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Post by ranstone on Feb 29, 2024 0:59:21 GMT
My knowledge and preconceived ideas about European style sword manufacturers is stuck in 2014.
I was thinking of a tier list, which makes a lot more sense than a top 10, because there's plenty of comparable talents that will be missed in a serialized comparison.
Albion, Arms and Armor, Deepeeka, United Cutlery, Darksword Armory, Cold steel, Jo-mama-stainleess-steel-battle-ready-mal-ninja-blades-LLC, and about 40 different other workshops and smiths I haven't heard of or haven't listed. The list is endless. So much has changed, so many new faces, so many old faces who have gotten their act together, so many old faces who have not kept their competitive edge.
I genuinely don't even know where to start with the question, because one can't exclude private talent, like Angus Trim, but I also am interested in say, where Deepeeka stands nowadays, and don't want a "top 10" list with just ATrim Lockwood, Sulowski, Fletcher, and a dozen other wildly talented single smiths.
Maybe we can save private, one man band smiths for another day, as it would get tedious, personal and subjective very fast.
let's focus on larger workshops and manufacturers. Below Albion and Arms and armor, what's going on in 2024? Educate me.
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Post by nddave on Feb 29, 2024 4:41:51 GMT
I did a video on this (well technically all manufacturers) based on price tiers. There's been a few new ones that came out recently since I posted the video but your welcome to check it out if you want,
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Post by cygnus on Feb 29, 2024 16:36:34 GMT
I did a video on this (well technically all manufacturers) based on price tiers. There's been a few new ones that came out recently since I posted the video but your welcome to check it out if you want, Nice vid. Hope you don't mind if I summarize. (if you do, lmk and I'll delete the post) No particular order to the mfg within each sub category. Maybe we someone can fill in any notable vacancies and then we can arrange a tier list within each sub category from there. $150-350 category
Windlass Steelcrafts Hanwei Cold Steel Dynasty Forge Musashi Katana Ronin Katana Depeeka Balaur Arms (moved up w/ LK Chen)Ryujin Katana Huawei Ryansword Jkoo Hanbon Forge United Cutlery (added)$350-700
Hanwei Dynasty Forge Del Tin Armory Darksword Armory Ronin Katana LK Chen/Balaur Arms (moved up/edited)
United Cutlery - Honshu (added) $800-2000
Albion Hanwei Dynasty Arms and Armor Valiant Armory Sterling Armory (added)Angus Trim/ATrim (added)
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Post by toddstratton1 on Feb 29, 2024 16:51:10 GMT
I would add Sterling Armoury to the same quality and level as Valiant Armoury and Albion. Since they are newer some people aren't aware of them.
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Post by pellius on Feb 29, 2024 17:01:30 GMT
I think Angus Trim/ATrim should probably be on the list. While often grouped with custom makers, his production methods and volume may justify calling him a “manufacturer” in the context of this thread.
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Post by fayebarca on Feb 29, 2024 17:18:55 GMT
I think we can change Balaur Arms to LK Chen both because the former’s swords are currently made by the latter, and LK Chen isn’t on this list yet.
I think they also fit more in the $350-700 category since that’s where most of their European swords are priced.
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mrstabby
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Post by mrstabby on Feb 29, 2024 17:29:41 GMT
Yeah, LK Chen has been throwing out new swords every month or so, many are now european as well. Onnly very few go over 700$, but so far they only have 6 euro swords, but they are worth it and should be on the list, even with the limited selection.
United Cutlery are producing some old Balaurs now in that segment as well. Also the usable LotR swords are coming.
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Post by bwaze on Feb 29, 2024 20:15:35 GMT
Hey, I paid first tier price ($800+) for a third tier - Windlass sword - Royal Armouries 15th century two-handed sword - IX.1787. And I received a third tier sword. With severe quality issues. Twice. Then they gave up.
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Post by ehartkopf on Feb 29, 2024 20:28:09 GMT
No love for eastern European smiths? Pavel Moc, Krieger Historical, and Landsknecht Emporium all make good swords. Pavel is the only one I can speak to personally, but many reviewers speak highly of the other 2 makers.
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Post by fayebarca on Feb 29, 2024 22:52:20 GMT
Love Landsknecht Emporium. Great designs executed solidly.
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Post by madirish on Mar 1, 2024 0:44:09 GMT
How about the likes of Kovex Ars, Fabri Armorum, wulflund? They have catalogues of standard products even if some are made to order.
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Post by fayebarca on Mar 1, 2024 6:53:06 GMT
I drew up a tier list in Tiermaker for this. I included most of the makers with standard models I could think of. I personally don't plan on posting my own list publicly since at least a handful of makers are on this forum. Would prefer not to offend. Let me know who else I should add. Considered the Sulowskis and Maciej Kopciuch, but I'm not sure they necessarily go by standard models like the rest do. tiermaker.com/create/sword-manufacturers-european-16863978
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Post by toddstratton1 on Mar 1, 2024 7:14:46 GMT
I drew up a tier list in Tiermaker for this. I included most of the makers with standard models I could think of. I personally don't plan on posting my own opinions since at least a handful of makers are on this forum. Would prefer not to offend. Let me know who else I should add. Considered the Sulowskis and Maciej Kopciuch, but I'm not sure they necessarily go by standard models like the rest do. tiermaker.com/create/sword-manufacturers-european-16863978As you put in your list and we talked about, I think lockwood swords is right up there with Albion and the other top tiers for the quality, handling, fit and finish as well.
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Post by madirish on Mar 1, 2024 15:01:44 GMT
I drew up a tier list in Tiermaker for this. I included most of the makers with standard models I could think of. I personally don't plan on posting my own list publicly since at least a handful of makers are on this forum. Would prefer not to offend. Let me know who else I should add. Considered the Sulowskis and Maciej Kopciuch, but I'm not sure they necessarily go by standard models like the rest do. tiermaker.com/create/sword-manufacturers-european-16863978No, I'd leave the Sulowskis and Kopciuch off. Though they do make repeats of a style, they are more individual pieces. YOu might also need to add Swordier....since they are offering catalog Euro style swords now...ahistorical or not.
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Post by madirish on Mar 1, 2024 15:51:12 GMT
So, whilst you were doing this...several others were putting toghether another list.....from Alientude
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mrstabby
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Post by mrstabby on Mar 1, 2024 16:11:24 GMT
Legacy Arms, 150-300$ and some 300-400$, not the best, not the worst.
EDIT: Oh, and Fabri Armorum, they do 100-1000€ swords, axes and armour, very durable stuff I hear. No Idea if they do sell in the US though. Most of it is between 150-300 I'd say
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Post by ranstone on Mar 1, 2024 16:18:39 GMT
So, whilst you were doing this...several others were putting toghether another list.....from Alientude This is perfect! Alientude coming in strong as usual!
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Post by ranstone on Mar 25, 2024 9:42:58 GMT
I like how less than 3 weeks after I post this, everyone and their grandmother make's one such tier list on YouTube. They can read my mind!
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rschuch
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Post by rschuch on Mar 25, 2024 14:04:18 GMT
Just off the top of my head to add…
Kingston Arms Kingdom of Arms Devil’s Edge Universal Swords Tod Cutler Purpleheart Armoury Regenyei Landsknecht Emporium Wulflund
And several makers could be included in different tiers, like Tod has his custom line, Windlass has the Royal Armory collaboration.
A good start would be to just go through the Kult of Athena website list of companies and just make sure all are present and accounted for, as well as makers with accounts here on SBG, like Scorpion.
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