Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2008 20:28:01 GMT
I was planning on buying an Angus Trim DS 1503 in the next month or two (b or c, I haven't decided yet) from Lee's Armory as shown here: www.leesarmoury.com/ds1503.htmI was wondering if anyone has experience with these particular models or others from this age of ATrim history. Specifically, I'd like information regarding cutting ability, heat treatment, flexibility, edge retention, tang thickness, fit of the hilt assembly, and straightness/crispness of the center ridge. I know that Angus is highly respected and that his swords are some of the best, but I can't seem to find any info on these older blades. I'm not too worried as I trust his skills, but I'd be more reassured if anyone could provide me with this info. Thanks in advance. -David- P.S. In case anyone is curious, I plan on customizing this into my personal one-hander. I'll probably cut down the guard and regrind the edges so that it's a more reasonable size (10" seems a little much...). Then I'll wrap the handle in same and ito (I'll either just reshape it or, in case it's too much to work with, make a new one). Finally, I plan on etching some designs onto the blade and maybe the pommel and cross as well. While the weight on these swords seems quite light, I think that will just make them more fun! The b model seems to have a point of balance that will do well in both cut and thrust, while the model c strikes me as a practical sword for a modern setting; Light, quick, easily concealable, and short enough to be used indoors. I might have to buy both eventually... Barring that they end up being to weak or whippy, I think they should do fine, but then again, that's what I want to find out! -David-
|
|
|
Post by hotspur on Oct 13, 2008 21:11:38 GMT
Hi David, Unless these are amongst the first few batches, they will at least be sharpened. Gus' edges have kind of evolved a bit. You should clarify with the seller what they are actually edged like. Lee is well aquainted with the performance of the swords and isn't going to misinterpret anything just to make a sale. The tangs have always been more than substantial enough. The overall level of finish has gotten better over the years but unlike the fullered swords, these flattened diamond cross-sections won't show as many tooling marks (if at all) As he finish grinds them after the heat treat, variance of overall finish will be only slight. The heat treat has also always been stellar as he works with someone that takes great care in doing them and provides very consistent results. These may not be as great an all around sword as some. I have little doubt that they will be fine for mats and bottles but you may have to be in good form to get them through a mat (n other words, don't be suprised if at first you don't succeed) As these are not from heavier stock, they will probably exhibit some flex, yet this shouldn't always sound some of the alarms it does. If you are looking for an incredibly stiff sword that cuts like a laser, this is probably going to dissapoint a little. On the other hand, they will be very quick and probably a lot of fun with lighter targets like empty carboard boxes and the thin plastic gallon jugs (filled or not). My old Gus swords are a XIIIa and a XIIa, hence a very different animal than these. The pointy one above is sort of like what you are looking at but a good bit larger, at 51" overall. It is an XVIIIb type and while it does cut ok, it is not the monster the other two Trim swords in the picture are. the XIIIa is still the hands down winner in most cutting comparison but many might find it very flexible. the middle sword is a XIIa and a good bit stiffer. It cuts almost as well. The Del Tin pointy gothic is actually more flexible than the XIIa and longer in the blade. it weighs just a couple of more ounces than the XIIa, at three pounds three ounces. The Gus swords you are looking at are fairly light duty by comparison but it is the nature of the beast. if you want something more beastly, go broader and a bit heavier. if anything of a negative could be mentioned of Gus' swords in general, it is that they are usually a little lighter than similar blades from others. this does somewhat effect performance but not always in a negative fashion. It has always sort of been the maxim that if one is wanting the best aesthetic, go Albion or A&A. If performance per pound is what one wants, go ATrim. I recently had a chance to compare an Albion Baron to my XIIa from Gus. From twenty feet away, you'd almost swear they are the same sword. The Albion was a bit heavier with a longer blade and shorter grip. Still, roughly the same size sword. I was duly impressed with the fit and finish but really didn't notice any difference in the cutting ability. the Albion would definitely win the beauty contest in quality of blade finish and hilt. As you are basically just going to use the blade as a foundation for a build, I think you'll be happy as long as you accept that this model line isn't really a universal do all and actually more on the light side. Cheers Hotspur; here are those two up close. the XIIIa from the Albion days and from the earliest circa 1999-2000 Gus batches vs a prototype/shop sword from late 2003
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2008 21:48:58 GMT
Thanks for that info, Hotspur! On the light side is actually exactly what I was going for. There are plenty of other swords that can do heavy cutting and such, but these look fairly unique (in measurements, at least).
I was hoping that they'd at least be stiff enough to thrust well against light/medium targets, so I guess I'll ask Lee what he thinks. I'm not to worried about sharpness or polish as long as I have a nice enough edge to work with and I'll probably resharpen and polish it myself anyways.
Aesthetically, I was planning on revamping it a bit anyways. The only thing in the pictures that looked difficult to work with was the pommel, but I've got a few ideas for it and if they fail, I can always replace it.
|
|
|
Post by ShooterMike on Oct 15, 2008 1:35:47 GMT
David, I have a number of the early ATrims from Lee. He's always been great to deal with. There is an old thread here in Sword Customization that deals with these swords. I would rate them as pretty stiff thrusters and decent cutters once you get them sharpened up a bit more. Two of mine came unsharpened. The rest are what I would call mostly sharpened. But they still need a little work. The hilt components are a little rough, but the grip wood is very nice. And they are really good starters for all kinds of projects. I actually planned on buying the 1503b to do exactly what you discussed. But I got a great deal on a 1502b from Kriegschwert, that he had gotten from Lee. It was made up into the last sword in the thread. I liked it so well that I did the same thing to the hand-n-a-half in the middle photos, using the guard from my old Hanwei sidesword. Haven't ever gotten around to posting pictures of that one. Good luck and good "projecting". I too think these swords are WAAAY under-rated as a good buy.
|
|
Marc Ridgeway
Member
Retired Global Moderator
"The best cost less when you buy it the first time." - Papabear
Posts: 3,122
|
Post by Marc Ridgeway on Oct 15, 2008 1:45:43 GMT
I bought a 1502 b from Lee... it was a great deal, and I thought well of the sword, and Lee.
|
|
|
Post by alvin on Oct 15, 2008 1:58:50 GMT
I'll amen what Shooter and Marc had to say about Lee. I bought an early Gus Trim DD1403c from Lee for what I thought was a darn great price - $215, including shipping, etc. It was at a higher price than that on the site but, I made an offer, and it was mine. He always emailed back quickly with answers to my questions. He had the sword ready for shipment, so when the money hit his PayPal acct., he shipped the next day. Couldn't ask for a better person to deal with. And I'm very happy with the sword - a little more customization to go !
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2008 23:45:44 GMT
Thanks for your replies, everybody. That's quite a gorgeous job you've done on that last sword Mike!
Unfortunately, because of some medical expenses I'm helping my mother with, I'll have to put this project on the back burner for a while. It might make a good Christmas present to myself though...
|
|