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Post by kalkikrosah on Oct 21, 2017 23:33:01 GMT
Usually I scoff at Deepeeka products; they are over weight, crudely constructed and use inferior materials and craftsmanship. But I think I finally found something that they may make better than all their competition: Medieval warhammers. This one in particular looks like it is the best offering in its price range: www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AH4125N&name=Foot+Soldier%27s+War+HammerFrom a design perspective there's a handful of things I like about it. For one, the impact head is segmented into four parts which allows a better "bite" on your blows. Another is that I count 5 langet rivets running more than halfway down the shaft for help it stay together better. Most of the competition only has 2 rivets holding it in, which is a major plus. They even include a small metal end cap on the bottom of the shaft partly for decoration but also to help counter balance the business end on the top side. The crow's beak is long and slender too which will help with penetration and the shaft is rectangular to help the user better aim that point into the target properly. I still cannot give an adequate critique of the quality of the steel or the wooden haft holding it all together but the design itself seems to be one of the better offerings out there. But what are some of your opinions on the matter? Is it a safe gamble or do you see something I don't? And if you own a different warhammer, please feel free to say what you like and dislike about the one you own.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Oct 22, 2017 0:08:43 GMT
I don't like the looks of the wood, but the head is fine. The weight is historical (but I'd prefer lighter, which would also be historical).
Deepeeka uses good steel, but not always good heat treatment. If the item is actually hardened (and this probably is, since KOA says "battle ready"), usually on the soft side. But a warhammer is much less fussy about heat treatment, and will be OK even if unhardened.
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,649
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Post by stormmaster on Oct 22, 2017 5:10:46 GMT
its easier to make a basher then a slasher
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Post by leviathansteak on Oct 22, 2017 8:35:38 GMT
I have heard that polearms made in india often use poor wood for the hafts. You should ideally be able to rehaft the hammer if you get it
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Oct 22, 2017 14:55:08 GMT
Well you have some time to think about it being that it's marked BACK ORDERED. I have one Deepeeka Hersir Viking sword that is nice for the money and the only one they make with a 2 1/4 " wide blade. A Gladiator Sica sword with a handle that is slightly uneven but got a discount from KOA on it. A Roman Square Pilum that the three bolts are a little uneven and the shaft could have been better. Two of their helmets a Rome Gallic and a Brass Gladiator both are excellent. So yeah Deepeeka's wood working leaves much to be desired but usually with a little work is worth the price. Not into War Hammers so I can't help you out there only Deepeeka in general.
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Post by Darius359au on Nov 13, 2017 8:01:50 GMT
I have that hammer and it is a solid piece , i've hit things from 2 litre bottles full of water ,(very satisfying explosion when hit ;) ) to wood and sheet metal with no issues and the head staying firm with no movement - only thing I dont like or rather would prefer was different is the shaft ,it's a little thin in my hand and a little too square ,the corners dig in to ungloved hands ,but it does make it easy to align the head for strikes!
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Post by kalkikrosah on Nov 13, 2017 15:08:49 GMT
I have that hammer and it is a solid piece , i've hit things from 2 litre bottles full of water ,(very satisfying explosion when hit ) to wood and sheet metal with no issues and the head staying firm with no movement - only thing I dont like or rather would prefer was different is the shaft ,it's a little thin in my hand and a little too square ,the corners dig in to ungloved hands ,but it does make it easy to align the head for strikes! If I do purchase this I will probably use a belt sander and even out the corners to make a "hand groove" for myself. But since you own it, how do you like the beak? I love the look of it but with a downward curve to it and such a long length I feel like it would be really difficult to pull out of your target once you do impale it.
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Post by Darius359au on Nov 14, 2017 0:19:25 GMT
kalkikrosah i've had no problems pulling the pick out ,needs a bit of a wiggle depending what you hit but it pretty much comes straight out!
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Post by wvfishguy on Nov 22, 2017 6:53:23 GMT
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rschuch
Member
Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go walking, east, south, far away into dark and danger.
Posts: 805
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Post by rschuch on Jul 26, 2022 15:14:50 GMT
Usually I scoff at Deepeeka products; they are over weight, crudely constructed and use inferior materials and craftsmanship. But I think I finally found something that they may make better than all their competition: Medieval warhammers. This one in particular looks like it is the best offering in its price range: www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AH4125N&name=Foot+Soldier%27s+War+HammerFrom a design perspective there's a handful of things I like about it. For one, the impact head is segmented into four parts which allows a better "bite" on your blows. Another is that I count 5 langet rivets running more than halfway down the shaft for help it stay together better. Most of the competition only has 2 rivets holding it in, which is a major plus. They even include a small metal end cap on the bottom of the shaft partly for decoration but also to help counter balance the business end on the top side. The crow's beak is long and slender too which will help with penetration and the shaft is rectangular to help the user better aim that point into the target properly. I still cannot give an adequate critique of the quality of the steel or the wooden haft holding it all together but the design itself seems to be one of the better offerings out there. But what are some of your opinions on the matter? Is it a safe gamble or do you see something I don't? And if you own a different warhammer, please feel free to say what you like and dislike about the one you own. I think your first assumption was correct. Even if it looks promising on the website, there's no guarantee that's what you're going to get.
Deepeeka still has QC issues. The Italian Warhammer I received is very different from what was pictured in the ad on Kult of Athena. I realize the ad says the haft may be a different color, which sucks because I really prefer the darker wood, so I guess I was warned, but the ad also specifically states brass rivets: “This 14th Century Italian Warhammer is fitted with a pronged and spiked head of high carbon steel. Long side langets are riveted into place with embellished brass rivets.” My rivets are not brass. I understand this is not a high end product, but they should at least make what they SAY they’re going to make a stick to it, not this random “Let’s see what we have on the shelf today” approach. I’m disappointed with the overall look of it, and not even mentioning (well I guess I am now) the rough cut work on the langets. They’re even on the KoA photo sample, but if you look at mine it’s more narrow at the top portion, then widens about halfway down. The last rivet isn’t close to centered and there’s a point on the curve at the bottom. Nit picky, but it’s just shoddy workmanship. Is it that difficult to follow a template and make something straight with a curve?
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Post by cerberus1426 on Aug 4, 2022 1:24:17 GMT
Kind of surprised how different they look without KOA putting up another picture. I was looking at getting one of these to but the main draw of it over the others was the dark wood/brass for me. You hit anything with it yet?
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rschuch
Member
Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go walking, east, south, far away into dark and danger.
Posts: 805
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Post by rschuch on Aug 4, 2022 19:28:52 GMT
Kind of surprised how different they look without KOA putting up another picture. I was looking at getting one of these to but the main draw of it over the others was the dark wood/brass for me. You hit anything with it yet? My ex wife... but then I thought better of it. You need silver to kill the undead, right?
I painted the rivets with bronze enamel which adds a little variety to it, but yeah, the dark handle was the most disappointing thing. I asked KoA but they said they didn't have any that looked like that (I was trying to exchange mine out). I also encouraged them to update their pic and was met with the usual static. "We'll just pretend you didn't say that. It's like a surprise for new buyers!"
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Post by cerberus1426 on Aug 5, 2022 5:32:56 GMT
Kind of surprised how different they look without KOA putting up another picture. I was looking at getting one of these to but the main draw of it over the others was the dark wood/brass for me. You hit anything with it yet? My ex wife... but then I thought better of it. You need silver to kill the undead, right?
I painted the rivets with bronze enamel which adds a little variety to it, but yeah, the dark handle was the most disappointing thing. I asked KoA but they said they didn't have any that looked like that (I was trying to exchange mine out). I also encouraged them to update their pic and was met with the usual static. "We'll just pretend you didn't say that. It's like a surprise for new buyers!"
Got a pic with the bronze enamel?
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rschuch
Member
Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go walking, east, south, far away into dark and danger.
Posts: 805
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Post by rschuch on Aug 5, 2022 9:41:56 GMT
It's subtle, but it needed contrast. Attachments:
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rschuch
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Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go walking, east, south, far away into dark and danger.
Posts: 805
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Post by rschuch on Aug 5, 2022 17:32:57 GMT
My ex wife... but then I thought better of it. You need silver to kill the undead, right?
I painted the rivets with bronze enamel which adds a little variety to it, but yeah, the dark handle was the most disappointing thing. I asked KoA but they said they didn't have any that looked like that (I was trying to exchange mine out). I also encouraged them to update their pic and was met with the usual static. "We'll just pretend you didn't say that. It's like a surprise for new buyers!"
Got a pic with the bronze enamel? Posted the pics. I'm guessing I'd have to sand the wood down quite a bit if I intended to restain it a darker mahogany color ... Maybe tape off the leather wrap so I don't ruin it. I'd hate to not sand enough and get an uneven finish. What would really be nice is if it had some brass bands to cover where the leather ends to keep it from fraying (as if this was going to get a lot of use from me going out on the weekends and bashing squirrels on my nature walks). Just saying. A couple of cheap details could really improve the overall look of this.
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pgandy
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Senior Forumite
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Post by pgandy on Aug 5, 2022 19:39:17 GMT
I'm guessing I'd have to sand the wood down quite a bit if I intended to restain it a darker mahogany color ... I think sanding won't be necessary, possibly. During the initial part of the pandemic when alcohol was not available we used household disinfectant in spray bottles. Spray bottles were available but no alcohol. I cannot remember any brands but no matter as they are probably not in your country. I only remember they were the cheapest brand of whatever the store was able to obtain. That damn stuff removed the varnish of whatever the manufacturer used on the furniture, cabinets, etc. It also removed the finish on my cane. Fortunately that wasn’t my more expensive EDC. That was a second that came with my dismay varnished. And had intended to remove with paint remover but never got around to it. That disinfectant took the varnish off easier than any paint remover I’ve used. There was no sanding, no mess. Just due to ordinary handling. Once I saw what was happening I went out of my way to rub the entire shaft. It was a slower, but not all that slower process than paint remover and much cleaner. I hadn’t noticed it working for the first few days. On the furniture it worked faster. Maybe noticeable faster is more accurate. You won’t have much, only a few coins, invested in a bottle and I’d give it a try before any sanding.
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rschuch
Member
Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go walking, east, south, far away into dark and danger.
Posts: 805
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Post by rschuch on Aug 5, 2022 20:24:08 GMT
I'm guessing I'd have to sand the wood down quite a bit if I intended to restain it a darker mahogany color ... I think sanding won't be necessary, possibly. During the initial part of the pandemic when alcohol was not available we used household disinfectant in spray bottles. Spray bottles were available but no alcohol. I cannot remember any brands but no matter as they are probably not in your country. I only remember they were the cheapest brand of whatever the store was able to obtain. That damn stuff removed the varnish of whatever the manufacturer used on the furniture, cabinets, etc. It also removed the finish on my cane. Fortunately that wasn’t my more expensive EDC. That was a second that came with my dismay varnished. And had intended to remove with paint remover but never got around to it. That disinfectant took the varnish off easier than any paint remover I’ve used. There was no sanding, no mess. Just due to ordinary handling. Once I saw what was happening I went out of my way to rub the entire shaft. It was a slower, but not all that slower process than paint remover and much cleaner. I hadn’t noticed it working for the first few days. On the furniture it worked faster. Maybe noticeable faster is more accurate. You won’t have much, only a few coins, invested in a bottle and I’d give it a try before any sanding. Huh...any idea what the main ingredient was? Most disinfectants here are alcohol and I'd just be guessing, but yeah, a thinner or lacquer remover would be much better than sanding.
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pgandy
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Senior Forumite
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Post by pgandy on Aug 5, 2022 21:28:30 GMT
I have no idea what was in the disinfectant. It may have contained some alcohol but from the aroma much more. Below are photos of its unintended results. Cabinet for one. With no effort on my part and when I saw what I had done I said “YIKES” and did no more. If I continued no doubt I could have in time, removed all the finish, making it easier to repair. Maybe one day. The cane is a different case. In no time at all the disinfectant started unintentionally removing the unwanted varnish leaving light coloured wood similar to the cabinet. I repaired it by using wood oil. At first it seemed like a losing battle as the disinfectant was removing the oil about fast as I was applying it. I find in most cases oils tend to darken wood and prefer that to a stain. Oils make maintenance easier and is my favourite finish. In the case of the cane in its present state is duller than normal as I continue by using alcohol but have enough soaked in oil for it to retain the dark colour. With all paint removers I’ve used some sanding was needed and they created some mess when the finish was loosened then removed. With the disinfectants I never realized what was happening. I haven’t used the disinfectants enough to be completely familiar with the performance and am not necessarily promoting their use for this, just relating my experience.
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Post by cerberus1426 on Aug 6, 2022 22:43:16 GMT
The bronze looks good and if you did end up staining it a really dark brown or almost black it would probably look really good
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rschuch
Member
Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go walking, east, south, far away into dark and danger.
Posts: 805
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Post by rschuch on Aug 8, 2022 3:41:18 GMT
The bronze looks good and if you did end up staining it a really dark brown or almost black it would probably look really good Thanks. My buddy is coming down in a couple of weeks and as a project we'll probably do the staining and brass bands. I'll post pics of the finished product.
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