I have never owned a light, well balanced, DSA blade! They are STILL overpriced, STILL too weighty and unbalanced, and STILL have not taken feedback from ex-customers and improved in these areas. Thanks for the review as always Matt!
@ sure they “look” great. But every collector wants to pick their sword up and swing it around at some point, and if it just doesn’t feel good, then it’s just for looks.
@@alexzandererdman2631 so you have experience with them too? To be honest I have no idea why, but apparently enough people are still buying their stuff to keep them in business 🤷🏽
I don't know man. Tod Cutlers stuff isn't made by him. It's production stuff made in China. DSA blades are also made in China or India, but at least they're assembled in Canada. Their shop has a forge, they inspect the blades, sharpen them and are capable of fixing errors, flaws etc. in house before assembly and sale. Tod Cutler never even sees his production pieces. Not saying one is better than the other, but DSA has improved drastically under their new management.
@ I’m not sure how much of the production Tod himself oversees but from what I’ve handled they definitely seem to be a cut above when it comes to handling characteristics in most cases. I think Tod at least is in charge of the basic design and weight specs regardless of if he actually “makes them” himself. But I suppose if I’m to be fair too I haven’t handled many dsa swords recently so maybe some of the other models have improved in that regard.
@@mythguard6865 He does design them himself, and you're right, that's definitely a plus. They handle really well. And also in fairness I haven't handled many of his swords either. But I do own the clip point falchion, and it's got some pretty serious QC issues. Most notably being the bevels are badly ground. The fuller is about an entire inch shorter on one side of the sword, and wanders nearly up into the spine, and the hilt is also slightly loose. I also don't own a lot of DSA swords either, in fact only one. The blade is a bit too whippy/flexible, but it's ground nicely at least, it arrived much sharper and it's held up to some stiff cutting without taking any sets. I haven't gotten around to cutting with the falchion so I can't say how well it'll do, but it did arrive extremely dull for a sword advertised as sharp, even "semi-sharp". It does handle nicely though, and the fittings are nicer than DSA's. They're both pretty push and pull when it comes to QC stuff in my experience. They both have some typical issues found in overseas produced and/or assembled swords. I have at least one from DSA/TC/Windlass/Deepeka, Ronin Katana and three from Kingston Arms. The Kingston Arms are the nicest I've found in the budget range. I think the most disappointing is the Tod Cutler just because I genuinely thought it was going to be a budget sword that was finally a step above all the others, but that turned out to not be the case for me.
Just got the crusader sword from fidestisan and one from swordier. Both are better handling and build than anything from dsa and all for 250$ each. There are much better offers for far less that one can actually use without the fear of rattail tangs............
I have handled a lot of period pieces - the benefits of working in museums - and I own DSA's 15th Century Gothic-style Longsword. I like it. It feels like the historic equivalent, if a touch weightier. I do have the same issues with keeping rust off the pommel and crossguard that you cite in this review, but otherwise, I like my DSA blade. Maybe they started off making poorer-quality swords, but I think by the time I bought mine four years ago, they have stepped up their game. I have swords that are better, like my arming sword made by Al Massey in Nova Scotia, my dussack made by James Bensinger in Vermont, and my Landsknecht Emporium Dorothea Sharp from Hungary. Those were all custom jobs by independent smiths, and of course, they are beautifully made swords - especially my Bensinger-made Dussack, I highly recommend Jim's work. But, if we are comparing what I got for what I paid for, I haven't got any complaints about my DSA Longsword. I am glad to hear they offer a satin finish now. I would have preferred that to the mirror finish on mine.
I own the same sword for a few years already. It's a nice looking wallhanger that's about it. I have the same rust issues, balance issues and the sharpening service did a subpar job(might not be DSA's fault). As mentioned before here it's overpriced and I'd only pay 300$ for it.
That's definitely a type 16. With how often you refer to Oakeshott typology, I'd encourage you to get the books "the sword in the age of chivalry" and "records of the medieval sword". Distal taper does make a big difference. This one needs more. The fuller should also taper off more, as it's creating a hinge point. It's so close to being a good sword. I could grind those elements, repolish, and give it better sharpening. Though the scabbard fit would be disrupted, and it might throw the hilt node and forward waggle point out of range. If I had its sword dynamics chart I'd know if it has room to be reground.
You didn't mention it in the video like you usually do. I assumed you didn't for this one. I looked at the measurements and chart and re-watched the video. I wouldn't grind it thinner or even narrower. The numbers (including distal taper) look great, the hilt node is very well placed, the fittings aren't chunky. The only things that're off here is the overall weight and balance point, but I don't see how they got there given that everything else looks good. For the past while I could always tell what I'd change in a sword, but this one puzzles me. The only thing I can think of is that I'd have used 1/4" stock instead of 3/16" stock. Maybe things would fall into place from there, but I don't know.
The tip is too acute and the central rib too pronounced for a XII. It looks like a flattened diamond cross-section after the fuller to my eyes, which would make it a XVI.
You can do much better for much cheaper. I have owned 3 DSA's. The first one was serviceable, the 2nd was kinda bad, and the 3rd was laughably atrocious. Do not give your money to these incompetent buffoons.
I own a bunch of indian made swords. Think Deepeeka, Windlass, etc. If I hadn't read the title and I had this muted, I would've guessed it was one of those. There are very specific tells in the finishing of certain parts that suggest so. And I have no dog in any fight with DSA, nor do I see indian made swords as a poor investment. Its just, hmm, disingenuous...?
Darksword Armory is a mid-tier maker in price only. 😑 Maybe it worked years ago, but now, with what's available, they need to up their game. And forget about improving the manufactory process to sell a well assembled sword, that's the minimum we expect from a sword maker. No, they need to improve the historical veracity of their sword designs. Btw, even now, on their website, selecting Medieval Swords gives you Fantasy Swords. What's up with that DSA? Do you not know the difference, or you think we don't know the difference?
I have never owned a light, well balanced, DSA blade! They are STILL overpriced, STILL too weighty and unbalanced, and STILL have not taken feedback from ex-customers and improved in these areas. Thanks for the review as always Matt!
Yeah, got the Alexandria sword two years ago. I regret ordering one.
Truer words were never spoken.
@ sure they “look” great. But every collector wants to pick their sword up and swing it around at some point, and if it just doesn’t feel good, then it’s just for looks.
@@alexzandererdman2631 so you have experience with them too? To be honest I have no idea why, but apparently enough people are still buying their stuff to keep them in business 🤷🏽
Got a longsword one time and everything was done wrong. Immediately sent it back
That's a nicely shaped baseball bat.
I visited the DSA workshop. They definitely don’t make the blades in house
it does look nice but more like a type XVI. Shame the distal taper isn't more refined
Friends do not let friends buy darksword armory swords
Now that Tod cutler swords exist DSA has become even less desirable.
I don't know man. Tod Cutlers stuff isn't made by him. It's production stuff made in China. DSA blades are also made in China or India, but at least they're assembled in Canada. Their shop has a forge, they inspect the blades, sharpen them and are capable of fixing errors, flaws etc. in house before assembly and sale. Tod Cutler never even sees his production pieces. Not saying one is better than the other, but DSA has improved drastically under their new management.
@ I’m not sure how much of the production Tod himself oversees but from what I’ve handled they definitely seem to be a cut above when it comes to handling characteristics in most cases. I think Tod at least is in charge of the basic design and weight specs regardless of if he actually “makes them” himself.
But I suppose if I’m to be fair too I haven’t handled many dsa swords recently so maybe some of the other models have improved in that regard.
@@mythguard6865 He does design them himself, and you're right, that's definitely a plus. They handle really well. And also in fairness I haven't handled many of his swords either. But I do own the clip point falchion, and it's got some pretty serious QC issues. Most notably being the bevels are badly ground. The fuller is about an entire inch shorter on one side of the sword, and wanders nearly up into the spine, and the hilt is also slightly loose.
I also don't own a lot of DSA swords either, in fact only one. The blade is a bit too whippy/flexible, but it's ground nicely at least, it arrived much sharper and it's held up to some stiff cutting without taking any sets. I haven't gotten around to cutting with the falchion so I can't say how well it'll do, but it did arrive extremely dull for a sword advertised as sharp, even "semi-sharp". It does handle nicely though, and the fittings are nicer than DSA's.
They're both pretty push and pull when it comes to QC stuff in my experience. They both have some typical issues found in overseas produced and/or assembled swords. I have at least one from DSA/TC/Windlass/Deepeka, Ronin Katana and three from Kingston Arms. The Kingston Arms are the nicest I've found in the budget range. I think the most disappointing is the Tod Cutler just because I genuinely thought it was going to be a budget sword that was finally a step above all the others, but that turned out to not be the case for me.
Just got the crusader sword from fidestisan and one from swordier. Both are better handling and build than anything from dsa and all for 250$ each. There are much better offers for far less that one can actually use without the fear of rattail tangs............
I have handled a lot of period pieces - the benefits of working in museums - and I own DSA's 15th Century Gothic-style Longsword. I like it. It feels like the historic equivalent, if a touch weightier. I do have the same issues with keeping rust off the pommel and crossguard that you cite in this review, but otherwise, I like my DSA blade.
Maybe they started off making poorer-quality swords, but I think by the time I bought mine four years ago, they have stepped up their game. I have swords that are better, like my arming sword made by Al Massey in Nova Scotia, my dussack made by James Bensinger in Vermont, and my Landsknecht Emporium Dorothea Sharp from Hungary. Those were all custom jobs by independent smiths, and of course, they are beautifully made swords - especially my Bensinger-made Dussack, I highly recommend Jim's work. But, if we are comparing what I got for what I paid for, I haven't got any complaints about my DSA Longsword.
I am glad to hear they offer a satin finish now. I would have preferred that to the mirror finish on mine.
DSA ain’t outa business yet??
Friends don't let friends buy Darksword Armory swords.
I commented this also hahaha
LMFAO. Best comment ever!
@@Intrepid_Explorer True story!
I own the same sword for a few years already. It's a nice looking wallhanger that's about it. I have the same rust issues, balance issues and the sharpening service did a subpar job(might not be DSA's fault). As mentioned before here it's overpriced and I'd only pay 300$ for it.
The sharpening is dsa fault. They are horrid.
That's definitely a type 16. With how often you refer to Oakeshott typology, I'd encourage you to get the books "the sword in the age of chivalry" and "records of the medieval sword".
Distal taper does make a big difference. This one needs more. The fuller should also taper off more, as it's creating a hinge point. It's so close to being a good sword. I could grind those elements, repolish, and give it better sharpening. Though the scabbard fit would be disrupted, and it might throw the hilt node and forward waggle point out of range. If I had its sword dynamics chart I'd know if it has room to be reground.
I put a link to the chart in the description.
You didn't mention it in the video like you usually do. I assumed you didn't for this one. I looked at the measurements and chart and re-watched the video. I wouldn't grind it thinner or even narrower. The numbers (including distal taper) look great, the hilt node is very well placed, the fittings aren't chunky. The only things that're off here is the overall weight and balance point, but I don't see how they got there given that everything else looks good. For the past while I could always tell what I'd change in a sword, but this one puzzles me. The only thing I can think of is that I'd have used 1/4" stock instead of 3/16" stock. Maybe things would fall into place from there, but I don't know.
Where would you add or remove mass to improve how the blade feels in the hand?
I love zazzy flubby schmutz
It is a handsome sword.
I think it’s more of a type XII.
The tip is too acute and the central rib too pronounced for a XII. It looks like a flattened diamond cross-section after the fuller to my eyes, which would make it a XVI.
@ yes I think you’re right
You can do much better for much cheaper. I have owned 3 DSA's. The first one was serviceable, the 2nd was kinda bad, and the 3rd was laughably atrocious. Do not give your money to these incompetent buffoons.
I've got a Vindaaris from them, easily my favorite sword I have, and actually came notably sharper than I've seen in reviews for other DSA blades.
I own a bunch of indian made swords. Think Deepeeka, Windlass, etc. If I hadn't read the title and I had this muted, I would've guessed it was one of those. There are very specific tells in the finishing of certain parts that suggest so. And I have no dog in any fight with DSA, nor do I see indian made swords as a poor investment. Its just, hmm, disingenuous...?
Darksword Armory is a mid-tier maker in price only. 😑
Maybe it worked years ago, but now, with what's available, they need to up their game.
And forget about improving the manufactory process to sell a well assembled sword, that's the minimum we expect from a sword maker. No, they need to improve the historical veracity of their sword designs.
Btw, even now, on their website, selecting Medieval Swords gives you Fantasy Swords. What's up with that DSA? Do you not know the difference, or you think we don't know the difference?
Way over priced for that you get..200 dollars ish not a penny more..hard pass on all dsa swords for me.