duanem
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The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air.
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Post by duanem on May 16, 2019 17:34:43 GMT
Initial Impressions: First Impressions of this sword are really good. I had seen some bad reviews of Darksword’s products in the past and was pretty hesitant buying this sword based on a video saying the hilt and tang were not solidly built although he did not order a sword himself. I was happy to see that wasn’t an issue and I’m very pleased with my sword. The fittings are super solid, symmetrical and mirror finish. The blade wields very nicely and feels light in the hand. It has quite a lot of flex a little for my liking but is very straight and well-tempered. The diamond true hollow ground is perfect and leads to a fine edge that is razor sharp. The best part of it is how it feels when you hold it. It is so light and well-balanced that swinging it barely takes any energy. Overall I am really happy with my purchase especially at the price point. Balance: The balance point is at 3” and feels very nimble to wield. 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 blade is razor sharp, consistent along the blade and cuts through paper with no fibers showing. I’m very impressed with the sharpening. Fittings: The fittings are solid and well-polished steel and are in line in every orientation. The pommel sits seamless on the grip. Scabbard: The scabbard is pretty simple but has good quality leather and the blade fits snug in it. Alignment: The alignment of all the fittings to the blade is pretty much perfect. The guard is higher on the left side by about 1/16th of an inch but is only noticeable when you look for it (take into account that I am a machinist and I’m good at looking for this kind of thing.) Pros: - Solid construction - Really well made fittings - Perfect Alignment and Finish Cons: - The blade is a little too flexible Overall Length: 49” Blade length: 38″ Material: 5160 High Carbon Steel Width at the guard: 2″ Weight: 2 lbs. 13 oz.
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Post by Siward on May 16, 2019 17:58:32 GMT
Excellent review.
That silence you hear is all the DSA sceptics trying to work out a new angle of attack 😝
The flex was what I found with my Archers sword, ideally I’d like it a tad stiffer
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Zen_Hydra
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Post by Zen_Hydra on May 16, 2019 19:05:46 GMT
That silence you hear is all the DSA sceptics trying to work out a new angle of attack 😝 (◔_◔)
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on May 16, 2019 19:12:49 GMT
Pardon my ignorance, is the last pic you with the disassembled sword? I haven't seen that one...
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duanem
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The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air.
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Post by duanem on May 17, 2019 15:26:42 GMT
Pardon my ignorance, is the last pic you with the disassembled sword? I haven't seen that one... The last pic was sent with the sword showing it prior to assembly.
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duanem
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The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air.
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Post by duanem on May 17, 2019 15:27:47 GMT
Was this ordered from their website or another dealer? Just curious. I ordered it from the website.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2019 16:13:26 GMT
Excellent review. That silence you hear is all the DSA sceptics trying to work out a new angle of attack 😝 The flex was what I found with my Archers sword, ideally I’d like it a tad stiffer I have a feeling the new angle will be a modified point of attack from the past. It will read something like: "Good for them, nice review, but this does not change XYZ, I will never buy, they are liars through and through, I still do not trust them," or some variation of these themes. Having said that, each to his own. Also, very nice review. The sword looks good.
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Post by Siward on May 17, 2019 16:42:24 GMT
Well ultimately that’s why we don’t have any vendors on this site bar a handful, they got attacked rather than people relaxing and taking each sword as they come.
I’m not pro DSA, but am anti historic allegations or accusations being trawled up time and again when you can see DSA, in this case, are responding to at least one of the concerns (like the tang photo).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2019 16:46:37 GMT
Well ultimately that’s why we don’t have any vendors on this site bar a handful, they got attacked rather than people relaxing and taking each sword as they come. I’m not pro DSA, but am anti historic allegations or accusations being trawled up time and again when you can see DSA, in this case, are responding to at least one of the concerns (like the tang photo). I think that is the correct attitude. I don't think we should excuse past behavior or omit past concerns, mistakes, failures, etc... Buyer beware, but it's as Paul S. says time and time again, DSA cannot have persisted this long without making a quality sword from time to time. I am pleased to see the quality is improving.
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Post by MOK on May 17, 2019 21:54:30 GMT
Listen, it's good to see a decent hollow-ground sword on the market, but maybe tone down the condescension a little bit, guys.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2019 22:16:43 GMT
I love the fishtail pommel and the guard is nicely done, not much of a gap between the blade and guard. The fit and finish concerns have definitely shown improvement, and that IS a meaty tang.
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admin
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Post by admin on May 18, 2019 3:36:40 GMT
Back in the good old days we had a lot of prominent sword manufacturers participate in community discussions, asking for feedback to improve their products. Problem is, once someone sets a negative tone or starts attacking a vendor or manufacturer for personal reasons (i.e. they may have had a bad customer service experience or got a lemon) it's always cooler to dismiss and attack than to ask level headed questions and actually engage with the people who are trying to improve the offerings..
Worst cases are when there are active campaigns to sink a companies reputation by individuals with vested interests in a competitors product (i.e. they are getting swords for free, selling them on Amazon or eBay or even getting cash payments). Enough snide or off the cuff comments early enough in a thread and the chorus of parrots starts up, meaningful discussion becomes impossible, and the manufacturer gives up on the community and goes back to doing their own thing..
Yes, there are rules in place to try and prevent this kind of thing, but in most cases the horse has already bolted.
No matter what DSA does they are forced to defend themselves like no other company and forced to show their tangs and videos of forging. The most recent one was in January this year.
Even open invites to come and see their facility is not enough - surely this video must also be faked? CGI perhaps?
A SFI started the ball rolling on them when a competitor in Montreal lost business to them to supply the ARMA - and so some poison seeds were planted early, and its just gone on and on from there..
Anyway, great to hear that the OP is happy with their purchase. My biggest concern with DSA is the inconsistent sharpening - sometimes it is really good, other times it's substandard (which is why we don't charge for it and absorb the cost ourselves).
Minor misalignment of the components are also not uncommon, but historical swords weren't always 'Albion perfect' - indeed, sometimes when you assemble a sword the best and strongest fit is not the most aesthetically pleasing.
If something like that will make you reject a solidly built sword with excellent handling, beautiful hollow ground blade and the detailed cast fittings, I kind of feel sorry for you..
But anyway, that's our job at SBG - to point all this stuff out so that you guys can make an informed decision and to try and get to the bottom of conspiracy theories and wild rumors, not to create more and try to drive sword makers who are doing their best to service the community and not ripping people off out of business...
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Post by illustry on May 18, 2019 4:04:12 GMT
Am impressed with my new DSA 1354, too. Would you be willing to mic the blade thickness and post results? I am just curious, since you mention it is a little too flexible. KOA says 6mm - 3mm.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2019 10:26:14 GMT
I guess what's not surprising is the recycling of an idea. www.darksword-armory.com/medieval-weapon/herald-series-medieval-weapons/the-marquis-medieval-sword/An edit to add that I had thought the Herald line was something that would take off but has apparently not been sustainable. Call me doubtful regarding many facets. From the claim of never using glue to obviously showing it, some have been around since the start. It is ironic to see ARMA and SFI mentioned in the same sentence, as John Clements and ARMA left the Highlander (precursor of SFI) board long before DSA was a topic there. I recall someone recently mentioning they were close enough to possibly visit the shop. The video, of course, only feeds more to speculation. I am not now, nor will ever be a patron but DSA does offer a segment of the market that may appeal.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2019 11:17:19 GMT
I am close enough to visit the shop, but I would require an invite.
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Zen_Hydra
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Jul 9, 2019 15:22:21 GMT
Darksword Armory (DSA) and it's owner Eyal Azerad have a history of unethical behavior. Even if they have resolved the tang issues of the past, I can not in good conscience support a company who has repeatedly lied to and abused its customers, stolen sword designs from other sword makers, and continues to lie about where their blades are made, and who is making them. It's as simple as that.
I'm not going to tell anyone else to buy, or not buy DSA merchandise, but I would want to know if I was supporting an unethical company before I endorsed them with my wallet.
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Zen_Hydra
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Jul 9, 2019 19:41:02 GMT
Darksword Armory (DSA) and it's owner Eyal Azerad have a history of unethical behavior. Even if they have resolved the tang issues of the past, I can not in good conscience support a company who has repeatedly lied to and abused its customers, stolen sword designs from other sword makers, and continues to lie about where their blades are made, and who is making them. It's as simple as that. I'm not going to tell anyone else to buy, or not buy DSA merchandise, but I would want to know if I was supporting an unethical company before I endorsed them with my wallet. So why would you enter into this thread a month and a half after it's creation, knowing that you would never even consider a DSA sword, and then only proceed to write that disparaging paragraph? We get it, we have heard all of this before over and over. That's easy to answer. Someone else posted in this thread today, and it flagged as an active thread. I read through it again, and felt the need to comment on details of DSA which were being talked around, but not actually addressed. I literally stated in the comment you quoted, that "I'm not going to tell anyone else to buy, or not buy DSA merchandise, but I would want to know if I was supporting an unethical company before I endorsed them with my wallet." From the context of what I wrote it should be pretty clear that I believe disclosing the unethical practices of DSA are in the best interest of the sword buying community. Clearly, Darksword Armory's history of unethical behavior does not bother you, but there are plenty of people who do care. It's to those people I am speaking. Cheers.
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thomasthesecond
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"I thought I was an architect, but I was just moving dirt."
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Post by thomasthesecond on Jul 20, 2019 16:09:54 GMT
Darksword Armory (DSA) and it's owner Eyal Azerad have a history of unethical behavior. Even if they have resolved the tang issues of the past, I can not in good conscience support a company who has repeatedly lied to and abused its customers, stolen sword designs from other sword makers, and continues to lie about where their blades are made, and who is making them. It's as simple as that. I'm not going to tell anyone else to buy, or not buy DSA merchandise, but I would want to know if I was supporting an unethical company before I endorsed them with my wallet. I find this amusing. How do you feel about the Ronin Euro models? Not to break your very shaky mindset on the subject, but every design they use is "stolen" from smaller European forges.
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Post by nddave on Jul 20, 2019 19:12:12 GMT
Darksword Armory (DSA) and it's owner Eyal Azerad have a history of unethical behavior. Even if they have resolved the tang issues of the past, I can not in good conscience support a company who has repeatedly lied to and abused its customers, stolen sword designs from other sword makers, and continues to lie about where their blades are made, and who is making them. It's as simple as that. I'm not going to tell anyone else to buy, or not buy DSA merchandise, but I would want to know if I was supporting an unethical company before I endorsed them with my wallet. I find this amusing. How do you feel about the Ronin Euro models? Not to break your very shaky mindset on the subject, but every design they use is "stolen" from smaller European forges. Why turn a good review into a manufacturer fan war at all?
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christain
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Post by christain on Jul 20, 2019 19:39:30 GMT
Absolutely. From this moment on, I refuse to read through, much less comment in, another thread involving DSA. The damned horse is DEAD...stop the beating. Jeez.......
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