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Post by wujuswordsman on Sept 7, 2016 22:53:42 GMT
Hello, I'm looking for a longsword to purchase . No katanas or curved swords, I just prefer the the style of the european longsword. I checked out Darksword, Ronin katana Euro, and Hanwei Tinker longsword (this one is always out of stock). The main ones I'm considering as of now are: - RK Euro #7 - DSA 2 handed gothic - DSA 2 handed norman - Hanwei Tinker longsword (any idea when these will ever be in stock at Kult of athena?) Has anyone had good experiences with DSA swords from SBG store? It seems they all come unsharpened, but I intend to learn how to sharpen it myself. SBG also offers free shipping to Canada for all DSA swords which is always an attractive option for me. I like Kult of Athena, but their shipping rates can cost me over $80. RK Euro longsword seems like a good budget option too but I'm not too sure on how durable they are... I'm open to any other suggestions. Thanks
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Post by Jordan Williams on Sept 8, 2016 1:03:58 GMT
LG Martial arts has custom fitting and the bare blades for the HT swords, (aside from the Viking) might be worth checking those out. I've personally liked the Roven by windlass (it's going for 140 sharpened with the discount from MRL now, on closeout)
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Sept 8, 2016 1:17:28 GMT
Thanks for the vote of confidence, but the H/T Longsword and the Viscount fittings for it are currently sold out from my store. The last I heard from CAS Hanwei was that the H/T Longsword will be back in stock in a a couple of months. bpogue should have a better answer than mine seeing as he's a CAS Rep. Here's to you finding the sword that fits you best.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2016 1:36:47 GMT
I had a Ronin Euro peened arming sword that I liked. It's ranked among the swords that I regret selling the most. It was a good deal heftier than the ht EMSHS, but still very well balanced, relatively light and fast. Very tough sword. Under the crappy cord wrap is a nice leather wrap. My only complaint is that the suspension system is crap, but that was a free add on. Overall, I really liked it. The more I talk about it, the more I consider getting a new one. Bottom line is that I highly recommend the rk peened euro series. However, if you can get your hands on an ht Longsword, go for it. Personally, I'd avoid all things dsa
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Sept 8, 2016 3:20:58 GMT
Have you thought of Valiant Armoury's swords? I have one of Sonny Suttles 's Malatesta swords (had him peen the pommel and emboss my family crest on the scabbard), beautiful and functional longsword. www.valiant-armoury.com/Here's a couple pics Sonny took of my Malatesta before sending it to me a while back... the scabbard is a little darker in person than in the pic, but everything else is spot on.
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Post by wujuswordsman on Sept 8, 2016 3:44:30 GMT
Have you thought of Valiant Armoury's swords? I have one of Sonny Suttles 's Malatesta swords (had him peen the pommel and emboss my family crest on the scabbard), beautiful and functional longsword. www.valiant-armoury.com/Here's a couple pics Sonny took of my Malatesta before sending it to me a while back... the scabbard is a little darker in person than in the pic, but everything else is spot on. Will take a look. Thanks for the suggestion!
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,713
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Post by stormmaster on Sept 8, 2016 5:12:10 GMT
since each sword from VA is handmade it will take about 5-7 weeks to get to you, if you dont think you can wait that long get something already made
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Post by wujuswordsman on Sept 8, 2016 15:08:10 GMT
From my research on the internets, it seems like every sword with a threaded pommel tends to get loose. In that case, it seems a peened pommel would be the best to go? Is there a way to fasten the nut to prevent this?
Also Darksword armoury I heard uses both peened and threaded construction. Would that affect the quality of the sword?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2016 15:55:04 GMT
My advice: do more research on DSA swords just by looking around here and using the search function before you shoot; theres a lot to read & know... For the threaded pommels: i dont get much loosing up with my H/Ts...and if so? Re-tighten them! Doing that with a peened sword is a little more tricky...but i agree, the peened ones do look more like the "real" thing. And considering makers: VA swords are generally a good choice bang-for-buck-wise; a little overpriced but very good scabbards/belts included.
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ChrisA
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Senior Forumite
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Post by ChrisA on Sept 8, 2016 18:54:14 GMT
My opinions on the options listed here (and only MY opinions).
VA's are a good value for the money. You get a good blade with belt and scabbard for not much more than some makers charge for a bare blade. Decent scabbards alone can cost upwards of $300. Sonny offers EXCELLENT customer service. (I have 3 VAs)
H/T makes very good, if rather plain, swords. Do not confuse these with Hanwei euro swords. H/Ts are designed by master swordmaker Tinker Pierce. Unless it says Hanwei/Tinker it's not of that line. In addition to the H/T longsword you should also look at the H/T bastard. It's a light, fast sword that feels real nice in the hand. Be aware that sometimes the edges on the H/Ts can come rather dull and might need some work to get them sharp. I also found the grips to be a little too thin for my tastes, so I wrapped them in cord then rewrapped that in leather. My 2 H/T's now have the most comfortable grips of all my swords. (I have 2 H/Ts: One hander and bastard).
I have one of the threaded RK Euro's. It's a bit on the light side for my personal preference, but it handles nicely. Mine needed sharpening. There were some issues in the very beginning with these threaded ones (you can search this forum for that) that I assume was corrected with the peened version that came later. Mine needed sharpening. (I have 1 older RK sword)
I have no personal experience with DSA so can say nothing about them.
So my recommendations in order are:
VA if you can swing the extra money. Good handling, good looking swords, good fittings at a really good price.
H/T Longsword or Bastardsword Very good quality blade with excellent handling. Might need sharpening and/or grip work.
RK Euro Good swords at decent price. Might need sharpening.
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Post by wujuswordsman on Sept 8, 2016 19:44:34 GMT
I don't mind waiting a month or two to see if the Hanwei/Tinkers go back on stock.
Right now I'm leaning towards Ronin Katana. Would like to get a VA sword, its just a bit over my budget due to shipping cost.
Does anyone know if kult of athena of any other vendors have black friday or christmas sales?
Thanks for all the help guys
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Post by thedirewolf93 on Sept 12, 2016 18:09:05 GMT
I would honestly recommend the H/T longsword for the reason that there are so many customization options out there for you. Can't say much about the Ronin Euro never handled it. The DSA Longsword I have handled but it doesn't feel as nice as the customized H/T longsword I have.
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Ifrit
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More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
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Post by Ifrit on Sept 12, 2016 18:28:25 GMT
I have a H/T GSOW and it's great. I can only imagine a longsword to be even better
Based on that, I vote H/T
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2016 20:41:45 GMT
i second that vote on the H/T GSOW, Longsword and Bastard; also on the Viking and the EMSH...but those are single-handed.
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stormmaster
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I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,713
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Post by stormmaster on Sept 12, 2016 22:50:16 GMT
GSOW is cheaper on the LG website i think
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Post by arathian on Sept 13, 2016 14:50:01 GMT
I have recent experience with DSA. Purchased a two handed templar about a month ago. I had read just a ton of bad things on them but most of it was from 2008 and earlier, so I thought I'd give it a try. After calling them and ordering I waited for my sword to arrive, again the two handed templar model.
When it arrived I unboxed and true to reviews it came expertly packaged. The scabbard is what I term "meh" but it does the job of holding the sword. I didn't expect remarkable for the price point so it fit within my expectations I suppose.
Overall I was pleased with it. I ordered it sharpened as I wanted to see if they had listened to customer feedback at all since a lot of the reviews were older.
The sharpening was okay, it could cut water bottles decently enough out of the box, etc. The more I got into it though the more I realized what a secondary bevel is, and more about blade geometry etc. The more I learned it seemed, the more I became a little dissatisfied with it.
It is a decent set up for a beginner just getting into the world, though there are likely better options. I have enjoyed cutting and learning on it.
Biggest thing I disliked about it was the blade curves slightly under its own weight (holding it parallel to the ground it tends to curve slightly on either side).
Recently was able to purchase a second hand albion, and got to say it's night and day difference compared between the two. If I had to do it all over again I'd like to think I'd just get an albion or something similar but to be honest I enjoyed the dsa, and it sparked and help fuel my interests and a price point thay didn't break the bank.
Anyways just my .02 on it
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Post by tancred on Sept 14, 2016 4:32:30 GMT
Good discussion. I'm really leaning towards Hanwei's Great Sword of War. However, the Hanwei Longsword and Bastard Sword are really tempting, too. Reading stats and measurements doesn't really mean much to me, though. Does anyone have both the Longsword and the Bastard Sword, and, if so, could you post side by side, same scale pictures? That would convey more to me than just reading the company's stats.
Sorry if this isn't the right place for it, and certainly don't want to hijack the OP's thread. Good luck to Wujuswordsman in their search.
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Post by Huer-Ta on Sept 14, 2016 17:03:04 GMT
I'll echo the HT line, either the bastard or longsword. The bastard is a bit slimmer and lighter, but both swords feel really great in the hand. Personally, I prefer the longsword to the bastard, but you can't really go wrong with either. Here is an old side by side pic I took. It's a little blurry, but you get a good idea of size I think:
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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 14, 2016 17:40:15 GMT
Good discussion. I'm really leaning towards Hanwei's Great Sword of War. However, the Hanwei Longsword and Bastard Sword are really tempting, too. Reading stats and measurements doesn't really mean much to me, though. Does anyone have both the Longsword and the Bastard Sword, and, if so, could you post side by side, same scale pictures? That would convey more to me than just reading the company's stats. Sorry if this isn't the right place for it, and certainly don't want to hijack the OP's thread. Good luck to Wujuswordsman in their search. Despite the fact I never owned one, I might vote on the longsword. The GSOW is great, but many people are off out but how flexible the sword is. Mine has a tendency to sag under its own weight, when held flat and horizontal. I personally love this, as I find it just gives the blade a very "live" feel, but if you are like most people, you might be more pleased with the long sword. I love the bastard swords dimensions, mostly cause it feels like a nice European equivalent of a katana, but if anyone asked for my recommendation, I would vote the H/T longsword
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Post by tancred on Sept 14, 2016 22:24:33 GMT
I'll echo the HT line, either the bastard or longsword. The bastard is a bit slimmer and lighter, but both swords feel really great in the hand. Personally, I prefer the longsword to the bastard, but you can't really go wrong with either. Here is an old side by side pic I took. It's a little blurry, but you get a good idea of size I think: Excellent! Thanks for the pick, Huer-ta. That helps a lot. Vensasaboy, thanks for your assessment! Very helpful, both of you. I think I'm still leaning towards the GSoW. I guess I'm mainly looking for a bigger blade. As far as the Bastard and Longsword, I think I like the blade of the Longsword better, but the prefer the hilt and pommel of the Bastard. At least as far as appearances go. But it will probably be the end of the year by the time I'm ready to make a purchase, so I have time to think on it.
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