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Main => The Armoury => Topic started by: Sir Ancelyn on 2010-05-12, 20:52:44
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I am looking at several sources for swords at the moment. What do you know about Paul Chen, Windlass, and Arms of Valor? Any old sword can look good on the wall if it is presented right. I want one which they didn't skimp on the materials used or the length of the tang.
Thanks,
Adam
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Windlass make a few quality blades for practice, carrying and stage, but most are decorative wall hangers. Paul Chen makes some very attractive pieces suitable for practice, stabe combat and carrying to faires/reenactment activities. As such, these pieces also make very nice wall decorations, although they are typically more expensive than the Windlass wall hangers. I don't know anything about the other company so maybe someone else here can chime in on them. Going to you local Ren Faire or reenacting event can often get you some very nice handmade weapons at reasonable prices. I know that LaForge at PaRF makes some very nice stuff for both use and decoration/faire carrying and they sell them at pretty reasonable cost.
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Well, you'll have to ask yourself a few questions.
1) What do you want out of your sword? (Historical accuracy? A beautiful decoration? Something that functions just like the real thing would have? Something for historical European martial arts usage? Something for stage combat? A combination of any of the above answers?)
2) What's your price point?
For example: If you want a sword for serious stage combat, the vendors you've mentioned above are close to worthless. You'll want a purpose built stage combat sword, and none of them offer such. If you want something for Western Martial Arts, Hanwei has a few models (mainly the "Practical" series) that are decent [for the price], though you can expect them to wear out faster than more expensive swords. If you're interested in swords that look and handle like real swords, both Hanwei and Windlass have some reasonable swords [for the price] that generally have a decent look and feel, and I view them as good "intro" swords to the modern collector. They have some major flaws, but so will anything under the $500 range. Are you looking for fantasy swords? Windlass has some decent ones [for the price]. You'll note how I keep saying [for the price]; That's because you really need to go back and ask yourself those questions above. For myself, I used to own more inexpensive swords, but as time has gone on and I've studied these more and more, I've sold those off to finance nicer and nicer swords, to the point where I'm now buying antiques because so many modern reproductions just aren't good enough for me.
My personal favorite modern makers are Arms and Armor (www.armor.com) and Albion Swords (www.albion-swords.com) because they have a very high level of detail and historical accuracy, and their swords really handle just like the antiques. The drawback is that they are far more expensive, and so they aren't going to be for everybody (I do this for a living, so they're worth every penny to me, but your mileage may vary). So the first thing to do is narrow down your focus, and then do your research. And have fun! Its a very addictive hobby! :)
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What Bill said. :)
I started out buying mostly Windlass and Hanwei swords, with some from various RenFaire sword makers as well. Over time, I came to the conclusion that I'd rather have a smaller number of high quality reproductions than lots and lots of average or poor quality ones, and have since sold many of them to help make room for the nicer pieces. I still own most though. :)
I still own pieces from Windlass, Hanwei, Marto, Art Gladius, and Cold Steel. I still have most of the "renfaire" swords I've bought over the years, such as Highland Steele, Starfire, LaForge, Baltimore Knife & Sword, and Dagger Dan Heinecke. They contribute to my collection in different ways, since many of these are very non-historical, and some are pretty klunky by today's standards.
It's almost impossible to go wrong buying an A&A or Albion piece, but since they are much more expensive, you'll need to decide how they will fit into your collection and what really want/need in a sword. Personally I've been spoiled on them and would find it hard to go back and buy something less, especially since I still own a lot of non-authentic swords from my prior collecting that I don't wish to part with.
I will say, I have never met an Albion I didn't like. I like some considerably less than others, mostly because they're not my era/type of interest, but they're all made with exacting standards and enough historical accuracy that I can appreciate every single one of them. There are some examples, that once placed in my hand, elicit a single word from my brain--- "YES". :)
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There are some examples, that once placed in my hand, elicit a single word from my brain--- "YES". :)
Heh, that about sums it up for me as well. :)
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There are some examples, that once placed in my hand, elicit a single word from my brain--- "YES". :)
Heh, that about sums it up for me as well. :)
really? mine was always DIE DIE DIE
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really? mine was always DIE DIE DIE
Having been there to witness this, I can confirm that this is true. :)
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Thanks everyone for the advice. Sounds like Windlass is my best bet since paying $500.00 for a sword is a bit too rich for my blood. I'm just doing this by myself so the waster will do until I get the forms down. I definitely want one that is both practical and decorative.
Thanks
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www.kultofathena.com always had the best prices on stuff. you may want to look there to start
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Surf all the links, go to the VA Ren Faire. Surf all the links, go to the VA Ren Faire. Why does this have to be such a hard choice?
:-)
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Why choose? Do both! :)
But yeah, I know what you mean about the price. It's pretty sobering once you get used to the idea of paying for Albions, and look at one that's only $900 and think "Hey, that's not bad"...
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And how much may your life be worth? I'll take my fast-blades anytime....
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really? mine was always DIE DIE DIE
Having been there to witness this, I can confirm that this is true. :)
I have heard that particular trait is also hereditary! ;)
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if you ever want a cusom-made beauty, go to forums.dfoggknives.com
the best bladesmiths in the entire world are there.
also, check out jake powning, and Mad Dwarf Workshop. amazing stuff. www.maddwarfworkshop.com
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My sword arrived in the mail yesterday!
I bought a Paul Chen sword from Iron City Blades on ebay this week.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160436836687
It is a two handed bastard sword (although I could fit a third smaller hand between my two and not be crowded out); full length 50 and 3/8", blade length 39", full tang, carbon steel. I'm not sure I like the blacking they put on the guard and the pommel, but the weight and length feel comfortable. Probably not the most historically acurate blade I could get, but for the price I'm happy. This makes sword #1. :-D
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Very nice! How does it feel?
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It is very light, just a few pounds. My living room ceiling now has a scratch on it . . . oops. :-D
It is more comfortable with two hands than one. It seems to balance about 6 or 7 inches down from the hilt (is that right for a 39 inch long blade?). The hilt itself is as, I mentioned, rather long. Given the shape, it is more comfortable holding it with my hands apart than together.
All in all, I m happy.
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I think that in the end the most important thing is are you happy with you weapon. I currently carry a Windlass for my Faire blade, and I really like it alot. It's an early version of the sidesword and I got it from the pirate ship at PaRF for something ridiculous like $30 during one of their pirate auctions. It's definitely a waster, but let's face it, for Faire do you really want to drag out a $1000 sword every weekend? The one I carry is pretty accurate for the period and looks awesome, at Faire I think that is really the point. And most of all, I like the sword!
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The important thing Ancelyn, is that the sword feel comfortable for you. A point of balance is a nice reference, but it all comes down to individuality. A sword that Bill likes may be too long or whippy for me, and vice versa. We aren't playing with it, you are. As a martial artist, anything you utilize should feel as an extension so only you will know what sort of speed or power you can generate. Enjoy and go buy a tin of spackle!
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Probably not the most historically acurate blade I could get, but for the price I'm happy. This makes sword #1. :-D
Congrats!. :)
I have one of these as well, but I got the earlier version. I'm assuming yours is the newer version, where they fixed the problems with the pommel. The older version, like mine, has a balance point about 8 or 9" in front of the guard, because the pommel is hollow and the wood grip core extends all the way back to the pommel's peen. Not only does this result in a very forward-heavy feel, but the pommels had a tendency to break.
The newer version has a solid pommel, and fixes both issues, bringing the balance point to around 5 or 6" from the guard / blade base.
I think the blade is actually extremely good for the price-point. It's not whippy, but I was still able to flex it 90 degrees (!!!!!) without any problem, and have it spring true.
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I love this sword!
The pommel appears solid, aside from the tang of the blade going through it. The join of the tang to the pommel is not prety, but it looks very solid.
Your perception of the balance point matches my observations nicely.
However, I have not tried to flex the blade more than an inch or two lest I sever it in twain. Inexperience holds me back from trying some things.
Dad suggested I purchase a baldrick for the scabard to allow me to mount it to a wall or my belt. Surely there must be peasants which are less smelly I could hire to hold my sword for me. ;-)
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Surely there must be peasants which are less smelly I could hire to hold my sword for me.
Not in these modern times I regret to say, the blighters are unionized now! :D