|
Post by corpuscorax on Jun 3, 2021 23:04:18 GMT
Sword of Courage, by Reliks
Disclaimer
I am no sort of authority when it comes to swords. I’m just a guy with interest in history and that includes swords too. I handled couple of swords before but this is the first real sword that I can call my own. I gave my best to make this review as informative and unbiased as possible but mistakes are possible. I acknowledge I still have much to learn. In addition, I’m in no way affiliated with the manufacturer or the seller of the sword. Introduction
Despite somewhat cringy name, the Sword of Courage is classic representation of a knightly arming sword: Oakeshott type XII, widely used 13th to 14th century. Cross section is lenticular with a wide fuller. Crossguard is type 2 and typical J type peened pommel. I ordered the sword on the Reliks.com for CAD 489.99 (shipping excluded). The sword is produced through their own forge contract (confirmed by OTC, and informed by member Kane Shen to be the former Balaur Arms manufacturer) and is available only through Reliks. It came in a big cardboard box full of brown paper, a bit of a plastic wrap and in a big black sock. First impression
So, I can say that pictures from the Reliks site accurately represent the sword. The blade has nice satin finish, and doesn’t feel too heavy. On close inspection, the blade is straight and I did not see any flaws with the blade except the fuller is at the end 1 mm closer to one edge than the other. The blade is flexible, but swinged doesn’t wobble around. The grip feels comfortable in hand and the shape is nicely flat which helps with edge alignment. It is brown leather cord wrap with two risers at the beginning and the end. Crossguard has attractive shape and slightly tapers towards the end to widen again slightly at the very edge. It has nice finish and doesn’t feel sharp on the palm. The pommel is of classic wheel shape and is peened. The peen is clean and polished but one small dent at the the edge is visible. The gap between the blade and the cross guard is present but I’ve seen worse. It’s around 1 mm at the blade contact and normally more at the fuller. However, everything is sturdy and solid for now after tests I’ve done. There is no rattling at the grip or the crossguard so I’m pleased. The sword has 1 mm secondary bevel, which is to be expected of Indian manufacturer. I know many sword collectors doesen’t like that but we know India only exports blunt blades… The sharpening visually looks even and nice … but upon testing, it is on a blunter side. I’ll write more on that later. General characteristics
The sword blade is made from 5160 High Carbon Steel; 56 HRC but I have no means to verify that. Also, take consideration that my measuring tools (kitchen scale, caliper) are not professional and there may be some deviation. The measures on Reliks site are in imperial and I took measures in metric system. I converted everything for your convenience. Other characteristics are specified in this table: Reliks site My measurements Sword weight 2.6 lb (1.8 kg) 1100 g (2,43 lb) Sword length 37" (93.98 cm) 94.5 cm (37.20") Blade length 30 1/2" (77,47 cm) 78.5 cm (30.91") Grip length 4 1/4" (10,79 cm) 10,57 cm (4.16") Point of balance: 4" (10,16 cm) 12 cm (4.72") Distal tapering of the blade – measured with digital caliper
Tip: 1.05 mm 2" from the tip: 2.76 mm Termination of fuller 3.61 mm Mid-point 3.75 mm 3/4 of the blade 3.85 mm Base of the blade 4.15 mm So, there is some distal tapering, but not much. I think type XII historically didn’t have much distal tapering anyway. However, It is quite thin at the base of the blade… Test cuttingFirstly, I did some test on a piece of paper. The results did not really impress me. The blade struggled, and did more tear paper than cut it. So, the sword could be sharper… Afterwards I took the sword outside for some bottle and Tetra Pack cutting. The thinner water bottles were cut easily, but thicker Coca Cola bottle was way more cut-resistant. I’m sure that my technique is bad but the difference is still visible. Tetra Pack was easily cut, as expected. ScabbardThe scabbard is made from wooden core wrapped in leather and includes the belt. Despite somewhat historical look I’m not overly impressed by it. The leather is dry type that is easily scratched (even by fingernail). Secondly, The belt is large and the holes are meant for either morbidly obese or thick gambeson + mail. Also, there is no retention at all and the blade will fall down if the scabbard is turned upside down. However, in this price range I shouldn’t complain to much and consider it a bonus. Conclusion
It’s a nice semi-budget blade. The construction is solid and the finish is very nice. Downsides are meh-sharpness, which can easily be improved, slightly off-centre fuller, secondary bevel and a visible gap between the blade and the crossguard. However, I did whack the pole by accident once and there were no visible marks or other consequences. Also, I did cut the tip of one bush with no problem. The state of the blade after all the testing: There are just a few scratches, mostly inflicted by caliper it would seem. Would I recommend it? For beginners – sure. It is a budget Albion Knight essentially. For more demanding, experienced collectors? I’m not so sure, I’ll take they would expect more.
|
|
|
Post by Kane Shen on Jun 3, 2021 23:13:39 GMT
This is an excellent review! The measurement of distal tapering is immensely helpful! Thank you! Can we get a round of applause to our new reviewer please, guys?
It seems that Reliks' sharpening service is left wanting, but otherwise this is an amazing reproduction for a type XII, especially considering the price!
|
|
AJGBlack
Member
"This world will stress you like Orson Wells on the radio." -RTJ
Posts: 368
|
Post by AJGBlack on Jun 3, 2021 23:17:52 GMT
I second Kane, solid review.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2021 23:20:55 GMT
It seems to be worth every penny. The overall thickness and tapering is excellent.
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Dayne on Jun 3, 2021 23:22:43 GMT
Thanks for the review, this looks pretty decent for a beginner Type XII arming sword that's actually lenticular instead of the mushy central ridge from fuller to tip, it's nice to have this budget option to fill in that lenticular void on market.
At this price point it won't hurt too much to take some good sharpening stones to refine the cutting edge a bit.
Despite the disparity in the advertised POB, 4.72" at 2.46lb with the degree of distal taper indicated in review makes me think this arming sword still handles OK.
|
|
|
Post by Student of Sword on Jun 4, 2021 0:19:36 GMT
POB well under 5 inches is very good for the type and blade length.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Jun 4, 2021 0:47:12 GMT
A very nice, informative review. I noticed you complained about the cut in regards to the Coke bottle. You do realize that you hit the bottle in its toughest area while the others were struck in their softest spot?
|
|
|
Post by Kane Shen on Jun 4, 2021 0:51:46 GMT
A very nice, informative review. I noticed you complained about the cut in regards to the Coke bottle. You do realize that you hit the bottle in its toughest area while the others were struck in their softest spot? I noticed that too. But a properly sharpened sword should have no problem handling that. Coke bottles are not made of very tough plastic. Looking at the edges of other bottles he cut, they are very jagged, even though the planes of the incision are all flat, meaning his edge alignment was good, but the edges are just not sharp enough. This is very typical on sword blades carrying very half-assed secondary bevels from vendors (KoA, Museum Repica, Reliks). The users will have to hone the edges quite a bit, and probably create an apple-seed geometry themselves.
|
|
|
Post by corpuscorax on Jun 4, 2021 0:56:19 GMT
A very nice, informative review. I noticed you complained about the cut in regards to the Coke bottle. You do realize that you hit the bottle in its toughest area while the others were struck in their softest spot? Actually, you can see I cut the bottle two times on the middle but it didn’t cut it at all, just scratched it. Edit: Thanks all, it’s my first review of this type. And now I must go to sleep, it’s almost 3 AM.
|
|
|
Post by coolhanddude on Jun 4, 2021 0:57:19 GMT
Thanks for the review!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2021 12:04:15 GMT
That's one helluva first review. Damn good review. Really well done. Thank you Corpuscorax. You are enthusiastically most welcome on this board. You are a great addition.
I might have to get this sword after all. Even though I can't really afford it, I like what I'm seeing. Knowing it's an OTC blade makes a big difference. Before I thinking "It's pretty looking, but they're just pictures from an unknown manufacturer. And I can't trust the quality of unknown stuff like that".
But now I know. Courtesy of your review. And courtesy of Kane Shen confirming the manufacturer.
Thanks to you both.
|
|
|
Post by takitam on Jun 5, 2021 0:46:19 GMT
Great first review. I thought the sword was a good buy till I checked the price. Its over 400USD. I don't know why but I expected 250-280...
This price range of 400-500 doesn't seem very appealing to me. Either buy something cheap (apparently there are some unpolished diamonds in the rough;) or save up for a higher end sword.
|
|
|
Post by Kane Shen on Jun 5, 2021 0:57:04 GMT
Great first review. I thought the sword was a good buy till I checked the price. Its over 400USD. I don't know why but I expected 250-280... This price range of 400-500 doesn't seem very appealing to me. Either buy something cheap (apparently there are some unpolished diamonds in the rough;) or save up for a higher end sword. It’s $350 USD, but 400 something in Canadian dollar. Check the currency, Reliks’ website sometimes mixes it up.
|
|
|
Post by takitam on Jun 5, 2021 1:56:16 GMT
Great first review. I thought the sword was a good buy till I checked the price. Its over 400USD. I don't know why but I expected 250-280... This price range of 400-500 doesn't seem very appealing to me. Either buy something cheap (apparently there are some unpolished diamonds in the rough;) or save up for a higher end sword. It’s $350 USD, but 400 something in Canadian dollar. Check the currency, Reliks’ website sometimes mixes it up. Reliks website showed 490 Canadian which google tells me is 405USD. Maybe it depends on your location. Wait, just checked. You can change the currency on the website and it's 350 USD indeed which makes it a slightly better deal And just noticed that your post mentioned the currency. It's late I better go to sleep
|
|
|
Post by corpuscorax on Jun 5, 2021 5:58:08 GMT
I double-checked the POB. It just isn’t 10 cm no way I hold it, it is 12 cm from the base for my sword.
Edit: So, it seems I paid it more than I had to. Oh well…
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2021 13:19:04 GMT
I want one. But $420 is just too much IMO. I'll hold off and try to get one of these used, knowing that could take months or years. I think this is priced about a hundred too high.
For that range, I might be able to get a low-end used Albion. The Albion Squire Knightly Sword is just $473 new. Albeit before shipping, sharpening, and minus a scabbard. But still.
|
|
|
Post by Kane Shen on Jun 5, 2021 14:06:56 GMT
I double-checked the POB. It just isn’t 10 cm no way I hold it, it is 12 cm from the base for my sword. Edit: So, it seems I paid it more than I had to. Oh well… Well PoB can only tell you so much. What matters is how the weight is distributed and how you feel when you handle it. FYI the Albion Knight can weigh 2lbs 9.4oz and a PoB of 4.5”.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2021 15:19:04 GMT
Yeah, I don't think that PoB is a problem at all. It's an Albion Knight knock-off. The specs sound just fine to me.
If you really don't like it though, and decide to sell it, you can look me up. I want one. I just think the price (new) is a little higher than it should be. Especially when having to add shipping from Canada. I'd make an offer on it. It just wouldn't be $420.
|
|
|
Post by Lionhardt on Oct 23, 2021 13:17:15 GMT
I ran across this sword on the FB page and am definitely interested. My question though is how do we think it compares to the Albion Knightly? It is almost identical in general appearance of course. But I am specifically most curious about the flexibility. As many of you are probably aware, I sold my Knightly as fast as I possibly could. I understand that it is as...floppy as it is supposed to be, but I just don't care for a sword that whippy. So, I thought this sword looked like it had a more diamond profiled tip. But if it is indeed lenticular, the same as the Knightly was, is it going to be as floppy? Thanks Copuscorax for your awesome measurements! Now I need to compare those to the Knightly to try to figure out if the tip on this will be as floppy as it.... But I can't find as precise measurements of the knightly. So, does anyone have any idea? Unlikely someone has handled this and the knightly and can directly compare... If this is stiffer than the Knightly I probably need it. But perhaps if it is still lenticular, it is just still going to be too floppy for my tastes...
|
|
|
Post by Lord Newport on Oct 23, 2021 15:20:32 GMT
I ran across this sword on the FB page and am definitely interested. My question though is how do we think it compares to the Albion Knightly? It is almost identical in general appearance of course. But I am specifically most curious about the flexibility. As many of you are probably aware, I sold my Knightly as fast as I possibly could. I understand that it is as...floppy as it is supposed to be, but I just don't care for a sword that whippy. So, I thought this sword looked like it had a more diamond profiled tip. But if it is indeed lenticular, the same as the Knightly was, is it going to be as floppy? Thanks Copuscorax for your awesome measurements! Now I need to compare those to the Knightly to try to figure out if the tip on this will be as floppy as it.... But I can't find as precise measurements of the knightly. So, does anyone have any idea? Unlikely someone has handled this and the knightly and can directly compare... If this is stiffer than the Knightly I probably need it. But perhaps if it is still lenticular, it is just still going to be too floppy for my tastes... It sounds like you really might want to look at the Albion Squire or Prince....
|
|