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Post by eastman on Jan 29, 2023 15:41:07 GMT
if your Pilsen did anything that would qualify as "cutting", then it is sharper than my Christus Imperat.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Jan 29, 2023 16:12:54 GMT
The Pilsen was the first sword that I ordered from KoA and ordered w/sharpening. It was terrible as the edge was uneven with severally course grinding marks. The tip was bent to 90°. The metal in the grip was of square bars that hurt my hand. Out of desperation, as I could not return it, I went to work on it and in time corrected all. In the end I was more than satisfied but it was by no means as it left the factory. It has a remarkably stiff blade. I did a review on it if you care to do a search. However, someone modified the original review but there is a sufficient amount left intact.
Edited: I complained to KoA and the second sword, a Windlass German Bastard Sword, had a much sharpening. However, not being entirely satisfied with those nor the later job MRL did was instrumental in me learning to sharpen. I am more satisfied with my results than the jobs that KoA or MRL did, both being worth the approximant a $20 job they charged. Except the Pilsen, that one looked like someone’s learning attempt.
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Post by eastman on Jan 29, 2023 17:37:50 GMT
I bought the Christus Imperat from MRL and at the time, sharpening was not listed as an option for rapiers. I'm tempted to use an accusharp on the tip to at least make it a better hole punch.
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Post by eastman on Jan 29, 2023 23:36:21 GMT
Time to see if I can post pictures today. The LK Chen team do a great job packing the Saxony for travel. They have a well-fitted expanded polystyrene shipping box that protects the sword. The blade is oiled/greased and wrapped with plastic (not to difficult to remove, but care is required since the edge is sharp). They ship the sword in the scabbard (which makes perfect sense). The box does have a noticeable styrene scent, so it is currently downstairs outgassing. As is common on a lot of current production rapiers, the grip is wire wrapped. Of the 5 wire wrapped rapiers / sword-rapiers I own, this is by far the nicest wire.
The guard is a casting. It is well done although casting marks can be seen on the guard and pommel. There are a few spots on the guard that will get attention from the diamond needle files. The areas where my finger wraps around the quillion are comfortable.
The blade is sharp with a serious point.
After a couple of days of handling, I love the feel and balance. I used to participate in the rapier dueling in the SCA Kingdom of the Midrealm (schlager blades) and handling the Saxony does make me think about re-starting that (with a less pointy sword, of course).
tldr - well made rapier, probably the best value on the market
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Nox
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Post by Nox on Feb 2, 2023 22:56:34 GMT
How is the thrust stiffness on this? From Lk chens promotional video it looked a bit too flexible.
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Post by eastman on Feb 6, 2023 2:40:14 GMT
I have been thinking about how to rig up a stab test for the Saxony. My current thought is this - wrap a section of 1" thick insulation foam with denim. If I double up 2 pant legs from the same pair of blue jeans abused above, that gives 4 layers of denim on each side of the foam. I would do a penetration comparison between the much sharper Saxony and the much stiffer Musketeer.
My B&D Workmate is tied up with another project for the next few days, but should be able to try this next weekend.
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Post by eastman on Mar 19, 2023 18:48:49 GMT
Finally completed the other project, so I did the testing today.
Test 1 -
1" thick insulation foam wrapped with the doubled up leg from an old pair of Dickie's brand blue jeans (4 layers total denim)
Both swords had no trouble stabbing all the way though. The after the stab cuts on the denim were more severe with the Saxony.
Test 2 -
Added the other leg (now 4 layers on each side)
Musketeer stabbed all the way through.
Saxony penetrated into the foam but instead snapped the foam instead of poking all the way through the foam/denim bundle.
Result - stiffness wins in penetrating denim covered insulation foam. Sharpness makes a vertically longer channel through the foam/denim.
tl,dr - Musketeer stabs better, Saxony cuts better
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Mar 19, 2023 19:45:50 GMT
Thanks for the update.
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Things have changed!