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Post by 28shadow on Apr 9, 2019 22:48:19 GMT
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Apr 10, 2019 0:01:01 GMT
Haven't handled any yet, but that Teutonic looks right up my alley. Nice looking pommel.
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Post by 28shadow on Apr 10, 2019 0:15:41 GMT
I'm a bit tempted by their 14th Century longsword and the Italian longsword.
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Post by nddave on Apr 10, 2019 0:16:53 GMT
Seem to be good for the price. Seems they have a Type XII and XVIII in their catalogue now with these new models, including the two first XIIa swords they had out. For around the same price they seem to be above Deepeeka but a little below or at least equal to Windlass. For sub $200 I guess you cant go wrong. In my opinion in regards to the overall look of the swords and their scabbards I think the same forge/manufacturer DSA uses is selling these either as themselves or a new vendor has been buying models from them. That would make them made in India which is kind of obvious due to the 1060 and EN45 steels being used and of course the dull 1mm edges. That guy that does reviews for KoA did a video on YouTube as well as a forum member here. Heres the link's to the videos and a link to Eric's first impressions thread, sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/55468/received-balaur-arms-sword?page=1&scrollTo=753732I've been interested in one too but the sold out fast and even though I like the loos of their type XII arming sword, I'm disappointed they're a defective run with fit and finish issues. Still for only $150 and the guarantee they're minor and not functionally detrimental, they might be ok to give a try. No worse that taking a shot at a Deepeeka I guess.
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Post by zabazagobo on Apr 10, 2019 0:44:15 GMT
They're interesting budget options. The new Italian longsword looks like a fun piece for doing drills giving you don't mind the defects. I'm actually considering nabbing one, but then again finding a good sabre is a more compelling endeavor.
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Post by crl2 on Apr 10, 2019 5:50:46 GMT
I just got a "used" Balaur long sword off the classifieds. Thought I would give one a try at the reduced price. I bought it as a user that I would not have to worry too much about. I have to say I really like it. Very suprising. Yes, it is not perfect but pretty good for the price. If I would have paid the full retail I would not have been disappointed. I actually email KOA today to see when they were going to get more in but have not got a reply yet. When I saw this post I immediately went to the KOA site to buy another. Not that thrilled that they are "seconds" so I'm going to sleep on it.
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Apr 10, 2019 14:23:52 GMT
I think we will see this line of swords expanding in the future, with more and more models being added. They seem to be just about perfect for a sword you can take to the back yard and give a thorough thrashing and not worry about it. I know I'll be buying one or more in the future, as money allows....and at this price range, that'll be about one per month.
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Post by crl2 on Apr 10, 2019 17:09:19 GMT
Two negatives I see on the new Balaur offerings. One is a "B" stamped on the blades similar to the DSA Griffin. Not a big fan of that. Also the scabbard does not look as nice. Still, quite interested in the swords. If the new swords were not seconds I would have two on the way now. I may have to take a chance on one.
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Post by crl2 on Apr 11, 2019 6:29:21 GMT
Curiosity killed the cat. I ordered the Italian Longsword. I will let you gentlemen know how it turns out.
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Post by 28shadow on Apr 12, 2019 7:35:23 GMT
I'm very tempted to follow suit and order the Italian longsword myself as well.
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Post by tancred on Apr 12, 2019 17:02:34 GMT
You guys save some Italian Longswords for me! Deepeeka and Albion maker versions of this sword, and those are the only other ones that I know of. The Deepeeka looks off a bit. The Albion is almost 10x as much as the Balaur. The Balaur looks pretty good, imo! A slight defect wouldn't dissuade me, esp at only $155.
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Apr 13, 2019 3:22:50 GMT
The swords still show to be in stock. I'm wondering now...how many of these 'factory 2nd' models did they get? Surely we (SBGers) are not the only ones ordering them. Good deals, but still....I want a #1 quality sword. (Pout-mode sets in... .)
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Post by tancred on Apr 13, 2019 5:31:57 GMT
The swords still show to be in stock. I'm wondering now...how many of these 'factory 2nd' models did they get? Surely we (SBGers) are not the only ones ordering them. Good deals, but still....I want a #1 quality sword. (Pout-mode sets in... .) I remember a year or two ago, and KOA had a batch of factory seconds. It might have even been when they first started their Scratch and Dent page. They had a whole bunch of items, and implied that the quantities were quite large. I remember some time before that when KOA stopped carrying Cheness swords, saying it was almost like everything they got from Cheness would have to go as a scratch and dent, so they stopped ordering from them. (for the record, I really like my Cheness wakizashi, and am interested in another sword from them) From the sounds of it, the blemishes on these Balaur swords are extremely minor. I'm not too worried about them. I just hope there are still some Italian Longswords in a couple weeks, as I have some family birthday presents to buy before I can spoil myself.
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Post by nddave on Apr 13, 2019 5:41:53 GMT
The only issue that really bothers me is the blade twists as those can be both structurally and functionally detrimental. Especially considering the price point how do we know these are in fact functional as seconds? What if the twists are a result of overhardening or poor steel? The other issues seem mainly cosmetic and honestly not out of the norm for sub $500-$300 swords let alone a sub $200 sword.
What has me concerned is that with KoA's recently revised "dont expect perfect, especially with a mass produced sword" return/refund policy, how rough are these defects to not only warrant a discounted price but an actual warning from them in the sword's description?
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Post by crl2 on Apr 13, 2019 6:13:07 GMT
The way I look at it was that if the problems are too much for me I can return it and put the money to a different sword. But if the flaws seem minor so much the better. I also want to attempt my first sharpening so better to do it on a less expensive not so perfect sword.
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Apr 13, 2019 14:52:54 GMT
Just my opinion, but I think the ones with the blade issues should go in their 'munitions-grade' section, and the minor issue stuff should be a 'factory-blemished' sword. I agree that a twisted or warped blade might present a bigger problem than one might think later on. I'll still hold off on buying until there's more reviews and maybe some tear-down tang pics. I do reeeeally like that Teutonic though.
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Post by crl2 on Apr 23, 2019 3:43:20 GMT
I just got mine today as well and instantly purchased another one. The blade is not bad at all. Very slight warp at tip. VERY slight. The peen on the pommel is a little off. Not bad. The guard looks fine. I have seen way worse that were not "seconds". Super sword for the money. I ordered a Teutonic as well.
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Post by zabazagobo on Apr 23, 2019 3:44:34 GMT
Great to hear, thanks for being the guinea pigs y'all
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Post by 28shadow on Apr 23, 2019 22:54:20 GMT
Oh man. This makes it so tempting to order one.
Any opinions on the handling?
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Post by Croccifixio on Apr 24, 2019 4:43:49 GMT
I'm a bit surprised that there are Indian-made swords like this with very good distal taper (judging by KOA specs).
I always thought that Indian bladesmiths had a better appreciation of the Western sword aesthetic than most Chinese forges (just going primarily by Windlass vs Hanwei design), though the forge used by Ronin for its Euro line seems to know how to make good Euros.
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