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Post by rammstein on Jul 4, 2008 18:31:16 GMT
I strongly advise against getting an albion for your first sword - they are too expensive to make a mistake on so I'd buy a few lower end swords just to know where your interests lie and THEN buy an albion. Not only will you possibly avoid the mistake of buying a type of sword you dislike, but you'll also be able to appreciate WHY an albion is so expensive compared to other swords. If you just jump to an albion, I'm afraid you may feel later on that it was a poor choice. Stick with low end swords for a while.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2008 18:45:54 GMT
I agree with rammy. You want to try out and see what you like before sinking 700+ bucks into a sword only to find that you really don't like type XIII swords after all . As for one handed use, there are quite a few longswords out there that is quite good one or two handed so if you like how longswords look but want to use a shield, that is an option.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2008 18:53:17 GMT
Yes, I agree, tempting as it is, I don't think I would have actually put out $350-500 for my first sword (dreaming is nice though).
I could argue that getting a bunch of lower-end sword would end up costing WAY more than just one Albion, whereas I could still sell an Albion if I didn't like it. But I still think you're right. I wouldn't appreciate it.
The ATrim Practical line was recommended to me right at the start. ATrim's are also very good, aren't they? Is the sub-300 practical line considered to be better than most others in the price range, except for looking, well, more practical than pretty?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2008 19:01:22 GMT
You'd lose quite a bit in selling an albion after you bought it and you didn't like. Going through this process until you found an albion you liked could cost you as much as getting lower end swords and finding what you like . The valiants are pretty nice. Nice cutters and the longsword can be used one or two handed easily. If the looks plain is an issue, have Brian customize it with some pommel deco.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2008 19:05:17 GMT
I have found that the Windlass Arming Sword - Oakeshott Type XIV goes well with a sword and shield combat system as well as being a very well made and good handling sword. I do SCA combat and feel that I could transition from my SCA sword and combat fighting system (sword and shield) to using a live blade like the Arming Sword in the same manner with the same effectiveness. www.armsofvalour.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AOVL&Product_Code=500972&Category_Code=WSCI am on the left in black and red. The sword I am using is 34 inches just a tad longer than the Overall 33 3/8" length of the above mentioned Arming sword.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2008 19:12:10 GMT
Ah yes, the type XIV...how I love those swords. Well not how they look (I actually dislike how they look a lot)...but they feel so right in my hands . Never did meet a type XIV I didn't like hehe. On a side note, wasters are a great way to figure out what you might be interested in .
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Razor
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Post by Razor on Jul 4, 2008 19:15:03 GMT
I have always like the Windlass type XIV and the tang is peened.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2008 19:55:54 GMT
Hmn. I'm going to be honest, first impression of this sword: though pretty for it's size, it's thick, a bit squat, and short. Now, having seen reviews and hearing how much everyone likes it, and how agile it is, I'm thinking it just might be the sword for me, and I'm really happy you pointed it out, because I probably wouldn't have found it myself. I make no excuses, I'm not big or strong (not suggesting you aren't!); if I have a strength it's in quickness and agility. So...yes, this sword might fit. I simply have to get past my love of longsword Anduril/Ringil/Glamdring/Anglachel types (not that I can't get one of those too in time, of course). Any chance the t'will go on sale? (hey, doesn't hurt to ask) I was still going to ask; if I wanted to get a bastard sword that handled well with not only two but also one hand without requiring a great deal of brawn, any suggestions? And as for wasters; I might be prepared to make my own if it saved $100. Any tutorials out there?
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Post by randomnobody on Jul 4, 2008 20:30:03 GMT
The Hanwei Albrecht II/Hand and a Half sword, both in "practical" blunt version and sharp, have been pretty widely regarded as excellent handling, and generally well-built swords. They're just big enough to give a good two-hand go (especially now that Hanwei has shrunken up the previously GIANT pommel a bit) but they do quite well in one hand, too. They're not terribly expensive, either; especially the "practical" model.
Worth a look.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2008 21:05:24 GMT
The Albrecht II was one of the first that I really liked actually. The practical version is plain, but ridiculously cheap (inexpensive). Why the price gap? Is there a difference between the two, besides decoration and sharpness? I could consider the practical for a first "practice" real sword. It's cheap enough that I wouldn't have to rule out a good one-hander as well.
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Post by randomnobody on Jul 4, 2008 21:07:58 GMT
Pretty much the level of finish and such. On top of which, there's less grinding to be done on a blunt than a sharp, so it cuts out a lot of the work involved. They probably use less-great materials for the fittings, too. Leather might not be superb, et cetera.
They're on the ugly side as swords go, but they're great value.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2008 21:20:14 GMT
I would only get it if I expected to get another sword in the near future, I think, but for around $100 what better way to test out a hand-and-a-half (besides making a waster).
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Post by lol74 on Jul 4, 2008 21:57:30 GMT
Ok I don't know if you've decided on a sword because I'm too lazy to read the entire thread, but I would recommend the musashi elite series, the 1060 ones. Either that or the kawashimas mentioned in this thread:/index.cgi?board=japaneseswords&action=display&thread=5513
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Post by code on Jul 4, 2008 22:23:27 GMT
If you're still interested in an unsharpened sword you should check out the tempered swords Strongblade sells. Theres a review on the hand-and-a-half Warspike which looks pretty good and handles well. And pretty cheap to boot at $154 Theres also a review here on the one-handed Knight Protector.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2008 22:27:14 GMT
Ah, yeah, I'm sure those are beauties but right now I'm only into medieval swords. I don't know a lot about Japanese weapons and so don't have great interest in them. I thought it could be something for the future. Ironically it's what I could learn how to use in my martial arts class (though we do little swordfighting anyway). I've certainly wondered whether a katana in the right hands might not be a more dangerous and quick and practical weapon than a longsword could ever be. But still not where my interest lies. Thanks though! Yes, that Strongblade is yet another to consider; I'll look it up later when I have more time!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2008 1:44:28 GMT
Well the hanwei and strongblade both have a PoB around 5 inches and weights in at 3 lbs or more. That is something that does need SOME strength to use one handed. Even the valiant Atrim ones that are only 2 lb 9 ounces is going to feel sluggish if you lack enough strength. On the flip side, the new tinker/hanwei bastard sword or the gen 2 black prince and lucerne should be easier to use one handed. Especially the tinker/hanwei bastard sword if you want to wait for it to come out. If not, I have been told by girls who lack upper body strength that swinging my black prince around was easy compared to even strickly one handed swords. However, remeber that this is a type XVa blade and cutting ability is kinda non existant . That doesn't mean it can't cut, it can, it's just harder and requires more effort then other sword types. The tinker one is a XVIIIa so it should be a bit better at cutting, but once again it's not gonna be as good as a dedicated cutting sword. But close PoB is going to be a must if your really weak and want to use a longsword one handed. Also it does play your your speed and agility strengths as well. As for wasters...well while not quite wasters, get a wooden dowel that weight abou 2.5 pounds at 48 inches. Glue a cross guard to it so you have a 10 inch handle. Shave the handle down if you need to...or if you have really dense wood, add some wooden strips if needed. Now get a box of washer and attach to bottom and or top of the dowel as need to to get the weight and PoB to the sword your interested in. Resize smaller and repeat until you find what you want . It's kinda crude, but it'll cost you like 15 bucks in materials .
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2008 2:36:41 GMT
I just picked up two Hanwei hand and a half practicals and for the price I am very impressed. I don't have a lot of experience with longswords to compare them too but they handle the way I was expecting a sword with a POB of 5cm from the end of the guard (the site says 3.5" but my measurements may have been were slightly different) and how I imagined the longsword techniques should feel - it is very easy to control the tip and cuts easily (I had been practicing with a staff).
There are a few issues with them of course that stop me from calling them great or wonderful etc... the pommel isn't particularly comfortable for me to hold on to (so I solve with gloves or will grind it down a bit later) and the blade is too whippy to be confident in the murder stroke. There seems to be a little variation in the pommel and blade but that seems fine for me at the price point.
Even though my preferences are for a longer blade with a slightly longer pommel I really like my practical H&H and my training partner, who is a small female, can handle hers just fine.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2008 2:44:40 GMT
Yeah the practical is balanced much closer to the hilt then the sharp. Which is kinda irksome from a training with one to translate into the other perspective since while they look a like, they are completely different swords. The tinker line will of course address this issue better. Anyways what your saying is what I was saying...close PoB is good if you don't have a lot of strength...especially if you wanna try to one hand your longsword .
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2008 7:44:47 GMT
I'll comment on the handling of the VA Atrim longsword.
The Pob is out there a bit, and while it gives it some more oomph in cutting and its still very quick to change direction with two hands, once you get it moving in one hand it does take a bit of effort to stop.
I haven't tried cutting any targets with one hand yet so can't comment on that. But two handed water bottles and cardboard boxes are a piece of cake. Even cut through the cap on a water bottle when I swung a little too high.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2008 3:39:00 GMT
No, I haven't disappeared. Thought I should give an update, so the people who helped me don't think I just ran off. Been lurking, and busy with other things. Still trying to decide on a sword (I'm not a decisive decision maker, hehe). But thanks to everyone's great advice, I have a shortlist. Windlass XIV - I really like; it would fit me personally. I think I will end up getting this one. Can I convince myself to double budget and buy another though? I can be persuasive. Hanwei Practical Hand/Half - would be good for trying out a two hander, but then again I could just pay more and get the full Albrecht II, or the Gen 2 Black Prince. (Also have my eye on the Ulfberht, but that's for another time). Going to have to go with KoA if I get the Windlass. I feel bad because Jason from AoV was the one who recommended it to me in the first place, but being in Canada with the UPS charges etc. it will be considerably more expensive, I'm sorry.
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