Sir James: I think that you're right that swords never were called 'german' or 'italian' because the two shown types were used by both nations along with England, France, Finland, Spain and others. On a personal note, I lean towards the first one (the English Medieval Longsword). I like the design and I feel that is the kind of sword I should get. But my intention was to see what you brethren thought about this.
RauttSkegg: I don't have a kit yet, but a picture compilation of the kit prototype van be found here
http://modernchivalry.org/forum/index.php/topic,1096.15.htmlcheck out the prototype for the German Gothic Placard/Brigandine design or the Italian Harness prototype
Sir Wolf: The two swords shown here are not sold at Kult of Athena, but the pricing is not bad. The Arbiter with a basic scabbard (plain leather scabbard) sells for $695.00, while the sword with a Deluxe Scabbard (scabbard with a wood core leather and leather chape) sells at $730.00 and the Sword with an Elite Scabbard (wood core and leather scabbard with a nickel chape) sells at $800.00. The Sword by itself sells for $535.00.
The English Medieval Longsword (by itself) sells at $430.00, with a basic scabbard: $554.00, a Deluxe Scabbard: $625.00 and aqn Elite Scabbard: $695.00.
The Basic Scabbard sells with an extra cost of $124, a Deluxe Scabbard: $195 extra and the Elite: $265 extra. The same extra cost also go for the Arbiter.
I like the Arbiter, but the English Medieval Longsword is just rockin' awesome goodness! (one thing I would like to add is that the English Medieval Longsword is not based on a certain replica, but on a a style of longswords that were made in the 15th Century. Hence both swords are 15th Century types.)