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Post by rigel on Apr 14, 2024 14:06:45 GMT
There are two new euro models from Ronin katana and they look excellent. There’s a longsword and an arming sword. It looks like they opted for less bulbous grips and a more stylized cross guard, two common complaints on older models. It’s exciting to see that they have taken some of the feedback. They also have type XVIII hollow ground blades. I think I might scrape the funds to get the arming sword. www.kultofathena.com/product/ronin-katana-one-handed-arming-sword-medieval-sword-model-14/
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Post by Curtis_Louis on Apr 15, 2024 19:09:03 GMT
Let's try this again...
Moving forward, the stolen IP argument has been discussed at length. Please do not de-rail this (or any other thread) with discussions that include your thoughts on intellectual property. If you have the need to engage in that topic, do it via PM.
This may seem harsh to some, however the next member to derail this thread with any more of this behavior will be met with a 30 day suspension from the forum. Followed by a 15 day for anyone who follows up with a reply.
Also, do not flood the Moderators with PMs proclaiming how unfair and heavy handed this is. We know. We know. And we are all ashamed of ourselves.
Now, play nice.
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Post by curiomansion on Apr 15, 2024 21:25:05 GMT
Ronin doesn't have a history of excellent blade geometry like say LK Chen does, so I'm curious how well executed their hollow-grinding is. I was disappointed with the Alexandria they released back in the day, but here's to hoping that this one is different! As long as they don't put a crazy small tang in this one, it should be fine!
Sub $300 with a scabbard is pretty cheap! So good enough is good enough. I'll probably pick one up eventually.
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Post by alientude on Apr 15, 2024 21:28:20 GMT
Looking at the two swords and their specs, I believe they're the same blade (and crossguard) with different grips and pommels. That makes the hand-a-and-half pretty short-bladed for an XVIIIb. Not that that's a bad thing. I personally find myself gravitating to more compact blades recently.
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Post by rigel on Apr 15, 2024 22:28:45 GMT
Someone mentioned before that on the ronin homepage it lists the weight for the arming sword as 2.9 lbs where Kult of Athena lists 2lbs 9 oz. I’m inclined to believe that it is 2lb 9oz because the hand and a half is listed as 2.12 lbs by ronin which isn’t possible. 2lbs 9oz would also match the listed distal taper better.
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Post by rigel on Apr 15, 2024 22:29:48 GMT
Ronin doesn't have a history of excellent blade geometry like say LK Chen does, so I'm curious how well executed their hollow-grinding is. I was disappointed with the Alexandria they released back in the day, but here's to hoping that this one is different! As long as they don't put a crazy small tang in this one, it should be fine! Sub $300 with a scabbard is pretty cheap! So good enough is good enough. I'll probably pick one up eventually. I placed an order for the arming sword. I’ll put an update on here when I receive it.
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Post by nddave on Apr 16, 2024 0:53:06 GMT
I like them, looks like they upgraded their grips too which is nice to see. If they share the same blade length then the #15 would fall more in line with an XVIIIa being a true hand-and-a-half sword. Type I Pommel looks a little off though would look better suited as a Type T or V1. My experience with the Ronin European Line is their Italian Arming Sword which is nice but kinda heavy. Extra thick blade on it which I get is Ronin's selling point being heavy cutting swords (like their Dojo Pro katana). The Type V Pommel on the this #14 is the same as on the Italian which is nicely made and a fine representation of the type. Unfortunately due to KoA updating their website again I can't seem to open the stats for the sword.... anyone else having issues opening the stats window? I'm on mobile so maybe that's the problem. Or they still have some bugs to workout. Looking forward to hearing your feedback rigel!
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Post by rigel on Apr 16, 2024 1:20:51 GMT
I like them, looks like they upgraded their grips too which is nice to see. If they share the same blade length then the #15 would fall more in line with an XVIIIa being a true hand-and-a-half sword. Type I Pommel looks a little off though would look better suited as a Type T or V1. My experience with the Ronin European Line is their Italian Arming Sword which is nice but kinda heavy. Extra thick blade on it which I get is Ronin's selling point being heavy cutting swords (like their Dojo Pro katana). The Type V Pommel on the this #14 is the same as on the Italian which is nicely made and a fine representation of the type. Unfortunately due to KoA updating their website again I can't seem to open the stats for the sword.... anyone else having issues opening the stats window? I'm on mobile so maybe that's the problem. Or they still have some bugs to workout. Looking forward to hearing your feedback rigel! I was able to open the stats on my laptop.
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AJGBlack
Member
"This world will stress you like Orson Wells on the radio." -RTJ
Posts: 437
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Post by AJGBlack on Apr 16, 2024 1:52:40 GMT
The stat, review issues are on mobile. I emailed them and they know.
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Post by nddave on Apr 16, 2024 3:38:58 GMT
Ok cool, thanks guys for confirming, hopefully they have it fixed soon!
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Post by curiomansion on Apr 16, 2024 4:37:31 GMT
Ronin doesn't have a history of excellent blade geometry like say LK Chen does, so I'm curious how well executed their hollow-grinding is. I was disappointed with the Alexandria they released back in the day, but here's to hoping that this one is different! As long as they don't put a crazy small tang in this one, it should be fine! Sub $300 with a scabbard is pretty cheap! So good enough is good enough. I'll probably pick one up eventually. I placed an order for the arming sword. I’ll put an update on here when I receive it. Thank you so much! Always appreciate the forerunners! Hopefully it's good! Visually it's already a win.
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Post by crazyjons on Apr 16, 2024 12:21:27 GMT
I only have had a couple ronin euro swords, but blade geometry was not a thing I would complain about. Single bevel edges all the way down, pretty Sharp. Nice apple seed profile on the Italian. And I know it's not a popular opinion but I even liked the big bulky waisted grip. The real bother to me is the haphazard handle fitting proportions and stainless steel construction. I say haphazard because it appears that they have a limited collection of pommels and guards that they mix and match with various blades to make different models. And it might be a little silly of me but I don't want two swords hanging on the wall where it's like "oh those two swords have the same guard"
Jon
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Post by curiomansion on Apr 16, 2024 12:51:14 GMT
I only have had a couple ronin euro swords, but blade geometry was not a thing I would complain about. Single bevel edges all the way down, pretty Sharp. Nice apple seed profile on the Italian. And I know it's not a popular opinion but I even liked the big bulky waisted grip. The real bother to me is the haphazard handle fitting proportions and stainless steel construction. I say haphazard because it appears that they have a limited collection of pommels and guards that they mix and match with various blades to make different models. And it might be a little silly of me but I don't want two swords hanging on the wall where it's like "oh those two swords have the same guard" Jon I should clarify my position. I haven't had excellent blade geometry from Ronin, but I would rate their blade geometry from good to very good! On the Alexandria I owned, the mid-rib wasn't super defined or crisp and the whole thing was kinda wavy. The forte wasn't thick enough and the tang was way too small (I actually took it apart). All that said, it still ranks a B to B+ in my book. The issue for me is that these new ones are going after a hollow-ground diamond, which are notoriously hard. If they even halfway pull it off for under $300 with scabbard and belt, it's a huge win and probably my next beater. My last heavy beater was a Ronin Dojo Pro (1000+ cuts, many hard and many vs small trees). About the guard...not silly at all! I totally get what you're saying!
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Post by RambleTree on Apr 16, 2024 20:57:26 GMT
I'm very interested in the Bastard sword. Awhile back I owned a type XVa bastard sword (the Battle Tested/Kawashima, etc. brand - presumably Ronin's supplier). Same construction, grip treatment, weird scabbard, etc. Nice little sword. The guard looks to be exactly the same one as on the swords in question here. The guard was quite nice, interesting details, stout without being overbuilt, and on the shorter side. And - the blade had a nicely executed, shallow hollow grind. Interestingly, there's an arming sword version of that type XV, same guard, with a fishtail pommel - that's been available in the US for about a year. You can find the 'Battle Tested' XVa bastard and XV arming swords on AoC, various Ebay sellers (eCop), and wholesale from SZCO. --Note: this is not intended to derail the thread again - just an observation/impression based on owning a similar sword, with some of the same components, very likely from the same factory: It looks like Ronin applied the exact same hilt (guard, grip and pommel) from the XV Arming sword, and slapped it on a new type XVIII blade. Similarly, with the Bastard sword - changed the pommel from scentstopper to disc, and slapped it on the same XVIII blade. The construction of the XVa was rock solid, very stiff, and hollow ground. Here's my classifieds listing, with specs if anyone wants to compare: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/71971/sold-name-kawashima-xva-sword
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Post by rigel on Apr 20, 2024 15:19:01 GMT
I placed an order for the arming sword. I’ll put an update on here when I receive it. Thank you so much! Always appreciate the forerunners! Hopefully it's good! Visually it's already a win. I received the arming sword last night and have spent some time playing around with it. It feels like a proper arming sword, quite nimble with pretty decent point control. It isn’t the quickest arming sword I’ve handled- that being the Albion Poitiers. This one has a bit more authority in the cut. The blade geometry is nice but with a little less distal taper than I would like to see. It tapers very slowly from 5.8 at the base to 4.9 around the cutting portion and from there it tapers to 2.6 just before the point.
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Post by nddave on Apr 20, 2024 19:37:28 GMT
Thank you so much! Always appreciate the forerunners! Hopefully it's good! Visually it's already a win. I received the arming sword last night and have spent some time playing around with it. It feels like a proper arming sword, quite nimble with pretty decent point control. It isn’t the quickest arming sword I’ve handled- that being the Albion Poitiers. This one has a bit more authority in the cut. The blade geometry is nice but with a little less distal taper than I would like to see. It tapers very slowly from 5.8 at the base to 4.9 around the cutting portion and from there it tapers to 2.6 just before the point. Nice sounds pretty decent and in line to what Ronin offers. They do tend to be a little more "meaty" to focus on durability. Liking the price as they're a little less than other Ronin Euros in the line. If I wasn't up to my armpits in Type XVIIIs I might give one a try.
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Post by rigel on Apr 20, 2024 22:30:06 GMT
I don’t think it’s as exaggerated as the Alexandria type they do but I don’t have any personal experience just second hand accounts.
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Post by curiomansion on Apr 21, 2024 9:44:32 GMT
Funny thing though, the Alexandria wasn't "meaty" enough. They pulled a lot of mass from the tang and strong of the blade. The weight was actually fine on that sword, but it was pulled from the absolute worst place. Hence, the balance was off and I'm sure the blade isn't as durable as it should be. rigel Even done 100 percent correct, I don't imagine that this sword should be as nimble as the Poitiers; so that's fine! I'm curious about your subjective thoughts on the sword: is it fun? does it make you smile? how does it make you feel swinging it around, wearing it, etc.
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Post by rigel on Apr 23, 2024 13:50:50 GMT
Funny thing though, the Alexandria wasn't "meaty" enough. They pulled a lot of mass from the tang and strong of the blade. The weight was actually fine on that sword, but it was pulled from the absolute worst place. Hence, the balance was off and I'm sure the blade isn't as durable as it should be. rigel Even done 100 percent correct, I don't imagine that this sword should be as nimble as the Poitiers; so that's fine! I'm curious about your subjective thoughts on the sword: is it fun? does it make you smile? how does it make you feel swinging it around, wearing it, etc. Now that I’ve spent a few days with it, I do rather enjoy it. I like the character it has which adds something unique to my collection of arming swords. The grip is nice, but I don’t think it is genuine leather. I really enjoy drawing it from the scabbard, but I don’t like the suspension system. It feels quite cheap and hangs the sword with a lot of movement. It does come with a left hand draw but is easy to switch which side it hangs on.
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Post by curiomansion on Jul 23, 2024 23:11:53 GMT
Any long term update on this rigel ? Anyone else have experience with this sword?
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