myArmoury.com - Ritter Steel

Posts: 69 Location: North Carolina

Wed 22 Mar, 2006 11:38 am

Ritter Steel

Hi all,

I was wondering what the general opinion was from the members of the site concerning swords from Ritter Steel. I do own one of their swords, the Celtic short sword, which I've had about 8 years. Any opinions and comments would be welcomed, as I would love to learn more about what one would consider a high end (and collectible) sword and what is not.

Thanks,

Ken

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Bill Grandy

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Posts: 4,194 Location: Northern VA,USA

Wed 22 Mar, 2006 12:13 pm

I handled some Rittersteel swords a few years ago. They were all rather bulky and on the hefty side. They felt a little "dead" in the hand. The finsh wasn't very good: lines and proportions were somewhat sloppily made, grips were very bulky, and they only generically captured the right look of the swords they were trying to replicate. I don't know about structural strength or heat treatment. Overall, for the price, I think there are better options out there.

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Folkert van Wijk

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Posts: 206 Location: The Netherlands

Thu 23 Mar, 2006 1:10 am

Considering the "Celtic" sword you show here, I suggest you look (and maybe read) through this thread here ...

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...ght=celtic

Then you'l will find out that there is nothing there that looks like the Celtic sword you have...
This is because the Rittersteel Celtic sword doesn'd resemble an actualy sword. It is somewhat inspired by (much older) bronse age swords but then combined with a iron leafblade...

Leafblades did exsist but probably didn't have hilts like that.

Also is this Ritersteel sword probably inspired by the many (romantic) statues and drawings made of celts by different artists who didn't know better... ;)

Folkert.

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Ed Klein

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Posts: 2 Location: Houston TX

Thu 23 Mar, 2006 6:22 am

Rittersteel

I own a Rittersteel war sword and would compare its weight, durability, finish and handling characteristics to a leaf spring from a dump truck. However, the sword is a short two hander and I can swing it around indoors without wreaking too much havoc. I use it more as a piece of exercise equipment (warm-up) than a true sword.

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Douglas Meek

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Posts: 14

Thu 23 Mar, 2006 2:29 pm

hello all i have the ritter steel warhammer. things massive but they look cool :D

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Ken Rankin

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Posts: 69 Location: North Carolina

Fri 24 Mar, 2006 7:51 am

Folkert van Wijk wrote:

Considering the "Celtic" sword you show here, I suggest you look (and maybe read) through this thread here ...

Also is this Ritersteel sword probably inspired by the many (romantic) statues and drawings made of celts by different artists who didn't know better... ;)

Folkert.

Hmmmmm....this would explain the illustration in the catalog of a Hun swinging the sword :p I also have an interest in Celtic history and etc, but I really like the leaf blade so when I saw it I knew I wanted it, so my wife got it for me as a birthday present. I have worn it to Ren Faires on and off, it really is a neat little blade, as I really don't like longswords. The grip took a little getting used to, but it's more comfortable now, and it has a nice balance. Granted, I haven't tried to cut anything with it. The blade is sharp, I slit my finger with it the first week I owned it. I bought my wife the MRL Celtic longsword, and together we went to faire one year dressed (as accurately as possible) as Celts of Queen Boudicca's time. Ugh. Well, we did educate everyone who asked what we were supposed to be, including the lady at the SCA information booth who didn't know what a Celt was, or is, and every Wal-mart Scotsman who wanted to know why we weren't wearing kilts. I also have a nice MRL Celtic dagger which I am fond of.

Ken

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Chad Arnow

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Posts: 9,557 Location: Dayton, OH

Fri 24 Mar, 2006 8:13 am

Re: Ritter Steel

Ken Rankin wrote:

Hi all,

I was wondering what the general opinion was from the members of the site concerning swords from Ritter Steel. I do own one of their swords, the Celtic short sword, which I've had about 8 years. Any opinions and comments would be welcomed, as I would love to learn more about what one would consider a high end (and collectible) sword and what is not.

Thanks,

Ken

Ken,
I owned a Rittersteel dagger years ago. It looked nice, but it was kind of overbuilt and was fairly ahistoric. Swords of this price range are often (not always) made with capturing a certain look being priority one. Handling, weight, and historical accuracy are lesser considerations, if they are considered at all.

What constitutes a high-end sword will vary by which group of people you talk to. Around here, we're interested in historic arms. Therefore, most folks around here consider high-end swords to be those whose makers have studied historical swords and have incorporated their qualities into reproductions: Proper shapes, mass distribution, and cross-sections are key. The sword is a 3D object, a casual glance at a picture isn't enough research to create a good sword. Understanding and applying how blade properties inter-relate makes a good sword. That kind of research and effort usually results in prices that some consider high end.

We have articles and threads that cover much of this. You can see here for info:

http://www.myArmoury.com/feature_properties.html
http://www.myArmoury.com/feature_heymister.html

There are also many threads on the Spotlight Topics page that cover the elements (balance, weight, etc.) that make up good swords. Looking at our bank of over 100 reviews will also give you an idea of what our reviewers consider qualities of good swords to be. Happy hunting!

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Ken Rankin

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Posts: 69 Location: North Carolina

Fri 24 Mar, 2006 8:26 am

Re: Ritter Steel

Chad Arnow wrote:

There are also many threads on the Spotlight Topics page that cover the elements (balance, weight, etc.) that make up good swords. Looking at our bank of over 100 reviews will also give you an idea of what our reviewers consider qualities of good swords to be. Happy hunting!

Thanks much, Chad! I am literally boggled over the amount of technical information about swords! I will most certainly make use of the database here at myArmoury! If my luck holds, I will be at the NCRF and will be able to see some of Albion's offerings firsthand. I will give a newbie's reactions! Thanks much for putting up with my boyish enthusiasm and questions!

Ken, a hair away from 40 :lol:

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Chad Arnow

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Posts: 9,557 Location: Dayton, OH

Fri 24 Mar, 2006 8:30 am

Re: Ritter Steel

Ken Rankin wrote:

Thanks much, Chad! I am literally boggled over the amount of technical information about swords! I will most certainly make use of the database here at myArmoury! If my luck holds, I will be at the NCRF and will be able to see some of Albion's offerings firsthand. I will give a newbie's reactions! Thanks much for putting up with my boyish enthusiasm and questions!

Ken, a hair away from 40 :lol:

No problem at all. :) We were all new to the subject once, and the only way to learn is to seek answers. It's a fun journey. :)

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