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G. Scott H.
Location: Arizona, USA Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 410
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 Posted: Mon 28 Nov, 2005 8:59 am Post subject: A&A GBS. And so it begins... |
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Just got an email from Craig at A&A and completion of my GBS should soon be under way. Excitement is an understatement for what I'm feeling right now, as this will be my first "higher end" sword. Naturally, since I based my decision to go with the GBS solely upon Patrick and Bill's reviews, I'll be coming after them if I don't like it.  (Like there's even a slight chance I won't like it...)  
Anyway, I just had to share the good news with folks who would understand. 
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Bill Grandy
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Mon 28 Nov, 2005 9:58 am Post subject: Re: A&A GBS. And so it begins... |
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| G. Scott H. wrote: | | Naturally, since I based my decision to go with the GBS solely upon Patrick and Bill's reviews, I'll be coming after them if I don't like it. |
Bring it on! We're both armed to the teeth! :P
Seriously, I'm pretty sure you're going to love that sword. I sold mine, and often times regret it... it just doesn't quite fall into the period of longsword that I generally collect (late 14th-15th c.). It's still a fantastic sword.
HistoricalHandcrafts.com
-Inspired by History, Crafted by Hand
"For practice is better than artfulness. Your exercise can do well without artfulness, but artfulness is not much good without the exercise.” -anonymous 15th century fencing master, MS 3227a
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Edward Hitchens
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| Posted: Mon 28 Nov, 2005 10:12 am Post subject: |
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Congrats! I've had the pleasure of playing with that sword several times. It's a wonderful piece; you won't be able to put it down anytime soon! I'm also no stranger to the anxiety of waiting for it to arrive. Every time I purchase a new sword I quickly make a habit of looking for a big long box on my front porch! The Arms&Armor GBS will definitely be worth the wait though. -Ted
"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest." Thomas Jefferson
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Russ Ellis
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Mon 28 Nov, 2005 10:48 am Post subject: Re: A&A GBS. And so it begins... |
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| G. Scott H. wrote: | Just got an email from Craig at A&A and completion of my GBS should soon be under way. Excitement is an understatement for what I'm feeling right now, as this will be my first "higher end" sword. Naturally, since I based my decision to go with the GBS solely upon Patrick and Bill's reviews, I'll be coming after them if I don't like it. (Like there's even a slight chance I won't like it...)
Anyway, I just had to share the good news with folks who would understand. |
Yeah they are pretty safe. It was my first high end production sword as well.
TRITONWORKS Custom Scabbards
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Steve Grisetti
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| Posted: Mon 28 Nov, 2005 1:22 pm Post subject: |
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I also have an A&A GBS, and can vouch for Patrick and Bill's reviews. This is a great piece.
"...dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly."
- Sir Toby Belch
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Mark Mattimore
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| Posted: Mon 28 Nov, 2005 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome to the GBS club. It was also my first high-end sword. It's been all downhill from there (my bank account that is )
Seriously, the GBS is a wonderful sword. I love it more each day. I can never understand why people always sell it.  Congratulations.
In omnibus requiem quaesivi, et nusquam inveni nisi in angulo cum libro.
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G. Scott H.
Location: Arizona, USA Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 410
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| Posted: Mon 28 Nov, 2005 2:44 pm Post subject: Re: A&A GBS. And so it begins... |
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| Bill Grandy wrote: | | Bring it on! We're both armed to the teeth! :P |
I'll be backed up by an army of 20,000 heavily-armed lawn gnomes!
| Mark Mattimore wrote: | | I can never understand why people always sell it. |
I noticed that trend myself while scouring this site for info about the GBS. It's a mystery to me too, since everyone who's owned one has given it extremely high marks. 
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Patrick Kelly
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| Posted: Mon 28 Nov, 2005 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: A&A GBS. And so it begins... |
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| Nathan Robinson wrote: | | Mark Mattimore wrote: | | I can never understand why people always sell it. |
Simply put: because it sells. Often when somebody puts something up for sale, one needs the money and needs it quick. The GBS sells quick and can be replaced. That was my reasoning. |
Mine too. I sold mine to finance another purchase because I can always get another one.
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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Jean Thibodeau
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| Posted: Mon 28 Nov, 2005 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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Nathan;
Yes, it's the trap of CAN BE REPLACED that means not having one anymore.
Might be very tempted getting one if I didn't already have its big brother the A & A Twohander.  ( Not selling that one anytime soon ! )
You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
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M. Taylor
Location: Chesterland, Ohio Joined: 01 Mar 2004
Posts: 128
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| Posted: Mon 28 Nov, 2005 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats!! The GBS was (is) my first real sword as well, other than the one I inherited from my dad. It's a fantastic piece; you're really going to enjoy it. I hope I never have to join the 'GBS Seller's Club support group'
"Only people not able to grow tall from their own efforts and achievements seek to subdue their fellow man."
"Only people not being able to find comfort in their own mind seek to silence others. " - Per Bylund
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Edward Hitchens
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| Posted: Tue 29 Nov, 2005 8:54 am Post subject: |
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I have a female friend who owns an Arms&Armor GBS she bought at the Bristol Renfaire in Wisconsin; she wouldn't sell it for the world. A few months ago, she was visiting here (Cincy) and we went to the Ohio faire and she wore her sword with costume. A gentleman saw it and offered her $800 for it -- she turned him down. 
I have the same sentimental attachment to my A&A Schloss Erbach that I've owned for 5 years now. While not my first sword, it's my first "real, high-end production" sword. -Ted
"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest." Thomas Jefferson
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Glen A Cleeton
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| Posted: Tue 29 Nov, 2005 10:07 am Post subject: |
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I've always been glad there is a secondary market. I found mine in the classifieds some years ago.
They are a bit weighty for their length but handle quite well with two hands. This is a favorite early morning stretching sword.
They can be akward to display but these cast yoke type hangers (Denix?) have just the right amount of standoff from the wall and cradle the pommel perftectly. Just make sure you find a stud with the screws.
You can also use the side rings to display more swords/daggers. I often transport mine with a couple of shorter hilted swords (in their scabbards) nested in the side rings.
This model may well be the most commonly owned A&A model out there, a legend in its own time. My eyes still light up whenever I see one in the classifieds but I can never get myself to admit I really want two.
Cheers
GC
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Russ Ellis
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Tue 29 Nov, 2005 10:53 am Post subject: |
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| Edward Hitchens wrote: | I have a female friend who owns an Arms&Armor GBS she bought at the Bristol Renfaire in Wisconsin; she wouldn't sell it for the world. A few months ago, she was visiting here (Cincy) and we went to the Ohio faire and she wore her sword with costume. A gentleman saw it and offered her $800 for it -- she turned him down.
I have the same sentimental attachment to my A&A Schloss Erbach that I've owned for 5 years now. While not my first sword, it's my first "real, high-end production" sword. -Ted |
LOL... you don't happen to have that gentleman's number, for 800 he can have mine and I'll buy a new one... hmmm or maybe not, mine is the only sword I've got that has A&A's maker's mark. (Before their stamping setup broke). Wonder how many people have one with a stamp these days...
TRITONWORKS Custom Scabbards
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G. Scott H.
Location: Arizona, USA Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 410
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| Posted: Tue 29 Nov, 2005 11:14 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the encouraging replies, guys. Despite all the shining comments and reviews I read prior to deciding on the GBS, I'm still experienceing a bit of the "did I make the right choice?" phenomenon. I was initially torn between the GBS and the Durer. I'm glad I decided on the GBS for my "first".
P.S. Of course, I may eventually end up with a Durer too...
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Bill Grandy
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Tue 29 Nov, 2005 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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| G. Scott H. wrote: | | P.S. Of course, I may eventually end up with a Durer too... |
Ooo, the Durer is really nice, too! That's one I've been thinking about purchasing. The one I reviewed on this site belongs to a student of mine, so that means I get to play with it a lot without owning it myself. That's probably the only reason I haven't bought one yet.
HistoricalHandcrafts.com
-Inspired by History, Crafted by Hand
"For practice is better than artfulness. Your exercise can do well without artfulness, but artfulness is not much good without the exercise.” -anonymous 15th century fencing master, MS 3227a
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Edward Hitchens
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| Posted: Tue 29 Nov, 2005 12:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Russ Ellis wrote: | | Edward Hitchens wrote: | I have a female friend who owns an Arms&Armor GBS she bought at the Bristol Renfaire in Wisconsin; she wouldn't sell it for the world. A few months ago, she was visiting here (Cincy) and we went to the Ohio faire and she wore her sword with costume. A gentleman saw it and offered her $800 for it -- she turned him down.
I have the same sentimental attachment to my A&A Schloss Erbach that I've owned for 5 years now. While not my first sword, it's my first "real, high-end production" sword. -Ted |
LOL... you don't happen to have that gentleman's number, for 800 he can have mine and I'll buy a new one... hmmm or maybe not, mine is the only sword I've got that has A&A's maker's mark. (Before their stamping setup broke). Wonder how many people have one with a stamp these days... |
Hers might, but I doubt it; she bought it in (?) 2002 -- my Erbach has a stamped mark, though. When I was with her that time and she declined his offer, I showed him my Windlass gothic-bastard sword and said "I'll give you this for 800!"
"The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest." Thomas Jefferson
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G. Scott H.
Location: Arizona, USA Joined: 22 Feb 2005
Posts: 410
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| Posted: Tue 29 Nov, 2005 1:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Bill Grandy wrote: | | G. Scott H. wrote: | | P.S. Of course, I may eventually end up with a Durer too... |
Ooo, the Durer is really nice, too! |
In my (admittedly less-than-expert) opinion, when comparing the two, I came to the conclusion that the Durer, being 40 some-odd % lighter than the GBS and lacking the GBS's siderings, is definitely sleeker and more of a "finesse" sword; whereas, the GBS is more suited to brute force. That's not to say that I view the GBS as merely an unrefined "chopper" (far from it), it's just that the Durer is bound to be quicker on the recovery and more maneuverable. That's why I'd like to eventually have both.
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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| Posted: Tue 29 Nov, 2005 1:28 pm Post subject: |
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| G. Scott H. wrote: | | In my (admittedly less-than-expert) opinion, when comparing the two, I came to the conclusion that the Durer, being 40 some-odd % lighter than the GBS and lacking the GBS's siderings, is definitely sleeker and more of a "finesse" sword; whereas, the GBS is more suited to brute force. That's not to say that I view the GBS as merely an unrefined "chopper" (far from it), it's just that the Durer is bound to be quicker on the recovery and more maneuverable. That's why I'd like to eventually have both. |
Here is an example why stats don't tell the story.
I think you'll be quite surprised by the GBS. It's not really a chopper at all. In fact, it exhibits a point control that only a sword with a pivot point so near the tip could have. It's very well suited for half-swording and other work that would venture into making it almost work like a polearm. It's really quite versatile and not very brutish at all. Don't be lured into thinking that all heavy swords are meant to be powerful cutters/choppers. Often, these swords, especially later-period examples, are really tuned with a well-placed pivot point and dynamic qualities that make them work in diverse ways.
I also wouldn't call the Durer a finesse sword. In fact, it's quite authorative. Sure, when compared to the heavier GBS as you're doing, I'd say it can have more finesse than the GBS, but overall, I'd call it a very archetypical sword for its type. The Durer is a wonderful sword with authority to the cut, a good point, and some interesting qualities but is in no way something I'd call light, sleek, or approaching finesse. (I know you were comparing to the GBS and that's why those words are used...)
Strangely, the GBS may very well be quicker in the recovery when used for its intended purposes. I don't know. It has excellent responsive tip control. it's pretty surprising.
Both are excellent swords. They're just so different as to make it difficult to have a comparative conversation about them.
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Glen A Cleeton
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| Posted: Tue 29 Nov, 2005 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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My blade bears a mark and was of 2001 vintage. I believe it was made after the blade changes but I'm not sure. It's a fairly rigid blade.
These do develop a lot of momentum but have enough finesse for bottles and mats. I've never taken it to plywood but it has severed some extraordinarily tough cardboard tubes. Steerage and leverage, via the doorknob, is pretty easy. Most of the weight is well back and the sword is nimbler (with two hands) than one might first think.
Cheers
GC
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