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Post by eval1972 on Jan 18, 2021 13:05:09 GMT
I am beyond frustrated now! Two swords from Darksword Armory arrived and both of them are covered in HEAVY rust that shows total negligence on the dealer's part. I discussed the situation including Darksword's response and resolution. Then I reviewed both the Gothic Two-handed Sword (Oakeshott Type XVIIIb) and Henry V's arming sword (Type XVIII), laying out the detailed statistics including the length, weight, balance, distal taper measurements, flexibility and blade steel used. I've also looked at the fit and finish of both swords, and talked about the history of their respective designs. I found both swords very light and nimble, and generally a joy to handle. The executions meet the expectation of products at this price point. I compared these swords to other products in the mid-range sword market and found they offer decent value for the price. I would give my recommendation if the mishandling hasn't happened. We shall see about it when the replacements arrive. Tell me about your experience with Darksword Armory, which you can buy here primearmor.us/ , please! Update: DSA asked me to send back these two swords and paid for the postage. A month later replacements arrived at my doorstep and seemed to be in good order. Some minor corrosion was still observed on the fittings, but I’d give them a pass this time. At least they are willing to do the right thing, I think I’d still be interested in some of their interesting offerings in the future. The sword was advertised as a peened construction when it was actually threaded and held on with epoxy. I found this out when the epoxy failed, which lead to the next problem. The steel was soft, the sword bent and set along the plane of the edge so it was stuck crooked and I ultimately deemed it unsafe because of this. This was when the epoxy failed, the threads came loose mid swing and cut at it's first ever target harder than a water bottle - a single cut into a semprini 6x6 fence post cutting stand was too much for it. The higher end scabbard, that I paid extra for, wouldn't hold the blade and was clearly not built for the sword. Disregarding the critical flaws my sword had, it was overly heavy with poor taper, very dull despite paying for sharpening, and the stitching on the handle wasn't very good. Not the quality I'd expect out of a $650 USD sword. Even giving them the benefit of the doubt and saying I got a lemon, it doesnt excuse outright lying on their part about handle construction. You don't accidentally flood a badly fitted handle with epoxy and thread the end of the tang. This was back in like 2013/2014 or so. Maybe they've improved since then but I sure as hell wont be the one to find that out
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2021 14:18:16 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2021 15:10:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2021 17:47:11 GMT
Meh, nothing really new under the sun. It is mostly searchable half truths. We make our choices and spend our money. Darksword continues to be a viable option for a complete package. In the poll in the medieval section, at least 47 people voting the poll had bought at least one Darksword sword, dagger, what have you. Of folk voting that poll, 26.5% had dealt with DSA at least once. Subtract the number of those buyers that have offered negative feedback on their purchase. As well, one can count the number of those happy with DSA products. It is not a poll I would start but anyone can. My poll was meant to be further reaching and has, in my mind, shows where folk have migrated. Conversely, 63.2 voters have bought a Windlass/ MRL sword. A little more for _all_ CAS/Hanwei products. Other production sources have yet to eclipse these latter two. For me, I have zero intent on spending for DSA product and I have pretty much quit questioning what has been fairly apparent. The next visit can show the coal forges and power hammer running production volume. Oh wait, there is a recent video describing a bigger output. I've said my say more than enough. GC
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Post by Kane Shen on Jan 18, 2021 22:43:19 GMT
Yeah that was the one testimony of a tour they gave that I referenced.
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Post by Kane Shen on Jan 18, 2021 22:46:23 GMT
I am beyond frustrated now! Two swords from Darksword Armory arrived and both of them are covered in HEAVY rust that shows total negligence on the dealer's part. I discussed the situation including Darksword's response and resolution. Then I reviewed both the Gothic Two-handed Sword (Oakeshott Type XVIIIb) and Henry V's arming sword (Type XVIII), laying out the detailed statistics including the length, weight, balance, distal taper measurements, flexibility and blade steel used. I've also looked at the fit and finish of both swords, and talked about the history of their respective designs. I found both swords very light and nimble, and generally a joy to handle. The executions meet the expectation of products at this price point. I compared these swords to other products in the mid-range sword market and found they offer decent value for the price. I would give my recommendation if the mishandling hasn't happened. We shall see about it when the replacements arrive. Tell me about your experience with Darksword Armory, which you can buy here, please! Update: DSA asked me to send back these two swords and paid for the postage. A month later replacements arrived at my doorstep and seemed to be in good order. Some minor corrosion was still observed on the fittings, but I’d give them a pass this time. At least they are willing to do the right thing, I think I’d still be interested in some of their interesting offerings in the future. The sword was advertised as a peened construction when it was actually threaded and held on with epoxy. I found this out when the epoxy failed, which lead to the next problem. The steel was soft, the sword bent and set along the plane of the edge so it was stuck crooked and I ultimately deemed it unsafe because of this. This was when the epoxy failed, the threads came loose mid swing and cut at it's first ever target harder than a water bottle - a single cut into a semprini 6x6 fence post cutting stand was too much for it. The higher end scabbard, that I paid extra for, wouldn't hold the blade and was clearly not built for the sword. Disregarding the critical flaws my sword had, it was overly heavy with poor taper, very dull despite paying for sharpening, and the stitching on the handle wasn't very good. Not the quality I'd expect out of a $650 USD sword. Even giving them the benefit of the doubt and saying I got a lemon, it doesnt excuse outright lying on their part about handle construction. You don't accidentally flood a badly fitted handle with epoxy and thread the end of the tang. This was back in like 2013/2014 or so. Maybe they've improved since then but I sure as hell wont be the one to find that out Yeah their swords were way worse back then. The latest iterations after 2018 seem to be made by a competent contractor forge and have very competent distal taper and heat treatment. There hasn’t been enough recent buyer testimonies to get a picture of the quality control overall though. So we don’t exactly know the chance one would get a lemon.
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Post by RaylonTheDemented on Jan 19, 2021 14:12:50 GMT
That would be me.
I bought a budget knockoff copy of their Viscount that they obtained from the Pakistan forge after the lawsuit, its a crowbar without much distal taper and have other issues, you get what you pay for, and their Medieval Axe, which is surprisingly light and balanced for the size of the blade.
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Post by fionn on Jan 26, 2021 22:02:07 GMT
I have a couple of DSA pieces. Overall, I find them well constructed. One handles very well, the other (a single handed crusader sword) swings like a brick. The brick just does not have enough weight in the pommel for my taste, but appears to be accurate visually. I am sure that a distal taper etc would do wonders for it, but I just needed it as a showpiece. both have held up to various types of abuse and seem ok for what they are. They are not full on custom pieces but for the price, they seem to perform well and are pretty to look at. The second piece is a two handed viking style piece that I have never seen again. I think I remember that someone was knocking off DSA pieces and sometimes I wonder if this was one of them.
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