[Eric Holt]

Hi guys! I just found this site recently and this is my first post.

I was in the SCA when I was in college about 10 years ago. I always wanted to own a real sword back then but I couldn't afford one.

Now I'm getting interested in swords again, and I have the money these days to buy a good one. I've found some great information on this site but I need some advice on buying the right sword.

First of all, I need to mention my stature. I'm a 5'0" tall man weighing in at all of 100 lbs. I've always been at an obvious disadvantage in sword fighting and most standard swords are a bit unweildy for me. I'm fairly strong for my size and I have no trouble handling a bastard sword, but due to my size I need to fight very close in so I prefer shorter, faster blades. I like power as well as speed however, because I like to parry HARD to keep my opponent on the defensive while I rush in.

Obviously I don't need a real sword for real swordfighting, but I figure if I'm going to buy a real sword I may as well get one that fits my fighting style. I want a fairly sturdy sword but I don't plan to do anything beyond cutting light targets for fun.

Anyway, I'm trying to decide between a one-hander and a bastard sword, though I'll probably eventually get one of each. For a one-hander I prefer a blade no longer than 30", and for a bastard sword I'd like to stay close to 33" or less.

For the one-hander, a type XIV sword seems to fit the bill perfectly. Short and fast, but capable of powerful blows, and also serviceable for thrusting (which is important to me since thrusts have a longer range than cuts, and my reach is short). I'm gravitating towards the Angus Trim DD1404, though it's a bit more expensive than I'd like. What other swords should I consider in this type? Is the DD1404 worth the moderately-high price?

The bastard sword is more problematic, as most are bigger than I'd like. I'm leaning towards the Gen2 Black Prince since it's gotten such good reviews, but I'd prefer something slightly smaller. Any suggestions?

Also, when I was in the SCA a lot of guys had swords from Museum Replicas, and they always struck me as a bit shoddy so I'm wary of considering one for purchase. Are they any better these days?

[Gabriel Lebec]

Hello Eric and welcome to myArmoury.com!

First off, I'm sure you've noticed the many excellent reviews including this one on the DD1404 ATrim (looks like well-considered choice for a first sword to me!).

Angus Trim is known for making thoroughly reliable performance-oriented swords at an affordable price. If you find the cost of the DD1404 "moderately-high," I would guess that whatever alternatives you are looking at are likely not up to quite the same level of quality (or even generally preferred levels of quality). Your budget is your budget, however, and you should make your own judgments as to what you are willing to spend; not everyone wants to jump into expensive custom swords or high-cost production swords such as those by Albion Swords and Arms & Armor.

Museum Replicas Limited (MRL) has reportedly improved their products and quality control over the years but they're still budget-oriented and not always 100% reliable, so it would be a good idea to check current reviews and try to inspect their wares in person if you are able.

If you haven't already, you may want to browse the list of manufacturers and smiths in the links page to see if you're missing anything; I cannot really help you with your main question, being a tall guy with expensive (and Japanese) tastes . You may want to consider the Del Tin lineup, which seem to be in your price range; this DT 2153 single-handed 15th century sword, for example, while substantially different from the DD1404 you mentioned, earned a favorable review from a knowledgeable enthusiast.

In any case, you've already mentioned some respectable options and I'm sure others at this site will have suggestions, so you're already in a great position to acquire a fine first sword. Good luck!

-GLL

[Ken Jay]

I can vouch for the DD1404. It's a great sword but more a cutter than a thruster. You might take a look at the AT1557 - http://www.christianfletcher.com/Site/AT-1557.html. It's much lighter than the 1404 and is a classic cut & thrust blade. If you can live with a cutting blade I'd also recommend the AT1211 - http://www.christianfletcher.com/Site/AT-1211.html. Both the 1557 and 1211 are about 12 oz lighter than the 1404.

[Grayson C.]

Gen2 makes high quality BEATERS, but are a mile off on realism.
Museum replicas is somewhat the opposite.
Both are cheap inexpensive swords and would be a well-placed $200, if you wish to pay that little.

Although, not in your prefered oakshott catagory, take a look at the albion reeve. It's gotten awesome reviews recently and is a fairly short sword with a lot of charactor behind it.



welcome to myArmoury!

[Eric Holt]

Thanks for the replies on the DD1404. It's within my price range, but I want something to swing around at light targets in the backyard, so my ideal would be a sub-$300 sword that won't cause me to wince too much should it get accidentally dropped or scraped against something hard. The price doesn't bother me too much but I want to be sure it's worth it, and it's sounding like a really good option.

I've seen a lot of favorable comments about the Del Tin swords but I can't find the prices listed on their web site, so I'm not sure what price range they are in. Can anyone recommend a good site to buy one from that has prices listed?

I've looked at the Albion Reeve, but although I could afford one if I really wanted it I don't want to spend that much on this first sword. Maybe later on. And actually, it's the Sovereign that I REALLY have my eye on But a sword like that is something I'd want to behold and admire, not something to swing around in the back yard.

I've also considered the MRL German Falchion, but it's too far in the budget direction although I really like the looks of it and it got a good review. I guess the DD1404 is looking more and more like the best choice unless I find a Del Tin that I like better.

What about bastard swords? Are there any shorter-bladed ones out there? The MRL German Bastard sword has a great blade length for me but I don't like the hilt, and I'd like to avoid MRL. An arming sword with bit more hilt than average might make an alternative given my small hands, but I'd rather not have to resort to grasping the pommel and even those swords tend to run longer in blade than I'd like.

[Adam Simmonds]

my 2 cents...

i reckon if you can afford it then it's worth while getting a decent and reliable sword of good quality. Anything less is just not really worth the bother except as decoration in my humble opinion. If you want a real sword then get a real sword, it will be worth the price paid. I reckon that it's not worth saving a couple hundred bucks if it means settling for a sword which cannot perform as a sword should. It's not just about looking the part - but also perfoming the task which matters.

cheers, adam

[Grayson C.]

[Eric Holt]

Well, I guess I'm wanting too much for too little, but who doesn't. But it's time for reality to set in.

The Reeve is certainly at the low end of Albion's range, but if I'm going to spend >$600 then I'd rather save up and go for the $1000 range, since I'm really going for qualilty at that point and may as well get what I really want.

I'm going to have to get over my reluctance to spend more on this first sword I guess. I can see the advantage of paying more now versus buying something less expensive that will end up gathering dust in the back of the closet when I buy better swords later on.

I think I'm going to go with the DD1404, since it looks like something I'll always be happy to have and it doesn't look like I'm going to be satisfied with anything less expensive.

[Adam Simmonds]

I think you're making a good decision. A good sword will be a good sword for years, even centuries, to come. A crap sword on the other hand, bought in a moment of intoxication admiring a cheap and shiny blade - will either break after some use or will end up, as you have already prophesised - "gathering dust in the closet". It'll still look ok for those who don't recognise quality products, but that's about it.

Also, if you're going to be learning how to swing that thing, then a well made sword with a good balance and handling characteristics will help teach you how to handle a sword properly and prove an valuable learning resource.

cheers, adam

[John Cooksey]

Here's one other possibility, that you mentioned earlier: you could get a Del Tin.
They are a good value for the money. I have owned a couple, and they have held up very well.
If I am not mistaken, Albion Armorers still has a couple of Del Tins left, from the days when they used to be a DT retailer.

According to their website:
"We no longer carry Del Tins through our Albion website, but we do still sell some Del Tin models through our subsidiary, Filmswords.com

We have a few Del Tin models remaining in stock, available for immediate shipping:
DT2121
DT2169
DT5130
DT5161"

Model 2121 is a pretty darned nice sword, for the money, though I think I personally would lean to a Gus Trim 1211 over it.
The customization options, through Christian Fletcher, for a 1211 raise some rather interesting possibilities. His custom "Irish Sword", based on the 1211, really rings my bell.
The 1211 seems to me to be, in either stock or custom configuration, a really handy, powerful sidearm.

I wish you all the best of luck in your sword search!

[Eric Holt]

[Gabriel Lebec]

Harlan Hastings used to own one (sold it in the classifieds section on this site), and in this old Swordforum thread stated it "just feels right." His post history is infrequent but you can try sending him a PM (Private Message) from his profile; he might have email notification turned on and reply with his thoughts on the sword.

[Addison C. de Lisle]

[Eric Holt]

After giving it some thought I think I'm going to wait a while before making a decision on this.

I think I'll be better off in the long run if I save up $1000 and make a decision based on what I really want rather than going with what I can afford at the moment. Besides, I only started looking at swords recently and there's no telling what I might discover in the meantime.

Thanks for all the replies, it's been very helpful.

[John Cooksey]

[Mike Capanelli]

[Kenton Spaulding]

You should also take a look at what Arms and Armor has to offer. www.arms-n-armor.com they have a few swords that would seem like what you are looking for. The Henry V, Duke of Urbino, and English Longsword might interest you. They are a little more expensive than Museum Replicas, but well worth the price. They are also a little less money than most Albions.

Good luck,

Kenton

[Roger Hooper]

Take a look at the Albion Squire Line 15th century bastard. http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/sq...astard.htm

[Eric Holt]

[Gabriel Lebec]

Just FYI, Albion's "Squire Line" swords do indeed come blunt standard - but sharpening is a negligible $25 extra. Of course, I'm not discouraging you from looking at the Mercenary...