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Michael Pearce
Industry Professional
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 Posted: Fri 10 Apr, 2009 5:21 pm Post subject: CAS/Hanwei Tinker Line Viking Sword is out! |
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The Viking swords are finally out, and they are looking pretty good!
SHARP (Blunt)
Specifications:
Oakeshott Type: X
OAL: 37 inches (37-3/8)
Blade Length: 30-1/2 inches (30-7/8)
Blade Width @ Base: 2-1/8 inches (2 inches)
Blade Width 4 inch from point: 1-5/8 inches (1-1/4 inches)
Blade thickness at base: .210 inches (same)
Blade thickness 2 inches from tip: .050 inches (.090 inches)
Distal taper is straight
Hilt OAL: 6-1/2 inches (same)
Hilt construction: Riveted tang or 'peened' construction
Handle length: 4-1/8 inches
Handle Construction: Sandwiched wood wrapped in cord with leather cover.
COG: 5 inches from base of blade (6 inches)
Blade Node/COP: 19-1/4 inches from base of blade (21-1/2 inches)
Primary Hilt Node: On handle approx 1 inch from cross (same)
Weight: 2lb8oz. (same)
Price: $329 ($319)
After a somewhat problematic development period the Viking sword are at last out. They look good, feel good in the hand and are finally at the correct weight and profile. The only note that I'll be making to CAS/Hanwei is about the sharpening- I'm still not entirely happy with this... still at this price there's not much room for complaint! The fact that mine have arrived means that you should be able to find these at your favorite dealer- if not today then very soon.
Michael 'Tinker' Pearce
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Then one night, as my car was going backwards through a cornfield at 90mph, I had an epiphany...
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Fri 10 Apr, 2009 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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That sword is very tempting. If I didn't already have 2 others on my plate....maybe later.
IMHO, the best place to get this sword, balancing low price with vendor reliablility is Kult of Athena - no big surprise.
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David Sutton
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| Posted: Sat 11 Apr, 2009 3:26 am Post subject: |
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Excellent, they look pretty sweet Michael. I don't currently have a 'classic' Viking style sword in my collection so this might be the one.
'Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all'
'To teach superstitions as truth is a most terrible thing'
Hypatia of Alexandria, c400AD
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Mike Arledge
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| Posted: Sat 11 Apr, 2009 8:02 am Post subject: |
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worth the wait, although the edge issue makes me a bit sad, still, this will be in my collection very soon 
Mike J Arledge
The Dude Abides
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Michael Pearce
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Sat 11 Apr, 2009 9:42 am Post subject: |
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| Mike Arledge wrote: | | worth the wait, although the edge issue makes me a bit sad, still, this will be in my collection very soon |
I makes me a bit sad too. I don't get it- Hanwei has no problem sharpening Katanas; why so much trouble with Euro swords?
Michael 'Tinker' Pearce
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Then one night, as my car was going backwards through a cornfield at 90mph, I had an epiphany...
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Dan Dickinson
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Sat 11 Apr, 2009 10:38 am Post subject: |
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These look quite nice Michael, thanks!
When you say they have a bit of a problem with the edge, could you elaborate a little more? Is it too blunt, not enough of an apple-seed etc.?
Thanks,
Dan
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Michael Pearce
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Sat 11 Apr, 2009 10:55 am Post subject: |
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| Dan Dickinson wrote: | These look quite nice Michael, thanks!
When you say they have a bit of a problem with the edge, could you elaborate a little more? Is it too blunt, not enough of an apple-seed etc.?
Thanks,
Dan |
The two swords that I was sent to QC are only sharp on the half of the blade closest to the point. Of the two EMSHS that I was sent for QC one of them wasn't sharpened for the last two inches to the point. Neither of these are difficult fixes and these aren't hugely expensive swords but there is a minimum standard that needs to be observed. Everything else about the Tinker Line swords so far has been more than satisfactory- except the edges. So I will once again be talking to Barry on Monday...
Michael 'Tinker' Pearce
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Then one night, as my car was going backwards through a cornfield at 90mph, I had an epiphany...
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David Sutton
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| Posted: Sat 11 Apr, 2009 3:36 pm Post subject: |
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Michael I've just been looking at this sword on the CAS/Hanwei site and on their pictures it looks like the fuller doesn't extend under the guard and up the tang. Is this just an optical illusion?
'Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all'
'To teach superstitions as truth is a most terrible thing'
Hypatia of Alexandria, c400AD
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Luka Borscak
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| Posted: Sat 11 Apr, 2009 4:09 pm Post subject: |
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That was true with prototype, not anymore I think.
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Chad Arnow
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Sat 11 Apr, 2009 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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| David Sutton wrote: | | Michael I've just been looking at this sword on the CAS/Hanwei site and on their pictures it looks like the fuller doesn't extend under the guard and up the tang. Is this just an optical illusion? |
The pics on CAS's site appear to be of the prototype. Note the fuller and what looks like the take-down hilt on the sharp. Also, I think see Tinker's maker's mark in one of the pics, too.
ChadA
http://chadarnow.com/
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David Sutton
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| Posted: Sat 11 Apr, 2009 4:52 pm Post subject: |
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Ah well, that would explain it then.
Cheers!
'Reserve your right to think, for even to think wrongly is better than not to think at all'
'To teach superstitions as truth is a most terrible thing'
Hypatia of Alexandria, c400AD
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Sat 11 Apr, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject: |
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Very Nice. This will be my next Viking replica - not counting the one coming in the mail right now 
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Michael Pearce
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Sat 11 Apr, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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You are correct- the sword on the CAS/H site is the prototype. The fullers end under the guard on the production swords.
Michael 'Tinker' Pearce
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Then one night, as my car was going backwards through a cornfield at 90mph, I had an epiphany...
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Terry Crain
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| Posted: Sun 12 Apr, 2009 7:51 am Post subject: |
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These do look quite nice Michael! I very much like the extra detail of the braided wire in the pommel.
Any idea when one can be ordered without the hit or miss sharpening issues?
Will they have to sell out all the initial run of swords produced (however many that may be, hopefully not hundreds) before a new batch may come through with a corrected edge taking into account your suggested correction?
Perhaps they take the ones produced to date and simply resharpen them correctly?
I'd rather get one correct from the get go, than a do it yourself project. I just wonder how I would know I was going to recieve a "fixed" one vs. the inconsistent edge treatment you discussed. If they shipped a bunch to venders already prior to fixing the issue, it may be a persistent problem. Hopefully, they will catch it early with your input and get it right.
Still, for the price, not the end of the world, as lower end Windlasses come unsharpened afterall and Abion's are more than twice as expensive. I think these are a very nice nitch price point for a sword inbetween these two at least.
All in all, a very nice looking (and from the stats- sounds like nice handling) viking sword at a reasonable price.
Terry Crain
A/K/A
Donal Grant
Honor, not Honors!
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Michael Pearce
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Sun 12 Apr, 2009 8:22 am Post subject: |
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I don't know that the problem is consistent throughout the first run of swords- and honestly I can cut just fine with either sword; the sharpened portion is quite sharp. This isn't a critical flaw, just annoying to me personally. Yes, I would imagine that the first run of swords will need to sell out before the next can come out with corrected edges. Sadly the folks at CAS/H here in the states aren't equipped to correct this on-site.
Yes, I want to see the edge fixed in the future but honestly- given the quality and price of these swords they would be a bargain even if they were completely unsharpened. There is literally nothing on the market that approaches the features, appearance and build-quality of these swords for less than twice the price.
Michael 'Tinker' Pearce
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Then one night, as my car was going backwards through a cornfield at 90mph, I had an epiphany...
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Luka Borscak
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| Posted: Mon 13 Apr, 2009 3:48 am Post subject: |
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I absolutely agree. I won't order Viking because I have one viking sword coming to me right now, but the first line of greatswords that appear will be mine no matter what the edge will be like I was buying Del Tin's before and my retailer is used to sharpening unsharpened swords for me. Cas/Hanwei's improper edge will be no problem to fix comparing to completely unsharpened Del Tin.
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Mike Arledge
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| Posted: Tue 14 Apr, 2009 1:18 pm Post subject: |
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Anyone seen these at a retailer yet?
I am so ready to buy one!
Mike J Arledge
The Dude Abides
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Sean O Stevens
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| Posted: Thu 16 Apr, 2009 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Michael Pearce wrote: |
I makes me a bit sad too. I don't get it- Hanwei has no problem sharpening Katanas; why so much trouble with Euro swords? |
I have asked this question so many times... every Hanwei Katana I have ever handled had a nice, super sharp edge. Every Hanwei europian sword I have ever handled had serious edge issues. Not a problem for a lot of people... if you have even some skill at sharpening a blade it's a quick fix and most Hanwei swords, once a proper edge is applied, cut great.
However, I'm new to sharpening. I spent 8 hours getting my CAS celtic sword sharp enough that it cuts decently, and it's still ugly.
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Joe Maccarrone
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| Posted: Thu 16 Apr, 2009 9:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Michael Pearce wrote: | | There is literally nothing on the market that approaches the features, appearance and build-quality of these swords for less than twice the price. |
Having snagged the one Tinker had available at the shop, I agree! This is not an expensive sword, but it isn't one you'll feel a need to apologize for, either.
Will post a full review in the not-overly-distant future, when I have time to take a few pics and assassinate some 2-liter bottles. The 2-liter bottle filled with water, combined with a rusty swordsman (it's been probably 3-4 years since I last did any test cutting), will be a good test of the durability of this sword. I know from first-hand experience that when you pooch a cut on a 2-liter bottle, bad things can happen to a weakly constructed sword: I once demolished the (welded) tang on a Del Tin with one poorly aligned cut... 
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Fri 17 Apr, 2009 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Mike Arledge wrote: | Anyone seen these at a retailer yet?
I am so ready to buy one! |
Mike - the sharp and blunt versions showed up today at KOA
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This is a standard topic