seth
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Just Peachy
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Post by seth on Dec 4, 2019 18:21:51 GMT
I've messed around with the CYOS function on MRL for awhile, and I finally ordered one. I went with the style VII guard and J type pommel which really look good together. Other reviews put the weight of the sword at around 2 lbs 9 oz. Mine arrived, and it looks good. But, it weighs 3 lbs 12 oz! It's a total tank. So I have taken the belt sander to it and have a long ways to go thinning the blade, but it's now about 4 oz lighter. One of the fullers was crooked so I am redoing the fullers as well. I am a novice at this so it is a learning process. Anyway, I like the look of the sword, but I don't know why the weight is so different from others. Windlass really does some nice blades so it's too bad these CYOS blades are so heavy. On another note, I also ordered a set of pauldrons at the same time. The sword arrived in typical long flat box by itself. I waited a few days and got nothing about the pauldrons. I contacted MRL, they told me it all shipped in the same package. I said that did not happen. They said I signed for the package, and it was all there. After more back and forth, they finally sent the pauldrons but charged me for shipping-- --I think they still think I somehow missed a set pauldrons in the sword box. The fedex label for the sword listed the package weight at 5 lbs. The pauldron box is also 5 lbs so that literally doesn't add up. All in all, kind of frustrating, but I have wanted to learn more about customization so this has given me a chance to start that.
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stormmaster
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I like viking/migration era swords
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Post by stormmaster on Dec 4, 2019 18:25:21 GMT
i guess some fittings for the swords weight more then others
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seth
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Post by seth on Dec 4, 2019 18:30:12 GMT
i guess some fittings for the swords weight more then others Perhaps. In the SBG review, it said that all fittings were designed to be the same weight to avoid large weight differences.
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Post by WVfishguy on Dec 5, 2019 15:37:28 GMT
I ordered a CYOS last year, and it too is a tank. The peen is the absolute worst I've ever seen, pounded down and not polished in the least. The left side of the guard has a blue stain which I think is related to the heat treatment. The scabbard it came with was far too long for the sword. And the stitching on the leather grip cover was flawed, and you can see the glue they used to "fix it.
This is another "I bought my first and last" sword.
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Post by tancred on Dec 5, 2019 17:48:00 GMT
I'd like to see some pictures of your guys' CYOS if you have the time or any handy. I bought one maybe 3 or 4 years ago. While mine is heavy, I don't think its so bad that its unusable. The peen is well done. I really like the finish on the guard and pommel. The scabbard and belt are really cool. I only wish it had a wooden core. You'd think at this price point, they might go that extra mile. Good thing though is that its completely optional, so you don't have to fork over the money for it anyway.
I've messaged MRL about the CYOS before, and I think they even had an email or something they sent out asking their customers what would make the CYOS more attractive to them. I replied similarly both times. I suggested a wood core for the scabbard, and having actual 3D photos of each of the pommel and guard options so that a customer would know exactly what they were getting. I think I might have also suggested more leather colors.
My main two suggestions were different blade shapes/types (anywhere between Types X through XXII) and the option of having either one or two-handed hilt lengths. The hilt on my CYOS is, honestly, fairly long anyway; another two inches, and it would be a fine two-hander (which would also improve the weight/balance, too). I told MRL that these two suggestions, if taken, would be game-breakers for some one like me. They could get me, a person satisfied with their CYOS, to buy another one. Probably not very realistic for something at this price point and for something that needs to be as general as possible to both appeal to every one and be able to be mass-produced. But I really do think those would make it more popular.
Anyway, interested in your guys' thoughts, too.
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seth
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Just Peachy
Posts: 980
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Post by seth on Dec 5, 2019 18:28:17 GMT
I appreciate your thoughts WV Fishguy and Tancred.
I'll take a few pictures tonight. The peen isn't bad at all, and the finish is good (it's just a slight rant). The leather handle is well-done too. I didn't opt for the scabbard because most people seemed critical of that, and I want to try my hand at making one.
The weight was disappointing though. There are three reviews on here, and all those weighed in at 2 lbs 8-10 oz. As storm said, maybe it was my choice of fittings (the pommel is quite thick), but the SBG review by Alexander says, "To ensure that you can't accidentally create your own sword disaster, all the components have similar weights and mass, optimized to create a very serviceable sword no matter how you combine them." Which I think is a great control measure, but that didn't happen with mine.
In sum, I really like the idea of CYOS; there are some problems with execution though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2019 18:43:28 GMT
Well, it is a bit of salesmanship, shop ability and what may look like a brass ring. From the beginning, several factors never really gelled for me. I fooled around with combinations on the tool a bit and then looked at finished pricing. I just don't see it now, nor when they were introduced.
I would say the chance they would offer wood core scabbards and yet more bare blades and fittings are next to nil. They are probably still sitting on a surplus of parts and have no doubt had shop turnover in labor.
The market is swamped and it is a buyers market but from what I recall of the pricing, I just don't get it. I would send a message regarding a hasty peen but end up shrugging off what may seem to be misrepresented goods.
Cheers GC
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seth
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Just Peachy
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Post by seth on Dec 5, 2019 18:57:51 GMT
Well, it is a bit of salesmanship, shop ability and what may look like a brass ring. From the beginning, several factors never really gelled for me. I fooled around with combinations on the tool a bit and then looked at finished pricing. I just don't see it now, nor when they were introduced. I would say the chance they would offer wood core scabbards and yet more bare blades and fittings are next to nil. They are probably still sitting on a surplus of parts and have no doubt had shop turnover in labor. The market is swamped and it is a buyers market but from what I recall of the pricing, I just don't get it. I would send a message regarding a hasty peen but end up shrugging off what may seem to be misrepresented goods. Cheers GC With MRL points and significant sales, the cost for just the sword came down below $150 + free shipping. As you said the market is swamped, and I would not have paid the full price of $300 for CYOS w/ scabbard. There are so many good swords available in that price range. Best
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2019 19:05:03 GMT
I would be outraged regarding the pauldron issue.
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seth
Member
Just Peachy
Posts: 980
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Post by seth on Dec 6, 2019 16:32:40 GMT
I would be outraged regarding the pauldron issue. It was frustrating, but I got them in the end. I had been looking for something to spend my MRL points on, and MRL's latest offerings just haven't been that interesting to me. I got the Arbedo, but that was through KOA. I guess I am getting old and I pine for the swords of yesteryear. LOL.
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Post by tancred on Dec 6, 2019 17:23:16 GMT
Same here, Seth. I missed out on a lot of cool older models. I have the one on the left, but struck out on the Renaissance War Sword on the right.
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Post by WVfishguy on Dec 6, 2019 21:54:02 GMT
I don't know if this can be seen - this is a (bad) photo of my CYOS peen. The hammer marks stand out in black, and there was NO polishing even attempted. I remember Museum Replicas having difficulty getting the pommel I wanted, taking a long time to get the sword to me, and it may be that they rushed it out the door.
I should mention there is noticeable distal taper on this sword. And the blade itself is very well crafted, no hammer marks but it's just too heavy. However, this is the sword I'll take to trim the mulberry tree in my back yard - I'd wager I could cut that tree down with this beast .
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Post by ballenxj on Dec 7, 2019 0:03:01 GMT
I've messed around with the CYOS function on MRL for awhile, and I finally ordered one. I went with the style VII guard and J type pommel which really look good together. Other reviews put the weight of the sword at around 2 lbs 9 oz. Mine arrived, and it looks good. But, it weighs 3 lbs 12 oz! It's a total tank. So I have taken the belt sander to it and have a long ways to go thinning the blade, but it's now about 4 oz lighter. One of the fullers was crooked so I am redoing the fullers as well. I am a novice at this so it is a learning process. Anyway, I like the look of the sword, but I don't know why the weight is so different from others. Windlass really does some nice blades so it's too bad these CYOS blades are so heavy. On another note, I also ordered a set of pauldrons at the same time. The sword arrived in typical long flat box by itself. I waited a few days and got nothing about the pauldrons. I contacted MRL, they told me it all shipped in the same package. I said that did not happen. They said I signed for the package, and it was all there. After more back and forth, they finally sent the pauldrons but charged me for shipping-- --I think they still think I somehow missed a set pauldrons in the sword box. The fedex label for the sword listed the package weight at 5 lbs. The pauldron box is also 5 lbs so that literally doesn't add up. All in all, kind of frustrating, but I have wanted to learn more about customization so this has given me a chance to start that. The Pauldron issue is worrisome, I had to google Paulron to know what they are. It would seem they should have known better, as that's a sizable piece of hardware. Sorry to hear about the overweight sword, but as you say, it gave you the chance to learn modification.
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