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Post by nddave on Mar 29, 2024 14:57:21 GMT
Hi Everybody,
So I've been working on reviews again and have three coming from a new manufacturer named Iron Wolf Forge! Iron Wolf Forge is a manufacturer or technically Forge out of Long Quan that has been making swords for Chinese Distributors and vendors for years. Some of your favorite swords be them Japanese, European or Chinese new or old just might have been made by them and you'd never know it... Anyway, Paul our resident Admin and SBG owner got in touch with me back in December. He said that he had some prototype swords he'd like reviewed sent from a Chinese forge that recently decided to start distributing openly to the worldwide market. This forge's European style swords are what will be sold under the Iron Wolf Forge name.
So initially I did one large private review of all three prototypes and gave them feedback on handling, fit, finish and historical accuracy. Just recently Paul let me know they took my feed back (I even mentioned using a more western sounding brand name which they went with!) and were working on the line and planned on getting them out by summer. Paul just got back with me last week and said the swords were going to be hitting the open market around April so go ahead with the public reviews. So here is the first review of the three,
Now some of you might notice this sword looks a hellofallot like a sword shown off in this review board a few months back by Swordier. Well technically it's the same sword. The only difference is the branding. As mentioned earlier the Forge Swordier contracts to make their swords they sell is the Forge behind Iron Wolf Forge. As well as a few other big names you all love and trust.
So here's the second sword, not bad at all especially for only $200! It's a little odd in the historical department, but I explained that in detail in the historical section of the review,
Here's the 3rd and final review, not a bad longsword especially if you like Templar or religious themed swords,
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Post by El Chingon on Mar 29, 2024 18:11:04 GMT
If they were concerned bout costs, wouldn't it be more cost effective to not have a pattern welded blade? Might have brought the price point down a bit more. I like this one the best of the 3 (from what I can see in the displayed images here. Do they have a site up at all yet? This one looks pretty good. What feedback did you have for the forge? And lastly, is that "Ken's Rage" I hear in the background (or perhaps some other Koei/Tecmo title)?
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Post by nddave on Mar 29, 2024 19:47:21 GMT
If they were concerned bout costs, wouldn't it be more cost effective to not have a pattern welded blade? Might have brought the price point down a bit more. I like this one the best of the 3 (from what I can see in the displayed images here. Do they have a site up at all yet? This one looks pretty good. What feedback did you have for the forge? And lastly, is that "Ken's Rage" I hear in the background (or perhaps some other Koei/Tecmo title)? I think so, but really the only price difference between the pattern welded one and other two spring steel models I was sent is $30.00. Not yet, I don't think it'll be up until they're ready to sell. Yea it's from 2. Always liked it as a mellow piano tune.
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Post by El Chingon on Mar 29, 2024 20:11:36 GMT
I'd have gone plain steel. Less labor intensive to make and generally more structurally sound. I asked bout the site as you said they made for that other guy and might have already had something up. If they're good at distal taper, maybe you can talk them into some military sabres. Usually that's the biggest problem with modern ones. Then there's proper HT, cause they cheap out and advertise as display only. It annoys the hell out of me. KR 2's strong point was the extended roster, but the first one had a better feel to it.
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Mar 30, 2024 14:31:13 GMT
Good to see you doing reviews again. It sounds like what I know about Sanrenmu, a knife producer that makes knives for many other more well known brand names. Hopefully it will also be similar in that since it’s coming direct from the maker, it would cost less than with the bigger names attached.
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Post by nddave on Mar 30, 2024 15:37:39 GMT
Good to see you doing reviews again. It sounds like what I know about Sanrenmu, a knife producer that makes knives for many other more well known brand names. Hopefully it will also be similar in that since it’s coming direct from the maker, it would cost less than with the bigger names attached. Thanks Josh! So far that seems to be the case, really surprised me when Paul told me they were aiming for under $250. The free shipping too especially internationally.
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Post by nddave on Mar 30, 2024 15:40:34 GMT
I'd have gone plain steel. Less labor intensive to make and generally more structurally sound. I asked bout the site as you said they made for that other guy and might have already had something up. If they're good at distal taper, maybe you can talk them into some military sabres. Usually that's the biggest problem with modern ones. Then there's proper HT, cause they cheap out and advertise as display only. It annoys the hell out of me. KR 2's strong point was the extended roster, but the first one had a better feel to it. Yea it seems so far this one is the only one they're offering pattern welded the rest should be standard 65nm spring steel. I'll mention it, but I don't really have much say in the production process. Be interesting to see them try, honestly as far as I know there aren't any Chinese made military Sabers on the market, maybe it would be a good niche for them to try?
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Post by El Chingon on Mar 30, 2024 17:38:41 GMT
I'd have gone plain steel. Less labor intensive to make and generally more structurally sound. I asked bout the site as you said they made for that other guy and might have already had something up. If they're good at distal taper, maybe you can talk them into some military sabres. Usually that's the biggest problem with modern ones. Then there's proper HT, cause they cheap out and advertise as display only. It annoys the hell out of me. KR 2's strong point was the extended roster, but the first one had a better feel to it. Yea it seems so far this one is the only one they're offering pattern welded the rest should be standard 65nm spring steel. I'll mention it, but I don't really have much say in the production process. Be interesting to see them try, honestly as far as I know there aren't any Chinese made military Sabers on the market, maybe it would be a good niche for them to try? I think it would be good, if they get the dimensions right. They'd corner the market on that type if they can nail taper and HT.
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Post by nddave on Apr 2, 2024 13:00:20 GMT
Second review is up!
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AJGBlack
Member
"This world will stress you like Orson Wells on the radio." -RTJ
Posts: 470
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Post by AJGBlack on Apr 2, 2024 14:51:00 GMT
The hilt looks like they ripped off the Valiant Armory Bristol and just gave it a slightly wider blade. I recall Sonny having issues with the Chinese forges he contacted the original run of swords selling the parts to other brands like Ronin. That was a fat wad of drama. Makes me wonder if Iron Wolf was connected in any way with that contactor.
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Post by nddave on Apr 2, 2024 15:13:56 GMT
The hilt looks like they ripped off the Valiant Armory Bristol and just gave it a slightly wider blade. I recall Sonny having issues with the Chinese forges he contacted the original run of swords selling the parts to other brands like Ronin. That was a fat wad of drama. Makes me wonder if Iron Wolf was connected in any way with that contactor. Yea they are similar in a sense, and I noticed it when I first got a look at the sword. That was so long ago its really hard to say. From the information I got, this forge has been around for quite some time and could have been even back then. They make a lot of swords for numerous distributors/vendors who outsource from Longquan. Yea,the drama stuff gets kinda old in my opinion, I mean all of these modern swords that are based on Medieval designs are basically rip offs when you think about it. As all use the Oakeshott Typology and recorded historical originals (blades, pommels, and guards) to design and manufacture their swords. I'm sure there will be many who want to scream plagiarism and "fight the good fight" from their computer desks or cellphones... But in reality, this sword isn't taking any business away from Valiant Armory any more than Balaur Arms was Albion, as was discussed in a previous thread on the subject. In my opinion what this sword gives the market is a nicely made budget model affordable to budget enthusiasts. If they like it because its similar to the Bristol, then they obviously liked the Bristol but couldn't afford it. So this sword gives them an option to have something they desire when they don't have $1,000 to spend on a sword design like the Bristol. In my initial feedback to the Forge I mentioned this as well as suggesting they change the blade a bit to match a Type XXI or XXII. Not necessarily to avoid plagiarizing Valiant Armory as much as to make it a little more historically accurate to its hilt configuration, something the Bristol fails in too.
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Post by nddave on Apr 3, 2024 18:25:21 GMT
Third and final review uploaded!
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Post by nddave on Apr 29, 2024 18:57:11 GMT
So an update was given by Paul. Apparently the whole Iron Wolf Forge thing fell through and these swords will be primarily sold through the online vendor Swordier. I'll post links to the Swordier sell page on Ebay for those interested in purchasing them.
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rschuch
Member
Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go walking, east, south, far away into dark and danger.
Posts: 863
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Post by rschuch on May 8, 2024 19:03:40 GMT
On the 15th century arming sword, you say it has a rubber grip. Just wondering how "cheesy" it looks and feels. I have the Cold Steel shamshir, and while the blade isn't bad, the tacky grip just seems so... inauthentic, I really wish I'd gotten one with a wood grip now. I guess at the price point some short cuts are expected (they also seem to have raised their prices since your review), but at some point it wanders into tacticool territory and that's where I pass.
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Post by nddave on May 9, 2024 0:00:41 GMT
On the 15th century arming sword, you say it has a rubber grip. Just wondering how "cheesy" it looks and feels. I have the Cold Steel shamshir, and while the blade isn't bad, the tacky grip just seems so... inauthentic, I really wish I'd gotten one with a wood grip now. I guess at the price point some short cuts are expected (they also seem to have raised their prices since your review), but at some point it wanders into tacticool territory and that's where I pass. The handle is wood underneath it justthe grip material or overwrap that is the synthetic rubber material. It's not that bad in handling and is similar to the same rubber material used on aluminum baseball and softball bats if you're familiar. I plan on cutting it off in the near future and giving it a proper undercord and leather grip.
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rschuch
Member
Sharp blades are good to have, if Shire-folk go walking, east, south, far away into dark and danger.
Posts: 863
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Post by rschuch on May 9, 2024 0:11:23 GMT
Sounds like a good plan!
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Post by dotrom on May 21, 2024 19:15:59 GMT
So an update was given by Paul. Apparently the whole Iron Wolf Forge thing fell through and these swords will be primarily sold through the online vendor Swordier. I'll post links to the Swordier sell page on Ebay for those interested in purchasing them. Just ordered the fishtail XIV from swordier. $60 for shipping I believe, but it’s still a good deal. I’ll probably re-do the grip. When you say the IWF thing fell through, do you know why? I know there is a IWF in the states, Minnesota or Wisconsin(?). Was it a brand thing? Is Swordier going to carry on the line under their name, or is this going to be a short lived small batch. Also, I’m wondering if that model comes with a scabbard or not. It doesn’t show a scabbard for that specific model on the website, but most or all of the other European swords on the site seem to come with one. I inquired and I’ll keep you posted.
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Post by nddave on May 21, 2024 20:17:44 GMT
So an update was given by Paul. Apparently the whole Iron Wolf Forge thing fell through and these swords will be primarily sold through the online vendor Swordier. I'll post links to the Swordier sell page on Ebay for those interested in purchasing them. Just ordered the fishtail XIV from swordier. $60 for shipping I believe, but it’s still a good deal. I’ll probably re-do the grip. When you say the IWF thing fell through, do you know why? I know there is a IWF in the states, Minnesota or Wisconsin(?). Was it a brand thing? Is Swordier going to carry on the line under their name, or is this going to be a short lived small batch. Also, I’m wondering if that model comes with a scabbard or not. It doesn’t show a scabbard for that specific model on the website, but most or all of the other European swords on the site seem to come with one. I inquired and I’ll keep you posted. Basically Ryujin brand thought they'd be getting exclusive European swords to sell from the Forge and were going to go under the branding of IWF. Since the Forge decided to outsource all the designs to the various vendors using them, Ryujin opted out of starting the line since Swordier were prominently selling the models as well. I would believe so, mine came with a scabbard so I would assume yours will too. Maybe double check with alexxe who is the main rep for Swordier as he is a member here. Yea I'm working on having the time to sit down and re-grip mine too with leather. But with all the video work taking up my time I haven't gotten around to it yet lol.
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Post by eastman on May 22, 2024 0:18:43 GMT
Iron Wolf Forge is in Wisconsin (not too far from me). They sell at the Bristol Ren Faire.
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Post by nddave on May 22, 2024 3:24:14 GMT
Iron Wolf Forge is in Wisconsin (not too far from me). They sell at the Bristol Ren Faire. Yes there's also one in Pennsylvania which kinda irked Paul Ryujin didn't do a little more research before picking the name, lol. The group in Wisconsin actually got ahold of me when I posted the reviews asking about the name. Nice people and they understood the circumstances with the swords coming in from China.
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