sevicler
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Post by sevicler on Apr 1, 2018 7:00:09 GMT
Hello, As the title says, does anyone here have any experience and/or opinion regarding Darksword Armory's Elite Damascus line? This is the link to their webstore: www.darksword-armory.com/medieval-weapons/elite-series-damascus-steel-swords/They claim that the blades are made of 095, 5160, L-6 and O1 steel. Which in theory should make the blades extremely tough. DISCLAIMER: I am not trying to start an argument or a flame war regarding DSA or its products. I am simply looking for customer experience and opinions.
Any opinion is welcome, but please refrain from starting arguments and flame wars. Note: not entirely sure if this thread belongs in General Discussions. Please move thread if it does not.
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stormmaster
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I like viking/migration era swords
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Post by stormmaster on Apr 1, 2018 7:15:59 GMT
i think they are overpriced, for that money you could get a more basic longship armory sword
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Apr 1, 2018 7:23:53 GMT
The damascus = better steel (steal?) is bs, but if you like the look it's ok for me. I don't like damascus on blades whose historical patters had none. On a late spatha to late frankish empire swords or oriental swords it's great, but not on a knightly sword. Here in Germany the DSA Elites are € 1800 up and I would never pay such a prize for such a sword. But beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.
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sevicler
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Post by sevicler on Apr 1, 2018 8:24:09 GMT
Well, I already know that Damascus doesn't always make a good sword, but what about the materials itself?
L6 and O1 sounds like a solid choice for a tough sword. So I guess my real question would be:
1. If anyone has a DSA Elite, is the quality good and the blade tough (as in, can they compete with other blades around the same price?) 2. Are they worth the price? If not, are there any other alternatives other than Albion?
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Post by coldnapalm on Apr 2, 2018 18:56:30 GMT
DSA are tough. If that is ALL you are looking for, it's a fine choice if you like how it looks. If you want something lively in the hand or gracefully have the tip guide your gand to a target and yeah...no. Even the ones that have good stats on paper somehow manages to feel dead in the hand. But tough...yeah they got that in spades.
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sevicler
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Post by sevicler on Apr 3, 2018 12:54:28 GMT
DSA are tough. If that is ALL you are looking for, it's a fine choice if you like how it looks. If you want something lively in the hand or gracefully have the tip guide your gand to a target and yeah...no. Even the ones that have good stats on paper somehow manages to feel dead in the hand. But tough...yeah they got that in spades. Oh I see, so DSA's swords are basically glorified crowbars? I wonder what they did wrong...I mean, for a bunch of smiths that make dozens if not hundreds of swords every year they should constantly improve the negative aspects of their products, right? Now how did Paul's review of the DSA Sovereign Sword give it a 5-star rating? Now I'm a little confused since Paul also mentioned that the Sovereign Sword handles beautifully....Despite not being their Elite line it's still one of their products. It seems that there are multiple contradictory reviews and opinions regarding this company's products. What's with the disparity? So confusing. Well, push comes to shove I'll probably not get one of their stuff unless something solid is established.
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Post by coldnapalm on Apr 3, 2018 16:20:58 GMT
Well...they are better than glorified crowbars now. Some of their older models...yeah, but the newer ones are better. And despite having some decent stats on paper, something about them makes them feel clumsy over better designed swords like Albions or A&A or say the hanwei tinker line of swords (and their elite lines are along the price of an Albion or A&A). Seriously for even the cost of their base models, I can have custom work done that will perform better and look how I like.
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Post by randomnobody on Apr 4, 2018 13:50:11 GMT
The important thing to keep in mind with handling, same as aesthetics and many other aspects of swords etc, is that it's very subjective. Everybody likes their swords to handle differently, and what further complicates things in the production world is that no two swords of the same model, from the same maker, handle exactly the same.
In my opinion, DSA had its heyday a few years back when it was basically the new Generation 2 (now Legacy Arms) and by that I mean cheap, basic swords, overbuilt, heavy, but tough. In recent years they've aimed for better quality, but like many other manufacturers have faced some growing pains. Increased lemon rate as they iron out the new designs/processes, old fans disappointed they broke their new sword doing something it wasn't supposed to be able to do (but X review said it could) and, I think the biggest strike most have against DSA now is they're much more expensive than they used to be. Coupled with not really having enough to go on as far as justifying the cost, other similarly-priced swords from other makers (Valiant, Hanwei, etc) just carry better reputations overall.
But if you find what you like through DSA and you can afford the asking price, I say just get it. It's up to you, once you have it in hand, whether it's worth it.
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Post by William Swiger on Apr 4, 2018 14:25:33 GMT
I have had several DSA swords over the years. Even tried one of the new ones. sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/40836
I passed them all along by selling really low or giving them away.
I still have their LOTR swords. The Anduril Sword and Ranger Sword. The Anduril blade is not assembled to the hilt properly or has a slight bend to it. You have to turn the grip out of proper alignment to get it to stay true when moving. On the fence with the Ranger. Big old heavy sword but looks cool. I have a few other LOTR type swords by Rob Miller and John Lundemo that handle like regular swords but of course cost more. I would actually give the Andruril away but will not spend time mailing it.
I would wonder if the Elite line is held to a higher standard than normal production QC. I still think there are some much better options but that is just me.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2018 15:35:23 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2018 15:35:47 GMT
DSA are tough. If that is ALL you are looking for, it's a fine choice if you like how it looks. If you want something lively in the hand or gracefully have the tip guide your gand to a target and yeah...no. Even the ones that have good stats on paper somehow manages to feel dead in the hand. But tough...yeah they got that in spades. no, they are not tough... they are dangerous. Almost rat-tail tangs, weak grip construction, fake peens.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2018 16:04:33 GMT
DSA are tough. If that is ALL you are looking for, it's a fine choice if you like how it looks. If you want something lively in the hand or gracefully have the tip guide your gand to a target and yeah...no. Even the ones that have good stats on paper somehow manages to feel dead in the hand. But tough...yeah they got that in spades. "a bunch of smiths that make dozens if not hundreds of swords every year" friend, i really dont want to rain on your parade, but over all those years it came out pretty clear that none of those blades was EVER forged at DSA or elsewhere in Canada... this will all rise up again, i feel it,but nevertheless: * you dont see any forging installations in their video, only guys ASSEMBLING swords * DSA's shop adress has been "visited" several times, and all you can find there is a quite tiny building; hard to imagine some big forge * the time cycles when DSA swords become available again pretty much suggests foreign import shipments * chinese symbols have been spotted on tangs and/or wooden grip parts and on, and on... everything of the above written has been "explained" by DSA though... ah, and check this out: savagesteel.blogspot.de/2017/04/the-dsa-claymore-under-hood.html
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Post by Faldarin on Apr 4, 2018 16:15:32 GMT
Well, I already know that Damascus doesn't always make a good sword, but what about the materials itself? L6 and O1 sounds like a solid choice for a tough sword. So I guess my real question would be: 1. If anyone has a DSA Elite, is the quality good and the blade tough (as in, can they compete with other blades around the same price?) 2. Are they worth the price? If not, are there any other alternatives other than Albion? Sorry, saw this late. Can't speak to #1 (I personally am not a fan of 'Damascus' in 99% of applications.) However, for #2, in/near the USA, other options are Lockwood Swords and Valiant Armoury. Both of these are comparatively priced to Albion / DSA's Elite line. The consensus seems to be that Lockwood is close to/at Albion quality levels, and the jury is still out on Valiant's higher priced lines. (But they have a solid reputation for their lower priced lines that used Chinese-sourced blades.) If you live in Europe - there's more than a few bladesmiths that will make pieces for around that price - but they likely have waiting lists that will stretch out for some time. Elsewhere, I am not too certain - depends on the shipping and customs, quite a bit.
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sevicler
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Post by sevicler on Apr 4, 2018 16:24:26 GMT
"a bunch of smiths that make dozens if not hundreds of swords every year" friend, i really dont want to rain on your parade, but over all those years it came out pretty clear that none of those blades was EVER forged at DSA or elsewhere in Canada... this will all rise up again, i feel it,but nevertheless: * you dont see any forging installations in their video, only guys ASSEMBLING swords * DSA's shop adress has been "visited" several times, and all you can find there is a quite tiny building; hard to imagine some big forge * the time cycles when DSA swords become available again pretty much suggests foreign import shipments * chinese symbols have been spotted on tangs and/or wooden grip parts and on, and on... everything of the above written has been "explained" by DSA though... ah, and check this out: savagesteel.blogspot.de/2017/04/the-dsa-claymore-under-hood.htmlRong assumptions are RONG apparently... Thanks for the videos and the links. I'll have a read through and a watch once I have time, but this should be enough. I don't think I'll be getting anything from DSA. Not their normal stuff, much less their elite line. A 'battle-ready' sword but of questionable durability especially during intended use will not win any points from me. Or anyone who calls themselves a sword enthusiast. That broken sword @ 2.20 in the second video really shot my left eyebrow up at a dangerous angle. Oh one more thing: Where can you get a custom-made sword for around the same price as a DSA Elite or an Albion (around $1500-2000)?
I know, I know, a sudden change in topic is a little jarring... But I am honestly curious. Where do you get a custom piece for around their price point? Most custom pieces are marked at around $2500+. A little beyond what I am capable of affording. (note: there doesn't have to be any fancy options such as folded steel/damascus and whatnot, but it has to function as a sword, handle well, and be reasonably tough).
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Post by coldnapalm on Apr 4, 2018 16:26:51 GMT
The video doesn't really disprove DSA swords being tough. Just that they make semprini swords...which i don't disagree with. If they are getting those better stats on paper with the rat tail tangs and such...yeah that could be an issue...but the DSA i have had to take apart did not have those issues listed. In fact even cracked handles were hard to remove due to all the fraking epoxy they used...and would probably still have been safe...ish with the cracked handle. If they have gotten worse than when i last had to deal with one of thier swords...yeah...that is bad.
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christain
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It's the steel on the inside that counts.
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Post by christain on Apr 4, 2018 16:27:46 GMT
I'm with you, Holg. That video speaks volumes. Nope, no DSA for me. Not when I can buy guaranteed full-tang from Hanwei/HT for well below HALF the price.
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Post by Bryan Heff on Apr 4, 2018 16:59:35 GMT
Arms and Armor is a pretty reasonable maker that will do custom work. They made me a custom piece a few years ago and it was a very positive experience.
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Post by sonofarwyn on Apr 4, 2018 17:13:32 GMT
A&A as mentioned do good customs in the price range. I have commissioned swords from them and they are excellent. Also in that price range would be some Odinblades/John Lundemo swords.I have several, and I can highly recommend them and John.
There are also several smiths from Eastern Europe who work in that range. Damien, in the Manufactures and Vendors thread is one, his work is gorgeous.
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sevicler
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Post by sevicler on Apr 4, 2018 17:17:08 GMT
ALL THE MODERATORS ARE HERE
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I'll check them out when I have time.
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Post by coldnapalm on Apr 4, 2018 17:36:03 GMT
Okay...saw the second video. Yeah those rat tails are bad...but to be fair most of those seem to be on their guardian sword...which is a fantasy sword and one designed by a fan i believe...so it is almost excusable...almost. The examples not the guardian is not. Sheesh i can't believe they got worse while i was away. Yeah OP...much better options around.
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