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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2008 6:19:11 GMT
Well one of the advantages of ording from AoV is if you want a sharpening service, AoV uses hand files and "properly" sharpens it while KoA uses a machine I think. Also it's easier to have Brian customize your sword a bit as well if your interested in that. As for the shipping cost, I think what you see on the net is the most expensive local in canada...you should talk with Jason to double check that. It could be a lot lower then what you see in the shopping cart . Not that KoA is bad either. We love them too...but if you want more then just the sword, AoV does have some pretty big advantages .
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Post by swordboy bringer of chaos on Jul 15, 2008 6:23:47 GMT
koa doesn't sharpen they only order it sharp from windlass
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2008 6:25:19 GMT
Okay fine, it's still machine sharpened .
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2008 9:11:41 GMT
Alas, it's the UPS broker charge I'm thinking of. It could be more than $30 in addition to shipping and taxes. KoA ships with USPS, who don't charge brokerage fees. And the sword is already $30 less at KoA. Otherwise I would get it from AoV, hand sharpened and perhaps customized.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2008 11:05:17 GMT
If you request it; we will ship it via USPS at the same shipping cost that KOA is offering. I hear about how KOA has such low prices all of the time and you would think as a business AoV would be quick to drop our prices to match to get the sales. The reason we don't is the fact that we at AoV are not looking to just push mass volume into the market. Each sword is hand inspected before it is packed for shipment. If you saw my thread on warped and twisted Windlass swords you would see why we do this. It prevents the hassle of the customer receiving the defective sword. If the manufacturer does not have strict QC than we have to act as the policeman, which requires a lot of touch labor on our part. Just wanted to provide a little insight on AoV. We are not a money grubbing company looking to squeeze the customer for every penny. We just want to make sure our customers get the best quality item through inspections, customizing, and of course our hands on testing. I always like to say I am a sword practitioner first and a business owner second. ;D armsofvalor.com/aboutus.html
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2008 19:25:49 GMT
Thanks, Jason, I certainly appreciate the importance of customer service and the sheer difficulty of both offering a quality product and keeping the costs down. My family runs a small business. If I wasn't so cash-conscious right now, or if KoA wasn't a trusted company I'd go with you for sure; certainly heard nothing but positive about AoV on this forum! And since you'll ship USPS it'll make it easier in the future when I buy more swords (or one of your bows!). At this point though I'm thinking that I could put the money towards another sword, etc.
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Post by code on Jul 15, 2008 19:41:23 GMT
If you request it; we will ship it via USPS at the same shipping cost that KOA is offering. Jason, this is music to my ears, would you ship via USPS by request to Europe as well?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2008 21:03:41 GMT
Yes. We had stopped using USPS for a long time after a string of lost packages two shipped to Canada and one to the UK that ended up in Germany. When we finally got it back the box looked like it had been run over with a 2 ton truck a few times and then chewed on by very large rats. It was at that point that we went to a UPS only policy, but we have not tried it in a while so are willing to use USPS again at the request of the customer. We'll charge exactly what the postal service charges us, which you will be able to confirm by the posted label on the box.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2008 21:43:38 GMT
So berethorn, are you planning on sharpening it yourself or leaving it dull or using the machine sharpening option? I don't recommend the third unless they changed the sharpening process at windlass. If you plan on sharpening it yourself, do you have the tools to do so? That can get expensive too. Although that isn't bad as you will use most of that stuff again anyways on maintaining a sharp edge . But it will be a higher initial cost then you think. Some things to keep in mind.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2008 22:12:12 GMT
Just to throw my own - limited - observation in there for you to consider. www.kultofathena.com/product~item~500020~name~Classic+Medieval+Sword.htmThis sword is quite beautiful in my opinion. It has a very long blade for a one-hander, and is thus somewhat difficult to wield if you're new to it, as I was when I got it. Now, on the other hand - after spending alot of time with it, increasing my strength as a result - I wield it with more ease, and I love it to pieces. www.kultofathena.com/product~item~IP003B~name~Generation+2+Templar+Sword.htmThis is my favourite blade of the ones I have. It is gorgeous, robust, sings almost as much as the Windlass, and can be wielded with as much ease in one hand, despite being both larger, and intended for two-handed use. My two neighbours have the "Crusader" and "12th Century Norman" versions of the same blade, and they are exactly the same, save for the pommel. This thing cuts like a demon! Good luck in deciding on your first sword, and I hope it's a good one! A good first blade is always well deserved. Regards, Demithor.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2008 2:05:34 GMT
I find the Classic Medieval Sword by windlass tip heavy, the grip too short, and the guard too long. It is not one I would choose as a single hand weapon.
I do like the Templar recommendation though. It is also slightly tip heavy but was designed to be used from horseback so has a long blade for a single hand sword. It does have enough space on the grip to add a second hand with part of your palm over the pommel.
For Gen 2 swords you can get them from AoV and use the SBG discount to save 10%. The Templars are out of stock due to high demand and slow manufacturing, but if you can wait it is a good idea to put one on back order as they typically sell out faster than they can be made.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2008 5:36:02 GMT
So berethorn, are you planning on sharpening it yourself or leaving it dull or using the machine sharpening option? I don't recommend the third unless they changed the sharpening process at windlass. If you plan on sharpening it yourself, do you have the tools to do so? That can get expensive too. Although that isn't bad as you will use most of that stuff again anyways on maintaining a sharp edge . But it will be a higher initial cost then you think. Some things to keep in mind. Oh dear. I was not planning on sharpening myself. I've never sharpened so much as a knife, and I really wouldn't want to start with an expensive sword. I was planning on having them do it. Is machine sharpening really that bad? How much might sharpening tools run me? I did consider buying it dull and sharpening it later myself at some point, but, then I'd need practice and equipment. Thank you, demithor, I still appreciate suggestions! I just don't think those speak to me personally. But if I had a horse to ride around on..... does anyone do horseback cutting? Or would it be too dangerous by today's standards?
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Post by swordboy bringer of chaos on Jul 16, 2008 5:46:49 GMT
sharpening isn't too bad you can get a book or dvd on it at barns and noble and the supply list is pretty simple and can bought at most hardware stores ....... but please don't take my word for it I always screw up the finish ..... talk to brian of bdk customs or brenno .... they'll be able to help more than me ..... as for machine sharpened I order my windlass blades presharpened and all but one came out fine (my raven claw knife could have been sharper)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2008 6:18:34 GMT
Well the biggest expense in sharpening yourself will be the stones. The basics is you need a good vice, hand file (or 2), a course stone and fine stone. Then you may want a sharpening steel and/or a hand held extra fine stone as well. Then of course comes the sand paper and or steel wool to fix the finish . Once you have a sharp sword however, you can get by with just a sharpening steel/extra fine hand held stone for a pretty long time. budk.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_40+DTFWXFThat is an example of something you can use on a sharp sword for maintance. But basically your looking at spending at LEAST 40 bucks on stones alone...and that is if you go with the cheap stones. Anyways, learning to sharpen your own swords isn't a bad idea. You can get it dull and sharpen it later just fine. However, if your gonna have Brian sharpen it anyways, might as well just buy from Jason since the cost of shipping to Brian and back will eat the 30 dollars (and maybe more) up pretty much...with more chances for problems in transit. Anyways, after sharpening my friend's swords, I found out I'd rather just pay to have it done . Especially since the AoV rate is VERY reasonable for a hand file job. But once again that is just me . As for horseback riding...never tried it...but looks like fun. As for the machine sharpening...I have seen a few that had been ground so agressive that the bevel was too steep. I have seen char marks on the edge of one they ground. I have seen some jobs where it wasn't even worth the bother of paying the 18 bucks because of how dull it was. And I have seen 2 swords that were okay...not good, just okay. And by that point, everyone around here basically didn't bother with the sharpening option anymore (hence why I ended up learning how to sharpen swords...I cook for a living and sharpen my knives all the time so I should be good at swords...right ). But they may have gotten better since...my experience is from a long time ago after all.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2008 11:06:57 GMT
I find the Classic Medieval Sword by windlass tip heavy, the grip too short, and the guard too long. I'd have to agree with you on all accounts, even though I've grown accustomed to and fond of the crossguard. I hope to shorten mine, which should make it a perfect blade for me personally. But, now I'm just derailing the whole thread, so I'll be still now. Good luck, once again. [Edit] Aku! *leaps and swings ancient katana*
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2008 11:31:06 GMT
There's nothing wrong with a wallhanger, as long as it remains on the wall. I personally paid way too much for United Cutlery's licensed version of Sting when it first came out and proudly hung it on the wall in the foyer. It glows blue when the UPS man is arriving with a new sword for me. ;D Also, when the first few swords from George R.R. Martin's series "Song of Ice and Fire" come out, I'll be buying them, stainless steel or not. Check it: www.valyriansteel.com/As far as functional Euro-style weapons are concerned, read the reviews and do your research until you think you know what you're going to purchase. At that point, search the site, find someone who already has one and ask them questions. That's what we're here for. ~J
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2008 18:31:20 GMT
Things are always more expensive in the end than they seem. I'll have to think about that sharpening business, thanks for the tips! lol, J! I've been secretly considering getting one of those very cheap Anduril wallhangers... *glances about nervously* Can't wait for those Valyrian Steel swords! Wish they would post some pictures. I hope they aren't too fantastical. I love the Song of Ice and Fire series and would be happy to own Longclaw. Well, I think I've decided on the Windlass Arming XIV, but I don't know what questions to ask about it. I've read the reviews and it seems to be well liked. It's a one-hander, handles well, is quick. Cuts well too, I think. Does not get me my Tolkien fix. Should be a great fit for me as far as practical use goes, but still is not the typical hand/half that I fell in love with through books. Hmn. I probably know that I'm not going to stop after I buy my first sword. It may be a while till my next full sword (considering a cheap katana meantime), but it will probably happen. So what do I want to start with? Gah, sorry, I'm talking to myself. Getting "back to my roots", can the Gen 2 High Elven King sword be found in stock anywhere? And...are there any reviews of it? I've seen a lot of people say they own it, but I haven't been able to find a good review.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2008 23:12:49 GMT
Wait, somebody is making Valyrian swords? I also love those books . Well for the longsword fix, there is the valiant practical longsword. Also don't let my comment about how hard it is to use a black prince/ lucerne disuade you from getting one as a first sword. They are quick longswords (especially the lucerne with the longer handle). Just start off with those smaller thin wall water bottle instead of 2 liter soda bottle and you will be fine. Once you get the hang of it, you can go onto 1 gallon milk jugs and 2 liter soda bottles. Then maybe, eventually mats .
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2008 23:55:55 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2008 0:23:08 GMT
Well other then that the albion is a good 200 bucks more then the windlass...it may just be a bit out of the price range. Not to mention that he has until august 1st to come up with the money or it'll be over 400 dollars...at which point, one has to wonder if an atrim wouldn't be better over the quire line. Yes albions are good swords...but keep in mind that such things can be out of the price range for many people. Also keep in mind that if you don't know what you like in a sword, going big on your first sword could lead to a big disapointment. Now for some people spending $1000 dollars for an albion to try out isn't a big deal...for others spending $200 on a windlass is a major purchase. Look at the posts and take a wild guess which one the OP is in .
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