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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2009 8:42:37 GMT
Hello, My name is Peter and I am from Bulgaria. I have a desire to give a gladius as a birthday present to my father. He is fond of Roman history and weapons and he possess very very strong knowledge in these subjects. Hence a real combat-ready, not just a replica, gladius will be an incredible present for him. I apologize in advance if I am asking an already responded question, but I haven't got much time to make an investigation. My feedback from internet on the subject comes from the site www.sword-buyers-guide.com/. I am very thankful to his creator and all the contributors. I have read everything connected to gladiuses, including the reviews of the products of some copmanies. At the time being I have to choose from one of the following companies: Generation 2, Valiant Armoury, Kris Cutleries and Windlass. I want to ask you is there a company which produces such swords in an European country, i.e. Spain (Toledo), Germany? If there are such companies, please tell me. If I have to buy a sword from another continent, I will go back to the above stated companies. I am also open for other companies if you can suggest me. Thank you in advance. BR, Peter
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2009 9:45:09 GMT
You can try Del Tin in Italy: www.deltin.it/home.htmThere are a number of other European swordmakers, but I can't find another one that actually has a gladius listed in their product line.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2009 13:14:53 GMT
Thank you very much. Can you compare their products to some of these: Generation 2, Valiant Armoury, Kris Cutleries and Windlass.
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Post by YlliwCir on Jan 20, 2009 19:22:52 GMT
Peter, I have the Gen2 Gladii, a Kris Cutlery and the Windlass Mainz. Of these I like the Kris Cutlery best overall in looks and performance. Here is my review of the KC Gladius; /index.cgi?action=display&board=swordreviews&thread=1998&page=1 The Gen2's are tough and functional tho lacking in historical accuracy in my opinion. More of a modern interpetation of a gladius I would say. Here are some reviews; The Mainz. /index.cgi?action=display&board=swordreviews&thread=6843&page=1 The Pompeii, /index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=1997 The Windlass Mainz is an overall nice sword and more historical than the Gen2's although it doesn't come sharp and I don't care for the fake bone grip, feels like plastic. Here is a picture; i192.photobucket.com/albums/z111/RicWilly/windlassgladius002.jpgI don't have one but here is some info on the Windlass Pompeii; /index.cgi?action=display&board=swordreviews&thread=2001&page=1 That is the Windlass Hoplite in the too. Here is a review of a VA gladius; /index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=2056 Another option that should be mentioned is the Albion offerings. They have three versions of fine Gladii. They are more expensive and the wait time on them may be of concern for your purpose although one can sometimes be found second hand on the various forums. Happy Hunting. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2009 14:18:54 GMT
Thank you Ric,
I recognized at once your picture. I had read your reviews.
Okay, I will look at all the links you have supplied and then I suppose you can give me an advice again.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2009 15:26:49 GMT
Hi Ric,
I've moved through all the links. Some of them I had alrady read.
Till now I had two major options - Kris Cutlery gladius or Viliant pretorian gladius. The fist one because it is more combat ready, and the second one for its beauty. I still don't know which will be more appropriate for my father, but I think I will go for Kris Cutlery.
Two questions: 1. Weight: 2 pounds ~ 1 kg - isnt't it too light? I thought a gladius had to be 1,2 - 1,6 kg. 2. I didn't find enything about the bevel of the blade - is it the right way?
And back to my original post. It is very strange that there are so many armories in Asia and North America that produce gladii and not in Europe - where these swords came from.
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Post by YlliwCir on Jan 21, 2009 19:46:39 GMT
Peter. I'm not real Knowledgeable about historical accuracy. From what I have been able to gather, there doesn't seem to be a really authentic gladius around without doing some customizing on one's own.
As to the KC, it's weighs a bit closer to 2.5 lbs, still a bit light compared to the weight you mention. It does feel quite substantial in hand. The blade has a flat diamond cross section without a secondary bevel and is quite sharp, authentic from what I have been able to learn.
I too would like to see more decent gladii produced, both here and abroad.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2009 1:39:30 GMT
How long do you have before you need the sword in hand, and how much money are you planning to spend? If you've got some time and some cash, you may want to go for one of the Albion gladii (I think they go for around $700 USD). That would probably be the most historically accurate gladii on the reproduction market, besides maybe a custom made sword.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2009 13:00:37 GMT
It becomes more difficult now with all the new information. One problem is the money, I will contact KC to see how much the shipping to Bulgaria will cost. On the other hand Albion has a new European representation. Although Albion's swords are much more expensive (580 euro), the total amount of the purchase may not differ so much. I think that I won't succeed in getting a sword till a month. My father's birthday is on 19th of February. But that is not so important. I prefer to buy a better sword nevertheless the delay. Okay, let's forget for a moment the parameters - money and time. From what I see in the pictures, I cannot say that I like the more expensive Albion than the KC. Have you got experience with both of them? Can you compare them? Can you tell me why the Albion is better than the KC? It si 2-3 times more expensive. By the way I like very much the quadripled grip in the KC, but I suppose that in Roman times, they were oval.
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Post by YlliwCir on Jan 22, 2009 19:00:44 GMT
Peter, I don't have an Albion gladius but I would like to get one someday. I do have an Albion Poitiers and their quality is superior to KC. From what I understand (which is limited) the Albion is more historically accurate if more "plain" in appearance.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2009 20:06:56 GMT
hello!!! Seawolf .. why don't you try with Jiri krondak swords?? or maybe Red Gur?? ... check them .. maye if you talk with them they can help you .. .. I always bought from Kult of Athena .. the shipping costs are not higher than others .. If you're in Bulgaria talk with the armorers that i told you, maybe thay can help you ! ...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2009 10:04:17 GMT
Thank you, Ric.
Mordrent, I have found the web pages of Jiri Krondak and Red Gur. They don't have gladii in their catalogues. I will establish contact with them later today and I'll ask them. Thank you.
By the way, do you know any armorers from Toledo?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2009 22:42:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2009 0:23:54 GMT
There is one European manufacturer going unmentioned here who has endlessly gorgeous gladii: www.raven-armoury.co.uk/I own a very old model (mid 1990s) and it is in no way inferior to an Albion. Actually I'd guess they improved the quality further, so by now it should be breathtaking. As far as I know they are also authentically. Concerning battle readiness, Skallagrim and I have used it for years and it is still in near unscratched shape. It does what a gladius is designed for magnificently: thrusting through everything you feed it. Cutting with it is a bit tricky because of the nature of the handling but still possible and enjoyable. The only problem is that Raven Armory is quite pricey. I don't know what exactly the price of their gladii is today (you have to actually ask for prices, never a good sign ) but they will definitely be well above the normal reproduction sword.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2009 12:38:01 GMT
Thank you very much, Cara. From the pictures I see exactly what I am looking for. Having in mind what you said about the quality, this has to be a fine gladius. Now I will ask them about the price. I hope it will be not so high.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2009 12:41:10 GMT
Hm..., it costs far above the Albion...
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2009 22:15:59 GMT
I am sorry to hear that. Though I figured as much... With (a lot of) luck you can find them on auctions sometimes (mostly on www.egun.de). I got mine there, not knowing what exactly I bought. Sorry for not being helpful. Hopefully you will find something that suits you soon.
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Post by YlliwCir on Feb 17, 2009 10:03:16 GMT
They are indeed beautiful gladii, Cara. Did I see one of those in a vid on youtube?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2009 1:19:35 GMT
@ Ric
I'm quite sure of it. Skallagrim and I had the gladius now for over five years so it ought to be in at least some of our videos. I think it is in the leather testing videos.
It is truly beautiful and worth every cent, I'm so happy we have it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2009 14:51:18 GMT
Cara, you were very helpful. You've widened my knowledge. I am continuing my quest. Please, can you send me a link of that video with this galdius.
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