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Post by Deleted on Mar 16, 2018 3:55:12 GMT
All the new Ronin euros including euro# 3 (Alexandria), are in the SBG Store now.
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Aikidoka
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Post by Aikidoka on Mar 21, 2018 5:07:59 GMT
Very interesting... Weight is 3 lbs 5 oz with a POB at 8 INCHES.
Also, the factory edge is not sharp enough to cut through a single layer of paper towel in my usual sharpness test. And yet, when I went to check the balance point and the blade began to fall, my instinctive reaction resulted in a very slight brush of my index finger against that edge... which resulted in a deep cut requiring a bandaid.
Very interesting indeed.
BTW, I have cut with an Albion Principe and this blade looks a LOT like an Albion Principe/Alexandria blade. Future test cutting will be needed to determine how much the excessive blade bias affects cutting and handling.
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Post by 28shadow on Mar 21, 2018 5:51:24 GMT
Interesting indeed.
How's the blades distal taper?
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Aikidoka
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Monstrous monk in training...
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Post by Aikidoka on Mar 21, 2018 5:59:16 GMT
Distal taper measurements: 5.5mm at the base, 4.2mm halfway down, 2.3mm one inch from the tip. Relatively flat bevel to a thin (but not sharpened) cutting edge.
My guess is that the tang is just not beefy enough to properly balance the sword.
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Aikidoka
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Post by Aikidoka on Mar 21, 2018 6:11:19 GMT
Surprisingly, it doesn't feel terrible in the hand and during dry handling. But the proof will be in the pudding when I do some test cutting with it.
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Post by Faldarin on Mar 21, 2018 12:52:53 GMT
That's also a lot lighter than the listed specs. Did they spec it out with the scabbard -on-? The distal taper seems to be on par with the RK Euro #7 I have - in fact, almost the same. The edge is definitely the same as the #7 - after some sharpening, mine is a monster though.
Definitely let us know how it actually performs. Curiouser and curiouser.
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Post by 28shadow on Mar 21, 2018 13:36:17 GMT
That's also a lot lighter than the listed specs. Did they spec it out with the scabbard -on-? The distal taper seems to be on par with the RK Euro #7 I have - in fact, almost the same. The edge is definitely the same as the #7 - after some sharpening, mine is a monster though. Definitely let us know how it actually performs. Curiouser and curiouser. Really? My #7 started at almost 7.5mm at the base. Interesting that such specs would vary. I'm very interested in how the new #3 cuts.
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Post by Faldarin on Mar 21, 2018 14:11:18 GMT
That's also a lot lighter than the listed specs. Did they spec it out with the scabbard -on-? The distal taper seems to be on par with the RK Euro #7 I have - in fact, almost the same. The edge is definitely the same as the #7 - after some sharpening, mine is a monster though. Definitely let us know how it actually performs. Curiouser and curiouser. Really? My #7 started at almost 7.5mm at the base. Interesting that such specs would vary. I'm very interested in how the new #3 cuts. I actually had an interesting discussion with Markus about variances in the #7. They seem to vary a good deal. I wonder if this is going to be a similar situation.
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stormmaster
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Post by stormmaster on Mar 21, 2018 14:12:57 GMT
very good news about the weight
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2018 15:27:16 GMT
Nice.
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Aikidoka
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Post by Aikidoka on Mar 21, 2018 15:58:06 GMT
Really? My #7 started at almost 7.5mm at the base. Interesting that such specs would vary. I'm very interested in how the new #3 cuts. I actually had an interesting discussion with Markus about variances in the #7. They seem to vary a good deal. I wonder if this is going to be a similar situation. Here are photos of the guard slot area: The central ridge (and the base of the blade in general) is decently fitted into the opening. So with regard to blade to blade variation, the base of the blade can't be much thicker than it is on mine. Thinner is possible, but I hope not as this blade is already relatively thin overall for it's width and length. The stiffness seems decent, but again I'll reserve judgement until I cut with it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2018 16:10:16 GMT
Regarding weight and mass distribution, it would have been easy enough to read into some of the philosophies experimented with when Albion did the Alexandria and Principe. myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=34348I wouldn't be too afraid of the Ronin's pob but the stats for the Ronin vs Albion kind of speaks volumes. While not owning an Albion, I suspect it has a rather concave distal, putting more mass towards the hilt. Whereas, the Ronin distal is probably flat/linear in its distal properties. Whether they viewed Peter's theories or not, the Ronin is an offering with the look and what looks to be more or less acceptable stats. If I was still in Medieval mode, I might be all over this latest offering, well less that what others will retail at. The scabbard is a huge plus and if fitted well, looks to be a great step above what one would see from say, Darksword. I don't equate the two companies as equal value but they are both vying/competing for the same market. I had handled a single handed migration sword from Kevin Cashen with the pob/cog out there at about 9", it felt more like 3"-4" and it had almost no pommel weight. Built as a cutter, it floated like a butterfly. I say buy the Ronin if it looks like a fit for you. I loved my one off A&A when I owned it. A hand&half Edward III blade with Duke of Urbino fittings. That sword has been refitted as a two hander but I had always enjoyed it as was.
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Post by tancred on Mar 21, 2018 17:06:01 GMT
Aikidoka, I'm glad you got pictures up, and posted your thoughts; I probably won't be able to post my thoughts until the weekend, and who knows if I'd be able to get pictures to actually work online.
I will say that I enjoy mine a lot so far. Love the wide blades. Also, the fit in the scabbard is excellent. Nice and tight. Can turn the sword upside down, grasp the scabbard, and the sword will not fall out. Gentle shakes would not loosen the sword. Did not, and probably will not try firmer, stronger shakes.
I'm interested to see how it will compare to the Albion. That won't arrive until later in the year, so I'll have to wait until then.
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Post by 28shadow on Mar 21, 2018 18:53:35 GMT
Aikidoka, I'm glad you got pictures up, and posted your thoughts; I probably won't be able to post my thoughts until the weekend, and who knows if I'd be able to get pictures to actually work online. I will say that I enjoy mine a lot so far. Love the wide blades. Also, the fit in the scabbard is excellent. Nice and tight. Can turn the sword upside down, grasp the scabbard, and the sword will not fall out. Gentle shakes would not loosen the sword. Did not, and probably will not try firmer, stronger shakes. I'm interested to see how it will compare to the Albion. That won't arrive until later in the year, so I'll have to wait until then. At least give us a little tease about how it handles...
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Aikidoka
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Post by Aikidoka on Mar 21, 2018 20:02:41 GMT
That's also a lot lighter than the listed specs. Did they spec it out with the scabbard -on-? The distal taper seems to be on par with the RK Euro #7 I have - in fact, almost the same. The edge is definitely the same as the #7 - after some sharpening, mine is a monster though.
Definitely let us know how it actually performs. Curiouser and curiouser. In a response to my Facebook post regarding this issue, Ronin Katana confirmed that the initial weight listed on their website was for the sword and scabbard combined. They said they will update their website with the correct weight for the sword today. EDIT: They have updated their website, listing the weight as 3 lbs 8 oz.
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Post by tancred on Mar 21, 2018 22:21:06 GMT
I've only done a little "dry handling" indoors. Not any great amount yet. I briefly compared it to similar swords I own in both size (H/T GSOW) and typology (Windlass Erbach, Arbedo, Albrecht II, and the Hanwei Albrecht II, all Type XVIIIa's compared to the Alexandria's Type XVIIIc). There are other similar sized swords of non-Type XVIII type that I hope to compare it with, but the H/T is the only one I've gotten to so far.
I haven't measured them exactly, but the Alexandria and the GSOW seem to be pretty darn close to the same length. I'll have to measure them later to be sure. When I first got the GSOW, I was surprised at how small the pommel was. The Alexandria pommel is on par. The smallness of both does not affect the balance of either in a negative way. From an aesthetic point of view, I wish they were both at least slightly larger. The look of the GSOW pommel is better, too, imo. The Alexandria pommel looks almost like its the exact same pommel used on all of Ronin's Euro models, at least the ones that have round/disc models. Just by looking at pictures, anyway. I'll be interested to see if the Albion pommel looks significantly different.
In any case, the Hanwei Albrecht is the least well-balanced of them all. Not entirely sure why, but it is the most blade-heavy. Trying to use the Ronin one-handed was possible, but not comfortable or overly effective. It definitely should be used two-handed for best results, imo. The Ronin hilt is fairly simple and straight. Nothing wrong with that; the cord underneath leather (I think) is comfortable and grippy. However, the hilts of the other swords either have spacers (GSOW and Hanwei Albrecht) or spacers and ergonomic shaping (Windlass Albrecht and Erbach) that make the hilts better in the gripping department. I don't mind this, because the Alexandria really does have a simple, straight hilt, so its accurate.
As far as handling, though, the Erbach and Arbedo are better. Nothing beats the Arbedo, that baby is so light and fast! Its not a big deal though, because they are both smaller swords than the Alexandria, the Erbach smaller in both length and blade width, and the Arebdo being almost as wide, but much shorter blade.
The Alexandria is probably the widest sword out there right now (along with Albion's Principe, or some Type XIV's you might find). That's what took the cake and sealed the deal for me. I love it! The look is everything. Its 1/3 the price of an Albion, too, so that helps if you blanch at those prices.
All I have time for now. Running late for work. Later!
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Post by Faldarin on Mar 21, 2018 23:16:08 GMT
Thanks Aikidoka - that's really good to know. With the look of that fit too, maybe they got their tolerances a little better with this set of blades. I probably should see if I can scrape the cash for one of these together... they're going to sell out fast at this rate. ... really want to hear some more indepth impressions though. Thanks for the quick take, tancred !
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2018 7:19:59 GMT
Are you gonna take me home tonight, Oh down beside that red firelight, Are you gonna let it all hang out, Wide bottomed euro # 3, you make the rockin world go round, Get on your warhorses and ride!
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Post by celegon on Mar 22, 2018 21:20:41 GMT
IM not usually a fan of that type of guard, but the #2 two hander is really tempting
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Post by gruggier on Mar 23, 2018 14:40:59 GMT
I like this company and the products they have been putting out. I hope to see better viking type swords however. Better traditional fittings and wider blades. For eg the Euro 12 wish the blade was wider. The Euro 8 again wish the blade was wider and the pommel more traditional and more refined/detailed. Of course I think it would be worth paying extra for these suggestions.
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