Today's update:

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Michael Pikula Riding Sword
A hands-on review by Chad Arnow

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Arms & Armor Edward III Sword: Another look
A hands-on review by Chad Arnow

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Albion Armorers Sherriff Sword
A hands-on review by Jonathan Sarge

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Windlass Steelcrafts 15th Century Longsword
A hands-on review by Joe Fults

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Arms & Armor Edward III Sword
Added to Chad's collection

As always, you can see our Complete History of Updates listed right from our home page.

With this update, we welcome another new (to us) author: Jonathan "JE" Sarge. Welcome and thanks!

All excellent reviews and congratulation to " JE " in being the author of a review. :cool:

Oh, in the review for the Michael Pikula riding sword I think there is an error in the statistics since it says 37" blade and I think it should read 27". ;)

I'm not surprised about the quality of Michael's work and not mentioned is that Michael tests any blade he makes for temper and flex as well as durability of edges I believe. Being forged his blades and swords are a real bargain as he could certainly and justifiably ask for more money for them.

All my dealings with him ordering and designing together a few project have always been positive experiences.

The other reviews are as always informative and give good idea what to expect. ;)

As I have an Albion Sovereign that is very close in handling to the Sheriff I agree with all of the review including the continued desirability of Albion swords.

As for the Windlass, I think it seems acceptable for the price point keeping in mind that thicker stock and a stiffer blade would greatly improve it, and also congratulations on Joe's informative review. :D :cool:

With regards to Mr. Pikula's riding sword ... its good to see another swordsmith who also
provides a very secure packing crate / box. Something which I think can be taken for granted
when concentrating on showing what's inside. I have always noted the way my swords come
to me, and in fact take great care to package the swords I sell.

This has made me curious as to how other custom makers package their items. In fact
I think it can be a valuable addition to any member's review. Who wouldn't want to know
his-or-her sometimes-thousands-of-dollars purchase will arrive in a case or crate that
can survive above-average punishment ?

B-)

The response to this update is interesting. As of the time of this post, here are the page access stats for each review:

Pikula Riding Sword: 645
A&A Edward III: 389
Albion Sherriff: 650
Windlass Longsword: 493

So we can see that of the 4 reviews, the A&A Edward III has received the fewest views. I wonder why that is. One could argue about the quality of author's writing (:)), but the Pikula riding sword review (also authored by me) has many more views than the A&A.

I find it odd there's so little interest in a very detailed sword based off an original with an interesting history; this sword is unique among this group that way. The Ed III is going to be more expensive than the Sherriff or Windlass, but Michael's sword is likely as expensive if not more, so cost can't be the main reason. A&A has a great reputation, so it can't be worries about the manufacturer (especially since a Windlass got more views).

Maybe the bling factor turns people off. It seems very blingy swords don't always excite people as much as more utilitarian swords. Maybe the fact that we already have an old review (albeit with sketchy pictures) of an older version of this sword is part of it. Perhaps it's because the A&A item is not as new to the market as the rest. Who knows? :)

So let me ask: if you read other reviews in this set, but not the Edward III review, why didn't it interest you as much as the others?

Michael Pikula is a realtively new custom maker and people are much more eager to read a review about his sword than about A&A Edward III which is an old model and people already know about it... Albion is interesting probably because it's a high quality production standard and is always popular... And Sheriff is kinda cheap compared to other Albions and is a popular blade type... I think these things explain these statistics somewhat...

I know I read all the reviews but I will go back and re-read those I'm most interested in.

I also think the " Bling Factor " can be an issue even when based on " Historical Bling " that should interest us more: Maybe the modern influences of over decorated, but cheap walhangers, are having a subconscious effect ?

I certainly always like to read about A&A swords or other weapons since A&A is in the top half dozen of makers I favour most when it comes to purchasing their work or with A&A commissioning custom work, since they are both a small factory shop and a custom maker they are sort of unique. ( Most are one or the other but not both ).

Albion is a top maker but doesn't normally do any custom work, but the variety of their offering does make them very unique in their own way as well as quality.

With Michael we have an up and coming maker who not only makes great swords, he is the only one I know of that makes high end forged weapons at stock removal prices similar in price to the top end more expensive Albion Next Generation swords and in many cases less costly than some of the Albion Museum Line Swords.

The statistics are interesting but not sure one can arrive at any definite conclusions why some of the reviews are more appealing to a greater number of people ?

I can't speak for other people, but I have four major reasons why I didn't click on the Edward:

1. The bling. I don't like the look of it.
2. I favor two handed swords, and unless I'm gravely mistaken, it's a one hander.
3. The price. I'm still in a cheapskate stage where I don't want to go over $150 or so, which is a tad below most A&A offerings.
4. Lastly, as mentioned, I've come across other reviews on the Edward.

Basically I have no interest in buying it, and assuming I don't get too bored, no reason to read a review on it.

(I will probably read it eventually, just out of a vague desire to cover all the bases. Every so often I end up reading a myArmoury.com review just because it's there and the why not factor.)




Edit: And I think Jean has the right of it. It does resemble a gaudy wall-hanger to my eye.

Fine, I read your review. :lol:

Hmmmm... I wonder how hard it would be to take one of those and put in the chalcedony and shroud....

is anyone here surprised by the voting poll results?

I am Nathan. It seems that there is a heavy predominance of early/high medieval sword fan purchasers who have responded here. I wonder if the XIII category has been artificially inflated for the moment, what with the excitement generated around Michael Pikula's new sword(s). I am also surprised to see so few XV and XVI swords as planned next purchases- it seems as though everyone wants one of the XVIII variants; they seem to be surprisingly popular as a blade type.

As well as any non-European swords of any period.

*Cough* Over-sized kitchen knives *Cough*



PS: I didn't vote because I'm not familiar enough with the types of swords to envision them in my mind and would have had to get out a chart.