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Post by elbrittania39 on Apr 9, 2019 3:05:33 GMT
The shamshir is one of my favorite swords bar none, including Albions, customs etc. The one-handed Messer is extremely good. The Napoleonic sabre is quite good. A bunch of them are *ok* budget pieces if they can be gotten at a good price: the Polish saber and 1796 with, the Italian LS, the bastard, the LaFontaine, the "grosses messers." Haven't handled some, like the English backsword, but many people like them all right. As with any big production maker, when it comes to your definition of "ok" your mileage may vary. Especially if you're anenable to playing with minor adjustments or not. Then there's some real stinkers in the mix to beware. The 1917 saber and the 2H greatsword stick out as total "you've got to be kidding!" flops. But to revisit the basic point, it ranges widely. Find whatever you're interested in in IRL and handle it to be sure. I've really been thinking about nabbing a shamshir lately (hence a bit of context for my lighthearted thread from Friday), what do you like the most about it? If you've nabbed three of them they must be pretty nicely done. The shamshir is okay. Little blade heavy (shocker) and the grip is pretty bad being made of plastic. If you can get a new grip put on it, it becomes a much better sword. Instead, you could also consider the windlass scimitar. It is literally the same blade. I think the windlass one is less pretty, but the shorter wood grip is better than coldsteels long plastic one.
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Post by zabazagobo on Apr 9, 2019 3:06:53 GMT
But on topic, this one looks kind of nice. I know the grip's a bit long, but I never complain about a long grip, just means there's more ways to use the sword (although there's definite caveats to that). Edit: WRONG! I do complain about grips being too long, there is such a thing as too long, and that was a very silly oversight of mine since I was not thinking of the contexts where a longer grip actually does become a burden after a certain threshold.
The pommel and guard are a style I like, and the choice of rosewood is a definite plus. The way the fuller is designed and terminates is a pretty attractively done, compared to some awkward fullers I've seen on swords in the same price range. I'm not familiar with how Cold Steel damascus looks or performs, so my thoughts stop at "I like the design, but can't say much else".
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Post by elbrittania39 on Apr 9, 2019 3:34:35 GMT
But on topic, this one looks kind of nice. I know the grip's a bit long, but I never complain about a long grip, just means there's more ways to use the sword (although there's definite caveats to that). The pommel and guard are a style I like, and the choice of rosewood is a definite plus. The way the fuller is designed and terminates is a pretty attractively done, compared to some awkward fullers I've seen on swords in the same price range. I'm not familiar with how Cold Steel damascus looks or performs, so my thoughts stop at "I like the design, but can't say much else". Ehhhhhh I gotta disagree with you there. Swinging a sabre fast will cause your hand to slide down the grip if its too long, which many repros are. Ideally, you want it to be either ergonomic for a thumb grip (which you wouldnt use on a shamshir) or tight on your fist for a hammer grip.
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Post by zabazagobo on Apr 9, 2019 4:01:53 GMT
But on topic, this one looks kind of nice. I know the grip's a bit long, but I never complain about a long grip, just means there's more ways to use the sword (although there's definite caveats to that). The pommel and guard are a style I like, and the choice of rosewood is a definite plus. The way the fuller is designed and terminates is a pretty attractively done, compared to some awkward fullers I've seen on swords in the same price range. I'm not familiar with how Cold Steel damascus looks or performs, so my thoughts stop at "I like the design, but can't say much else". Ehhhhhh I gotta disagree with you there. Swinging a sabre fast will cause your hand to slide down the grip if its too long, which many repros are. Ideally, you want it to be either ergonomic for a thumb grip (which you wouldnt use on a shamshir) or tight on your fist for a hammer grip. Yeah, that's what I meant by 'definite caveats'. With what I usually practice with (longswords and katana), extra grip space never really hurts...well, actually, scratch that, because yes it does >cough, cough, Bugei, cough, cough<.
It's also true for weapons where you do spin them quickly (such as tonfa) that extra length is bad, so yes, ignore what I said, fake post.
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Apr 9, 2019 8:16:37 GMT
But on topic, this one looks kind of nice. I know the grip's a bit long, but I never complain about a long grip, just means there's more ways to use the sword (although there's definite caveats to that). The pommel and guard are a style I like, and the choice of rosewood is a definite plus. The way the fuller is designed and terminates is a pretty attractively done, compared to some awkward fullers I've seen on swords in the same price range. I'm not familiar with how Cold Steel damascus looks or performs, so my thoughts stop at "I like the design, but can't say much else". Ehhhhhh I gotta disagree with you there. Swinging a sabre fast will cause your hand to slide down the grip if its too long, which many repros are. Ideally, you want it to be either ergonomic for a thumb grip (which you wouldnt use on a shamshir) or tight on your fist for a hammer grip. Only if you choke up the hammer grip against the guard to begin with. Start with the heel of your hand nested against the bulb from the outset and it's no problem.
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Apr 9, 2019 8:19:14 GMT
LeMal, Would you say that if I was able to grab a new Shamshir from Cold steel for around $170 would you say that it would be a good idea. Hypothetically. Absolutely. Though I benefited from watching for factory seconds listed and dropping by Cold Steel's offices for sales; my second and third purchases were nabbed at a can't miss price each, each just above a hundred bucks.
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Apr 9, 2019 8:20:18 GMT
Also, have you handled the newer talwar? It has a great distal taper based on the koa stats. I have not. Doubt I'd like the stick handle though. Have been very tempted to pick one up to rehilt it though.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Apr 9, 2019 14:08:03 GMT
Looks like they had a hard time deciding if they wanted to make a Viking sword or a Migration sword so they just combined them both. It has a couple nice features on it but not enough that I would buy it. Cold Steel has it listed at $850 retail but not in stock. Found it for $638 on a couple sites but not in stock. Can't see how Knife Center could be selling them pre-order for $442 which is $400 below retail. Didn't think swords had that much of a mark up that they could sell them for almost half price and still make money on them. They also have a matching Long Sax that retails for $636 but can be had for $477 but again not in stock. Looking at this price and Knife Centers sword price there's a chance they screwed up the price and listed the Sax price as the sword price.
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Post by elbrittania39 on Apr 9, 2019 15:07:43 GMT
Ehhhhhh I gotta disagree with you there. Swinging a sabre fast will cause your hand to slide down the grip if its too long, which many repros are. Ideally, you want it to be either ergonomic for a thumb grip (which you wouldnt use on a shamshir) or tight on your fist for a hammer grip. Only if you choke up the hammer grip against the guard to begin with. Start with the heel of your hand nested against the bulb from the outset and it's no problem. But then you are moving the POB further away from your hand which can make the sword feel sluggish. I've tried a lot of different sabers, and at least for me, when I want a hammer grip, the best swords don't give my hand any wiggle room, almost like a tulwar.
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Apr 9, 2019 15:14:08 GMT
Only if you choke up the hammer grip against the guard to begin with. Start with the heel of your hand nested against the bulb from the outset and it's no problem. But then you are moving the POB further away from your hand which can make the sword feel sluggish. I've tried a lot of different sabers, and at least for me, when I want a hammer grip, the best swords don't give my hand any wiggle room, almost like a tulwar. Doesn't feel the least bit sluggish to me. Nor, for the record, do I find it "blade heavy." Perhaps you're not swinging it right. There's a slight bit of difference in how you swing a shamshir than a Western 19th C sabre. More of a flowing, drawcutting action. I suspect you're focused on what you're learning about use of the latter and it's throwing you off.
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Post by elbrittania39 on Apr 9, 2019 15:18:45 GMT
But then you are moving the POB further away from your hand which can make the sword feel sluggish. I've tried a lot of different sabers, and at least for me, when I want a hammer grip, the best swords don't give my hand any wiggle room, almost like a tulwar. Doesn't feel the least bit sluggish to me. Nor, for the record, do I find it "blade heavy." Perhaps you're not swinging it right. There's a slight bit of difference in how you swing a shamshir than a Western 19th C sabre. More of a flowing, drawcutting action. I suspect you're focused on what you're learning about use of the latter and it's throwing you off. Maybe. I do practice draw cuts but I admit I'm no expert on middle eastern sabers. I also feel like antique and custom sabers have started to spoil me, and now even some good repros like the princess of Wales don't quite do it for me.
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Apr 9, 2019 16:47:22 GMT
Might not be the swing per se either, but rather the "targeting." The shamshir and my few kilij/kilij-like swords are all among my very favorites, and despite certain differences what they all have in common is how frighteningly good they are at cutting closer to the tip--regardless of how swung. Try to "drawcut," try to "chop," that late but very strong curve turns them into what's effectively a drawcut either way.
That's one thing I love about them. The other, getting back to the earlier question, is the wicked point on this one, reinforced in large part because of the *lack* of distal taper that I'm not lamenting at all, is wonderful at giving it powerful, in-close hook thrusts. If, as it seems, historical shamshir often lacked this, then historicity be damned, this modern anachronism is an improvement.
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Post by joeybones on Apr 19, 2019 15:34:04 GMT
The Cold steel shamshir is $176.49 on Amazon today . It was $159.00 a few weeks ago.
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Post by Barahir on Jan 18, 2020 11:26:48 GMT
I received my Cold Steel Damascus Viking Sword back in september. I paid 550$ usd on ebay. Shipping and taxes to Canada as extra. I have watched this sword for many months as I love viking swords. I decided to buy one (dont tell my wife please lol). Unfortunately, Im not that impressed about the quality of the sword. Especially the finish. I expected more at this price point (800$ CAD total). Fittings on scabbard are loose. Yep I can fix them with glue. The hilt construction is solid but not straight or aligned everywhere. Its full of blemishes. The wooden grip is cracked and we clearly see painting marks or lacker layers. Also, the grip is a bit too large. I have average hands, so the grip seem bit too large. I think historical viking swords handles were Smaller. :) Otherwise, the damascus blade itself is flawless and sharp. Still a light and fast sword. Probably a bad quality control, just like almost all swords manufacturers
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Post by Dandelion on Jan 18, 2020 12:00:24 GMT
I received my Cold Steel Damascus Viking Sword back in september. I paid 550$ usd on ebay. Shipping and taxes to Canada as extra. I have watched this sword for many months as I love viking swords. I decided to buy one (dont tell my wife please lol). Unfortunately, Im not that impressed about the quality of the sword. Especially the finish. I expected more at this price point (800$ CAD total). Fittings on scabbard are loose. Yep I can fix them with glue. The hilt construction is solid but not straight or aligned everywhere. Its full of blemishes. The wooden grip is cracked and we clearly see painting marks or lacker layers. Also, the grip is a bit too large. I have average hands, so the grip seem bit too large. I think historical viking swords handles were Smaller. Otherwise, the damascus blade itself is flawless and sharp. Still a light and fast sword. Probably a bad quality control, just like almost all swords manufacturers Good to know - sad to hear. Pity.
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Post by Barahir on Jan 18, 2020 12:37:54 GMT
added ^pics
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Post by Dandelion on Jan 18, 2020 13:52:50 GMT
Definitely not worth the price paid; sorry for you! Our Windlass Suontaka has a better fit&finish. Blade looks really good though.
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Post by MOK on Jan 18, 2020 14:43:45 GMT
This might just be me, but even aside from all the manufacturing flaws it looks like none of the parts quite go together - like the whole design was cobbled together from spare parts they had lying around, rather than the components being designed and manufactured as pieces of a coherent whole from the ground up. None the lines align, all the proportions are out of proportion with each other...
I don't like Cold Steel, but I would expect better than this from them. Especially for that price.
PS. I see the fuller also stops significantly further from the guard than in the promo pic.
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Post by Eric Bergeron on Jan 18, 2020 23:42:59 GMT
I am glad I did not purchase this when I had the chance and purchased a Squire line Albion Clontarf instead. About the same price too, only difference is I don't get a scabbard *bummer* and it needs to be sharpened.
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Post by Barahir on Feb 18, 2020 18:21:26 GMT
Definitely not worth the price paid; sorry for you! Our Windlass Suontaka has a better fit&finish. Blade looks really good though. What do you mean by ''our suontaka'' ? Are you selling swords ? lol I have a Suontaka and yes, this is a great sword
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