First sword purchase advice? (Museum Replicas)

T

TheCaptn

Joined
Jan 22, 2001
Messages
10
I plan on purchasing my first sword soon (the Irish Hand-and-a-half sword from Museum Replicas), and never one to jump into something unprepared I've been reading people's accounts of their workmanship. It seems that while they -can- be very good, the quality control leaves something to be desired.

I'm not after a wall-hanger. I would like to use the sword in future, although for the time being I'd prefer to stick to wooden/training weapons. (I'm new to all this, so I'm not willing to use the sword itself until I actually know -how- to parry with the flat of the blade. *grin*)

Now, knowing that MRL have some problems, some of you may be wondering why I would still like to purchase from them. There are three reasons.
1) Cost... I understand there are higher quality blades available, but they're also more costly. I finally have a good job, but there still needs to be a balance between price and quality.
2) Time... I'm impatient, what can I say? I don't want to wait 6 months for my sword. (It's my first one, and I'm eager to feel it in my hands... Maybe that feeling will lessen with future purchases, but right now it's strong.
biggrin.gif
)
3) Customisation... I don't think I'm getting ahead of myself here. The sword I've chosen has a circular, open pommel with a small spar in the center which seems absolutely -perfect- for a small carved insert (Using a light wood, so as not to upset the balance too much).

The latest thread here dealing with MRL is more then 6 months old, so I was wondering if their standards had improved at all since then?
Also how is their customer service? If I make it clear on the order that I'm -not- after a wall hanger, and ask politely if they can double-check the item before shipping, will they do it?

Or are there any other ways I can ensure I get one of their higher quality works?



[This message has been edited by TheCaptn (edited 01-22-2001).]
 
Many will stay away from Museum Replicas swords. Their heat treatment is very bad and the sword will come apart when you try to use it. You can check out : www.kriscutlery.com. I have been using their blades for over 2 years and they hold up to actual use. Also, their prices are awesome! Hope this helps.
 
None of the swords on that site 'speak' to me the way that Hand-and-a-half sword from MRL did...

Any other links I can try instead of MRL then? (www.deltin.net has really nice swords, but a 10 month waiting time)

What I'd like in the absence of the MRL sword is something similar... Hand-and-a-half, blade length 32" - 35" width 1" - 1 1/2", simply done in black and steel (No brass... I like the black&silver look better).
I was really sold on the idea of the carved insert, but I guess as long as the pommel is kept plain I can get it engraved instead.

Oh, and no looooong wait times.
biggrin.gif
(6-8 weeks would be nice)

Suggestions?

Edits to say:
(Am I asking for too much here?)



[This message has been edited by TheCaptn (edited 01-22-2001).]
 
Don't do it! Look, I know that you are trying to be cost conscious, and no one is going to blame you for that believe me. On the other hand the old saying about getting what you pay for definitely applies to swords. Let me put it to you this way. If you get a piece of junk for half the price of something decent are you really getting a bargain? Especially when in the long run you will end up having to buy something decent anyway? So, my advice: save your money, put off the instant gratification and buy something that you are going to be happy with in the long run. With MRL hit or miss quality is mostly miss, I think that you are holding out false hope that you will get lucky. Odds are you won't. Check out these sites: www.albionarmorers.com. www.armor.com
 
Consider the advice to avoid MRL taken.

My choice is now between 2 swords, both of which have their pro's and cons.
Number 1 (#085 Irish Sword, Arms & Armor):
085.jpg

I think I'm in love... I mean, it's beautiful. I'm just awestruck.
Pro's: Incredible design, and it has the ring pommel that I wanted.
Con's: Cost ($485, with scabbard, excluding shipping to The Netherlands), the brass (I would have preferred plain steel).

Number 2 (DT2151 Early 15th Century Hand and a Half Sword, Del Tin)
dt2151b.jpg

Pro's: Cost $295, nice simple hand-and-a-half sword.
Con's: Nearly a -year- wait, no scabbard.

I'm pretty sure I'll go with the beautiful Irish sword... Bit of saving though.
 
This was the MRL sword I was interested in... It's a real shame that no-one else has anything like it.
frown.gif


mrl1308.JPG

 
Have you checked out the Angus Trim Irish Ring-Hilted Bastard Sword
AT0017.jpg

from Albion? Same basic dimensions but ten ounces lighter than MRL, $430 + shipping.

[This message has been edited by Berkley (edited 01-22-2001).]
 
It's a nice sword, but at that price I'd prefer the Arms & Armor Irish sword.

BTW, is that price including or excluding a scabbard?
 
Arms and Armor and Angus Trim swords I will both support. Arms and Armor adds a little more towards historical authenticity and appearance. Angus Trim's are the "bargain" swords for martial artists who desire a lightweight, well balanced sword with very positive control of harmonics.

Also look at Lutel and Del Vera swords for something a little less costly. I cannot PERSONALLY vouch for them, but have heard overall good stuff. There is an imperial line supposedly coming out that looks promising, though I don't know anybody who has personal, professional experience with them.

Ya can't expect pefection for cheap, just a matter of choosing what's most important to you.
 
The A&A Irish sword is available with steel or brass fittings. They'll probably ask your preference when ordering. If not, make sure you specify.

I had mine done with the steel, and I'm very happy with it. Good luck.
 
I've emailed both A&A and Albion with some questions (The email to A&A included a question on getting the sword in steel instead of brass) and I'll wait to see that their respective replies say.

If I can get the Irish ring-hilt in steel, I'd say that it will become my first sword.

And before I forget, thanks to -everyone-... You've all been more helpful then I could have hoped.
smile.gif

 
You could get Kirby Wise to make you a sword that looks any way you want. Good quality, good price

------------------
Although it does not mindfully keep guard in the small mountain fields, the scarecrow does not stand in vain
Bukkoku
 
fudo,

I don't know about Kirby's stuff from personal experience but I have been told that they are a bit on the heavy side. I have also been told that he completes projects in his own sweet time. Do you know
if any of this is true?
 
There are a couple of other options... you could purchase the cheapo sword you like, but consider it a "kit"... knock it apart and rework it the way you want... or...

Like many of us, you could decide to hang on to your hard-earned cash and make the damn thing yourself, from scratch! Your dilemma is precisely the way that most people get into making in the first place. Of course... the danger there is that you could come to like it, and then you'd get sucked into the show circuit and the 1040 schedule C and no insurance, and hands that are always covered with small wounds (on a good day) and all the other problems that come with swordmaking... and the guys that want a good sword but aren't quite willing to pay what you need. Then you tell them... (return to top of page)...

Tom Maringer, Swordmaker (retired)
 
Ah... Two of the many things I plan to do in life are forge my own sword, and craft my own longbow...

But at the moment I'm young (23) and impatient, and I've never so much as laid eyes on a forge (well that's not entirely true, I did watch a blacksmith making horseshoes once... But you get the idea). I have no room for any of the equipment, and even if I had I wouldn't know where to start.

I know there are people here such as yourself who would be more then willing to provide advice... But In all honesty, I wouldn't be able to do that help justice until I'm a little older, a little wiser, and significantly more patient.
biggrin.gif
 
Don't mean to be negative, but also swordmaking isn't the easiest thing in the world. More to it than just a long blade with a handle. Weight, balance, vibrational characteristics, edge geometry, tang shape, et cetera all come into play, and it takes experimentation and practice. Unless, all you want is to keep an employee from barging in and demanding a raise...

I was going to try swordmaking...but I couldn't. Big let-down for me. Life moves on though.

Shinryû.
 
No offense Mr. Marotz, but bowyery isn't any easier than swordcraft. You have to find, refine, and season the right piece(s) of wood (which can take weeks, months, even years), and shape it/them carefully, taking into consideration many factors similar to those you give as barriers to swordmaking. Form and/or apply whatever belly and backing. Train the wood to bend without breaking, and so on. And above all, have patience.

I think our friend thoroughly understands the monumental tasks he contemplates. That is in fact the reason he gives for not rushing into things.

Don't let any of this discourage you Captn. Just be dilligent.
 
Thank you... I will be.
smile.gif


I've read a lot about self-bowyery and I have a fair idea of the amount of work involved.

As yet I haven't read anything about smithing (is that even the right word?) and that's something I'll start on in the reasonably near future. My plan at the moment though is to buy a small variety of swords over time... Once I have my own small collection I'll have a much better idea of how a sword should -feel-, how the weight is distributed, etc. A host of things that I can't even begin to imagine yet.

I would be truely foolhardy if I thought I could forge a sword when I've never even held a real one in my hands. (The el-cheapo display swords that you can buy at most army disposals outlets don't count)

As for the longbow, I'm a 'dabbling' archer... I had an old compound bow before I came here to Holland (It wouldn't fit in my backpack so I pawned it). I'm certainly more prepared for the bow then for the sword, but even so I still plan to take a course before I try it...
 
I was not saying anything about Bowyery. I don't know enough about the field to give any opinions on it. Don't be so quick to defend when I'm not even doing so much as insinuating anything.

I was just saying that if he wants to make his own sword, it is not an easy task to do just once and be extremely happy with. People get a lot of misinformation about swords as a whole...and lots of people think they've got a firm grasp on it. I'm sure you feel the same way about bowyery being that there are a bunch of people interested but probably not wanting to spend a few hundred bucks or more on a bow (noticing some parallels being drawn), so they want to try making one for themselves, unaware that just maybe it's more complex than they give it credit for.

It's the motivation that's started several swordmakers I know, and I also know a person or two who tried making something and are convinced to this day they did a good job, but lost interest in swords because they were disappointed with how swords (aka THEIR particular piece) performed. I don't intend to discourage anyone, but I did feel compelled to mention that it's not a cheap and easy way around having to pay for a sword.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top