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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2008 2:55:19 GMT
OK i feel like I'm missing out on something...I would like to get my first medieval sword instead of another katana. I know mostly all good kats but not much about good medieval swords So does anyone have any suggestions on which one i should get? Thanks ;D
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2008 4:12:59 GMT
So the questions...whats your price range and what do you plan on doing with the sword?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2008 4:48:28 GMT
Here is some useful information to consider: mysite.verizon.net/tsafa1/swordreview.htmDo you want a single-hander or two-hand. I recommend you get one Type Xa for a medieval sword. Get a type XVIa for late medieval period. Go here to see the different sword types. www.myarmoury.com/feature_oakeshott2.html After you decide on a sword type, read the SBG reviews for swords that match the type you are looking for.
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Post by YlliwCir on Oct 6, 2008 5:52:52 GMT
This one's nice;
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Oct 6, 2008 9:30:52 GMT
Kris Cutlery Teutonic. I've heard it's nice. Johnnyk, as a guy who also loves katana I think you would be most satisfied with a sword that has a nice appleseed cross-section and a stiff blade. the problem is these tend towards the pricier range. but with that in mind and not knowing your budget I'd say: Valiant Armory Practical line for under $300. the custom tuned line seems to be gone but the standard line is well known and really good. they carry both single hand arming swords and longswords.
if you want to go beyond the $300 range, then there Angus Trim's Makers Mark line or Albion. these are two of the tops but are very expensive.
the new Valiant Armory Castile looks very good for a one hander. get it in the SBG store.
I have a VAliant Armory Custom Tuned Arming sword and it is my favorite sword bar-none. it cuts tatami like a katana. check the vids section or the review I did to see for yourself.
Try really hard to stay away from the lower end models, I feel it's very hard to find the same level of quality in low level western swords as it is in low level katana. I'm not sure why a company can make a good cutting katana for 60-100$ but not a medieval sword for the same price but they just don't. good luck
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Post by kidcasanova on Oct 6, 2008 9:55:44 GMT
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was always under the impression that there was more steel involved in the creation of a European sword. So to keep the price down near entry-level katana, something has to be sacrificed. Typically, I see that it is quality, whether heat treat, temper, consistency, steel quality, fit and finish, etc.; something has to give to allow that price point.
I second virtually all the suggestions made thus far, they're all great swords. The only one mentioned that I own personally is the VA Custom Tuned Arming sword. I havent had a chance to cut with it, but it handles wonderfully. WONDERFULLY.
Though I, too, would like to know what your price range is and what you would like the sword to accomplish.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2008 10:04:33 GMT
Is steel so expensive that it would make a significant difference? I was under the impression that it is actually kinda cheap and that the reason may be one of supply and demand.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Oct 6, 2008 10:33:08 GMT
Plain carbon steel such as 1060 is CHEAP. I'll have to look it up again but as I recall you can buy enough steel to make a sword for 12-20 $US. of course stock removal, which most of these companies do takes more steel so that increases cost. I don't get it. I just don't. the only thing I can some up with is that Katana are used to cut more regularly because of all the kendo/kenjutsu/iai schools out there and the companies know they can't get away with poor cutting swords while the same is just not true for medievals. also I guess that would mean the production companies better understand what makes a good katana due to all the same schools while a good medieval sword is more of a mystery. that and look at the different types hey have to wade through with medievals. with katana there's really only one geometry that sells consistantly. a lot easier learning curve on katana from that point of view I guess. it boters me though. why do I have to buy and Atrim or an Albion to get a good sword? thats like having Hanwei be the place to get a decent katana (though some will tell you Hanwei IS the only place to get a decent katana) and I don't mean the practical line either.
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Marc Ridgeway
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"The best cost less when you buy it the first time." - Papabear
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on Oct 6, 2008 12:08:54 GMT
Plain carbon steel such as 1060 is CHEAP. I'll have to look it up again but as I recall you can buy enough steel to make a sword for 12-20 $US. of course stock removal, which most of these companies do takes more steel so that increases cost. I don't get it. I just don't. the only thing I can some up with is that Katana are used to cut more regularly because of all the kendo/kenjutsu/iai schools out there and the companies know they can't get away with poor cutting swords while the same is just not true for medievals. also I guess that would mean the production companies better understand what makes a good katana due to all the same schools while a good medieval sword is more of a mystery. that and look at the different types hey have to wade through with medievals. with katana there's really only one geometry that sells consistantly. a lot easier learning curve on katana from that point of view I guess. it boters me though. why do I have to buy and Atrim or an Albion to get a good sword? thats like having Hanwei be the place to get a decent katana (though some will tell you Hanwei IS the only place to get a decent katana) and I don't mean the practical line either. I would put it to you that a decent katana can't be sold for $60-$100... there are exceptions, like the JLswords (Masahiro)Bamboo which was selling on eBay for less than importer's price. However the katana is so very popular... so the Chinese rolling mills press out thousands and flood the market.. the price is cheap... some of these are good little cutters, but until one holds a real katana (no not Hanwei.. think custom, or Nihonto) one doesn't realize that those swords aren't really katana. Western swords... well personally I like Windlass... not great.. but to me a $200 windlass western beats the hell out of a $200 Cheness or Oni Forge Hannya... etc. Cold Steel has some OK westerns... and Hanwei makes some good ones too, at a fraction of their katana costs... Some examples are the Godfred, Bastard, Hand and a half, and the Cromwell. However, good western swords at great prices can be found with companies that operate more as semicustom like ATrim. Lutel is a favorite of many www.lutel.cz/index_.php?en=1 I personally really like Gur www.sword-gur.com/
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2008 12:57:46 GMT
I'd like to add one more to Marc R's semi-custom list..... www.armourclass.comthese guys make some exceptional swords.....not too pricey compared to others.....and for some reason, rather overlooked by people here in the states. I too have had good luck with the CAS / Hanwei & Windlass pieces I've bought. do your homework and spend alot of time researching.....it will surely pay-off in the end.... cheers, Bill
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2008 14:43:24 GMT
Bah! Junk, all those European swords are nothing but wastes of metal and effort! Seriously though I have been thinking of getting a good 2-handed Euro-cutter. I was actually considering posting something akin to what was posted here - a question as to where, what and who to get. Of course my budget is way too small right now to purchase anything worthwhile so I'll wait on mine. Meanwhile I will gleam as much off this thread as possible. Thanks to everyone for the wealth of information. Sam
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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2008 19:05:04 GMT
So the questions...whats your price range and what do you plan on doing with the sword? I would say max 250 and some serious cutting up to bamboo.
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Post by YlliwCir on Oct 6, 2008 20:35:02 GMT
Great links all around!. I hadn't heard of Gur before, Marc, thanks for that one.
Johnny, I have never cut bamboo at all, tho the KC has cut whatever I swung it at so far. It is a bit above the price range stated, it does however appear now and then at a bargain. The other models mentioned also sound appropriate to me, a matter of your own personal choice. Come on into the light, brother, you'll like it. ;D
It should be mentioned that Windlass doesn't come sharp and Hanwei's Western swords also need some work on the edge to get them sharp enough to cut. The KC's and VA practicals come very sharp indeed.
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Post by enkidu on Oct 6, 2008 21:15:59 GMT
I totally agree with Ric, i own both the KC and the VA and they are very good choices for the money. They both will surely stand up to your bamboo cutting.
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Post by kidcasanova on Oct 6, 2008 21:43:29 GMT
At 250, you'd have to get a KC sword second hand. But I've seen Rick's videos and they are quite impressive.
If you can find a Custom Tuned VA Practical, snatch it up. They typically sell just under 250 and I havent seen any in stock for awhile. But the regular Practicals also cut very well. If you're looking for a performance sword at that price point, I think that's going to be your best choice. Plus, you could always ship it to Gus Trim and have him tune it for 50 bucks.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2008 0:28:55 GMT
I was going to ask this same thing. I have a Cheness 9260 I bought and that a Civil war Cavalry Saber I won on here but lately I have been looking at Medieval swords. Like my first sword I ever bought I want to keep the price very low, like 60 to 100 just a good starter sword for bottle cutting. So any suggestions would be helpful.
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Post by kidcasanova on Oct 7, 2008 2:00:07 GMT
The only swords in that price range, really, are Deepeeka. And I'd stay away from them. You could get a pretty decent Windlass on clearance for about 140-160. I'm not sure if Jason at AOV still has any Ulfberht swords in stock, but you should check out his clearance page, as well as KOA.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2008 4:02:46 GMT
It's too subjective to make a decent suggestion - one person could love a sword that you might find ugly, or you want a sword less than three feet, another might prefer 3.5, 4, or up. As suggested, look at Kult, AoV, lots of places, and note which style(s) appeal to you. Then see which companies offer swords like that, and begin comparing those against each other. I'd bet one or two general styles will intrigue you, and begin winnowing out what qualities you like, dislike.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2008 6:18:28 GMT
If you want a sword for a LOT of cutting, the VA practical arming sword is a good bet.
The windlass type XIV has been getting a LOT of great reviews and can be had for 176 at AoV currently. Although this needs to be sharpened before cutting.
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Post by kidcasanova on Oct 10, 2008 18:34:23 GMT
Just found a site that seems to have some Windlass Ulfberht swords in stock. If they do, I'd say get one, for sure. Supposedly it's one of the best cutting swords Windlass has made. ShooterMike did a review of it here: /index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=2170 And here is the URL for the website in question: www.viking-shield.com/index.htmlIt's listed for 159 dollars, which is a steal.
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