Rank The Swords

uncle

uncle

Joined
Mar 28, 2000
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406
I have read some of the past threads on sword quality, but I would like to get some feedback on the issue positing the question this way.
I am interested in reproductions of 1100-1500 AD European combat broad and long swords and 1500+ AD rapiers. They are, of course, mainly going to be on display on my wall, but I would like them to be properly sharpened and battle worthy just because I like the idea.
Given that, here's the feedback I would like:
Would you rate the different manufacturers/distributors(Museum Replicas, etc.)for three characteristics:1)construction- quality of steel, temper, battle worthiness; 2)finish- attension to detail, polish, etc.; 3)price
Thanks

www.samaritanarts.com
 
Uncle , go to swordforum.com and maybe netsword.com and search around to garner the info you seek .
It would take a few pages to even scratch the surface of your question.
But I will start your search by saying this , Museum Replicas Ltd. are nothing but wallhangers . Not battle ready by any stretch of the imagination .
Good luck , Cameron .
 
Eh, I disagree with Killer Kane.

I haven't had experience with every rapier maker out there, but MRL is okay. Not the best by any stretch, but okay.

If I had to rate them numerically, I'd put it like this.

Tied for First place,
Darkwood Armory and Del Tin. (I haven't used an Angus Trim, but from everything I've heard, they're at least the equal of these two, maybe better.)

Darkwood uses Del Tin blades and makes the hilt to your specifications or you can choose to have a hilt assembled from their stock designs, with choice of hilt, quillion style, pommel shape etc...

I prefer Darkwood only because I like their hilt selection better than the stock Del Tins. It's a matter of taste only.

After that, I'd say a close second would be Scottie Armory

Then you get to Museum Replicas Limited (MRL) Deepeeka aka Windlass, and Hanwei.

MRL is of a slightly better design than Windlass or Hanwei, but their construction methods leave them on an equal footing quality wise.

Some of the Windlass rapiers are pretty good looking, the Stainless Swepthilt comes to mind, (but I understand this one has been discontinued.), and if you intend to keep them as wall hangers and air cutters, go for it. My only problem with them as real "beaters" is that the blade profile is so thin that repeated de-burring after a duel will thin the blade to the breaking point rather quickly.

Hanwei rapiers are generally not as pretty nor quite as fast in the hand as the Windlass, because the Hanwei blades have a much thicker profile. This makes them ideal however, for extended dueling. I've been using my Hanwei Pappenheimer a long time and it looks to have several years of service left in it before the blade needs replacement. The hilt is standing up very well indeed!

A very important consideration in buying a sword is not only what sword you buy, but where you buy it.

MRL has an excellent return policy. I've seen rapiers that were fought with for a couple months break, and then be replaced by MRL at no charge. (other than shipping of course.)

By the Sword is also a very reputable dealer, and will do their best to make you happy.

Many people deride dealers for the practice of marketing a sword as "battle ready" but IMHO, it is a service to the swordsman when they do so.

If a sword is sold as a "wall hanger only" (rare, but I've seen it.) you can't complain when that sword snaps like a toothpick when you try to use it.

However, with a blade marketed as battle ready, dueling is not considered "abuse" but rather "normal use" and it should not break under normal use.

By all means, if you have the money, go with Angus Trim, Darkwood or Del Tin, as a user, they are worth the extra cash, but if you're truly just looking for a wall hanger, save the bucks and go with the Windlass/Deepeeka, the MRL, or the Hanwei.

I use a Hanwei sword and a Del Tin gauche.

When I bought the Hanwei, it was because my funds were limited at the time. I plan to buy a Darkwood Rapier as soon as this Hanwei breaks, but it just keeps going and going and going.
:D

I might have to break down and just pre-maturely retire the Hanwei, and hang it on the wall. I find that after around 300 duels, it has developed a rather charming character. Or maybe it's just that I can see the fond memories in all the little scratches, dings, and dents.
;)


Any more questions, feel free to ask!
 
There is a company, Lutel, in the Czech Republic, about which I have read some good things. There is a fellow, Roel Oesterop (sp?) in the Netherlands, who has posted on SwordForum and has basically put them just below Del Tin in quality and their prices are quite a bit lower. Peter Morewood, the Administrator over at NetSword, who lives in Dublin, has also recently had good things to say about them. They have a very good selection and a much more interesting one, from my point of view. Try this site http://www.lutel.cz/index2e.htm
 
Sorry, I should have included the links in the original post.

http://www.darkwoodarmory.com
http://www.by-the-sword.com (They seem to be down at the moment, perhaps Code Red has gotten to them, try back later.)
http://www.renstore.com

I have sword practice tomorrow morning, I'll ask some of the guys for links to other good dealers for Hanwei and other.

Also, Triton lists Christian Fletcher. I personally recommend these people VERY highly. Wonderful people do deal with, very friendly, and will bend over backwards to please you. Their selection of rapiers however, is often rather slim.
----------------------------------
You know, I was just looking at the prices at some of the stuff at Chivalry Sports (AKA Renstore.com) and that stuff has really gone up quite a bit. You may want to forget about Hanwei,deepeeka etcetera and just start looking for a Del Tin. For the extra 50 to 75 bucks for some of the Del Tin and Darkwood stuff, you get a world more sword!

(250 for a Hanwei Pap? YIKES!)
:eek:
 
Ken , my comment about MRL was based on what I have perceived to be the prevailing opinion from the sword forums I have followed . Their quality varies greatly from piece to piece . Sometimes they are good , but more often not . Again , this is just what I have interpreted from the forums and not first hand experience .

But then again some people have good luck with Hanwei and some do not . I have a Hanwei Rapier I got for $125.00 brand new off ebay and it has no flaws . Often it is the luck of the draw unless you are willing to pay for quality .

If you really want a good piece , step up a notch to an Atrim , Del Tinn , or Lutel . Then you will be assured of getting a quality piece , for not much more money .

Regards , Cameron .
 
For machine-made blades that don't look machine-made *cough*Angus Trim*cough*, Arms and Armor of Minneapolis, Minnesota is about as good as it gets. Their rapiers are fantastic, and many of their broadswords are too. They sometimes let things slide on warpage from heat treating, but generally they are good. The only thing in my opinion that keeps them from being the best is that they don't use 5160 or L6 for their blades.

http://www.armor.com/
 
Cameron,
My comments on Hanwei and similar were made before I saw their most current price increases.

It's true that QC is often hit and miss with these makers, but at the formerly low prices, I felt it was worth it to take the chance and return a defective sword if you lost on the "dice roll."

I have to say however, that with the increase in cost, I no longer feel that I can recommend these swords even assuming that the customer will receive a "good" one.

The smallish difference in price between say, a Hanwei Pap and a Darkwood Pap is pretty much insignificant compared to the difference in value and quality.

Forget the India and China made stuff, go ahead and go for the gusto!
 
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