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Post by Arthur Dayne on Dec 24, 2020 17:13:36 GMT
I was tempted to just say "this sword handles like semprini don't buy it" but phrased it the way I did at the end because when I researched DSA products I came across some comments on Youtube & elsewhere by fans saying something like "cheaper than Albion", "just as good/awesome sword" or "don't break the bank" and acknowledged that a lot of the people who seem to like DSA and keep coming back must really want more accessible versions of top tier historically correct/fantasy themed dream swords that are good enough to at least look the part. www.darksword-armory.com/medieval-weapons/medieval-swords/ Just looking at the recent historically correct appearance lineups like the Alexandria, Doge, Duke and Earl tells me that DSA is addressing that demand at least by fans. Those swords do resemble cheaper knockoff versions of the Albion Alexandria, Doge, Squire and Ritter respectively. Fans will probably continue to buy on looks & hope anyway so I might as well give folks the heads-up on performance: You've all been warned! It's Your choice but keep the handling/performance aspect in mind. Heh Edited the review: I made a mistake with saying the advertised weight for the Duke was 2 lb 15 ounces but looking at the product description again it's suppose to be 2 lb 14 ounces, which uh doesn't help its case vs the actual 3 lb 5 ounce weight.
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Post by Bryan Heff on Dec 24, 2020 19:45:00 GMT
DSA has always been a lightning rod among makers. And like anything perceived as controversial it will have its strong supporters as well as critics. I think Albion often becomes the foil for some passionate DSA fans. Thanks for the review and sharing your experience.
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Post by Kane Shen on Dec 25, 2020 7:32:19 GMT
I was tempted to just say "this sword handles like semprini don't buy it" but phrased it the way I did at the end because when I researched DSA products I came across some comments on Youtube & elsewhere by fans saying something like "cheaper than Albion", "just as good/awesome sword" or "don't break the bank" and acknowledged that a lot of the people who seem to like DSA and keep coming back must really want more accessible versions of top tier historically correct/fantasy themed dream swords that are good enough to at least look the part. www.darksword-armory.com/medieval-weapons/medieval-swords/ Just looking at the recent historically correct appearance lineups like the Alexandria, Doge, Duke and Earl tells me that DSA is addressing that demand at least by fans. Those swords do resemble cheaper knockoff versions of the Albion Alexandria, Doge, Squire and Ritter respectively. Fans will probably continue to buy on looks & hope anyway so I might as well give folks the heads-up on performance: You've all been warned! It's Your choice but keep the handling/performance aspect in mind. Heh Edited the review: I made a mistake with saying the advertised weight for the Duke was 2 lb 15 ounces but looking at the product description again it's suppose to be 2 lb 14 ounces, which uh doesn't help its case vs the actual 3 lb 5 ounce weight. "really want more accessible versions of top tier historically correct/fantasy themed dream swords that are good enough to at least look the part." That characterization is spot-on. However, I am not really bothered by them taking inspirations from some of Peter Johnsson's designs at Albion, given that they are based on historical originals in turn, and they are not blatant copy-pasta, but rather incorporating their own interpretations. I think all the shenanigans aside (badly designed or executed tangs, problematic heat-treatment, etc.), their swords' quality generally reflects the price, their attention to details and level of fit and finish are for the most part a level above the sub-$350 entry-level budget swords (there are always exceptions of course), but can't hold their candles to premium and high-end custom pieces, for very obvious and good reasons.
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Dec 25, 2020 8:49:14 GMT
I had luck with my DSA "Norman with a Medieval Knight blade" because the blade was just 27" long. Very sturdy and definitely overbuilt but at least not too heavy overall. Your blade looks like a bigger version of the Medieval Knight and I can imagine the handling. DSA swords are on the heavy side usually but exceptions prove the rule. My Two Handed Dane is very light and nimble, but I won't use it on heavy targets.
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Post by Bear School Witcher on Dec 25, 2020 18:27:38 GMT
Selling a 27-inch blade for an advertised 32-inch one is pretty shady.
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Post by Dandelion on Dec 30, 2020 6:04:12 GMT
Nothing new on the DSA front...
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Post by cuchulainn on Nov 7, 2021 4:31:29 GMT
Hi there Arthur Dane, might be an odd question... But I'm curious to know if you have done much handling/cutting with your 'Nuke' sword. I am tempted to request a Duke but with the shorter blade for reduced POB and improved handling. I am tempted by the Albion Knight but the price is so high for a scabardless sword... Have you/could you compare the handling characteristics of the DS Nuke and Albion Knight?
Cheers
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Post by Kane Shen on Nov 7, 2021 6:16:33 GMT
Hi there Arthur Dane, might be an odd question... But I'm curious to know if you have done much handling/cutting with your 'Nuke' sword. I am tempted to request a Duke but with the shorter blade for reduced POB and improved handling. I am tempted by the Albion Knight but the price is so high for a scabardless sword... Have you/could you compare the handling characteristics of the DS Nuke and Albion Knight? Cheers Too much DukeNukem3D Seriously a 3lbs 5oz sword with a point of balance so far away is just so much of a crowbar to handle. The problem is that even though this model does seem to have a modest distal taper (from 6mm down to 4mm), it's faaaaar too thick for a type XII sword. The degree of distal taper isn't great either (should be at the very least greater than 50% for a blade without much profile taper). The Albion Knight isn't a light sword by any stretch of the imagination and it's more than half a pound lighter and the that weight is distributed in a way that makes way more sense. For a sword that handles really well, try any iteration of Angus Trim's type XII swords, they are all at least 1 pound lighter than the DSA Nuke.
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Post by Arthur Dayne on Nov 8, 2021 1:58:25 GMT
Hi there Arthur Dane, might be an odd question... But I'm curious to know if you have done much handling/cutting with your 'Nuke' sword. I am tempted to request a Duke but with the shorter blade for reduced POB and improved handling. I am tempted by the Albion Knight but the price is so high for a scabardless sword... Have you/could you compare the handling characteristics of the DS Nuke and Albion Knight? Cheers If you’re thinking of purposely asking for a shorter 27”ish blade with the DSA Duke hilt fittings I’d have to give a big NO Don’t Do It. It will look comically cartoonish with a blade too short for the oversized chunky hilt. The Albion Knight still handles way more comfortably in hand even with a much longer 31.5” blade and 4.5” POB because of proper distal and profile tapering and just the right amount of mass in hilt fittings. The DSA “Nuke” relies on oversized chunky hilt fittings and sheer bulk along with short 27” blade to bring the POB down. Taken as a whole it’s not a good sword and is more of a sword-like object backyard beater and part-time wallhanger. I’d also advise against wasting your money on the DSA Duke as it’s a sword-like object Knock-Off Albion Squire and feels like a Chunky Wallhanger. Sure the DSA swords come with a scabbard but it’s just to store the sword and is more along the lines of “Halloween Costume Grade” quality. It’s included because it’s pretty low budget item stuffed with foam to reduce rattling. If you’re really looking to own a real deal proper arming sword along the lines of an Albion Knight or Squire I recommend saving $200 to $400ish more and getting either one of those. Buy Once, Enjoy A Long Time Without Regrets. P.S The DSA Duke and “Nuke” will have way bigger guard gaps, fit and finish issues and visible epoxy glue leaking out.
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