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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2008 23:49:31 GMT
I know how to tell if a sword is a hanger or not, but what about daggers and spears? Because of their short stature and use differences, how can you tell if a dagger (blade below 20") and a spear are good for any use at all or are simply just hangers and are meant to be decorative. The Kult of Athena says the spear is battle ready, and I do not doubt them, but still I am unsure. The dagger is a cheap one ($15 & 7.5" blade) and I just like how the scabbard and handle are decorated, but it would still be nice to know if it is classified as usable or not.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2008 23:58:42 GMT
You're going to have to give us links to the specific items your referring to...
Though for $15, the dagger is probably crap.
Help us help you. :-p
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 25, 2008 1:07:14 GMT
Once you've seen enough, you can just tell. HR's right, though; for that price the dagger is probably jush a hanger, though KoA is usually trustworthy with their "battle ready" designation. Still would help if we knew which spear.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2008 2:08:45 GMT
On a side note, I think we should all make it a point to specify WALLhanger, since a hanger is a type of saber.
While I'm here, searching the dagger section I found only one match. The "Silver Shaman Dagger"($15.95, 7.5" blade). This thing is ugly as sin, and indeed NON FUNCTIONAL. I suggest saving your money and purchasing something with a more historical look to it. That thing is a joke. Beginners tend to reach for the hideous crap, but after some research and coming to understand this particular field of interest, your taste generally changes to simpler, more functional things.
Also, never go by the term "battle ready", or even "functional". These are buzz-words used in an uncontrollable market to snag ignorant customers. Thankfully you had enough sense to ask first, and in a few months of reading from places like here, SFI, and MyArmoury, you'll be able to pick out the crap from the worthwhile products.
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 25, 2008 2:42:32 GMT
On a side note, I think we should all make it a point to specify WALLhanger, since a hanger is a type of saber. Good point, I had thought of that as I was typing. Guess we'll keep that in mind from here on. Is it this one: kultofathena.com/product~item~CK074S~name~Silver+Shaman+Dagger.htm ? That's the only one I can find close to the given description. It most certainly is garbage, at any rate. I'll also agree that a beginner's worst mistake is to get something that's "pretty," or heavily decorated. The greater the level of decoration, the more it's trying to tell you that's strictly what it's for. Especially at this price level. True, "battle ready" and "functional" are generally overused and not a good judge of actual quality, but when used by those of us who know better it does carry meaning, and most of the retailers we dub trustworthy and/or reputable seem to have a basic understanding of what constitutes a "functional" weapon. Though there are exceptions to every rule, and that's what the rest of us are here for. So which spear were you after?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2008 2:33:28 GMT
The dagger is a Wolf Dagger (if you want to find it search wolf collector in a search form. It's a Bowie with a steel wolves head at the butt end of the handle with a painted white sheath) that I saw in the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair. The guy said he truly didn't know about daggers, moreover he knew only about swords. But he said if I wanted to know, I would have to check online. He was selling it for fifteen dollars and I probably could have gotten it for three by telling him I found it on the Internet cheaper! The spear, on the other hand, is the Lugged Spear or one that is around it. If Kult of Athena doesn't know their stuff, I just won't buy there.
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Post by randomnobody on Sept 6, 2008 2:45:34 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2008 3:29:55 GMT
Yeah, RennFaires target the ignorant consumer making an impulse buy. I, personally, don't purchase anything there.
They ARE fantastic for handling products before making a careful purchase online.
Like I said before, $15 is going to get you a piece of crap. A quality dagger is going to cost minimum $30, more like $50. Check Windlass. You might not find the EXACT thing you seem to be looking for(wolf pommel and whatnot), but it won't be complete dog-crap.
What you have to remember, is DON'T EXPECT THE SELLER TO KNOW ANYTHING. It is your job as the consumer to do your research and know what you're buying. Never be afraid to post a link on this forum. We can advise you over good/bad purchases.
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on Sept 6, 2008 4:26:43 GMT
Yeah, RennFaires target the ignorant consumer making an impulse buy. I, personally, don't purchase anything there. I went to one recently. I thought maybe I could maybe see some other WA sword makers or other such goodies there. But the BEST swords available to purchase there were Depeeka - There was a big sign saying: "Hand Made Swords" which made me think "oooh a sword maker", then I saw his display and just went, "uugghhh". Sadly we don't have a "blade show" here. The Theatrical reenactor types were there with all there handmade swords (crowbars), but I wouldn't swing those sloppily assembled pieces of junk anywhere, let alone in close proximity to a human . Dodgy...
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Post by 293master293 on Sept 6, 2008 5:35:37 GMT
What you have to remember, is DON'T EXPECT THE SELLER TO KNOW ANYTHING. It is your job as the consumer to do your research and know what you're buying. Never be afraid to post a link on this forum. We can advise you over good/bad purchases. I'm sure you aren't referring to KoA? They know almost everything.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2008 15:35:10 GMT
No, actually, the PA RennFaire had all the exact same swords that I could find on KoA, THE EXACT SAME THING, and I know because I saw something and couldn't believe what I saw. It was that Grosse Messer and they were charging seventy bucks for it. Plus they had more in boxes were just behind the counter ready to be put out. Plus the guy I talked to, man he brought out this seven hundred dollar sword he made from scratch. Beautiful. Besides, I found the dagger and I just like that it looks nice. Plus, I'm going to buy that Raven Claw Fighting Dagger from KoA. That things nice and usable. I'll hold off on a spear and get the Tai Chi Chinese sword from KoA instead.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2008 19:03:14 GMT
Well, since you feel so adamant about getting certain items, I'll cease butting in with my advice.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2008 19:45:41 GMT
I find this thread funny! Why do you ask for advice when you don't want it? You don't need anyone's permission to buy any of the items you liked. You asked for advice and some posters gave you some sound advice on the purchase (these are wallhangers) which you discarded. If you already decided you're going to buy them no matter what, why ask for our advice in the first place?
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