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Roberto E.
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 Posted: Wed 01 Oct, 2014 9:20 pm Post subject: Eager to start my collection, yet i'm indecisive. |
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Hello,
I'm new to sword collecting. VERY NEW.
In fact, i'm close to making my first purchase as soon as my paycheck comes in.
However, I'm stuck between three choices.
The Cold Steel Hand and a Half sword, (found it half priced.) 219
The Cold Steel Italian Long sword, (Also found it half priced.) 219 (all rounded)
and the Deepeeka 12th Century Crusader holy sword. 170
I should include that I am a big into the crusades and the armor and weapons of the era.
What I would like to know is, which of the three is the best bang for your buck.
I am looking for a sword i can use and have fun cutting stuff in the backyard with, while still being an amazing starter to my collection.
I'm leaning towards the crusader sword, since i want to be able to dress up as one eventually (nerdy i know)
but, I've never heard of Deepeka or the quality of their blades.
On the other hand I have heard of cold steel and although they tend to not be historically accurate they are durable and very sharp swords.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you. 
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Wed 01 Oct, 2014 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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I have no experience with any of the 3 swords you mention. Others around here may be able to help you with that. I will say that neither company is considered a quality swordmaker, especially Deepeeka.
Instead, you should take a look at one of the Hanwei/Tinkers, which can be found HERE at kult of Athena.You wont find a better starter sword at their prices. They are highly regarded as great swords for their price.
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Roberto E.
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| Posted: Wed 01 Oct, 2014 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Roger Hooper wrote: | I have no experience with any of the 3 swords you mention. Others around here may be able to help you with that. I will say that neither company is considered a quality swordmaker, especially Deepeeka.
Instead, you should take a look at one of the Hanwei/Tinkers, which can be found HERE at kult of Athena.You wont find a better starter sword at their prices. They are highly regarded as great swords for their price. |
Would you have any advice on Albion swords and how the payment plan works?
Apparently cold steel is not what everyone hypes it to be.
I did a little research apparently it has a lot of flaws.
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Ben Coomer
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Roberto E.
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| Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2014 8:04 am Post subject: |
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Those are actually some pretty awesome choices that I hadn't looked at.
Albion is a strong contender right now, but to be quite honest it'd be a risky impulse buy haha.
However, it seems that a lot of people are very satisfied with their payment plans and service.
Do you have any advice on Legacy arms swords?
Or should I stick to hanwei for a cheaper sword? (in terms of albion)
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Roberto E.
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| Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2014 8:10 am Post subject: |
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| Roberto E. wrote: |
Those are actually some pretty awesome choices that I hadn't looked at.
Albion is a strong contender right now, but to be quite honest it'd be a risky impulse buy haha.
However, it seems that a lot of people are very satisfied with their payment plans and service.
Do you have any advice on Legacy arms swords?
Or should I stick to hanwei for a cheaper sword? (in terms of albion) |
Also I noticed that on the site theyre stated as Windlass swords not hanwei. Not sure if a mistake, or if its the same company.
Could you clear that out for me? Again, pretty new at this.
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Jeffrey Faulk
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| Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2014 8:26 am Post subject: |
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| Roberto E. wrote: |
Also I noticed that on the site theyre stated as Windlass swords not hanwei. Not sure if a mistake, or if its the same company.
Could you clear that out for me? Again, pretty new at this. |
Probably simply what they call a 'brainfart' on Ben's part.
Windlass (occasionally also called Museum Replicas, which is an US marketer of the manufacturer) is a producer of fairly decent $100-300 dollar range swords. The historic accuracy and finish are not exceptional, but they are absolutely splendid if you consider the price and compare it to a US made sword. They are very reasonable as 'user' swords and excellent material for re-working or re-purposing. For the market they try to reach-- casual re-enactors, people who just like swords, etc-- the swords are entirely appropriate and pretty decent quality. I have a couple and I consider them to be well worth the money.
I also stand behind the Hanwei Tinker line as beginner blades-- indeed, I might consider them even better than 'beginner' swords in a sense.
Deepeeka are an Indian maker like Windlass, but their quality is much lower. They fall into the category of swords that 'look' right, but that's about all they are good for-- some recent pieces are an exception but in general Deepeeka is a company to stay away from unless you are looking for absolutely rock-bottom prices. They do have some fairly decent replicas of Roman arms and armour-- this I think is one of their specialties-- but as far as medieval goes, not really worth it.
Legacy Arms (formerly Generation 2) are fairly reasonable. Their swords are made either in India or China-- can't remember which, I think China-- but are sound pieces if occasionally un-handy.
Overall in the sub-300 dollar sword market I would probably go in this order:
--Hanwei Tinker (don't bother with the other Hanwei swords, although their more expensive pieces are decent enough)
--Windlass
--Legacy Arms
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-- Deepeeka
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Lance Morris
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| Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2014 8:59 am Post subject: hello |
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Hello!
Ive had experience with the blades in both companies. I like the look of those swords but the quality are lacking in all.
Choose cold steel if you must. But under hard use they will break.
keep your eyes open on the forum here and save a little extra
atrim are the best bang for your buck. albion are good to. and the feel of the tinker hanwei is great to.
good luck
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2014 11:06 am Post subject: |
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If you want to spend a little more money for a mid-level sword, check out Valiant Armory They are considered by many to be the best swords at that price. And you get a good looking scabbard to boot. They are designed by Gus Trim, Christian Fletcher, and Sonny Suttles. The blades and hilt furniture are made in China, and put together and finished off in Texas.
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Sean Flynt
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Roberto E.
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| Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2014 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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I would like to thank all of you for your advice.
It has been really helpful in choosing my first sword. I was way off on what a good sword was.
Thanks to you guys I can have a better starting point.
I have made my choice and I am calling Monday to order my 13th Century Knightly Sword
http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/sq...ightly.htm
Thank you for all your help.
Awesome community of swordsmen.
Glad that I joined.
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2014 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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That's a great, smart choice. You're going to love that sword. Will you be asking Albion to sharpen it for you?
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Roberto E.
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| Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2014 2:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Roger Hooper wrote: | | That's a great, smart choice. You're going to love that sword. Will you be asking Albion to sharpen it for you? |
Yes I will
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Dean F. Marino
Location: Midland MI USA Joined: 24 Aug 2011
Posts: 229
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| Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2014 3:31 pm Post subject: |
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For a starter? I would highly advise one of these:
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH2400
"Hanwei Tinker Pearce Sharpened Bastard Sword - SH2400"
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH2411
"Hanwei Tinker Pearce Sharpened Bastard Sword with Fuller - SH2411"
Now, I'll explain WHY: these are, out of the box, not the fanciest swords out there. The price point is VERY good, they are VERY serviceable - and they may be modified over time into virtually anything you WANT them to become. They also have a stunning reputation for quality and reproducibility.
Examples of how FAR one can deviate from these very good, basic models:
...no, those are not traditional  - and you do not need to go THAT far. But you can .
In edhil, hai edhil. In edain, hai edain.
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Ben Coomer
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| Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2014 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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Sigh, I meant Windlass.
But I think that the Albion 13th Century Knightly is a really good choice.
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Craig Peters
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| Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2014 9:24 pm Post subject: |
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Albion's Type XII blades are a joy to handle. You've made an excellent choice.
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Roberto E.
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| Posted: Thu 02 Oct, 2014 10:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Craig Peters wrote: | | Albion's Type XII blades are a joy to handle. You've made an excellent choice. |
It has been thanks to this great community.
I hope the four month wait goes by fast
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Mikko Kuusirati
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| Posted: Fri 03 Oct, 2014 12:29 am Post subject: |
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Great choice for a first sword, Roberto. Of course, as with all of us here, it won't be your last... 
| Dean F. Marino wrote: | For a starter? I would highly advise one of these:
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH2400
"Hanwei Tinker Pearce Sharpened Bastard Sword - SH2400"
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH2411
"Hanwei Tinker Pearce Sharpened Bastard Sword with Fuller - SH2411"
Now, I'll explain WHY: these are, out of the box, not the fanciest swords out there. The price point is VERY good, they are VERY serviceable - and they may be modified over time into virtually anything you WANT them to become. They also have a stunning reputation for quality and reproducibility. |
Indeed, right now over at the Sword Buyers Guide forum there's this little project going on for fancier hilt components. If anybody's interested, I think you can still get in on the prototype action if you hurry.
"And sin, young man, is when you treat people like things. Including yourself. That's what sin is."
— Terry Pratchett, Carpe Jugulum
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Roberto E.
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| Posted: Fri 03 Oct, 2014 11:09 pm Post subject: |
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| Mikko Kuusirati wrote: | Great choice for a first sword, Roberto. Of course, as with all of us here, it won't be your last...
| Dean F. Marino wrote: | For a starter? I would highly advise one of these:
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH2400
"Hanwei Tinker Pearce Sharpened Bastard Sword - SH2400"
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH2411
"Hanwei Tinker Pearce Sharpened Bastard Sword with Fuller - SH2411"
Now, I'll explain WHY: these are, out of the box, not the fanciest swords out there. The price point is VERY good, they are VERY serviceable - and they may be modified over time into virtually anything you WANT them to become. They also have a stunning reputation for quality and reproducibility. |
Indeed, right now over at the Sword Buyers Guide forum there's this little project going on for fancier hilt components. If anybody's interested, I think you can still get in on the prototype action if you hurry. |
I'm looking forward to years of collecting!
Specially with this grand resource of knowledge and friendly knowledgeable people
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Ben Coomer
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| Posted: Fri 03 Oct, 2014 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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Any thoughts on your next one, Roberto?
Something in line with your Templar persona? Or something later?
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This is a standard topic