duanem
Member
The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air.
Posts: 15
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Post by duanem on Apr 8, 2019 18:23:18 GMT
Initial Impressions: A first impression of this sword was pretty good. The blade is fairly stiff, has a comfortable balance point and holds its center line well when handled. The blade seemed a bit narrow for my taste but overall design looks nice. The grip feels really good in the hand and has a very nice finish. Balance: approx. 3”from guard and feels smooth makes for nice wielding. Finish: The Finish is quite nice. Nice satin finish showing the grain running down the blade. The pommel finish is a bit rough and seems to be slightly pitted allowing rust to form quite easily. The peen on the sword is rounded, well done but does not cover the full opening of the pommel. I would have preferred a square peen. Sharpness: The sharpening on the sword is not perfect. It isn’t consistent along the length of the blade and seems to be burred to one side it several spots making it catch on the paper test. Overall it is sharp but could be honed for a better edge. Fittings: The guard has a nice finish and is symmetrical. It is slightly lob sided but not at first glance. The seat of the guard has a couple spots that have cut-outs where the fuller sits but overall looks nice. The Pommel is a different story. It’s offset on every axis and doesn’t have the nicest finish especially on the inside of the wheel. That said everything is nice and solid. Scabbard: The Scabbard has very cheap and tight looking leather. The overall design of it is nice but the quality of the material is not up to standard for the overall price. The belt is especially cheap and creates waves in the leather when it bends. Seems like plastic leather. If it is in fact leather. Alignment: The blade is very straight and in line with the hilt and grip. As mentioned previously the pommel is not in line with the blade. Pros:- Solid Construction, robust blade. - Great balance point. Wields very nicely. - Beautiful grip that feels good in the hands. - Blade fits snug in the scabbard and comes out easily. Cons:
- Pommel is offset on every axis and is not well finished. - Blade is too narrow in my opinion (1 13/16th ”). - Sharpening could have been finished a little better. - Scabbard material is cheap and won’t last with time. Overall Length: 44 ½ “ Blade length: 35 “ Material: 1060 High carbon Spring steel Width at the guard: 1 13/16th “ Weight: 2lb. 10oz.
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Post by crl2 on Apr 14, 2019 19:58:17 GMT
Ouch. I have seen a few negative reviews lately. Struggling to keep up with demand?
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Post by pellius on Apr 15, 2019 1:00:37 GMT
Thank you for sharing. Bummer the sword and leather work were not up to VA’s reputation. I’ve seen a few folks (not everyone) comment they were disappointed with VA lately.
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Post by wardenofthenorth on Apr 15, 2019 19:42:00 GMT
Thank you for sharing. Bummer the sword and leather work were not up to VA’s reputation. I’ve seen a few folks (not everyone) comment they were disappointed with VA lately. That's disappointing to hear. I've got a craftsman series sword on order. I'm getting worried now. Could u point me in the direction of those reviews?
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Post by pellius on Apr 15, 2019 19:59:10 GMT
I didn’t follow negative comments, so I can’t immediately link them for you. As I recall, they were discussion comments rather than formal reviews.
For what it’s worth, I seem to recall a number of folks praising their VA products, too.
My recollection is that VA customer service always got very high marks, and any disappointed buyers who sought redress from VA were ultimately satisfied.
Again, though, this is just anecdotal. I kinda have a hankering for one of their craftsman series swords, so I’m (kinda selfishly) hoping your experience is rare and that it is resolved to your satisfaction.
In any event, I do appreciate you sharing your experience. Please let us know how things turn out.
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Post by wardenofthenorth on Apr 16, 2019 1:05:49 GMT
I didn’t follow negative comments, so I can’t immediately link them for you. As I recall, they were discussion comments rather than formal reviews. For what it’s worth, I seem to recall a number of folks praising their VA products, too. My recollection is that VA customer service always got very high marks, and any disappointed buyers who sought redress from VA were ultimately satisfied. Again, though, this is just anecdotal. I kinda have a hankering for one of their craftsman series swords, so I’m (kinda selfishly) hoping your experience is rare and that it is resolved to your satisfaction. In any event, I do appreciate you sharing your experience. Please let us know how things turn out. I will report my experience when I receive the sword. Sonny told me 6 weeks on February 23rd so it should be done soon. I'll try to take some good pics and post a review. Hoping my experience will be better than others with the craftsman series. FYI I have the Warden of The North on order: www.valiant-armoury.com/products/va-356-craftsman-series-warden-of-the-north
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Post by wolfskull23 on Apr 16, 2019 1:54:42 GMT
That kind of sucks that the leather isn't up to par. I have two swords from VA: Warsword and the Heron Saber. My Warsword's belt has the little waves, but I actually like it. It adds some character to the belt and has held up fairly well to some wearing around the property (about a month time in total). In comparison, the Heron's belt is thicker. I think it may be the specific model that determines the belt, but I could be wrong. The Heron belt does not feature the overlay designs the Warsword belt has.
Moving on to the sword itself, I respect your opinion that the blade being on the narrower side. Perhaps it could be 2" and call it even. Sharpening has been interesting. My Warsword was ready to go out of the box. The Heron sword, not so much. It had an edge, but not quite suitable for tatami. Both have had some minor Q/C problems, but nothing major or overly concerning to me. Swords are working tools for me, they'll get blemished eventually. Hell, I bought a Stag Arms AR15 that normally is $1095 for $600ish because of some scratches. From a collector standpoint, I can see this being unacceptable.
I'm definitely interested in hearing the quality of the craftsmen series blade though.
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Post by William Swiger on Apr 16, 2019 10:29:51 GMT
I have had a handful of VA swords in the past. Last one I bought was a Heron Saber. It had a wobbly guard. Guard was not really fitted for the blade. Do not currently have any in the collection. Always thought they were pretty good swords for the price at one time with the scabbards and grips. Prices have gone up on the imported blades and have not handled the upper end ones they make in the US. Sonny was always a good guy to deal with.
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Post by Siward on Apr 16, 2019 11:27:43 GMT
I have had a handful of VA swords in the past. Last one I bought was a Heron Saber. It had a wobbly guard. Guard was not really fitted for the blade. Do not currently have any in the collection. Always thought they were pretty good swords for the price at one time with the scabbards and grips. Prices have gone up on the imported blades and have not handled the upper end ones they make in the US. Sonny was always a good guy to deal with. Similar to me, my last VA, an Arundel, had a guard fitted so badly that if I was in the US I would have sent it back. I’m still searching for a UK swordsmith who could repair it (Owen Bush is local to me but I can’t ask someone who makes $4000 swords to fix the guard on a $600 sword !).
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Post by wardenofthenorth on Apr 16, 2019 11:34:54 GMT
I'm getting really worried about the craftsman series now. Seems like the quality has taken a major hit as of late. Where were all these concerns with VA quality when I placed the order a few months ago lol
Contemplating cancelling my order. Guess I'll see how it is when it arrives. For $1400 craftsman series swords I'm expecting high quality fit and finish, not loose guards and shoddy leather work and cheap materials.
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Post by Siward on Apr 16, 2019 13:13:24 GMT
I'm getting really worried about the craftsman series now. Seems like the quality has taken a major hit as of late. Where were all these concerns with VA quality when I placed the order a few months ago lol Contemplating cancelling my order. Guess I'll see how it is when it arrives. For $1400 craftsman series swords I'm expecting high quality fit and finish, not loose guards and shoddy leather work and cheap materials. Well couple of things. Yes my Arundel is a mess, but I’ve also got the Valor and that was well finished and beautiful. On top of that you have to consider, or at least hope that the QC for the craftsman series is many levels better than the lower lines. I’d stick with it and just kick off if doesn’t meet expectations.
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Post by wardenofthenorth on Apr 16, 2019 13:18:18 GMT
I'm getting really worried about the craftsman series now. Seems like the quality has taken a major hit as of late. Where were all these concerns with VA quality when I placed the order a few months ago lol Contemplating cancelling my order. Guess I'll see how it is when it arrives. For $1400 craftsman series swords I'm expecting high quality fit and finish, not loose guards and shoddy leather work and cheap materials. Well couple of things. Yes my Arundel is a mess, but I’ve also got the Valor and that was well finished and beautiful. On top of that you have to consider, or at least hope that the QC for the craftsman series is many levels better than the lower lines. I’d stick with it and just kick off if doesn’t meet expectations. I'll keep everyone updated on how it turns out when it arrives. I'm hoping the craftsman series quality is much higher than the lower lines.
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
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Post by stormmaster on Apr 16, 2019 14:23:08 GMT
I've had a good couple va pieces and each one has been pretty good fit and finish wise
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Post by wolfskull23 on Apr 18, 2019 2:38:13 GMT
I'm getting really worried about the craftsman series now. Seems like the quality has taken a major hit as of late. Where were all these concerns with VA quality when I placed the order a few months ago lol Contemplating cancelling my order. Guess I'll see how it is when it arrives. For $1400 craftsman series swords I'm expecting high quality fit and finish, not loose guards and shoddy leather work and cheap materials. The Q/C concerns have surfaced mainly within the last year. My Warsword was at the tail end of Sonny only using imported blades and had some flukes I hadn't seen in other VA reviews. I will admit the Heron Saber did not totally live up to my expectations. On a side note, I have noticed an increase in VA WTS threads in the marketplace. I wonder if these are part of the newer generation or old generation.
At one time, VA was for sure the best bang for the buck with a good quality blade and leatherwork. I would have gotten one ages ago if I hadn't got lemoned by Darksword and then made the switch to an Albion Crecy. Regarding your concern on the Craftsman piece, I would seriously contact Sonny. $1400 is a hefty expense and the work needs to reflect that. I think balancing the import blades and domestic blades are having a Q/C impact. I haven't heard any major reviews on the Craftsman series yet, so hopefully it is worth the foray. Otherwise I think it'd be best to focus on either the import or domestic blades.
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Post by Wes Cameron on Apr 20, 2019 14:32:56 GMT
Well couple of things. Yes my Arundel is a mess, but I’ve also got the Valor and that was well finished and beautiful. On top of that you have to consider, or at least hope that the QC for the craftsman series is many levels better than the lower lines. I’d stick with it and just kick off if doesn’t meet expectations. I'll keep everyone updated on how it turns out when it arrives. I'm hoping the craftsman series quality is much higher than the lower lines. Mine wasn't. My VA Signature edition purchased in 2011 was better quality at a much lower price than the Craftsman I ordered. VA is having lots of QC issues and makes one wonder how a sword even gets sent out in the condition mine and others have been in.
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Post by wardenofthenorth on Apr 20, 2019 15:06:40 GMT
I'll keep everyone updated on how it turns out when it arrives. I'm hoping the craftsman series quality is much higher than the lower lines. Mine wasn't. My VA Signature edition purchased in 2011 was better quality at a much lower price than the Craftsman I ordered. VA is having lots of QC issues and makes one wonder how a sword even gets sent out in the condition mine and others have been in. That is extremely disheartening to hear. Could you elaborate more?
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,619
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Apr 20, 2019 17:37:26 GMT
Mine wasn't. My VA Signature edition purchased in 2011 was better quality at a much lower price than the Craftsman I ordered. VA is having lots of QC issues and makes one wonder how a sword even gets sent out in the condition mine and others have been in. That is extremely disheartening to hear. Could you elaborate more? If you haven't read it yet, you should consider looking through this review: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/54844/va-craftsman-series-crusader-sword
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Post by wardenofthenorth on Apr 20, 2019 21:23:02 GMT
Well now I'm really concerned about my Warden of the north craftsman series sword. I don't know if I should just cancel the order or wait and see how it is and hope I might receive a full refund if Im not satisfied with the Q/C.
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Post by Siward on Apr 21, 2019 6:57:05 GMT
It’s hard to tell you what to do, there haven’t been enough reviews of the Craftsman series on SGB to get a good feel for what the underlying quality level is.
Personally, even though my last VA was terrible my other two (earlier) VA’s were great and as such I could be tempted to order again in the future, though perhaps tellingly all my purchases since the Arundel have been to other manufacturers.
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Post by mpsmith47304 on May 17, 2019 3:08:07 GMT
For what it’s worth, I just received a sword from VA today (special edition Valor). I am pretty impressed with it. The leather quality is top notch quality. The only issue was some rust on the guard, which is odd, because the whole sword is covered in oil. It was easy to clean up with a gray scotchbrite pad. Don’t know if I was just lucky, but I was impressed at the price.
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