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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2008 3:20:54 GMT
Hi, this is my first post to this site! May your blows be swift and merciful! I mean, be gentle. I want a one-hand European sword, and I can spend up to around $200 or so. I've looked at a lot of swords, and I want a curved or downturned crosspiece, a fullered blade, and a wheel pommel, preferably. I want one to do some cutting with, so I need it to be durable. Although I already own a Windlass sword, and wouldn't mind buying a different brand, I really like the Windlass Classic Medieval. I've read some of the discussion of this blade in this forum, but I was wondering if anyone has any other input on it. From reading, Windlass has improved their QC a bit from times past. I want a blade that will be sturdy and (reasonably) stiff, not wobbling with a side shake. I was intrigued enough to build a wood sparring sword based on it, and I really like it! I'll try to upload a shot. [/img] (nope, couldn't upload it!) The Gen II 15th Century Scottish Long Sword is also very appealing, though a bit more money. If you have anything to say about this sword, or where I should buy it (Valiant and SOH both have it for $150, I read that Valiant inspects them all before shipping?) please sound off. Thanks. Edit: Not Valiant, but Arms of Valor, my error.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2008 3:36:59 GMT
I don't want to put you over budget, but it sounds like the Windlass Arming Sword might be perfect for you. It's a type XIV whereas the Classic Medieval is type X. I don't own it, but it's been recommended to me. You can search and find reviews on it. It's the one I would buy if I decided on a single-hander. But it'll be over $200 if you want it sharp. www.armsofvalour.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AOVL&Product_Code=500972&Category_Code=WSCKult of Athena sells it blunt for $189, and sharp for $18 more. But I've been told they use machine sharpening, which isn't as good. AoV does their sharpening by hand.
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Post by axeman on Jul 18, 2008 3:51:58 GMT
all the swords that the KULT OF ATHENA has sharpend for me have been very well done ;D i like there store you can see whats in stock and whats not unlike some of the E-STORES also they have the lowest prices on most all there stuff and they are happy to answer your questions very helpful ;D
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Post by kidcasanova on Jul 18, 2008 5:56:34 GMT
Arms of Valor sells the Windlass Medieval for 145 dollars (I believe it's still on their Clearance page). And Jason (Trueswordsman here on SBG) is a fantastic person to talk to. He's helped me out on more than one occasion, even when I ended up not buying a sword from him one of those times.
If you're looking for something a little nice than a Windlass (for only 215 dollars, right about your budget), you could get the Valiant Armoury Practical Arming Sword. Paul sells it free of shipping in the US, but you could also buy from several other dealers (Including AoV). In my opinion, I'd take this over the Windlass, but it's also about seventy dollars more. But for that seventy dollars, you get an excellent sword designed by Angus Trim.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2008 6:00:24 GMT
There is also the early spanish sword from windlass. I like this sword a lot better then the classic. AoV, MRL and KoA all have this for under 200 right now.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2008 12:08:22 GMT
If you do go for the classic medieval, it's solidly built, feels good in the hand (to me) but it's a bit blade heavy due to the width. Not exactly clumsy, just blade heavy. Also, it's better looking in person. Few swords dealers seem to know how to photograph a sword.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2008 14:07:26 GMT
Arms of Valor sells the Windlass Medieval for 145 dollars (I believe it's still on their Clearance page). And Jason (Trueswordsman here on SBG) is a fantastic person to talk to. He's helped me out on more than one occasion, even when I ended up not buying a sword from him one of those times. If you're looking for something a little nice than a Windlass (for only 215 dollars, right about your budget), you could get the Valiant Armoury Practical Arming Sword. Paul sells it free of shipping in the US, but you could also buy from several other dealers (Including AoV). In my opinion, I'd take this over the Windlass, but it's also about seventy dollars more. But for that seventy dollars, you get an excellent sword designed by Angus Trim. A dealer here in Arizona sells thre Practical Arming Sword for $189 plus shipping. Great sword & nice scabbard at a great price.
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Post by kidcasanova on Jul 18, 2008 17:53:55 GMT
Then I would definitely bump the Arming sword right to the top of your list. It's at the top of mine, currently. And from what you've posted, we're both looking for something very similar in a sword.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2008 22:14:54 GMT
I would recomend the Practical Arming Sword based on my experience with the longsword version.
Somebody here did a review on the arming sword and it did pretty good.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2008 1:56:33 GMT
Thanks, all, for the input. I think the Windlass arming is too short for what I want. The Atrim arming sword is close to what I want, but the Windlass seems to have a nicer overall look to it. I'd imagine the Atrim to be worth the extra dough, though. I like the Gen II as well, so I'll take my time, and enjoy confusing myself with choices! Unfortunately, I'm kind of given to curved or downward hilts. I love the Darksword Squire and Knightly swords, but they are too pretty for me use for cutting and practice. I think I'll have my wife get me one for Christmas. (I've frustrated her by not liking that last two 'big' gifts she's gotten me, a DSA Squire would be sure to please!) Zectron, I think we'd all like a link to that AZ dealer! That's a good price. Also, OT, how do I up a personal picture?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2008 2:04:15 GMT
Which gen 2? The henry V sword is stiring up quite the buzz...and with AoV's 10% discount, it will be around 250ish range. If I was interested in one handed swords much, that is the one I would pick up in a heart beat. I still may after getting the hanwei tinker bastard sword, a couple of albions and a custom sword or two from the local blacksmith...And a jian from jin-shi...and maybe a deshi if it's still 400 bucks when I get around to it. Too many swords...not enough money .
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2008 2:09:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2008 2:17:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2008 4:02:15 GMT
Umm that one has been discontinued...so if you really want that one, you should get one in stock soon. There is a review of the sword here... /index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=5685Thanks for the heads-up. Nice review, wow, that hilt is really large! It looks even better in-hand.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2008 2:42:05 GMT
Arms of Valor sells the Windlass Medieval for 145 dollars (I believe it's still on their Clearance page). And Jason (Trueswordsman here on SBG) is a fantastic person to talk to. He's helped me out on more than one occasion, even when I ended up not buying a sword from him one of those times. If you're looking for something a little nice than a Windlass (for only 215 dollars, right about your budget), you could get the Valiant Armoury Practical Arming Sword. Paul sells it free of shipping in the US, but you could also buy from several other dealers (Including AoV). In my opinion, I'd take this over the Windlass, but it's also about seventy dollars more. But for that seventy dollars, you get an excellent sword designed by Angus Trim. A dealer here in Arizona sells thre Practical Arming Sword for $189 plus shipping. Great sword & nice scabbard at a great price. Did you mean Hutchinson"s Militaria,Swords Armor? Yes, that is a good deal, and it is tempting. They sell the 303s (sharp) and 301B (blunt) for the same $189, $16 shipping. Ya know, this sword admiration could get expensive!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2008 2:51:57 GMT
Yes, Hutchinson's is the Arizona dealer.
If you go in ebay and search Windlass swords his link to his eabay store will come up on the search page. I have purchased two swords from him and he is a fine guy to deal with.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2008 2:56:09 GMT
Yes, Hutchinson's is the Arizona dealer. If you go in ebay and search Windlass swords his link to his eabay store will come up on the search page. I have purchased two swords from him and he is a fine guy to deal with. Yup, I have them tagged as a fav seller, since they always have some quality blades. They make the same blunt/sharp offer on the Atrim long and arming swords, and at $199 and $189 respectively, that is very tough.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2008 22:43:25 GMT
Thanks to all for the input, I just submitted my order to KOA for the Windlass Classic Medieval. I love it's look, and feel confident I will get a solid item from this quality seller. I'll post again, hopefully to gush about how nice it is!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2008 21:00:28 GMT
Ah, my sword arrived! I ordered Tuesday night from KOA just after business hours, so they processed the order and shipped on Wednesday, and Friday it's in my hand! Of course, I'm just a state away from them, but still a good job getting it here in a timely manner. I e-mailed Ryan at their store about inspecting it prior to shipping, and mentioned their price-matching offer - he assured me they inspect them all before shipping, and they dropped their price another 5 bucks. I felt kinda bad, as having someone pre-inspect it, as you would if you were at their showroom, is worth more than the $5, certainly. The box arrived in good shape. It was, of course, packed in a layer of protective grease/oil, and had a nice hard-rubber guard around the tip in case UPS ham-handed the box, all wrapped in plenty of packing paper. After removing the grease, I found a very straight blade, a nice even fuller, and a pleasant finish. There are a couple of spots halfway down the blade that look like they perhaps missed on the final buffing, or dragged the buffer across, as they are VERY superficial marks. (cannot feel them with a finger, have to hold it just right to even see them) I'm a sword neophyte, and I've never seen a pricier sword to compare it to, but it is quite pretty. I read Bill Tsafa's review(s) of it, in which he gave it poor marks for the looseness in the review on this site, but despite that liked (in the review on his own site) it's cutting and the power delivered by the wide (2") blade. I wish he had gotten one like this, I'd be interested to see if his overall appraisal would be changed. (BTW, I think he does some very good reviews, and some exhaustive, telling use/abuse goes into them; he seems to put a blade through it's paces well! Hats off to ya, Mr. Tsafa!) This sword is quite sturdy and 'tight', with a very cleanly peened tang buffed nicely into the pommel. The wheel pommel itself has the slightest nick on it's edge near the handle, smoothed over nicely and almost unnoticeable; you have to look for it. I swung it around a bit, went through some drills I've been doing with both hands, and it handles nicely. As it is a nearly 40" sword with a wide blade, I'd imagine that a sword like the DSA Knight at 35" or the Squire at 37.5" with slightly more tapered blades might handle better or more quickly, but for getting a good workout of swinging in, it seems perfect for me. Overall, I'm very pleased with this purchase. It's what I expected, with no letdown, a good value, I think, for around $150. If I get my wife to favor me with a DSA blade for Christmas, I'll have a bit more to compare it to. I now own two Windlass blades, this one and the www.realmcollections.com/pl1208/ranger-sword.html Ranger, and they are both very solid swords with nicely finished blades. Now, however, when I get another, I'd like to try a different company, like a Gen II, Atrim, or DSA KOA gets a tip o' the hat, as they were very accommodating for a greenhorn like myself, stood by their price-match guarantee, and shipped quickly with good packing.
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Post by axeman on Jul 26, 2008 13:47:28 GMT
Ah, my sword arrived! I ordered Tuesday night from KOA just after business hours, so they processed the order and shipped on Wednesday, and Friday it's in my hand! Of course, I'm just a state away from them, but still a good job getting it here in a timely manner. I e-mailed Ryan at their store about inspecting it prior to shipping, and mentioned their price-matching offer - he assured me they inspect them all before shipping, and they dropped their price another 5 bucks. I felt kinda bad, as having someone pre-inspect it, as you would if you were at their showroom, is worth more than the $5, certainly. The box arrived in good shape. It was, of course, packed in a layer of protective grease/oil, and had a nice hard-rubber guard around the tip in case UPS ham-handed the box, all wrapped in plenty of packing paper. After removing the grease, I found a very straight blade, a nice even fuller, and a pleasant finish. There are a couple of spots halfway down the blade that look like they perhaps missed on the final buffing, or dragged the buffer across, as they are VERY superficial marks. (cannot feel them with a finger, have to hold it just right to even see them) I'm a sword neophyte, and I've never seen a pricier sword to compare it to, but it is quite pretty. I read Bill Tsafa's review(s) of it, in which he gave it poor marks for the looseness in the review on this site, but despite that liked (in the review on his own site) it's cutting and the power delivered by the wide (2") blade. I wish he had gotten one like this, I'd be interested to see if his overall appraisal would be changed. (BTW, I think he does some very good reviews, and some exhaustive, telling use/abuse goes into them; he seems to put a blade through it's paces well! Hats off to ya, Mr. Tsafa!) This sword is quite sturdy and 'tight', with a very cleanly peened tang buffed nicely into the pommel. The wheel pommel itself has the slightest nick on it's edge near the handle, smoothed over nicely and almost unnoticeable; you have to look for it. I swung it around a bit, went through some drills I've been doing with both hands, and it handles nicely. As it is a nearly 40" sword with a wide blade, I'd imagine that a sword like the DSA Knight at 35" or the Squire at 37.5" with slightly more tapered blades might handle better or more quickly, but for getting a good workout of swinging in, it seems perfect for me. Overall, I'm very pleased with this purchase. It's what I expected, with no letdown, a good value, I think, for around $150. If I get my wife to favor me with a DSA blade for Christmas, I'll have a bit more to compare it to. I now own two Windlass blades, this one and the www.realmcollections.com/pl1208/ranger-sword.html Ranger, and they are both very solid swords with nicely finished blades. Now, however, when I get another, I'd like to try a different company, like a Gen II, Atrim, or DSA KOA gets a tip o' the hat, as they were very accommodating for a greenhorn like myself, stood by their price-match guarantee, and shipped quickly with good packing. i have bought lots of stuff from KOA best prices and great service. and most of the time they have what you want in stock unlike some E -stores that dont stock anything
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