Armor Class swords at Kult of Athena! -- myArmoury.com

Christopher Gregg

Wow! Just saw the Armor Class swords available at Kult of Athena - several Scots basket hilt Claymores, a couple of single hand broadswords, a falchion, I'm just drooling! Damn, and I was hoping to cull my collection down, too. Come on, tax return!

T.F. McCraken · Posted: Fri 02 Mar, 2012 6:06 am Post subject:

Gah! I'm 45 minutes away from KoA!

Luckily, I'm getting a new sword (for me) today in the mail.

Not from KoA, though.
I really have to take a drive down there one of these days!

Murphy Cool

William Swiger · Posted: Sat 03 Mar, 2012 8:01 am Post subject:

I have never owned or handled an Armor Class sword before. Not sure of the quality. Have seen a couple viking swords on-line but did not care for the hilts.

Christopher Gregg · Posted: Sat 03 Mar, 2012 8:56 am Post subject:

I've handled Chad's a few years ago. It was nicely made, and decently balanced. I didn't do any cutting with it - maybe he can elaborate?

Luka Borscak · Posted: Sat 03 Mar, 2012 9:29 am Post subject:

Some of these look very nice for the price.

Leo Todeschini · Industry Professional

Armour Class are very well priced for what you get. They are tough as hell but not because they are built like bulldozers, but because they are built well. They handle well and feel good and the fit and finish is pretty good too.

For $300 you will find it hard to find something better.

Tod

David Wilson · Posted: Sat 03 Mar, 2012 1:57 pm Post subject:

Armour Class are probably the best "semi-production" basket-hilt swords out there. Not perfect by any means, and certainly not to the level of an Eljay Erickson or Vince Evans, but for the price you can't beat them, really.
The only non-Basket-hilt AC sword I've ever handled was an Anglo-Saxon sword. While not perfectly accurate, this sword was incredibly light and lively, an absolute pleasure to swing around, so much so that I almost bought it based on those qualities alone (my bank account screamed NOOO!!!! So I didn't)....

Lin Robinson · Posted: Sat 03 Mar, 2012 6:55 pm Post subject:

Lin Robinson · Posted: Sat 03 Mar, 2012 7:02 pm Post subject:

I just looked at KOA's site and they are charging for the S Hilt what I paid retail for mine. I must conclude that Armour Class has decided to offer a wholesale program, or KOA is selling them at a break even price.

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Sun 04 Mar, 2012 1:39 am Post subject:

For those of you across the pond, who may not be familiar with Armourclass swords - they have pretty much set the standard over here for re-enactment or WMA swords at this price range.

The demand for them amongst re-enactors means they hold their value extremely well, and those that do WMA swear by them (indeed, Hanwei swords are excluded from BFHS competition, in favour of Armourclass (and others, of course), because they do not stand up to a one-on-one encounter).

Blades are tough as hell, yet very well balanced, and the hilts are plain, functional, but very well made.

The downside is availability - demand far outstrips supply and this has resulted in very long waiting lists unless you are lucky enough to get a stock sword. Good second-hand swords go for high prices as a result, simply because they are available. Also, and I'm not sure how to put this, many have found their customer service is not the 'best' simply because they are so popular.

So, if you have the opportunity to get their swords from stock, at a good price, from someone with a sterling reputation for customer service, go for it!

Julian Reynolds

Lin Robinson · Posted: Sun 04 Mar, 2012 4:39 am Post subject:

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team