LeMal
Member
Posts: 1,086
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Post by LeMal on Dec 24, 2021 10:21:59 GMT
Just came into the possession of a few older MRL catalogs and was hit with both pangs of nostalgia for some models I haven't seen in many years--and the urge to scan a few (clearly and legibly) and post the pics. Figured it'd be neat to have a thread of pictures and accounts of any obscure ones that any of us have, had, and/or wanted to get and never did.
I'm sure I'll get the scans started in the next few days, but in the meantime if anybody wants to get the ball rolling, let's.
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Post by tancred on Dec 24, 2021 11:07:34 GMT
I have most of my old MRL catalogs (Atlanta Cutlery, too). Unfortunately, I don't have a scanner. Believe me, I kick myself regularly for not pulling the trigger on some of those older models. In my defense, I didn't have as much disposable income at the time, and my tastes in what makes a sword desirable have changed a bit. I still keep an eye out here, on Ebay, and other sites in case these long lost gems turn up somewhere. I posted some Wanted threads here a long time ago. I should probably just bump them.
I was fortunate enough to buy several of Bruce Brockhart's Windlass swords from his site many years ago, some of which he said were the prototypes. He didn't have all the older models I was looking for. I did get a few of the ones I was looking for, but still managed to miss out on one or two.
In any case, very interested to see what you and others might be looking for from the good old days. I have several, but my top wanted sword was a simple, understated model they called the Broadsword with Rain Guard. Would love to get one!
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pgandy
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Senior Forumite
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Post by pgandy on Dec 24, 2021 12:39:36 GMT
That should be an interesting and welcomed thread.
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LeMal
Member
Posts: 1,086
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Post by LeMal on Dec 24, 2021 18:15:52 GMT
I have most of my old MRL catalogs (Atlanta Cutlery, too). Unfortunately, I don't have a scanner. Believe me, I kick myself regularly for not pulling the trigger on some of those older models. In my defense, I didn't have as much disposable income at the time, and my tastes in what makes a sword desirable have changed a bit. I still keep an eye out here, on Ebay, and other sites in case these long lost gems turn up somewhere. I posted some Wanted threads here a long time ago. I should probably just bump them. I was fortunate enough to buy several of Bruce Brockhart's Windlass swords from his site many years ago, some of which he said were the prototypes. He didn't have all the older models I was looking for. I did get a few of the ones I was looking for, but still managed to miss out on one or two. In any case, very interested to see what you and others might be looking for from the good old days. I have several, but my top wanted sword was a simple, understated model they called the Broadsword with Rain Guard. Would love to get one! Where do you live? Let's pair you up with one of us with a good scanner--it'd be worth it, I think! :)
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Post by tancred on Dec 25, 2021 6:58:04 GMT
Where do you live? Let's pair you up with one of us with a good scanner--it'd be worth it, I think! I'm in western MO. Come to think of it, I did take a few pictures of some of the swords I missed out on, and sent those pictures to MRL, suggesting they bring those back. Might have a few of those around somewhere. They replied "not at this time." Ha, ha! The former Hank Reinhardt, the former owner of MRL, had/has a site of his own with lots of pictures of prototypes and regular MRL offerings. You can find that here: www.hankreinhardt.com/Sale/Makers/Maker%20home.htmThey did have the sword I've been after the most. I tried buying it, but was then informed that it had already been sold, and they had just not updated the site. That was several years ago, and its still marked for sale. You can see that sword here: www.hankreinhardt.com/Sale/Swords/Swords%20206.htmStill, its a groovy site to look around on.
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Post by nddave on Dec 25, 2021 15:34:43 GMT
I have bunch but not anything that old. Think my oldest are from around 2011 when they first started doing the Conan Swords. I could dig then out but I think most of mine MRL already has on their PDF download.
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Post by demonskull on Dec 27, 2021 13:04:36 GMT
Where do you live? Let's pair you up with one of us with a good scanner--it'd be worth it, I think! I'm in western MO. Come to think of it, I did take a few pictures of some of the swords I missed out on, and sent those pictures to MRL, suggesting they bring those back. Might have a few of those around somewhere. They replied "not at this time." Ha, ha! The former Hank Reinhardt, the former owner of MRL, had/has a site of his own with lots of pictures of prototypes and regular MRL offerings. You can find that here: www.hankreinhardt.com/Sale/Makers/Maker%20home.htmThey did have the sword I've been after the most. I tried buying it, but was then informed that it had already been sold, and they had just not updated the site. That was several years ago, and its still marked for sale. You can see that sword here: www.hankreinhardt.com/Sale/Swords/Swords%20206.htmStill, its a groovy site to look around on. Actually Hank never owned MRL. MRL and Atlanta Cutlery were owned by Bill Adams. Atlanta Cutlery was around since the mid 60s and it wasn't until almost 20 years later that MRL was formed. Hank did have a lot to do with it as he was good friends with Bill Adams and it was his suggestion that there was an unfilled market for swords and weapons for recreationists. The first catalog premiered in late 83 or early 84 and consisted of only 5 swords (all Del Tins) and a few daggers and a stilletto. They quickly proved that there was a ready market as news of this new company spread mostly by word of mouth. There was no significant internet back then so you'd hear of MRL from either the few publications it advertised in or from organizations like the SCA. Del Tin alone couldn't meet the demands so they sought out Windlass and other individual smiths for other weapons and items. Atlanta Cutlery had a long history of dealing with Windlass and Windlass had an extensive assembly line type of operations making them a good fit. This went on for several years with Windlass providing more and more of the goods while at the same time branching out into costuming and accessories. It is my belief that around 1990 Windlass did a hostile takeover of Atlanta Cutlery and MRL. Windlass was well situated as they provided such a large percentage of the goods that MRL and Atlanta Cutlery would both go under if they stopped suppling. Whether that is the case or whether Bill Adams decided to retire is immaterial as Windlass became the owner of both companies. One of the first things the new owners did was get rid of all the other suppliers. This backfired a bit as even Windlass couldn't keep up with the demand. They had to hire and train new smiths so fast that Quality Control was almost non-existent for over a year. This hurt MRL's reputation for several years as it took that long to train the new smiths and other support people to a satisfactory level. Flash forward to about 2000 and MRL has regained it's reputation for decent quality entry level merchandise at reasonable prices. MRL has eventually allowed other suppliers back into their fold but primarily for blades, they have no real affinity for such as Katanas. Hank and Bruce were the driving forces into the research of both historic and fantasy blades. When they both left MRL they did leave a bit of a vacuum that has not been replaced. Hank passed away in 2007 due to complications from heart surgery.
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Post by tancred on Dec 27, 2021 18:16:40 GMT
Thanks for the correction there, Demonskull. I only started getting MRL catalogs in about 1999, so my knowledge of them before that is pretty low. Totally agree with your last statement that with the loss of Hank and Bruce, its left a vacuum of sorts at MRL. Still happily shop there. I just think they've taken a step back creatively. They used to be daring in what they offered, going for a wide variety of blade types. Wish they'd return to that route, as its gotten a bit stagnant of late.
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Post by eastman on Dec 28, 2021 20:23:56 GMT
I thought it was a retirement instead of a hostile takeover, but that could just be the "official" story
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Post by nddave on Jan 1, 2022 1:47:47 GMT
Speaking of old Windlass Swords and catalogs, anyone know this sword and what time it was issued/sold? Picked it up off Ebay in pretty rough shape but got it got it pretty with a polish and new grip. It's a clear replica of a Type XIII featured in RotMS as XIII.1.
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Post by glendon on Jan 1, 2022 4:57:21 GMT
The year was 1985, I was only newly out of high school, and the dust hadn't even settled upon my (AD&D first edition) Bard character I had developed oh so carefully. I came across this magical booklet of swords, not only offering pictures but--gasp!--objective data! What a world changer! No more comparing mere game stats, broadsword vs. shortsword, this was SCIENTIFIC! I literally spent hours agonizing over the one sword I would buy (me being a standard impoverished Rust-Belt 80's kid), the one blade that would best serve in the post-Reagan-nuclear-apocalyptic world I was certain I would experience first-hand. I mused points of balance and weight and blade geometry, and wondered if I needed a stabby to face the plasteel armor of the Imperials, or a slashy to defeat the ubiquitous moronic urban motorcycle goons...
Then, as in all things, I got older, a bit more settled, and I realized how misguided I had been. (Oh: Not about the Apocalypse--people are people and that's still coming--I was just being youthfully optimistic about its immanence). No, what I mean is that I remember one of the Viking swords listed in the MRL catalogue had a mass of four (4!) pounds. After 37 years of repros and the artisan bladesmith revival, even the kids today laugh at such jokes--they won't even believe there are 3+ pound baskethilts.
It would be very interesting to read them again, and then bounce over to KOA's page. I hope someone still has them to scan and share.
You know, I raise a glass to the geeks, dweebs, and dorks of the 60's and 70's. Had they not developed SCA and RPGs, we wouldn't be here now. They caused MRL to come into existence. And, had MRL not listed its products' stats in an attempt to gain some credibility as opposed to being "just an SCA offshoot", there would have been no mass inquiry into how accurate they were. Had there been no such inquiry, there would not have been such a widespread deep desire to get it right on the part of bladesmiths and HEMA practitioners. Swords would have remained the province of professional historians. Now, an aspiring Road Warrior can outfit himself fully, with functional, effective weaponry, for less than one month's wages. (Don't ever make the mistake of forgetting you can kill--or die--as easily with Deepeeka as you can with Albion. Apocalyptic guttersnipe reasoning, yer welcome.)
But I must say, there was nothing like getting the next edition of the MRL catalogue. It was fantasy made real, in a world that was dreadfully boring. Imagine, in 1985, you could acquire a REAL sword, not one of those stainless steel "Genuine Colada" or "Samurai" swords the rich jocks picked up at Spencer's, and you could totally picture the look on their faces as you shattered their cheap blade in twain as you dueled on the decaying steps of what used to be the mall escalator...
(We pessimists weren't completely wrong. If you aren't aware of it, research "Rolling Acres Mall, Akron, Ohio" or the "Dead Mall Series" by Dan Bell, on Youtube.)
Time to put down the tequila and head outside with the silver and the shotgun and the cutlass. Happy New Year, all!
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