|
Post by dchisenh on Sept 29, 2017 19:16:03 GMT
I am 100% in support of any sword maker (or any business for that matter) taking steps to improve their quality and workmanship in response to customer demand.
That said, it'll take more than a few in-house video clips for me to give them another shot. It IS a step in the right direction and I really would like for their swords to be a viable option in the future, but I'm not willing to make that gamble yet.
If over time they can demonstrate proper tangs, proper distal taper, proper weight, proper tempering of a quality steel, at a reasonable price..then I will consider them...maybe.
If I were their marketing person, I'd consider a SBG or former customer discount, maybe even consider sending a blade or two to some members to do an independent 3rd party destructive test/take down review. Hell, even providing a few swords for a contest similar to what Ronin just did would go a long way towards building that vendor-client relationship.
Like Paul mentioned recently, new sword sales are at all time lows right now. Some really, really nice swords have come out recently that haven't done nearly as well as expected. I'm not really surprised, given how many high quality swords have been popping up on the used market. If Darksword is looking to win back some former customers, it's likely going to take some serious effort on their part.
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Sept 18, 2017 20:43:04 GMT
Thanks man, I appreciate it. . I hadn't shipped to Canada before, but it was easier than I thought. It was a pleasure doing business with you too!
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Sept 13, 2017 14:12:25 GMT
That sounds like a pretty good setup to me. All the internet debates in the world aren't as useful as a real day spent at the range.
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Sept 11, 2017 3:00:24 GMT
The surest way to turn a flock into a brick is to mod it like that. You want to stay as close to stock as you can until you become really familiar with the system and immediate action for it. If you like revolvers a good Smith 38/357 is hard to beat This x1000! Are you sure it's actually still a glock? For dirt cheap, assuming you can find them over there, the S&W SD9VE is so cheap it's almost scary and after an Apex trigger and spring kit install, it's butter smooth and a hell of a shooter....at less than half the price of a glock. If you can afford a glock, get a stock one and practice.
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Sept 11, 2017 2:55:31 GMT
I was taught by my grandfather that shot placement is the key.
Then again, he did use an old lever action .30-30 to trim tree branches...
___________________________________________________________________
I'd suggest you shoot a 9, 40 and 45 at a range and see which you like best. What platforms you end up using for the demo will have an effect, but you should get an idea of the difference in recoil, blast, etc...
After reading a bit about your particular situation though, I would choose extra capacity vs. increased knock-down. You might have to provide cover for family members to flee or until your security or the cops arrive. I'd rather have 17 rounds of 9mm instead of 8 rounds of 45 and an empty gun to throw at them!
Here in the US, I don't feel defenseless carrying a smaller .380 like a LCP when I don't feel like carrying a 9mm. Gangs of assassins aren't on my list of likely enemies, though.
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Sept 3, 2017 13:31:34 GMT
You can still add the SBG code to the DoTD. If the DoTD is above $200, the MRL free shipping coupon is automatically applied by them, so you have to cancel that first.
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Aug 24, 2017 16:22:11 GMT
admin I think we'll need a thread for Temple Nimbus soon. Also one related to the armed forces of each nation. Unless we're consolidating it with the Bestiary. If you have the time, please give feedback in the Magic System thread.I can't move forward without input. The only post you need to read is the Magic 3.0 post near the very bottom of the first page. Thanks Well, I collected all of the posts related to magic I could find from the original thread into the first few very long posts in the magic thread as an archive. At the time, I wasn't sure how the subforum would be organized, so if those posts are getting in the way of the Magic thread, feel free to delete or move them as y'all see fit. I've been busy lately and only periodically checking in on this project, but it seems like a lot of the basics and storylines have already been written by Paul, so I'll step aside from any position on the Magic committee I had when Ramses put it together. I'm sure Sev can handle tweaking the Magic system on his own. Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Aug 11, 2017 16:29:30 GMT
Just to follow up, I received my Deal of the Day Mercenary Schiavona late yesterday and it has a PoB of 4.5" from where the blade begins (under the two folded metal pieces of the guard).
I ordered mine sharp and it is razor sharp! The tip was sharpened nicely too, symmetrical and wickedly pointy, with enough 'meat' left in the blade at the end to feel confident in the thrust. Mine doesn't feel particularly blade heavy, I'd say the balance is what I'd expect for a basket-hilted sword at this weight; nimble enough in the hand for a quick accurate thrust but still enough blade presence to be an authoritative cutter. The basket is well done by Windlass standards, beefy enough to withstand some impacts (the central rib, what would otherwise be a 'knuckle-bow", is very thick and well reinforced, I would have no worries about taking a direct hit on that) but still has small scuffs here and there, minor machining marks, and overall what you'd expect from Windlass. The blade is stiff with nicely done fullers (only one of the outer fullers on mine is just the slightest bit wavy, the rest are pretty much perfect) and just by eyeballing it, it looks like center of resonance is pretty much where the 2 outer fuller stop on my blade, with a "sweet spot" for percussion going from just below there up to slightly beyond where the center fuller ends.
Overall, I'm impressed by this sword, especially for the DotD price. If it goes on DotD again, don't hesitate to get one!
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Aug 7, 2017 15:42:56 GMT
Well ordered the sword as well. Heres hoping the PoB is a typo. I also ordered the sword as soon as I saw it was the DotD, then noticed their posted PoB and emailed customer service to cancel my order. As the day went on and more folks posted here it was a typo, I re-emailed them to cancel my cancellation. I called first thing this morning to ask about it and the woman at MRL said it has to be a typo because she's seen the sword and there's no way it has a PoB of 11". She thinks it's a cm=in swap mistake, but either way I've kept my order active and will let y'all know the actual PoB when I receive it. I hope everyone who wanted one was able to get in on it since it's a good deal as long as the specs check out..plus, everyone should have at least one schiavona!
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Aug 6, 2017 14:25:29 GMT
If you spend $200 or more MRL adds a "free shipping" code to your order and until you remove it, you won't be able to add the SBG code. If you get the sharpened version you'll save a little extra with SBG vs free shipping.
Also, I didn't notice the 11" PoB...when I read the stats in my pre-coffee daze I thought it said PoB was 4"...I hope that's a typo! The few comments I've read all mention how well it balances, I can't imagine it would with an actual PoB that far out!
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Jul 15, 2017 1:39:57 GMT
Hey Alan, I didn't know that about Odin. That would make it a natural fit for the Northmen. Things are still up in the air so early into this, I could definitely see that as a possibility.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Speaking of how much everything is still so undefined, I'm going to take a pause on trying to figure out the nitty-gritty of the magic system for a bit (though I'd still like folks to leave their ideas, impressions, questions, etc.) here, along with whatever types of magic they'd like to see.
With so many ideas bandied about earlier tapering off to just about nothing, I'll wait till Paul has said more about what sort of context all this will be for before I go all 'hog-wild' in figuring out the factual basis for whatever system is created.
Is this just for the sword line? Is this for an active story-based role-playing community? is this for an online/table-top RPG? Or something else entirely?
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Jul 14, 2017 22:36:54 GMT
Thats what my original plan was, to make a functional two handed leaf blade, for raw cutting power, since they aren't too common on the market. I am not sure how to tweak this design for two handed use though. I have never even held a leaf blade before. Closest thing I got is a kukri machete I am fine with what ever the forge prefers though. Well, to be honest your original design looks absolutely perfect for a two hander. I know the forge has their say in things, but I also have been looking for an actual, functional leaf bladed two hander for awhile now and your hilt fits beautifully with that design. Also, you hit the nail on the head that there aren't many, if any, available now; so like you I haven't held one either. I'd buy one in a heartbeat though, that's my point!
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Jul 14, 2017 16:00:47 GMT
I'm hoping we can get some more ideas on what types of magic or abilities people would like to see in this world so we can try to find a rationale for them and figure out where they might fall within the context of our framework.
If anyone has any input at all, feel free to post or PM me about it, the fervent discussion that took place in the main thread has really come to a standstill since I started this thread and subsequently the competition winners have been announced, but hopefully we can start it back up now that all of these threads are in the same sub-forum!
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Jul 14, 2017 15:50:44 GMT
Very nice! I like this one very much. Yep, the proportions are really nicely done, it's uniqueness stands out, and it looks like it could be a nimble but very effective cutter that could be devastating in the thrust as well! I'd really like to get my hands on one of these! I think I'm going to re-write my character's backstory to have him use one of these since I like it so much!
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Jul 14, 2017 14:41:09 GMT
I'm not a fan of gladius or a lot of other ancient style swords, but THIS is awesome!
I'd love to see the fullers blackened as well, that would really set this off!
I also think the extreme point and the "pointed-ness" of the "side points", since I'm not familiar with the correct terminology, will be crucial in this swords execution.
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Jul 14, 2017 14:34:20 GMT
Well, the short sword incarnation of this design looks good, but personally I was hoping for a functional, fantasy leaf-bladed longsword...they're not easy to find nowadays, beyond heavy and unbalanced DSA offerings. I'll likely pass on the shorter version, just FYI.
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Jul 14, 2017 14:27:37 GMT
So, of all four winners, I'll likely buy this one first because it is so unique.
I agree the falx scabbard Sev pointed out would work really well for a sword like this. It's fairly simple and utilitarian, but is practical for this blade. The more elaborate Japanese style ones could be part of a "Masterpiece" line while the basic leather one could be a way to keep cost down.
Like mentioned in the Vorpal blade, point execution will be crutial for this sword too. It's gotta be visually intimidating and needs to be as acute as possible!
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Jul 14, 2017 14:17:41 GMT
I think one of the most appealing aspects of this sword is it's slightly staggered profile taper; having a very wide base taper sharply in what looks like the first inch or two from the guard, level off and decrease steadily as the blade progresses and finally the taper increases sharply again in the final quarter/third of the blade to a very acute tip.
I hope BCI pays close attention to the tip of this sword, if they can pull off a dramatic and wicked tip like an Albion Principe, they'll have a winner!
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Jul 14, 2017 3:39:22 GMT
Also, since my previous post about this may have been overlooked due to the crazy magic development discussions at the time, I was wondering:
Paul, what sort of metallurgical flourishes could BCI produce that could denote particular sword or metal's properties?
I'll copy and past my previous post below for reference:
Since Paul mentioned this earlier:
Naturally, being generated by members of a sword community, concentrating on metallurgy, steel sources and types (including magical steels and ways to enchant weapons) will be very important. LOVE the idea of the Badlands having the last known deposits of the "Unobtanium" that the Empire uses to forge its magic weapons. The concept of various warlords (not all of them human) vying for control of the resource is an awesome one..
I think it makes sense to have a few types of 'magical' metals for weapon making and perhaps some visual changes associated with weapon enchantments (preferably ones the real-life forge could recreate).
If we stick with the "unobtainium" deposit in the center of the Badlands, as the last known large deposit from an ancient asteroid (or was it a Fallen God?, Primordial?), we can stick with the story that it's scarcity and tensile strength limits it to short robust blades (short swords, daggers, gladius) or long, thin blades (rapiers, estocs, or even the end of a pilum). It could be characterized by it's luster, resulting in blades with a mirror polish. There could be several theories for it's magical properties against the undead. Perhaps it somehow 'taints' or 'severs' the Lich King's control, maybe it contains a background radiation of sorts that interferes with magic. I think if we limit this metal as having anti-undead/zombie abilities we can use it as a rationale for tension between the Empire (who equips it's ever-growing legions with it) and the Lich King (who likely outlaws it's possession in the Land of the Dead).
Similarly, this growing arms race could see the Lich King creating his own weapons, perhaps out of Dark Steel. This could be diametrically opposed to "unobtainium", causing both to explode on impact like the two poles of a magnet coming into contact. It could be visually represented by it's inky blackness, in contrast to the mirror brightness of "unobtainium" (realistically it could be created by a black oxide finish or a dark acid stain of some sort). These weapons could be limited in size as well, being forged into kopeshes and scythes in the style of the Land of the Dead. The creation of these anti-"unobtainium" swords might be known only by the Lich King and those around him in the Land of the Dead, a closely guarded state secret, but occasionally being seen out and about in the world, wielded by his most trusted soldiers.
Dragon Steel (pattern welded steel) could be used in particularly mythic weapons, handed down for generations or the official weapons of the King/Warlord/High Priest. They could be any length, since they used the fire of dragons to fuse both "unobtainium" and regular steel, to overcome it's inherent structural limitations. These weapons might have additional powers given to them, based on enchantments etched into their patterning, giving them not only added power against the undead but other adversaries as well.
|
|
|
Post by dchisenh on Jul 14, 2017 3:29:53 GMT
So, I know Paul was looking for a few names quick, my votes are: Lich King = T'shering the Eternal "unobtainium" = stelliferrum world = Elatreus "Swords of Elatreus"
|
|