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Post by alientude on Sept 24, 2021 15:19:44 GMT
Part one of my review of the new German Longsword from BA. Once my elbow heals and I'm able to do test cutting, I'll do a second part of the review to finish it.
Here's part two:
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Post by captainh on Sept 24, 2021 23:47:43 GMT
Thank you for a great review as usual. It looks like a nice sword, especially at it's price point. It appears, from your review, that most negatives were from KoA more so than Balaur Arms. The hilt work looks just fantastic at this price range. Hopefully this new level of workmanship coming from India spreads to the other competing sword manufacturers there. KoA sharpening can be "ok" to "bad". Never know how it is going to be. I am reluctant to have them sharpen swords, but an unsharpened sword is just not quite a sword to me. I look forward to seeing part two and how she cuts.
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Post by alientude on Sept 24, 2021 23:54:38 GMT
Yep, most of the negatives are on the KoA side, except for the lackluster distal taper. Which, actually, is probably on KoA also, since I believe they designed these swords.
Once I can cut again, I'll test it out. After that I might take it to a local guy that does sharpening and see if he can even out the sharpening, and maybe convert it to more apple-seed geometry.
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Post by karmasoft on Sept 25, 2021 22:42:40 GMT
Great review, thanks for sharing it. Love the choice of Moonlight Sonata for a German sword review.
Hopefully KOA is listening because your reviews are influential. I would certainly hesitate based on these comments.
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Post by alientude on Dec 7, 2021 2:42:51 GMT
Here's part two of the review.
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Post by blackjack on Dec 30, 2023 1:38:35 GMT
I would love to know how the new LK chen version stacks up.
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Post by mrstabby on Dec 30, 2023 7:58:07 GMT
Me too, haven't heard much about the LK Balaurs. The stats on KoA seem pretty close, bit more distal taper and lower PoB. I wonder if fit and finish on these is equal to what LK Chen sells under their own name.
Would be pretty cool if someone could compare all 3 generations for at least one Balaur Arms sword.
Who made the first version again?
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Post by eastman on Dec 30, 2023 17:43:07 GMT
OTC made the first version. They claimed 5160 spring steel, but actually used something else.
I have the LKC-made version of this sword. Seems to handle very well with good stiffness and a nicely sharpened edge.
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Post by mrstabby on Dec 31, 2023 11:20:10 GMT
I've seen a video from alientude comparing th 15th cent. longsword OTC and LK Chen, but I am not sure if this would be indicative of all LK Balaurs since it's a test version of sorts.
BTW I'd also be interested how the Balaurs compare to the United Cutlery versions. UC seems to have (bought?) Balaur Arms designs for their "Honshu Historic Forge" line. The 15th cent longsword among others.
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Post by alientude on Dec 31, 2023 19:06:31 GMT
Replying to a few comments here. I'd love to test out the LK Chen version of this sword. Maybe someday, but right now I have to be a bit more judicious in what I spend my sword funds on.
In terms of the Italian, the LK Chen version has undergone some revisions from what I've seen - the newer ones seem to have improved the overall profile for a bit more cutting ability, and perhaps a bit more rigidity as well.
I do have the Honshu version of the Italian, and I'll be reviewing it Jan 26, and comparing it to my original Balaur Arms version. I did sell the LK Chen one, though, so I'll just be able to talk about it in retrospect. They only version of the Italian I don't have experience with is the Windlass one.
Unsheathed Sword Reviews has the newer version of the LK Chen Italian, and the Honshu one. They'll be reviewing the Honshu relatively soon, I think.
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Post by blackjack on Jan 1, 2024 9:34:12 GMT
Any time line on the Valliant Irish leaf blade? Other than the pommel I found it to be really good.
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