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Post by arfoo on Jan 1, 2017 8:21:35 GMT
Cold steel MAA Italian Longsword blade length: 35.5 inches handle length: 11.5 inches weight: 49 oz / 2.5 lbs / 2 pounds 8 oz steel: 1090 ?? or 1055 the world may never know blue steel/ Point of balance: 3-5 inches from hilt
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Post by howler on Jan 1, 2017 20:05:20 GMT
Cold steel MAA Italian Longsword blade length: 35.5 inches handle length: 11.5 inches weight: 49 oz / 2.5 lbs / 2 pounds 8 oz steel: 1090 ?? or 1055 the world may never know blue steel/ Point of balance: 3-5 inches from hilt Nice vid and sword. I have one and really like the size and shape of the thing (one of Cold Steels best, and most lively). Their stuff has been 1055 forever, but they have offered a few smaller blades in 1090 (daggers, smaller messer, ett...) in the last few years, so who knows
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Post by arfoo on Jan 2, 2017 6:37:41 GMT
I didn't take it a part because I didn't want to risk messing up the sword and therefore rendering it inert. If it all comes loose and I'm forced to unscrew the pommel and un-wrap the leather I'll make another video lol
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Post by arfoo on Jan 2, 2017 6:38:08 GMT
oh and I am gonna make another video cutting bottles with it ... it cuts really well if you align the edge perfectly
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Post by William Swiger on Jan 2, 2017 15:51:46 GMT
Thanks for the review. Have been curious about that model.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2017 16:00:06 GMT
I have the standard, more expensive "chrome" version ;-) and i agree... it handles great, its very beautiful, but you will need a little luck when ordering - you may run anytime into some of Cold Steels "rattle & hum" issues...
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 3, 2017 19:04:24 GMT
Well to tell you the truth both my Albion Crecy and Hanwei Caymore blades will wobble or if you prefer vibrate when you hit the blade like that. Maybe not as much but I don't have a wobble guage. How is the guard, I hear they have a big problem with them being loose.
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Post by arfoo on Jan 6, 2017 10:31:11 GMT
The guard is still okay, hasn't come loose yet, although I haven't tried to make it loose or tried to take apart the tang from the handle or anything. I think it may be held together with superglue or something. For Albion swords, part of what you're paying for, after all, is the handle and guard construction the bare blades are all $100-200
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Post by Croccifixio on Jan 6, 2017 14:31:18 GMT
Albion bare blades need a LOT of work. You're also paying for the finish and fine tuning.
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Post by masterofossus on Jan 9, 2017 21:47:31 GMT
Afoo, I have this sword myself and I really like it - after sharpening it's actually become one of my favorites and my go-tos. However, I did find a downside that you didn't mention in your review, which is in the grip. I don't find the grip long enough to support good longsword techniques. Even grasping the pommel (which is just slightly uncomfortable that way), I still find myself wishing for at least another inch or even two inches for better leverage.
How do you find that aspect of the sword? Is it a factor for you? Do you know if more modern versions of the sword have addressed that issue?
(Incidentally, mine is essentially a flawless version of the sword in that the hilt and guard assembly is rock-solid and the blade is perfect. I have seen some reports of some models having significant problems in this regard and so I can't help but feel lucky in my find).
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Post by howler on Jan 9, 2017 23:32:51 GMT
Afoo, I have this sword myself and I really like it - after sharpening it's actually become one of my favorites and my go-tos. However, I did find a downside that you didn't mention in your review, which is in the grip. I don't find the grip long enough to support good longsword techniques. Even grasping the pommel (which is just slightly uncomfortable that way), I still find myself wishing for at least another inch or even two inches for better leverage. How do you find that aspect of the sword? Is it a factor for you? Do you know if more modern versions of the sword have addressed that issue? (Incidentally, mine is essentially a flawless version of the sword in that the hilt and guard assembly is rock-solid and the blade is perfect. I have seen some reports of some models having significant problems in this regard and so I can't help but feel lucky in my find). Hey, Masterofossus, I believe they increased the handle length an inch or two on the Italian Longsword a few years back, so you may have an older model. Or, you may have the newer model and just prefer larger handles .
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jan 10, 2017 2:02:26 GMT
I checked CS ads and they list grip at 11½” for both models, they must be including the pommel? KoA lists grip at 9” for the MAA and 8 5/8” on the bright metal jobby.
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Post by howler on Jan 10, 2017 3:29:47 GMT
I checked CS ads and they list grip at 11½” for both models, they must be including the pommel? KoA lists grip at 9” for the MAA and 8 5/8” on the bright metal jobby. Yeah, and I believe the old ones had 10" or something handles from guard to end of pommel. The models your referring to are the regular and MAA (black coated), right?
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jan 10, 2017 12:52:45 GMT
I checked CS ads and they list grip at 11½” for both models, they must be including the pommel? KoA lists grip at 9” for the MAA and 8 5/8” on the bright metal jobby. Yeah, and I believe the old ones had 10" or something handles from guard to end of pommel. The models your referring to are the regular and MAA (black coated), right? CS gave 11½” for both models, but may have included the pommel as well. KoA stated grip at 9” for the MAA (black coated model) and 8 5/8” regular (bright metal) sword.
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Post by howler on Jan 10, 2017 20:07:49 GMT
Yeah, and I believe the old ones had 10" or something handles from guard to end of pommel. The models your referring to are the regular and MAA (black coated), right? CS gave 11½” for both models, but may have included the pommel as well. KoA stated grip at 9” for the MAA (black coated model) and 8 5/8” regular (bright metal) sword. Yup. The only diff between MAA and standard is the coating (but there can be significant weight differentiation between batches made during production). I bought my (bright metal) sword years ago when they were lengthening the handle by a few inches due to requests from customers who wanted a longer handle (and a bit more differentiation with the CS hand and a half). I was worried about getting the "older" model so I checked it out, and thankfully got the newer one.
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Post by masterofossus on Jan 11, 2017 1:22:57 GMT
Yeah, and I believe the old ones had 10" or something handles from guard to end of pommel. The models your referring to are the regular and MAA (black coated), right? CS gave 11½” for both models, but may have included the pommel as well. KoA stated grip at 9” for the MAA (black coated model) and 8 5/8” regular (bright metal) sword. imgur.com/DpAlRjsSo I measured mine today. The perspective of the image makes it seem like it's just over 11", but really it's exactly 11" to the end of the pommel. The grip itself is 8.5", but because the pommel is so long you realistically have another ~.75" before it stops. I stand by my comments: to my hands, it feels as if the grip is still a bit cramped - the only comfortable way to swing it is to hold the pommel with the power hand. But that does lead to the grip being uncomfortable without gloves, since the weird "quasi-fishtail" pommel creates a hotspot near the heel of my palm. However, I also stand by the sword: in spite of this flaw, mine is a very good sword with a very good blade. It's taken a very good edge, it's lightweight and nimble and seems strong, and it's a fairly unusual Type XVa blade which I like immensely. It is interesting that there's been some discussion of this point, though, since it suggests to me that there's been some other discussion of the same issue with this model? The criticisms I've seen of it tend to be loose fittings (which my particular one definitely does not have). btw, great review, arfoo! Thank you!
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Post by Morsus on Jan 11, 2017 17:05:50 GMT
Very nice review, and great comments!
Now I'm left wondering about the comparisons between the Regular and MAA versions, particularly the construction. From what I'm gathering is that loose fittings are common on the regular version but are tightened on the MAA version, which I find very strange.
Also curious since we are looking at the Cold Steel Longsword, does anyone think it would be very similar to the new Windlass Bosworth? Both are on the MRL site and I can't help but wonder if the CS longsword (regular or MAA Version) is a template for the basis of the Bosworth as designs are very similar.
I have to say, if the fittings are tight on the MAA Version of this I'm seriously considering getting myself one instead of the H/T Bastard I was planning on.
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Post by arfoo on Jan 12, 2017 13:30:19 GMT
LOL the fish tail feels amazing in the hands, IMO y'all are crazy LOL It fits the palm perfectly, mine at least. If you're going to be doing advanced cuts, movements, etc, that fishtail will give you a really good grip
I know this isn't the techniques part of the forum, but this guy talks a bit about weird grips and such as well, interesting to watch if you have the interest
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Post by howler on Jan 12, 2017 23:13:35 GMT
LOL the fish tail feels amazing in the hands, IMO y'all are crazy LOL It fits the palm perfectly, mine at least. If you're going to be doing advanced cuts, movements, etc, that fishtail poo give you a really good grip I know this isn't the techniques part of the forum, but this guy talks a bit about weird grips and such as well, interesting to watch if you have the interest Sub $200 bones, this is the longsword to get. Long, light, fast (mine was 45.5oz.). You thrust into your opponent from the bind.
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Post by masterofossus on Jan 13, 2017 2:07:51 GMT
LOL the fish tail feels amazing in the hands, IMO y'all are crazy LOL It fits the palm perfectly, mine at least. If you're going to be doing advanced cuts, movements, etc, that fishtail poo give you a really good grip You may be right. I just posted a comparative review of the Windlass Bosworth and this one. They are effectively identical but the Bosworth uses a scent-stopper pommel (my usual preference) rather than the fishtail. I don't get the hotspot with the scent-stopper that I get with the fishtail, but I definitely give the handling edge to the CS. I still think that both swords could use another inch on their handles, but obviously the manufacturers don't agree with me.
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