Mini-Review of My New Kopis

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FullerH

Joined
Nov 25, 1998
Messages
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I have been involved in a thread over in SwordForums about falcatae/machairae and about my ordering one from BladeForums member Bill Wray. Please see the following repost from SFI on the subject of the sword that I just received last night.
I am awaiting a kopis or machaira, a very similar sword, from Bill Wray, who is trying to establish himself as an importer/dealer of Philippine made swords. If anyone is interested in looking at what he is offering, here is his website: http://www.SPAMMER.com.
Please understand that, since I have yet to see the kopis that I have ordered, I cannot speak tot he quality of his products, but they surely look nice.
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I picked it up last night, but have had time for only a cursory look at it. I will take measurements as soon as possible and post them, but I am leaving for vacation very soon and may not get to it until I return. The sword is rather smaller and lighter than other machairae or falcatae that I have handled. It is more like a lightweight bolo in feel. except that the hilt has a beautifully sculpted lion's head pommel on it. The hilt is made of horn with a brass guard, all with suitable fitting for the price. They are not seamless, if you follow me, but they are neatly done, and loads better than the Depeeka Horsehead Falcata that I have.

The blade is a very nicely finished piece of carbon steel with sharp, but not fine, edges on the bottom and about half of the top. A little work with a fine hone and they would be shaving sharp if that was your wish. The blade has a polished finsh on it, one that should resist rust and stains reasonably well if care is taken. I cannot speak to the temper or the hardening.

The scabbard is of a lightish brown wood with a beautiful grain. It looks like olive wood, but I doubt that it is. There is a horn throat attached to the wooden part of the scabbard that has a carved wolf's head finial under the guard portion of the hilt. There are no carrying rings attached so a user will have to come up with a method of attaching a sling. I am considering weaving a band of damp rawhde around it and allowing that to shrink as it dries. There is no chape, but the tip has a flowery carving on it that is quite pretty but not particularly "Greek" in appearance, if you follow me. A living historian may wish to do something about that.

If you wish to contact Bill Wray about one of these, his email is SPAMMER@SPAM.COM
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Trying to walk in the Light, Hugh
See 1 John 1:5
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This sword definitely fits Robert Marotz' comment about "Swords are just big knives." It is 22" long, overall, and weighs just over 2 lbs.
 
FullerH said:
... BladeForums member Bill Wray.
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In fact Bill Wray is not a Bladeforums member. He was banned for persistent spamming after numerous warnings. (By the way, I understand he's been banned from at least one other forum website for the same reason.)

Now it looks like he's decided to try duping his customers into doing his spamming for him. I am sure you are entirely innocent in this, Hugh, and there's nothing wrong with reviewing Philippine made swords, but let's not plug that particular dealer's website or email address.
 
OK, I shall stop. Sorry. I was unaware of the history and had been contacted by several persons from BFC who said that a member, Bill Wray, was looking to contact me. I was, therefore, under that impression. The reason for posting his email and website was that there had been some real interest over at SwordForum about the kopis that I had ordered and more than one member there had requested his email and web address.

BTW, a spammer he may well be, and that is not excusable, (I have banned several over at NetSword) but he does seem to delliver as promised and in a timely fashion, which is more than I can say for some.
 
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