Deepeeka Gladius (or other ancient era swords)?

28shadow
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Posts: 1,663

Deepeeka Gladius (or other ancient era swords)? May 21, 2018 1:17:37 GMT

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Post by 28shadow on May 21, 2018 1:17:37 GMT

First of all, is the plural form of Gladius "Gladi"? Second question, are Deepeeka worth purchasing as decent representations of the design? I know most things I've handled or owned from Deepeeka have been trash, but I've heard the ancient era stuff can be OK.

I know rather little about the sword design besides the obvious that most people know.

A few examples shown at KOA:

Legionary Mainz

Fulham

Spatha (not a gladius, but a cool looking piece that Dave K. says is OK)

Fulham #2

Really just testing the waters here. My experience with the Gladius design begins and ends with the CS Gladius Machete.

Last Edit: May 21, 2018 1:17:57 GMT by 28shadow

Take what you can, give nothing back.

28shadow Member Posts: 1,663	Deepeeka Gladius (or other ancient era swords)? May 21, 2018 1:23:05 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by 28shadow on May 21, 2018 1:23:05 GMT Also, although I asked for a decent representation of the design, I'm OK if something isn't 100% accurate but is still a good, functional sword. Something I'm quite aware Deepeeka does not often have associated with it.
	Take what you can, give nothing back.

Timo Nieminen
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Posts: 3,706

Deepeeka Gladius (or other ancient era swords)? May 21, 2018 1:40:38 GMT

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Post by Timo Nieminen on May 21, 2018 1:40:38 GMT

"Gladii" is the Latin plural, and is OK in English. "Gladiuses" is also used in English.

The right Deepeeka models are OK as far as design goes. As far as metallurgy goes, they're typically better than historical - even if the heat treatment is on the soft side (or the blades aren't even hardened).

But they're still made by Deepeeka, so made cheaply, and maybe fit and finish suffer.

The models you link are OK. Some models are not so good:

www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AH4211&name=Roman+Bone+Handled+Pompeii+Gladius

Weight and grip length are a good way to weed out the bad ones. If it isn't well under 2lb (maybe look for 1lb 6oz to 1lb 12oz for a gladius) and with grip length under 4", avoid. Look at blade thickness.

You could compare the blade thicknesses, weights, and grip lengths of the various Deepeeka models with, e.g., Albion's, which are good for thickness, weight, and grip length.

"In addition to being efficient, all pole arms were quite nice to look at." - Cherney Berg, A hideous history of weapons, Collier 1963.

mrstabby: Hello, welcome even under these sad circumstances. Maybe put out a thread in the Renaissance/Military subsection. Nov 28, 2024 6:52:12 GMT *

trooperwill: I have just been appointed conservator and Guardian for Dave Kelly and have no experience or knowledge of swords. I would appreciate any assistance that folks who know Dave or have visited with him and seen his collection could give me. need appraisal Nov 28, 2024 0:05:16 GMT

mrstabby: Been thinking the same - but the person that set up the page might not be there anymore and old code gets messy when not maintained. Might be a "repair subscriptions, destroy function X, repair X, destroy Y" situation by now - would mean a total overhaul. Nov 18, 2024 7:29:27 GMT

Deepeeka Gladius (or other ancient era swords)?

Post by 28shadow on May 21, 2018 1:17:37 GMT

Post by 28shadow on May 21, 2018 1:23:05 GMT

Post by Timo Nieminen on May 21, 2018 1:40:38 GMT

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