I saw this one while setting up my Christmas list last year. I didn't recognize the brand and the extensive name pushed it off my list. You've got me reconsidering it now.
I would say that this price point appeals to 90% of new people looking for their first sword.. You really feel like you're getting a bargain compared to the swords we actually want, which are at 300 to 400. So I would ask: Could you please make a video of 5 alternatives in this price range (being 150 to 220 or so). I think that would make a quick and easy video to go with this one.. This thing is pretty heavy, but for the price-- you do get a lot IMO. Especially if it really is 5160 spring steel like it says. 5 alternatives that are better than this one: at this price range-- would be a fantastic video. :) cheers.
I would like to echo this idea. Let's say best 5 under $250. And feel free to say that, let's say, 3rd, 4th and 5th places are not actually recommanded even at that price if that is the case. 👍
It would be a good video. I think Hanwei tinker line crushes everything in the >250$ price point. Hanwei tinkers are twice the sword most others in the price same point are. I would take my 9th.c viking over any other viking sword on the market right now. Short something like an Albion. The new windlass has potential but it's a good bit pricier. I mean they don't come super sharp, but then again it's pretty rare to get a properly sharp euro sword out of the box. All that being said it would be interested to see how new swords on the market compare to the HT line, they're getting pretty long in tooth. And plain Jane as hell.
I was looking forward to this review, as Fidestisan asked me to review these but wanted me to buy them myself and then they would reimburse me if I gave them a good review (which they failed to follow through on previously). Glad I didn't take the risk. Another great, thorough review!
Kind of reminds me of how people avoided having negative reviews deleted from various sites; they would obnoxiously Praise the problems and saw how much they loved how horrible this or that was. 😅 People never cease to amaze.
I actually got this sword a couple of months ago, ended up cutting off the cord on the hilt and sewed on a black leather grip with a few risers. I love the look, though it does seem remarkably heavy. In the works later is cutting off the pleather scabbard cover and using that as a pattern to cut it out of real leather. In regards to the harness, I made my own based off of Tod's Workshop's designs, just for about $60 cheaper lol. One thing that upset me was, while I was trying to remove the nut holding the grip on, it chewed up about 2 or 3 threads on the tang before I realized what was going on.
Distal taper really seems to be the separator between high end swords and…not-so-high end ones, lol. It’s also often the primary difference between swords that perform, and those that don’t. Advice to new collectors: pay attention to distal taper when looking for your next model. It’s an often overlooked, frequently unadvertised, and rarely offered feature that will make an enormous impact on how a sword feels to hold and to use.
I would have to agree that Brown version which is $205 on Amazon I don't think it's quite worth it but the Black version for some weird reason is only $175 and at that price point I think it would be worth it. Especially, like you said someone wants something with a little bit more of a fantasy vibe that still could someone pass as traditional. This would also be not a bad option if they really couldn't go over $200. There is or was this other company museum something or another that has a handful of different swords kind of in this price range in a little bit less. 100 $150 but they went up a little bit birthday from my personal experience had similar issues. But for the price at the time you couldn't beat it but most of the grips on some of their swords were kind of so-so. They make this one specific mercenaries for that looks really good but in my opinion does not handle super great but aesthetically wonderful. Mind you at the time when I got that so I think I got it for like $125 or something like that. It's probably more now I have a video of it somewhere on my channel from way back. As far as this sword is concerned that I would have to agree with you that for the Brown $205 version I just spent a little bit more money and get something from hanwei. The Black version that is like 30 bucks cheaper give or take I can kind of see the appeal of.
You wear it over your back.. And then you just pull the strap and rotate the entire sword around to the front when you want to pull it in a hurry.. It will be upside down at that point, but you can easily pull it then. I practice a similar carry with AR15's. A little strange for a sword, but it can still be done
I saw this one while setting up my Christmas list last year. I didn't recognize the brand and the extensive name pushed it off my list.
You've got me reconsidering it now.
I would say that this price point appeals to 90% of new people looking for their first sword.. You really feel like you're getting a bargain compared to the swords we actually want, which are at 300 to 400. So I would ask: Could you please make a video of 5 alternatives in this price range (being 150 to 220 or so). I think that would make a quick and easy video to go with this one.. This thing is pretty heavy, but for the price-- you do get a lot IMO. Especially if it really is 5160 spring steel like it says. 5 alternatives that are better than this one: at this price range-- would be a fantastic video. :) cheers.
I would like to echo this idea. Let's say best 5 under $250. And feel free to say that, let's say, 3rd, 4th and 5th places are not actually recommanded even at that price if that is the case. 👍
Interesting idea.
The hanwei Tinker line would guaranteed be in the video.
It would be a good video. I think Hanwei tinker line crushes everything in the >250$ price point. Hanwei tinkers are twice the sword most others in the price same point are. I would take my 9th.c viking over any other viking sword on the market right now. Short something like an Albion. The new windlass has potential but it's a good bit pricier.
I mean they don't come super sharp, but then again it's pretty rare to get a properly sharp euro sword out of the box.
All that being said it would be interested to see how new swords on the market compare to the HT line, they're getting pretty long in tooth. And plain Jane as hell.
@@sinisterswordsman25 I've seen too many videos of Hanwei war swords breaking near the hilt for me to be interested.
I was looking forward to this review, as Fidestisan asked me to review these but wanted me to buy them myself and then they would reimburse me if I gave them a good review (which they failed to follow through on previously). Glad I didn't take the risk. Another great, thorough review!
Yeah, I wouldn't do that either!
Kind of reminds me of how people avoided having negative reviews deleted from various sites; they would obnoxiously Praise the problems and saw how much they loved how horrible this or that was. 😅
People never cease to amaze.
I actually got this sword a couple of months ago, ended up cutting off the cord on the hilt and sewed on a black leather grip with a few risers. I love the look, though it does seem remarkably heavy. In the works later is cutting off the pleather scabbard cover and using that as a pattern to cut it out of real leather. In regards to the harness, I made my own based off of Tod's Workshop's designs, just for about $60 cheaper lol. One thing that upset me was, while I was trying to remove the nut holding the grip on, it chewed up about 2 or 3 threads on the tang before I realized what was going on.
Using this as a project sword is not a bad idea!
Distal taper really seems to be the separator between high end swords and…not-so-high end ones, lol. It’s also often the primary difference between swords that perform, and those that don’t. Advice to new collectors: pay attention to distal taper when looking for your next model. It’s an often overlooked, frequently unadvertised, and rarely offered feature that will make an enormous impact on how a sword feels to hold and to use.
100% agreed.
I would have to agree that Brown version which is $205 on Amazon I don't think it's quite worth it but the Black version for some weird reason is only $175 and at that price point I think it would be worth it. Especially, like you said someone wants something with a little bit more of a fantasy vibe that still could someone pass as traditional. This would also be not a bad option if they really couldn't go over $200. There is or was this other company museum something or another that has a handful of different swords kind of in this price range in a little bit less. 100 $150 but they went up a little bit birthday from my personal experience had similar issues. But for the price at the time you couldn't beat it but most of the grips on some of their swords were kind of so-so. They make this one specific mercenaries for that looks really good but in my opinion does not handle super great but aesthetically wonderful. Mind you at the time when I got that so I think I got it for like $125 or something like that. It's probably more now I have a video of it somewhere on my channel from way back. As far as this sword is concerned that I would have to agree with you that for the Brown $205 version I just spent a little bit more money and get something from hanwei. The Black version that is like 30 bucks cheaper give or take I can kind of see the appeal of.
The pommel is a type J.
Oooh I do love Lord of the Rings style swords
Interesting thing... as a historical sword, I would take point off, but as a functional Strider sword, it gets bonus points for imitating the best. 😅
The sword you linked to on Amazon is not the one you tested. The Amazon one in black goes for $175 with a straight guard. I like that look more.
Check the note before the link - you have to select the brown option to see the one I reviewed.
I love the guard, not a fan of the pommel.
They were too long for conventional carry.
Shoulder it like a rifle.
I dislike the term "fantasy", just call it a non-historic or modern design.
Since the influence is from Lord of the Rings, I think fantasy is appropriate.
Your opinions are only the standard for your own videos. Do your own review and call it what you want.
You wear it over your back.. And then you just pull the strap and rotate the entire sword around to the front when you want to pull it in a hurry.. It will be upside down at that point, but you can easily pull it then. I practice a similar carry with AR15's. A little strange for a sword, but it can still be done
Gonna be honest brother... That sounds fucking stupid