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Post by viece on Jul 9, 2018 21:22:19 GMT
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Post by viece on Jun 6, 2018 0:17:24 GMT
I have one of these from IMA and like it. For a $100 item it does seem solid and faithful to the pattern. I have seen the reviews saying aluminum hilt but mine is definitely steel. It started rusting immediately when I sprayed it with faux high seas salt spray and vinegar, which is what I end up doing with all my cheap replicas....
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Post by viece on Jun 5, 2018 1:43:48 GMT
Great review. How much did it cost, if you don't mind me asking? I went to Weta's website and it just said "sold out." Just curious. Thanks. If i remember correctly, it was exactly 5999,00 USD... O.o Wow. Thanks. And thanks to the OP for taking the risk if cutting with it.
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Post by viece on Jun 3, 2018 18:09:41 GMT
Great review. How much did it cost, if you don't mind me asking? I went to Weta's website and it just said "sold out." Just curious. Thanks.
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Post by viece on Apr 16, 2018 0:27:07 GMT
Looks like a museum-hanger to me! Good job! Mission-accomplished, I'd say! Thanks!
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Post by viece on Apr 15, 2018 23:56:23 GMT
This post has been incorporated into an article on SBG!
Here are the final results of my latest bit of destruction. Thanks again to demonskull for alerting everyone with the community service message about the closeout MRL Type XIVs. Phenomenal sword for under $100. First, removal of all the MRL grease. Then several minutes of hard shaking in a big plastic box full of rocks and 16-penny nails. Then three hours bathing in warm water mixed with white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, regular salt, and potassium ("lite") salt. Ten or so removals, pat-downs, and brief air-dries during the bath. Then several days sitting out in my damp garage to let the patina cure. In the past, I've wiped blades down too soon and all the pattern came off. Anyway, three days sitting around seemed to help. When I wiped it off with mineral spirits, this neat faux Damascus/wootz-ish pattern remained. I'm very happy with it.
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Post by viece on Apr 12, 2018 2:56:09 GMT
Not really. Not for 85 bucks, anyway (closeout plus 10% code). If it fails I can always find a use for broken materials.
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Post by viece on Apr 12, 2018 1:18:57 GMT
Ok, here we are. 3 hrs total soak in vinegar solution with probably 10 pat-downs and re-soaks. I did not remove the grip. If it soaked up enough solution that it swells and cracks I'll remove and resoak. One without flash and one with.
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Post by viece on Apr 11, 2018 23:55:13 GMT
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Post by viece on Apr 11, 2018 23:52:57 GMT
Not trying to rub it in but just illustrate what some weirdos do with a low cost item. And thanks to those who identified this great deal! My XIV is currently 1.5 hrs initio a bath of lemon juice, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and salt following a nice long shake in a box full of river cobbles and 16d nails. Interesting. Hopefully, and fun for me and for my kids as a hook for digging into medieval history. Maybe awful, disappointing, and on sale soon as an antiqued custom for 1,499.99. Layaway available. Only one in the world with this pattern.
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Post by viece on Apr 11, 2018 23:28:33 GMT
Not trying to rub it in but just illustrate what some weirdos do with a low cost item. And thanks to those who identified this great deal! My XIV is currently 1.5 hrs initio a bath of lemon juice, white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, and salt following a nice long shake in a box full of river cobbles and 16d nails.
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Post by viece on Apr 10, 2018 20:01:56 GMT
My XIV just arrived! Incredibly well-packed in layers of padded mailers, tubes of bubble wrap, nice tip protector. Very well made, well- balanced little sword --smooth lines, nice proportions, quick in the hand, no rattles, solidly peened. Overall it seems as good or better than swords costing 5x more. The scabbard is pretty bad and is warped, but it's still an amazing deal.
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Post by viece on Apr 10, 2018 1:40:19 GMT
My order shows as arriving tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Big money/ no whammy.
I would consider sending someone else the Oakeshott XIV scabbard, and/or the scabbard for my Deepeeka Viking sword that is currently marinating in central Texas' finest crappy clay soil, if anyone needs them.
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Post by viece on Apr 6, 2018 3:05:12 GMT
Good tip, thanks! Just ordered one as well. This one is destined for a vinegar bath...
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Post by viece on Apr 3, 2018 11:02:02 GMT
Doug - I corresponded with DSA a bit about the Excavation series but ended up going a different direction. Just curious, though, did they just wrap the bare tangs with leather, or is there a fully constructed grip? Have you taken off the wrap on any of them? Thx
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Post by viece on Apr 3, 2018 3:20:34 GMT
Doug -
Thanks for the tip! I like the look of the swords in the bottom photo. My Viking sword and a cutlass are now buried in the yard.
Side note, now that I'm messing with these techniques and getting more familiar with various deterioration vectors, I'm amazed to see how many half-$emprinied fakes are on ebay. I guess I was naive.
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Post by viece on Mar 18, 2018 0:31:49 GMT
Interesting insights. I'm willing to put up with potential buildup issues later to have clean items I can handle at any time, share with others, etc with no greasy or oily residue.
Pgandy, off topic but what volcanic area are you in? Have you ever been through a major eruption?
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Post by viece on Mar 17, 2018 22:23:32 GMT
I was just going through my little collection, giving everything a recoat with Ren Wax, and found myself thinking wow, this stuff is amazing -- no smell (after it dries, that is), makes all surfaces glassy-smooth, and deepens all the natural colors. I tend to get well-used, unremarkable swords. One of them is an Ames 1863 light cavalry saber that I liked but wasn't in love with. I wish I had pics from when I got it -- it had a flat, crusty appearance. After a couple of rounds of Ren Wax and a quick wipe with a microfiber cloth, look at this. It's now my favorite. I love the deep gunmetal gray and light pitting on the steel, and the warm, buttery/caramely color of the brass after waxing. To me the patina on both metals (and on the grip) is perfect.
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Post by viece on Mar 11, 2018 14:35:35 GMT
Whoa. Vivid. Thanks for posting.
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Post by viece on Feb 27, 2018 22:13:22 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions so far!
I knew about the DSA excavation series and was interested, especially at the half-off clearance price. However, DSA told me the excavation series medieval sword is not functional and is for display only. I admire their honesty about that but it's not for me. I like the idea of a rusted beater that's still tempered and fully useable. So that's why I'm making this one.
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