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Post by theophilus736 on Sept 21, 2018 3:26:00 GMT
Man I just can't get a good mental image of the differences. One appears to be a quarter of an inch longer, and weight 4 more ounces... while the other one had a different guard that looks like it should weigh more. Details others are seeing that I'm missing? Pummels dont look different. POB is almost negligible in difference.
I really don't know what would help someone pick between these two.
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Post by n on Oct 20, 2018 3:37:20 GMT
Hey guys, I actually made a review on the Balaur Arms 14th Century longsword. I wanted to make it because in my opinion it's a really good sword for the price for someone who is just starting out. I can't really recommend it if you're a longtime collector of swords though. If you guys have any more questions that I didn't cover in the video, I'd love to try and answer them.
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Post by Fyrestars on Jun 10, 2019 20:30:37 GMT
Just received my own sword - Balaur Arms 15th Century Italian Longsword - BR104 Second quality.
I decided to go with this one because it said it just had some minor bending of the blade as well as fit and finish issues. I figured fit and finish I could live with, so long as it's solid. The bending I figured a journeyman sheetmetal worker should be able to fix. I got mine unsharpened.
Stats: Mine KoA
Overall: 46" 45.5"
Blade: 34 3/4" 34 7/16"
Weight: N/A 3lbs 1.4Oz
POB: ~2 1/2" 3"
Thicknes: N/A 7.2mm - 2.5mm
Width: 44.5mm 47.6mm
Grip: 8" 8"
CoP ~14 from tip
Blade material: EN45 High Carbon Steel
Overall fairly within spec.
The twisting in the blade, for mine, is more of a gentle bend one way. It's not much, maybe like 3/4" out of true at the tip.
The fit and finish isn't bad.
The peen has some craters in it, looks like someone got a little rambunctious with a cutoff wheel. The angles aren't perfect either, but for $150 it does the job. The pommel has some spikes on it, which if I'm using it as a mace would be nice, but gripping the pommel is uncomfortable.
The grip is leather glued over string. Unless it's textured leather. Probably that. It feels decent in the hand. We'll see how well it lasts, though.
The guard looks nice on mine. The KoA pictures clearly show horrendous gaps between guard and blade. Mine's nice and low. Not perfect, but acceptable.
The blade is a mixed bag. The finish isn't horrible, but I can clearly see machine marks on it. The edge isn't perfectly straight, but it's not out more than 1/64 either way. The ridge also has some wobbles, but that's only out like +/- 1/128 either way. The flats are also not perfectly straight, though you've got to hold it up to the light to see it. I've already talked about the twist.
The scabbard is a bit of a joke. It doesn't hold the blade tightly, so it slips out. The blade rattles in the scabbard. The leather throat looks nice on paper, but it doesn't conform to the guard at all. It might work if it were shaped, but again price point. I give the scabbard 3/10. It at least does its job of protecting the blade whilest in it.
This is my first European longsword that I've owned. My other longsword is a Shinwa katana, so I can't really give an authoritative opinion. I really wanted the scentblocker type pommel, so that's why I went with this one. I also am looking at engagement rings, so I wanted to go as cheap as possible on my sword.
Overall this isn't a bad sword. If you can't afford the $250 for any number of 1st quality swords, then the $150 on this 2nd quality I don't think is too bad.
What I plan on doing with it is to first try my best to get the blade into shape. I'm not home right now so I don't have the tools to do that. I'll have those again in a month. Then to sharpen it. I understand the steel is supposed to hold an edge okay-ish, I'll try test cutting with it probably within a few weeks of getting it into shape.
I'm also thinking about bringing the spikes on the pommel down. Though the amount of material I'd be taking off would adversely effect the balance, so I may just not do that.
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Post by dc on Jun 11, 2019 15:10:47 GMT
Hey guys, I actually made a review on the Balaur Arms 14th Century longsword. I wanted to make it because in my opinion it's a really good sword for the price for someone who is just starting out. I can't really recommend it if you're a longtime collector of swords though. If you guys have any more questions that I didn't cover in the video, I'd love to try and answer them. EN45 is a big step up from 1045, the closest equivalent is 9260. It's a good sword steel that is popular with European smiths. zknives.com/knives/steels/steelgraph.php?nm=EN45%2C9260%2C1060%2C5160 |
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Post by aldarith on Jul 6, 2019 4:01:32 GMT
Yes and this is the kind of false information and parroting that does a disservice to the community. It is very important a person knows what they are talking about before making reviews. I'm confused about which aspect of the post is in question. Can you clear that up for me? |
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Post by aldarith on Jul 6, 2019 16:28:16 GMT
I feel that handling experience and having enough experience to form a solid basis for comparison are both strong 'Pluses' and are important for reviews, we agree there. I do see value in reviewing even for the amateur though, so long as there's disclosure about the level of experience. I find the input on the Balaurs valuable as there's little-to-no information on them and I've been looking at them as a cheap cutting sword. Even though 'N' may not have the space or experience to cut like a pro, he was able to demonstrate that the sword can cut targets. Also the notes about fit & finish as well as the belt and scabbard are helpful to allow people to manage their expectations when buying swords on the low-end  I think so long as we have input from new folks like Fyrestars and N as well as seasoned vets like you, Nternal, then we have both necessary forces to have a community where new folks can break in and old folks can help correct the things they mistake. It's a healthy relationship for a community to have;) |
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Post by aldarith on Jul 6, 2019 17:49:12 GMT
Yeah, I love what the KOA page and others are saying about that sword. Hollow ground with 3" POB?
I'm gonna be getting one of those as soon as I square away my HT bastard ( the only reason I got the bastard was to be able to swap dull and sharp blades n furniture)
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Post by aldarith on Jul 6, 2019 18:58:49 GMT
Yeah, I love what the KOA page and others are saying about that sword. Hollow ground with 3" POB? I'm gonna be getting one of those as soon as I square away my HT bastard ( the only reason I got the bastard was to be able to swap dull and sharp blades n furniture) The HT swords are always a decent choice, where they fall flat IMO is the non-historical materials, non-magnetic fittings, and the steel scabbard throat scratching the edge on the way in and out. I'm going to remove or file the throat & replace the fittings n' grip All things I planned to do from the outset. |
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thomasthesecond
Member
"I thought I was an architect, but I was just moving dirt."
Posts: 153
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Post by thomasthesecond on Jul 20, 2019 15:50:58 GMT
I have been intensely eyeballing these for awhile.
I plan to get the 13th-14 century longsword as soon as a sale finalizes on Wednesday, and plan to do a custom grip and leather wrap on the scabbard, though this may take awhile because I'm working and going to school full time, and have a third who just decided to become mobile.
The wait on my Elgur longsword to get to me has become too much, and I've got that itch.
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