admin
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Post by admin on Feb 11, 2018 7:26:31 GMT
Hey Guys, According to the limited feedback on this thread and the actual review of the Goblin King Sword here I would have thought that these swords would have been at least a LITTLE bit popular.. But sadly, despite offering a limited pre-launch of the these three swords and promoting it via the Sword Buyers Digest to 15,000 subscribers and 6,000 members of the store newsletter, we have sold just one of each design..
THE DESIGNS The Early Aelutian Gladius - $329.99 The Sword of the Goblin King - $284.99 The Orc Kings War Cleaver - $284.99
So my question is, why are these just not on anyone's radar?They are hand made in the USA by Chris Palmer who is a Manufacturer and Vendor of many years good standing at the forums, were designed by forum members, and are priced just below or just slightly above the $300 price point. Yet, for some weird reason, the silence is deafening.. As we were hoping to use the meager profits from the sale of these swords to get the necessary funds to actually launch the dedicated website (which also has a LOT of input and work from SBG members) and cover the cost of actually making the swords and sending them out free to the people who designed them. it is quite disheartening to say the least and does not bode well for the project generally..  So if you like the designs and have been considering, what is it that holds you back from actually pulling the trigger on them? I have priced them as low as possible, done my best to give them a compelling backstory and we all know that Chris makes really tough, fully functional blades.. So what is it that you think is the reason why no-one actually wants to buy them? Personally I am at a loss to explain it.. Any and all feedback is more than welcome - for right now we have sunk over $10,000 into the development of this project, and was hoping that we might be able to get enough funds to actually launch the thing. But alas, we are now kind of stuck in limbo.. Don't pull any punches, I need to know to make this project a success.. - Paul |
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stormmaster
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Post by stormmaster on Feb 11, 2018 7:54:33 GMT
I'm personally interested in the orc war cleaver but then I like my swords to come with at least a wooden scabbard, i would willingly pay more for one over the leather thing, and also the forge direct line just came back up and im saving up for the king qin sword which is why im selling another sword atm so it would just be financially impossible for me to get one atm, so to sum it up, 2 reasons im not currently getting one of this fantasy line,
1. No option for better scabbard Wood core/leather wrapped or just plain wood
2. The forge direct line appeals to me more and i want one before they get off sale, currently saving for one so cant get both
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Scott
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Post by Scott on Feb 11, 2018 8:03:41 GMT
Lack of money, pure and simple. I'm planning to buy one or two but can't afford it at the moment.
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Post by 28shadow on Feb 11, 2018 8:12:01 GMT
Personally I haven't bought one simply because the designs don't speak to me. I prefer medieval era sword designs or at least fantasy designs with larger crossguards that can help keep ME from injuring myself on the blade. While I believe whole heartedly in supporting this project, these designs aren't ones I particularly want or need.
Not to mention for the past year it's been hard enough trying to sell a sword on the secondary market. People just do not want to buy it seems. I myself have been keeping a steady rotation of blades through the collection and out into the community the past few months.
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stormmaster
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Post by stormmaster on Feb 11, 2018 8:22:17 GMT
Personally I haven't bought one simply because the designs don't speak to me. I prefer medieval era sword designs or at least fantasy designs with larger crossguards that can help keep ME from injuring myself on the blade. While I believe whole heartedly in supporting this project, these designs aren't ones I particularly want or need. Not to mention for the past year it's been hard enough trying to sell a sword on the secondary market. People just do not want to buy it seems. I myself have been keeping a steady rotation of blades through the collection and out into the community the past few months. aye this too, alot of secondary options available right now, i like the forge direct line and this line too, but if i had to pick between the two i would have to go forge direct atm cause the design of the chinese swords speak more to me |
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admin
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Post by admin on Feb 11, 2018 8:42:04 GMT
Okay, thanks for the early feedback guys. It is true that there sales overall are a bit off at the moment, and the scabbards don't really do the swords justice. Unfortunately, Chris at Scorpion Swords isn't really set up to do scabbards in house, and the cost of getting a decent scabbard made these days in the USA could well double the price as there is a bit of back and forth shipping involved as well, adding to both the cost and lead time significantly.
I will look into it though, as the swords themselves really are not done justice by the leather sheathes.
The lack of sales will probably not kill the project, but it could be significantly delayed.
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stormmaster
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Post by stormmaster on Feb 11, 2018 8:47:58 GMT
Okay, thanks for the early feedback guys. It is true that there sales overall are a bit off at the moment, and the scabbards don't really do the swords justice. Unfortunately, Chris at Scorpion Swords isn't really set up to do scabbards in house, and the cost of getting a decent scabbard made these days in the USA could well double the price as there is a bit of back and forth shipping involved as well, adding to both the cost and lead time significantly. I will look into it though, as the swords themselves really are not done justice by the leather sheathes. The lack of sales will probably not kill the project, but it could be significantly delayed. i dont even need a fancy scabbard with leather wrapped wood core and riser work or even a chape or locket, just a plain wooden lacquered scabbard would do it for me, i hope this project stays underway because some of the designs really interested me and I could save for it in the future after I get my king qin jian  |
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Post by Jordan Williams on Feb 11, 2018 8:57:25 GMT
Honestly, the designs just don't speak to me either, especially for the prices. I can't afford to spend a whole lot on a newly made sword that isn't going to hold it's resale value if I ever need to sell it off, and the designs in production right now are either just too simple and/or foreign to my collection to justify buying.
I'm in the same sort of boat as 28Shadow sort of. I really want to support the project, but either don't need or don't really want any of the current design offerings. They just seem kind of high for the designs, for instance I really love the Aleutian Gladius design, it's a classical but distinctive take on an actual sword. But over 300 dollars is just a little too high for what I would be willing to pay for a knife handled sword that looks that simple, and has too many minor things about it that irk me.
I'm also looking forward to the forge direct line and if I'm going to spend a lot on a fantasy piece, I want to make sure I hit the right note so to speak. The Castir for instance is the one I would actually like to buy, as it's visually unique to fantasy swords unlike say, the goblin king and orc cleaver, but also doesn't look so out of place.
Also, I agree with the scabbard points. It wouldn't have to be any kind of fancy piece, just some slats of wood formed to the blade would work for me and I would actually consider buying them if they came with something like that. No fancy designs needed, just something to make it a complete package you know? But I understand if Scorpion swords simply doesn't have the set up to do so so it's kind of a moot point.
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stormmaster
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Post by stormmaster on Feb 11, 2018 9:24:29 GMT
Honestly, the designs just don't speak to me either, especially for the prices. I can't afford to spend a whole lot on a newly made sword that isn't going to hold it's resale value if I ever need to sell it off, and the designs in production right now are either just too simple and/or foreign to my collection to justify buying. I'm in the same sort of boat as 28Shadow sort of. I really want to support the project, but either don't need or don't really want any of the current design offerings. They just seem kind of high for the designs, for instance I really love the Aleutian Gladius design, it's a classical but distinctive take on an actual sword. But over 300 dollars is just a little too high for what I would be willing to pay for a knife handled sword that looks that simple, and has too many minor things about it that irk me. I'm also looking forward to the forge direct line and if I'm going to spend a lot on a fantasy piece, I want to make sure I hit the right note so to speak. The Castir for instance is the one I would actually like to buy, as it's visually unique to fantasy swords unlike say, the goblin king and orc cleaver, but also doesn't look so out of place. Also, I agree with the scabbard points. It wouldn't have to be any kind of fancy piece, just some slats of wood formed to the blade would work for me and I would actually consider buying them if they came with something like that. No fancy designs needed, just something to make it a complete package you know? But I understand if Scorpion swords simply doesn't have the set up to do so so it's kind of a moot point. yep i think this is mostly it, btw which forge direct line u looking to get? im mostly looking at the king qin jian and han jian along with that fantasy gladius with the chinese influence, very striking, i like the dragon tongue but since it comes with a leather sheath instead of an actual scabbard i just couldnt justify it over the others even tho it is alittle cheaper, hopefully I manage to sell my dao and i can buy one in the coming 12 days |
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Post by Jordan Williams on Feb 11, 2018 9:35:33 GMT
I'm also looking forward to the forge direct line and if I'm going to spend a lot on a fantasy piece, I want to make sure I hit the right note so to speak. yep i think this is mostly it, btw which forge direct line u looking to get? im mostly looking at the king qin jian and han jian along with that fantasy gladius with the chinese influence, very striking, i like the dragon tongue but since it comes with a leather sheath instead of an actual scabbard i just couldnt justify it over the others even tho it is alittle cheaper, hopefully I manage to sell my dao and i can buy one in the coming 12 days I'm looking at the Energy sword. The lattice work is absolutely beautiful and reminds me a a lot of a sabre I saw years ago with a similar black on gold geometric patterns design. I felt the same way about the dragons tongue. It's only 35 dollars more for a the next cheapest sword that has an actual sheath. Might as well right? I like the gladius as well though. |
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stormmaster
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Post by stormmaster on Feb 11, 2018 9:44:50 GMT
yep i think this is mostly it, btw which forge direct line u looking to get? im mostly looking at the king qin jian and han jian along with that fantasy gladius with the chinese influence, very striking, i like the dragon tongue but since it comes with a leather sheath instead of an actual scabbard i just couldnt justify it over the others even tho it is alittle cheaper, hopefully I manage to sell my dao and i can buy one in the coming 12 days I'm looking at the Energy sword. The lattice work is absolutely beautiful and reminds me a a lot of a sabre I saw years ago with a similar black on gold geometric patterns design. I felt the same way about the dragons tongue. It's only 35 dollars more for a the next cheapest sword that has an actual sheath. Might as well right? I like the gladius as well though. nice! i thought about the energy sword a bit too, but i dont fancy the red cord grip with the black on top, i really like the blade working tho, i have a deep aversion to leather sheaths ever since one time one of my swords just punched right through one, was so sad. let me know if u get the energy sword, would love to see someone write about it since im probably not gonna get it, more reviews or anything on the forge direct line would be awesome and which of the 4 patterns are u looking to get btw, im partial to 1 and 4 myself |
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Post by Jordan Williams on Feb 11, 2018 9:50:49 GMT
Will do, And yeah I usually throw away or scrap any and all riveted leather sword sheaths. Makes the sword feel cheap imo.
Although we have gotten pretty far off topic so to add to my above post, another reason I can't see myself justifying buying the designs out now is my job and life situation. It's simply too much a risk I can't take.
Edit: I like 1 and 2 patterns the best imo
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Feb 11, 2018 10:29:53 GMT
I think there are 3 problems:
1) Still no reviews to plant in the idea of really handling such a sword in the customer's mind.
2) No real identification point to a hero's story around the sword
Who is the Goblin King, the Orc King, an Aleutian legionare?
Why should I buy his sword?
3) All three are short swords, basically not very heroic, sorry.
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Post by elbrittania39 on Feb 11, 2018 10:45:06 GMT
I dont think there are anything wrong with these swords, heck, I like all three. But when I'm buying a sword, its gonna be competing with everything else that would cost the same amount. So its not just: "Do I want the Goblin Kings Sword for $285?" but "Do I want the Goblin King's Sword more than anything else on the market that costs $285 or less?" Also, while I have no proof or stats to back this up, it does seem that the majority of forumnites (myself included) prefer historical designs to strictly fantasy ones.
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stormmaster
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Post by stormmaster on Feb 11, 2018 10:48:02 GMT
I dont think there are anything wrong with these swords, heck, I like all three. But when I'm buying a sword, its gonna be competing with everything else that would cost the same amount. So its not just: "Do I want the Goblin Kings Sword for $285?" but "Do I want the Goblin King's Sword more than anything else on the market that costs $285 or less?" Also, while I have no proof or stats to back this up, it does seem that the majority of forumnites (myself included) prefer historical designs to strictly fantasy ones. i think more traditional fantasy designs tend to stick with people more like with a medieval style swords like the windlass avalon and blacksword, a regular single hander double edged blade or longsword with some fantasy fittings, out of these 3 i think the orc king is the most like a dao but the other 2 are super unique and more niche looking, also i agree with you that I also tend to compare it to what else I can get for the price, for example I thought about the gladius for alittle bit then then I thought for another 200 bucks I can get a super cool jian and instantly scrapped the idea of the gladius |
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Post by freq on Feb 11, 2018 10:52:20 GMT
first and foremost got a kid coming so dropping 300 bucks on anything non essential is out, secondly the designs are kind of sedate for "fantasy swords" (not to be rude to designers) when i think fantasy sword i think bling or overdone eg the Atlantean sword from conan or something elaborate and intricate. these look "basic" they lack the fantastic elements the average person thinks of when you say fantasy sword. not suggesting that we need to paint them neon green and add multiple blades and skulls to them but they lack any sort of fantastical elements, simply painting a blade and etching some runes on to it doesn't make a fantasy piece ( again no insult meant { ive done this}) unfortunately the gladius is not that different from some of the xiphos available for half the price, with a minimum of work this kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=402532 could become the goblin king sword, and its 1/4 the price, and again with some work this kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=CTK35819HC could be an orc cleaver at nearly a third of the price, i understand that that the steels are not as good as the sbg ones but if your simply going to display one not use it (majority of collectors) your going to take the cheaper option,again no offense meant just my 2c worth hope it helps |
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Post by elbrittania39 on Feb 11, 2018 10:57:01 GMT
Another possible problem, is just the broader economic situation. So it seems like the goal was to get these swords selling like hot cakes immediately to fund the website project, but I'm not sure any sword manufacturer does business like that.
For example, Universal Swords recently released a Swedish Pallasch that got a lot of people talking. It also cost just under $300. However, the only person I've seen buy it so far was Dave Kelly. And even though people really trust him and he gave it a great review, I haven't seen anyone else buy it. It sounds a lot like the situation you're in with these swords now.
However, the difference is that Universal Swords is a big company with a variety of products and probably never intended or expected to quickly move a lot of any one or two products, but instead keep up steady sales on lots of products over a long period of time.
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Post by leviathansteak on Feb 11, 2018 13:47:50 GMT
I would say that the pricepoint is good. I would also bet that the quality of the actual pieces is good.
I would not buy simply as the designs don't interest me. I usually don't buy fantasy weapons but if i did, I would prefer fantasy swords with medieval/ renaissance influence. e.g longswords, arming swords, rapiers, sideswords
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 11, 2018 15:47:39 GMT
I don’t like the designs preferring a copy of a more traditional sword with more flowing lines, the period being of lesser importance. With all of the historical swords designed if they didn’t get the design right then nobody is going to do it now. That is not to say there are no fantasy swords that I like. Windlass’ Blacksword catches my fancy.
Why I wouldn’t buy one? There is no scabbard. It doesn’t have to be fancy but at least utilitarian, protecting the edge itself and who/whatever it comes in contact with. A typical Windlass quality leather will do. My favourite is wood, if leather covered the better. Also I’ve recently had a financial setback, however that is temporary. Those swords above do nothing for me, desiring them neither as a working tool, tool/weapon, nor a weapon. Overall, they seem sculptured without graceful lines and little hand protection. The War Clever appeals to me the most although I have no desire for one, perhaps it’s the cutting edge. If I had one of those the first thing that I would do would be to knock off those defined angled edges on the blade, I think it’s too late to put much of a convex edge on it.
I would much prefer seeing someone reproduce a historical sword WITH more historical handling characteristics and statistics than is generally out there now.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Feb 11, 2018 18:10:01 GMT
The Orc King is kind of interesting but you don't give any measurements on it. Overall length, blade length, width and thickness, weight. It could be anything from a sword to a letter opener as far as we know.
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