Hi to all

I just came across this site www.forgedintime.com .I was looking at there work and it looks real good ,I am most interested in there Windblade longsword if anyone has dealt with or has any information for me about there swords that would be great. Thanks James

Any info on the quality of these swords would be great ,,anyone????

Interesting, I thought I had searched out every sword-maker's web site in the world, but I also missed this one. There's no mention in 'Spirit of the Sword' (although that doesn't mean much, given that they missed A&A). His name (Benjamin Rial) does not turn up on a myArmoury search.

Its very interesting that he hand forges and aims for historically accurace sharp swords at a meaty middle price (in the 500s). Not many people in North America are working in that range (Darksword Armoury hand forges heavier re-enactment type blades, Valiant Armoury outsources its hand forged blades). The stats provided look good. The pictures are not very good, in fact some are just drawings, making it hard to judge. But at first glance I did not notice anything wrong (although he's mainly into late medieval longswords, which are not my forte). He presents himself as being serious and knowledgeable and having been around for a long time. So why isn't he more famous???

I'm also conservative about ordering swords from people I don't know, unless I've seen great reviews, great pictures, and independent statistics, I prefer to see and handle before I buy. I hope some people can fill us in more on this interesting fellow.

I agree J.D. I too cant understand how no one ever heard of this swordsmith and he makes some very good stuff. I have emailed him and he did reply very fast and was very helpful with all my questions .I am pretty sure I am going to buy the Windblade off him it looks like a very fine sword. He said it take 4 to 6 weeks for a sword to ship and also if i wanted changes on the sword i.e. guard ,pommel type that there are no extra charge, which I think is a great deal also the pommels are hot penned.

Guys, have you seen this review of a piece by (apparently) this same "Forged in Time" maker?

http://www.ramanon.com/forum/showthread.php?8...het-review

Not a sword, however, but a smatchet. Looks quite good.

EDIT :

Quote:

if i wanted changes on the sword i.e. guard ,pommel type that there are no extra charge, which I think is a great deal

That is interesting. I like makers ready to do "semi-custom" work for no additional charge, it's a great way to have personalised swords at a small price. I will watch this "Forged in Time" closely & hope you soon give us a review of the Windblade, James! ;)

I agree with Simon and J.D. that you should write a review once/if you've bought the sword. It would be a great service to the myArmoury community and very appreciated I'm sure. :)

Hmmm, nice reviews even though it only vaugely resembles a Smatchet
here are two, the upper one from Paul MacDonald in Edinburgh, the other by Boker
[ Linked Image ]

The Forged in Time version looks like a composite of the Smachet and Fairsword
Fairsword picture off the net
[ Linked Image ]

That said, the workmanship looks pretty good.
Phil

Just an observation regarding his site and wares. The photos do make it hard to see much detail in his work and the fact that some of the illustrations appear to be drawings is a bit of a concern. Also, I have seen very few smiths who are turning out such a huge variety of blades. In looking through his site I found a Scottish dirk. The dirk is made from a blade and fittings which used to be available from Track of the Wolf and a couple of other outlets. IOW it is not hand-forged. I have a dirk made from those components and the fittings and blade are identical to the one on the site.

I am not being critical, in fact what I viewed on the site looked pretty good. However I suspect that some of his work uses mass-produced blades. If he says that on his site and I missed it then I certainly stand corrected.

Hey guys, I posted my response over in the maker forum to comply with the rules. It can be found under "Forged In Time".
I will do my best to address your questions.

Hi All,

Just wanted to put my 2 cents in on my experience with Forged In Time. I ordered a knife back in March of 2013, and waited the 6 months that I was told it would take to make. I wasn't told this until I paid for the knife. But oh well.. A hand made knife is worth the wait if it is high quality. So far, I haven't received the knife. I was told that it had been shipped but magically disappeared. I asked for the tracking number, but the owner wouldn't give it. He said he had another that he would send out within the week. This was a month ago.
What I see from this person is that he lies, doesn't respond to problems, and I am thinking doesn't really operate a sword and knife making company. I think he just takes the money and runs.
So beware of this guy. From my experience, he is a crook.

Many of the swords from your site look like customized Hanwei Tinker swords, Benjamin. The site doesn't say that, but it would be fair to say it if it is the case.

Just to fan the flames a bit .... One of the attached photos is from Forged in Time, the other is from MR Ltd, (Windlass) Note the blemishes in the leather, background, etc. In my opinion it is the same photo.

Regards,
Dan

Tom,

Thanks .... You are correct. Occasionally I have a very firm grasp on the obvious! Didn't fully scan the site, had I done so I would not have posted the photos.

You may also be right about "fond of scandal" as things could get a bit out of hand; however I like the idea that we tend to look out for fellow practitioners.

Cheers,
Dan

Sir,

I generally do not go around giving bad reviews, so your inference that I am slandering without cause is insulting. However, I will respond with this. I have been trying to get resolution from Forged In Time for months with no luck. I have been getting the run around and now lack of communication. So it would appear to me that the individual that runs the site is not going to live up to his obligation. This gives hard working knife and sword smiths a very bad name and potentially will harm their business. That is something that I would not like to see, as there are many reputable individuals out there trying to ply their craft to feed their families.
Now if the individual in question had continued communication, and gotten me my knife, there would have been no issue. Even if he said it would take months more there would have been no problem. But to lie and then stop communicating altogether, that smacks of dishonesty.

Also, I posted my experience in 2 places as I didn't know which one would be most appropriate. I am not attempting to slander anyone, just trying to let people know one mans experience. Which I think I am entitled to do.
If hearing of a bad experience with your hero shatters your view of the world, I apologize. However, it doesn't make it any less true.