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Post by alientude on Aug 27, 2021 14:18:27 GMT
So as the title says, this is a re-review. The RK Medieval #10 was one of the first swords I reviewed on these forums, and I wanted to take another look at it since I've gained experience. I definitely noticed more flaws in the construction and my opinion has changed on it, based solely on the one I have.
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Post by Kane Shen on Aug 27, 2021 17:45:11 GMT
Great review. Thank you! Seems to be best categorized as a two-handed falchion of Elmslie type F5a+, if we define falchions as single-edged blades with swords hilts. Chinese made swords are known for their decent blades but questionable hilts. Master Roshi to his apprentices: "Secondary bevel? No soup for you! No distal taper? Go kneel on washboard for the rest of your day!" Also Master Roshi: "Hilt? Whatever asifwhocares... Blades kill people, hilts don't. Do whatever you want." Guess HCI is not part of Master Roshi's syllabus. Seems that it doesn't matter who the maker is, Hanwei, RK, Dynasty Forge, they are all prone to have shoddy hilt design or construction. They all turn loose or rickety at one point. I know it's generalization, but there must be something in the national ethos to not take the hilt seriously. I have the RK3 (Harriet Dean) and it has its own custom crossguard that's a very tight fit. The peening is also very clean and ground flush with the pommel like an Albion. But then they decided to put on a tiny pommel from one of their arming swords... The grip is also peculiar. The waist looks nice but somehow is super thick and cylindrical and that faux leather both looks and feels strange, especially on top of the thick cord wrap The fittings on your sword are just the "one size fits all" generic ones, which is a shame, that scentstopper pommel actually looks nice. They didn't even try to make the grip fit. They really should work with some people with expertise on their design.
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Post by snubnoze on Aug 27, 2021 19:10:20 GMT
I have the RK7 which has the same cross guard and pommel as this one. Fortunately everything is nicely aligned and tight. I'm very happy with the sword and it handles beautifully, although I would like to get the handle re-wrapped for reasons you stated, as well as the scabbard re-wrapped in leather. I'm just not sure it's worth the expense and I'll probably put that money towards another purchase.Good entry level sword for the price though. I like your idea of converting that one into a Swiss Sabre though.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Aug 27, 2021 20:07:22 GMT
I have the same sword. Love it. Mine has a nicely centered pommel, but those edges are on mine as well. When centered, I never noticed it. The flaw on mine is cross guard is either mis-shapen or bent on one side. Just a little, but noticeable. None of this is a deal breaker, as I bought it as a cutter. Tool grade, not a parade sword. As you can tell, I don't get bothered by little things. Often. Okay...less and less every day... Personally, I completely agree with your review, it's spot on. Great work!
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Post by alientude on Aug 28, 2021 2:04:11 GMT
Thanks guys. I don't mind little flaws in a budget sword, but unfortunately, I don't think the pommel alignment and transition qualifies. I can't cut with the sword right now, but I tried going through some guard forms that don't stress the elbow, and the ledges on the pommel were extremely uncomfortable. snubnoze - The #7 is interesting to me, because KoA's pictures and RK's pictures of the grip are so different:
KoA's picture looks like it has a fairly traditional cord wrap, with at least an attempt at a transition between the grip and the pommel, while RK's picture shows the same thick cord wrap as most of their Medieval line, presumably with the same squishy leather, and it doesn't really look like there's any real transition there. Which type of grip is on your version?
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Post by snubnoze on Aug 28, 2021 7:28:39 GMT
I believe the grip in the KOA image was the original one, and then they changed to the one from the RK website. The earlier one was just cord wrapped with no leather covering it. I could imagine potential for that cord wrap to become loose. The one I have is the grip in the RK image. I wouldn't say the grip is really squishy, but I don't like the thicker cord, the stitching going down the side, and like you said not much of a transition to the pommel. I gave my pommel a closer look and its certainly not perfect center either, or at least the handle isn't perfectly aligned, and it has a slight ledge. I honestly never really noticed it until now, when I grip the sword I put the heel of my palm right on the pommel and that transition falls between my fingers so I'm never really rubbing on it.
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Post by snubnoze on Oct 11, 2021 22:06:59 GMT
FYI, I have removed the "leather" and cord from my RK Euro #7 as I am going to re-wrap it properly (my first attempt mind you) and was able to confirm that my pommel was in fact on straight, the wood wasn't ground down perfectly even which gave the appearance of a slightly off pommel. I will be placing a riser at that spot so it should even it out and make it not noticeable. I'll make a thread in the customization section when it's completed. It's likely that the sword in this review had the same issue where they took a bit too much off part of the wood making the pommel seem offset. Its a shame that they wrap these handles the way they do because otherwise I think they are great swords, but I guess at this price point you can't complain too much. I'll gain some experience on wrapping handles out of it.
I also plan to re-wrap the scabbard as well and lose the cap on it. #7 does have a wood core scabbard.
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