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Post by badguybuster on May 16, 2020 16:53:57 GMT
This is my first post, been a long time lurker.
I recently retired and want to buy myself a really nice sword as a present, Im limiting myself to $2G.
Ive looked at Albion, DSA, and several others. Albion didnt have any that really snagged me. I love the The Ranger sword by DSA but i had a hard time supporting them....unlicensed copy, bad reputation etc.
What I am looking for: Fully combat ready (my buddies and I are hard on swords) Two Hand Broadsword Somewhat customizable handle/guard design...horse designs
Im a pretty experienced blacksmith but dont have the set up for a sword of that size.
Suggestions?
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Post by Elrikk on May 16, 2020 17:19:37 GMT
Valiant Armoury? Definitely stay away from DSA...Anything I’ve bought from them which wasn’t much, if either sent back or sold to someone else.
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Post by badguybuster on May 16, 2020 17:35:05 GMT
I emailed them a few days ago but havent heard back, yet
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Post by badguybuster on May 16, 2020 18:36:42 GMT
Valiant got back to me and said their swords are not combat capable. Made strictly for cutting
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on May 16, 2020 20:46:58 GMT
What do you want to do with it? Generally speaking, the most modern sharp swords generally have to handle are cutting tests. "Combat" is not something a modern maker is making swords for. However, a good quality sword that is intended to be used (for cutting), largely fulfills the requirements you'd have regarding a sword to be used in combat.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2020 20:47:54 GMT
Welcome aboard. What swords are you and your buddies currently beating the pemmican out of? Sources touting abuse worthy are unlikely to be offering much of an aesthetic, but that aesthetic is entirely subjective. Look to folks like Zombie Tools and Scorpion Swords&Knives These are makers offering indestructibility. traditionalarcherybows.com/www.zombietools.net/For custom aesthetic of historic capability, Valiant and other respected US producers make swords just as capable as the best of the older periods. The list of custom makers is enormous (see above). Happy hunting GC
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2020 20:57:56 GMT
What do you want to do with it? Generally speaking, the most modern sharp swords generally have to handle are cutting tests. "Combat" is not something a modern maker is making swords for. However, a good quality sword that is intended to be used (for cutting), largely fulfills the requirements you'd have regarding a sword to be used in combat. I strongly agree. I would also add that a significant number of replicas made today are just as good or better than the originals. They are also more affordable than many of the originals. I would also add swords are overblown for their importance as weapons of war and are expected to fail at some point. No matter how well made a sword is, it WILL fail.
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Post by badguybuster on May 16, 2020 21:08:51 GMT
It varies what we use. Ive destroyed swords from a pretty good.variety of makers as well as some.short swords ive made myself.
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2020 21:14:01 GMT
It varies what we use. Ive destroyed swords from a pretty good.variety of makers as well as some.short swords ive made myself. So why not list the swords from other makers? Why play a game of blind man's bluff? Show us some of your work. Cheers GC
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Post by pellius on May 16, 2020 21:36:41 GMT
I have used TFW short swords as tools, chopping wood, clearing fence lines, digging up rocks and roots, etc. While their marketing may be a bit iffy, I have found their steel to be extremely tough, and that it will hold an edge for miles. It is also, imo, very beautiful steel that polishes to a deep luster. I’ve never had a hilt failure, despite some very aggressive/abusive use.
I can’t speak to their “combat” efficacy, but their blade geometry seems to be really good for a modern product, with strong non-linear distal taper.
My only experience with their longer swords is with their “Dan Dao.” I use it as a niuweidao. I train with it, but I don’t, you know, engage in “combat” with it. Nonetheless, I think it is a really good sword.
I haven’t bought any of their Euro style or Japanese style swords because the price competes with historical/antique military sabers. TFW does offer a couple Euros, though.
Obviously, TFW is nowhere near the $2k class swords. Longship Armoury has a reputation for outstanding craftsmanship in this price class. Angus Trim has talked about his swords being “consumable” as they are used as intended. Don’t know if that includes “combat.”
Please share your selections and results!
Cheers.
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Post by badguybuster on May 16, 2020 22:59:28 GMT
I have used TFW short swords as tools, chopping wood, clearing fence lines, digging up rocks and roots, etc. While their marketing may be a bit iffy, I have found their steel to be extremely tough, and that it will hold an edge for miles. It is also, imo, very beautiful steel that polishes to a deep luster. I’ve never had a hilt failure, despite some very aggressive/abusive use. I can’t speak to their “combat” efficacy, but their blade geometry seems to be really good for a modern product, with strong non-linear distal taper. My only experience with their longer swords is with their “Dan Dao.” I use it as a niuweidao. I train with it, but I don’t, you know, engage in “combat” with it. Nonetheless, I think it is a really good sword. I haven’t bought any of their Euro style or Japanese style swords because the price competes with historical/antique military sabers. TFW does offer a couple Euros, though. Obviously, TFW is nowhere near the $2k class swords. Longship Armoury has a reputation for outstanding craftsmanship in this price class. Angus Trim has talked about his swords being “consumable” as they are used as intended. Don’t know if that includes “combat.” Please share your selections and results! Cheers. I spoke to him. He said "cutting" only.
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Scott
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Post by Scott on May 16, 2020 23:52:48 GMT
By fully combat ready I'm assuming you mean you want to use it for sparring? Maybe look at some of the smiths making swords for BOTN/buhurt type fighting. Don't have any recommendations off the top of my head though.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on May 17, 2020 7:05:25 GMT
If you want help, you need to let us know what you want to do with the sword. Sparring with your buddies? Then you want a blunt. Hacking apart tree trunks and oil canisters? Then you want something groteskely overbuilt that would suck as an actual fighting weapon but can handle abuse (though there's always a limit), in that case look at Zombie tools or Scorpion swords, BKS might be your thing as well. If you want a sword that is functional in the sense it would be a good choice for sword fighting, then durability is a secondary concern. First, it needs to function well as a weapon and that means it needs to be agile, light and perform well against soft targets with a keen edge and well shaped point. Sure it shouldn't break under use but that's just what swords did and do eventually when used in earnest. But the strongest bar of steel doesn't help you if you're outmanouvered and killed by someone with a sword of half the weight and twice the sharpness.
Albion, Angus Trim, VA, Lockwood swords plus dozens of custom makers can make you a sword any medieval soldier would have been thrilled to go to battle with.
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Post by zabazagobo on May 17, 2020 7:44:19 GMT
I second everything Lukas has to say.
I also would consider that a sword vendor may be hesitant to admit that said swords are applicable for combat given various social stigmas these days (an obnoxious but valid qualification). Even swords from the Hanwei forge come with a disclaimer saying something to the effect of "display only" due to legal liabilities, even though they could readily shear a person in two and block and parry just fine. So I think it needs to be considered from a "legal mumbo-jumbo" perspective regarding liability.
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Post by nddave on May 17, 2020 23:45:52 GMT
Yea I get this gut feeling your idea of "Combat Ready" is basically bashing the sword against a bunch of targets ill suited for swords and either going "wow" to those that survive and or go "boo" to those that didn't.
Problem is as many have stated above swords weren't meant for that level of abuse. If you think many of the higher end market swords arent for you simply because the sellers or makers found your idea of use out of bounds for a sword, well perhaps you should take that into consideration and buy a Mace or Warhammer.
I mean you say you're recently retired and want to spend $2,000 on a quality sword. Yet your purpose is to beat the crap out of it in some hypothetical combat use and see if it survives?.... Yea not really what swords are meant for friend. Then of all the swords that interest you, you mention the DSA Ranger a fantasy sword with no real attribute to a historical sword or one of indestructible integrity.
I mean your OP sounds more like someone with no experience whatsoever who just binge watched some fantasy films and wants a sword, like Strider's Ranger Sword that can slice through Orc plate like its cardboard. Well such a sword is physically impossible and again if you want to bash orcish plate get yourself a warhammer or mace.
Plus just because you spend $2,000 on a sword that doesn't somehow make it more durable or sharper just because it's $2,000. What you're getting for that $2,000 usually is finer craftmanship and attention to balance, profile, fit and finish. If you want a "combat ready" sword that is low investment and can handle a beating or is of sound quality get yourself 8-10 $200-$300 Windlass swords with peened pommels and broader blade profiles. Or 3-5 Deltin or Ronin Katana European Swords for around $300-$500 and go to town on those cinderblocks, sheet metal and tree stumps.
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Scott
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Post by Scott on May 18, 2020 2:02:44 GMT
If OP wants to buy an expensive sword and trash it that's their business. If he really likes the DSA Ranger sword then get that and use the change from his $2000 to buy something else. I suppose another option would be to get some custom fittings for a hanwei tinker bastard sword, beat the crap out of it and replace the blade as necessary.
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Post by nddave on May 18, 2020 2:42:30 GMT
If OP wants to buy an expensive sword and trash it that's their business. If he really likes the DSA Ranger sword then get that and use the change from his $2000 to buy something else. I suppose another option would be to get some custom fittings for a hanwei tinker bastard sword, beat the crap out of it and replace the blade as necessary. I think the issue is less about what he wants to do with the sword and more about his frustration with makers and vendors not approving of it. As well as his own misconstrued views of what a sword is capable of in regards to what he considers "combat ready". Of which he already is being vague on in regards to what models of swords he's used and just what his interpretation of "combat ready" is.
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Post by alexkjren on May 18, 2020 19:28:23 GMT
If by "combat" you mean hitting things a sword was never meant to hit then the only sword you'll be happy with is a light saber. Good luck!
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Post by clydehollis on May 20, 2020 13:15:44 GMT
What do you want to do with it? Generally speaking, the most modern sharp swords generally have to handle are cutting tests. "Combat" is not something a modern maker is making swords for. However, a good quality sword that is intended to be used (for cutting), largely fulfills the requirements you'd have regarding a sword to be used in combat. I strongly agree. I would also add that a significant number of replicas made today are just as good or better than the originals. They are also more affordable than many of the originals. I would also add swords are overblown for their importance as weapons of war and are expected to fail at some point. No matter how well made a sword is, it WILL fail. I concur Lukas. Even the originals failed. Or why would Blacksmiths traveled during war time. Yes the replicas today are built better than originals due to the complexity in the steels produced today. So with that said the Practical single hand or Practical hand and a half by Hanwei is great. There are also some made Kawashima Sword for that purpose. Both are economical, because remember, at some point they will fail, and you will have to replace. Or since you have blacksmithing skills. Repair! Clyde Hollis Kingdom of Arms www.kingdomofarms.com
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2020 13:25:23 GMT
I actually just built a sword with the H/T bastard sword blade and fittings from The Printed Armoury. It was fun and the result is pretty darn good for the cost. It was a real bargain.
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