's part of the "Herald Series", so the blade is made in India.
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Post by gruggier on Sept 6, 2016 17:51:56 GMT
Added some more info from the DSA website. No weight description unfortunately.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Sept 6, 2016 18:00:58 GMT
The +ULFBERH+T" on that blade is too precise and printed looking. The ones you see on the originals are much more raggedy.
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Post by hypurr on Sept 6, 2016 22:05:14 GMT
I agree, the lettering is way too modern.
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,649
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Post by stormmaster on Sept 6, 2016 22:22:54 GMT
I agree, the lettering is way too modern. might be personal preference but i like the clean look better, might be my ocd tho
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Post by demonskull on Sept 6, 2016 22:27:26 GMT
Also, when they say that you can order the blade blunt or sharp, do they use the same blade design for each? It seems to me that the geometry for a good blunt and a good sharp must be different - either one or the other. They don't do re-enactment blunts. They use the term blunt to indicate their regular sword, just unsharpened for those who want to put it on a wall or can't have a sharp due to small children/pets or legal reasons.
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Ifrit
Member
More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
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Post by Ifrit on Sept 6, 2016 23:01:56 GMT
DSA used to be known for their hard, tough steel. Lately, every single review has shown that to not be true anymore, ever since they decided to try be Tinker.
If you want a sword that will take set when you use it, go for it.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Sept 7, 2016 5:08:08 GMT
Also, when they say that you can order the blade blunt or sharp, do they use the same blade design for each? It seems to me that the geometry for a good blunt and a good sharp must be different - either one or the other. They don't do re-enactment blunts. They use the term blunt to indicate their regular sword, just unsharpened for those who want to put it on a wall or can't have a sharp due to small children/pets or legal reasons. Then in my opinion they are using the wrong term. They should offer it sharp or unsharpened. Using the word blunt will confuse people.
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Post by Insane on Sept 7, 2016 5:16:09 GMT
Also, when they say that you can order the blade blunt or sharp, do they use the same blade design for each? It seems to me that the geometry for a good blunt and a good sharp must be different - either one or the other. They don't do re-enactment blunts. They use the term blunt to indicate their regular sword, just unsharpened for those who want to put it on a wall or can't have a sharp due to small children/pets or legal reasons. They do make re-enactment blunts. www.darksword-armory.com/medieval-weapon/medieval-swords/hema-practice-sword-1346/
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Post by Gregory P. on Sept 7, 2016 22:59:15 GMT
I like the look of the pommel and guard better than the Windlass model. And the letters look better to me than the Windlass (though they are too perfect). I do wonder if both sides of the blade have an inscription.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Sept 8, 2016 0:29:54 GMT
From the DSA web page: "The Ulfberht is hand forged in India from EN-45 Spring Steel and tempered to a Rockwell of 48-50. Hand made under Darksword guidelines to create a balance between affordability and functionality, the handle and Scabbard are made in Montreal Canada, in the Darksword Armory shop. The Blade is etched by Darksword Armory inc. The sword can be used for actual combat and for cutting practices when ordered sharp. The guard and pommel are made in Mild Steel. The grip is made of Oak and wrapped in black leather. Specs for the Ulfberht sword Blade: EN-45 High Carbon Spring Steel Total length: 36″ Blade length: 30″ Blade width at base: 2″ Guard & Pommel: mild Steel Weight: TBD." www.darksword-armory.com/medieval-weapon/one-handed-sword/the-ulfberht-2208/
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Post by nddave on Sept 9, 2016 9:53:46 GMT
Looks like a cheaper version of the Windlass model. Is this an under the table confirmation of Strongblade making the DSA Heralds? Look at for example one of the other Strongblade "Windlass" models (their GBS or 15th C LS) and you'll see what I mean.
What this sword does is further cement my belief the DSA much like Valiant Armory outsources to China and India (obvious with this Herald series as they openly admit it with the line) and do the assembly, grip and scabbard in Canada. Which obviously raises these Heralds (and other DSA lines) $100-300 higher than what the standard Chinese/Indian forges sell on Ebay for the same swords, minus obviously the lovely DSA grip and one size fits all scabbard.
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Post by bbycrts on Sept 9, 2016 17:30:13 GMT
Looks like a cheaper version of the Windlass model. Is this an under the table confirmation of Strongblade making the DSA Heralds? Look at for example one of the other Strongblade "Windlass" models (their GBS or 15th C LS) and you'll see what I mean. What this sword does is further cement my belief the DSA much like Valiant Armory outsources to China and India (obvious with this Herald series as they openly admit it with the line) and do the assembly, grip and scabbard in Canada. Which obviously raises these Heralds (and other DSA lines) $100-300 higher than what the standard Chinese/Indian forges sell on Ebay for the same swords, minus obviously the lovely DSA grip and one size fits all scabbard. Well...this sword is part of the Herald line, so it's acknowledged that it's coming from India. I haven't seen anything on that line where DSA is claiming anything other than the India connection. I have a DSA Crusading Knight's sword that I dearly love. According to DSA it was completely built in Canada. It's on a closeout for $400 including the deluxe scabbard and it's definitely a step up from my Windlass swords...if DSA is actually building these in India or China that's a shame - but it's still a great sword!
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Post by nddave on Sept 9, 2016 17:44:55 GMT
Looks like a cheaper version of the Windlass model. Is this an under the table confirmation of Strongblade making the DSA Heralds? Look at for example one of the other Strongblade "Windlass" models (their GBS or 15th C LS) and you'll see what I mean. What this sword does is further cement my belief the DSA much like Valiant Armory outsources to China and India (obvious with this Herald series as they openly admit it with the line) and do the assembly, grip and scabbard in Canada. Which obviously raises these Heralds (and other DSA lines) $100-300 higher than what the standard Chinese/Indian forges sell on Ebay for the same swords, minus obviously the lovely DSA grip and one size fits all scabbard. Well...this sword is part of the Herald line, so it's acknowledged that it's coming from India. I haven't seen anything on that line where DSA is claiming anything other than the India connection. I have a DSA Crusading Knight's sword that I dearly love. According to DSA it was completely built in Canada. It's on a closeout for $400 including the deluxe scabbard and it's definitely a step up from my Windlass swords...if DSA is actually building these in India or China that's a shame - but it's still a great sword! Yes they've said these Heralds specifically come from India, but what I mean is they're assembled in Canada but get their blades from outside forges. This was pretty much already proven in other threads regarding DSA's honesty regarding the if they actually forge their blades. One had pics of a deconstructed DSA sword with Chinese writing on the tang. Another showed pics of a Chinese direct sword that was mirror exact to a DSA model. There were also talks of DSA inviting a member to see their actual forging process that never bore fruit. Also requests of videos of their forging process that were released but the two videos only showed them casting bronze hilt pieces and Eyal hammering a cold bar of steel and polishing a finished blade. Not trying to start another witch hunt or anything, just stating my opinion and thoughts on who might be forging DSA's Herald line. Though the threads I mentioned are still available here for viewing if you want to check them out. I just wonder that had we not pushed so hard on DSA to confirm their claims of forging their swords, would they have ever revealed that these new Heralds are Indian forged?
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Post by einkidu on Sept 10, 2016 19:08:45 GMT
Handle and lettering are certainly not to my tastes. Thats sad because I was curious about that one.
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Post by nddave on Sept 10, 2016 20:27:35 GMT
What gets me is the price. What really makes this a $300-$400 sword? Its made of a lower grade carbon steel and has a cruder fit and finish. Especially compared to say the Windlass Ulfberht or even the H/T Norman which have better fit and finish and steel grade which are $50-$100 cheaper than the base un-sharpened Herald sword. If this was at or below $200 I could see benefit but at this price point (and no I don't think DSA's sword belt is worth an extra $100 regarding the $400 spike) this sword is dead on arrival competitively.
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