Most of us have heard of this company at some point- from its mostly humble origins via SFI, to the brou-ha-ha that occurred when accusations of theft of design ran rampant; love them or hate them, they're still around. I'd gotten one of their swords some twelve or so years ago; I'll never forget it as it was the most money I'd ever spent on a sword at that time. The DSA Ranger, an homage to the sword Aragorn used in the LOTR movies (which was never in the book, by the way- he used the larger upper portion of the sword Narsil [a foot length of steel missing from where it would run to the tip] before it was reforged into Anduril, but I digress) had just been released to the market and I was hot for one. I Paypal'd my $370 or so and waited anxiously.
I had it shipped to the job; that was how bad I wanted it. When it arrived I hurried down to the car garage to get a good look at it and put it in the trunk when I'd finished drooling. Imagine that anticipation...I'd waited what felt like months (it was weeks) and it was finally here! Imagine my utter dissatisfaction as I noted several inconsistencies on the item that pictures did not show. From rough leather-work on grip and scabbard (no belts at the time), chape and locket had pits and grind marks- the shape of the lower part of the cross had a corresponding shape that fit the locket only it didn't- they did not align at all. The blade itself looked decent enough, and heavy enough to crush thin plate, and trees and whatever else you put under it. It weighed in at over 4lbs (closer to 5), the sharpening service was uneven and amateurish at best. I immediately sent it back for a full refund; it was a tank but a tank was not what I wanted. I would "look in on" on them from time to time but never ventured back.
Then I happened to see this- and am somewhat flabbergasted that they've gone this route and command such a price:
http://www.darkknightarmoury.com/p-27052-the-medieval-knight-elite-series-sword.aspxThoughts, good gentlemen?
