[Mark Donevan]

Which should be my new sword!

Im thinking about a medieval single hander to really get down and do some cutting with. ive checked out all the reviews and read positive things about all these makers.

which one in most durable, well balanced in general for the price??



thanks guys

MD

[Nathan Robinson]

Given that the only need you expressed above is for something intended for cutting, the only appropriate choice in your list in an Angus Trim sword.

[Mark Donevan]

well Thank you Nathan and straight to the point.

Now where to find one may be a problem. only Christian fletcher sells his stuff these days?

[Nathan Robinson]

[Christopher Finneman]

The valiant armoury atrim swords cut real nice and are made to be cut with.
Well the long swords do quick work to bottles and random fruits and melons.

[P. Cha]

Okay a break down.

Del tin...comes dull with a 1mm edge. Sharpens up nicely, some models are very good others are not...but overall as a line, they are good swords if you can sharpen a sword or know somebody who can.

Darksword...comes with a 1mm edge. Has a sharpening service...but it is not very good. Most models are poorly balanced or weighted. Their new models seem much better on paper...but no clue if they are any good or not.

Angus swords...nice swords. Comes sharp. Must get new ones from christian fletcher.

Other options...

Valiant´s gus line up...cheaper less refined version of gus sword. The fit won´t last as long and the feel isn´t exactly the same...but honestly for the price, they are good.

Hanwei tinker line up...once again,cheaper less refines versions of tinker´s swords. The fitting is worse then the valiant line up, the edge is worse...but I like the blade better on these.

Gen 2...they are tough little swords...has good edge, but the look and fitting generally leaves a lot to be desired...especially the leather they use.

Windlass...dull edge. has sharpening option...which isn´t very good. Some models are good, others are not.

So as you can see, if you can afford the gus blade, go with those .

[Patrik W]

I was not impressed by the performance of the valiant armoury kreigschwert. It looks good, but was very cheaply made. The blade was very whippy; incorrect distal taper. The handle was uncomfortable. The leather belt and belt suspension were cheap crap. Buy A real Atrim.

[Roger Hooper]

Unfortunately, there is only one singlehander ATrim at Christian Fletcher's website, a type XIV. However, I draw your attention to AT1326, formerly known as the Makers Mark Triple-Fullered Type XIII. - http://www.christianfletcher.com/Christian_Fl...lered.html -

I have this sword, and I think it is one of Gus' best creations. It is a great cutter, and while it feels best in two hands, it can function as a singlehander without much of a problem. Of all swords that I've handled, this one feels the best and most lively in my hands. It is also relatively inexpensive - you get a lot of bang for your buck with this model.

[Mike Harris]

I find myself agreeing with everything P Cha said about all the brands listed, except a marked preference for the Hanwei Tinker blade design over the current ones from Valiant Armoury. But I will note that I totally concur when comparing them to the VA blades from previous batches. And I will second Roger's recommendation for the "currently called an AT1326." I have one of the original MM Triple-fuller XIII swords. And my opinion exactly mirrors Roger's.

Also, if an ATrim single-hander is what you must have, I hear Christian Fletcher is receiving another triple-fuller Antioch-ish Type XII blade today. I would guess that it will be ready to sell (maybe with some prodding) in a few days. It wouldn't hurt to inquire with CF if that's the kind of sword you are looking for.

[P. Cha]

Well Mike, I haven´t had a chance to see the latest batch of the VA stuff yet. But considering how Sonny is, not surprised that they are better then the first batch. Who know, with the next batch he may surpass the H/T line.

As for the krieg being too whippy...not sure I agree with that. It´s a little on the whippy side for my taste (once again first batch)...but not overly so for the type.

[Chris Lampe]

Have you considered having John Lundemo of odinblades.com make you a sword? He had a thread in the manufacturer's section here with some very reasonable prices for basic cutting swords. His reputation is very good and I have owned one of his swords in the past I've got a current commission with him for another.

If you are looking at ATrims from Christian Fletcher you might be in the same ballpark price-wise. Atrim or Odin, I've owned both and you won't go wrong with either.

[Sonny Suttles]

[Patrik W]

First off, sorry everyone for the thread hijack.
I understand that you want to protect your product, however I pulled out my calipers and checked the distal taper. The measurements went from large to smaller to larger to smaller again ( I may still have the measurements somewhere).
The thickness varied from side to side as well as length. I have never seen so much flex on a quick downward stroke.
The leather belt is very thin, and feels cheap. Sorry it just does.
All that being said it may be a good sword package for its price point. A great looking wallhanger. Furthermore I may have recieved the one bad one blade that which made it through Chinese QA. I realize I cannot compare it to my Albions but it still has to perform.
Sorry your offended but I have to call it as I see it.

BTW using "cheap crap" was a bit hasty.

[James Cunniffe]

A week ago i was in the KOA store where I handled many swords from the Kreigchwert to Albion swords,and i must say that the Kreigchwert is a fine sword which any one would be proud to own and is as far from a wall hanger as an Albion sword .Thanks to Sonny there are now high quality swords out there at a reasonable price .Also i own a VAat304s which is in the practical line and is a very good sword for any beginner or expert sword person .

[Mark Donevan]

I thank you for all your replys.

Its good to have some feed back about whats what out there! i think im going to go with a Atrim if i can get one or maybe a darksword if i cant find a good atrim.

cheers Gents

MD

[Roger Hooper]

[Luka Borscak]

New Darkswords are much more worth considering than old ones. They are lighter, scabbards are better, edges are thinner and easier to sharpen, not bad at all, all in all.

[Paul Hansen]

[James Cunniffe]

Paul you are right there are more out there a lot in fact .VA new line of swords are just one example, as I was talking about the kreigchwert and defending his new line of swords, I never implied that Sonny was the only one out there with the best quality for the price , but thanks to Sonny and his work with Gus Trim there are MORE high quality low price swords out there.

[P. Cha]