Valiant Armoury-Craftsman Series -The German Long Sword
Jun 1, 2019 3:07:31 GMT
Post by dlatona on Jun 1, 2019 3:07:31 GMT
This is a review of the Valiant Armoury Craftsman Series German Long Sword I received from Sonny Suttles three weeks ago. Before ordering it, I emailed Sonny to ask if I could get a different cross and chape from what came standard. Turns out he had already decided to make some modifications in the model, and they fit my wants quite well. Although I do not have my photos ready yet, you can see the changes Sonny has made—courtesy of the excellent photos of my actual sword at the Valiant Armoury website. Look for the VA-144-Craftsman Series -The German Long Sword in Antiqued and Cocoa Brown. (Hmmm. The more I look at them, the less inclined I am to post my own photos.)
The package arrived on time and as expected, in perfect shape, courtesy of UPS. I like the way VA double boxed, quite generous with the packing peanuts. Also, they carefully padded around the pommel and cross--made it easy to unwrap without risking damage to blade or flesh.
Total Length: 48.5”
Blade Length: 36.5”
Cross: 8”
Grip: 9”
Pommel: 2”
Weight: 2lb 6oz
Point of Balance: 3.75”
I am thrilled with the rich texture and colors of the leather--the cocoa brown belt, antiqued brown scabbard and hilt, and blackened fittings work very well together, and are as I imagined them. The embossed leather is very classy. I like that the belt attachments are easy to remove, and the scabbard looks equally good with or without them. I used to do leatherwork, so I appreciate the quality of the leather, the workmanship and the dye job. Very refined buckles too.
The grip, pommel and cross are impressively ergonomic. Fabulous job on the grip and wrap, comfortable to hold one- or two-handed using a variety of grip positions. Such a solid feel--the whole ensemble just radiates craftsmanship.
The blade...ahh, the blade. Wider base and more tapered point than my old Atrim 1561, but the proportions are pleasing to the eye. Formidable piercer, but not too shabby of a cutter, I would think. Oakeshott XVIIIb blade, diamond cross-section, with a 6 cross and a T scent-stopper pommel. Along with the much appreciated light weight--2lbs 6oz--and the point of balance at 3.75" from the cross, the design makes for a very fast and maneuverable sword. When I pick it up and start practicing, I do not want to put it down. Hard to believe it is a full 48" long, it is so nimble. I am in awe of Valiant Armoury’s work and wish I could thank Sonny in person.
As I requested, Sonny took down the edge of the blade since I want to work on forms more than I need a cutter right now. Being a decade out of practice, I need a somewhat forgiving blade as I get back up to speed on moving with a sword again. So, no data here on how well this model cuts—not that I have any doubts.
I did have to do a little alteration of the belt suspension strap, the one closer to the cross, to get the sword to hang properly for me. I am tall, long-legged, and have a previous history of Japanese Swordsmanship (Iaido) as well as a few years of Fiore practice. Also, many Renaissance Faire adventures with a group of fellow Tolkien-ers, all of us outfitted as Rangers. So I know what is comfortable for hiking around in garb--and, more importantly, what allows me to unsheathe and resheathe the blade without dislocating a shoulder. I shortened the strap by punching in two more holes. For wearing the sword, I reposition the strap up close to the mouth of the scabbard. While this does cover up part of the embossing, the original position of that strap made the sword hang too low and too horizontal to be practical for walking. The other strap is attached to the belt using the last hole so that it is as long a possible. This makes for a better carrying angle. Fortunately the straps can be moved freely or even removed completely from the scabbard.
Aside from that, the only thing I would like to have seen designed a little differently is the chape. I prefer the shape of the chape in the old photo of the German Long Sword on the VA website--now no longer used on this model, but you can see it on the Malatesta. But, as I discussed with Sonny, I did not care for the clover cutout design. No cutout, or maybe more of a shield-shaped cutout would look better, I think. The chape also does not look as blackened as the other fittings--more greyed than blackened. But, these are very minor points; the sword, scabbard and belt are superb overall. Having handled hundreds of antique Japanese katana, previously owned two CF/Atrim cutters and a Nosyuiaido (Swordstore) Chinese shinken, I admit to being a bit of a sword snob. Fit and finish matter. A lively blade is an absolute essential, or I am not happy. The sword has made me very happy.