Amazing review. It's interesting to see how Kult of Athena and LK Chen responded to the first batch of the LK Chen rendition of this model and chose to go with a far less pronounced profile taper, seems to be a more robust and reliable sword now! I always think that the base width could be beefed up to 50mm or so and then maintain this degree of profile taper until the last 1/4 of the blade length below the tip and gracefully transition to the tip instead of the more abrupt transition to the tip. But the current configuration still works.
That would improve the sword for sure. As it stands we're just happy LK Chen appears to be taking feedback and improving. Though even in its current form it's worth looking at. I'm curious to see if there will be future updates.
Nice review, read the Kane Shen comment about the tweaks that could improve the design, notably the slight increase in base width, gentle taper towards the point. So much potential to turn a design that is passably good into something truly exceptional.
Excellent! Lovely sword, and thanks for going over it from tip to pommel. Looks like it still has a few details to work out, but I'm glad to see they are listening to feed back on the BA line. It continues to be a great entry into the series and one I'll have to get my mitts on at some point. Cheers dudes!
There is definitely still room for improvement. But in its current form it's still worth checking out I think. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts when you finally get your hands on one. Cheers!
Thanks for watching! We think it's important to review products at all different price points. There's a lot of fun to be had in this hobby, even if you can't ever drop high end money.
I just got one today. Everything you said was spot on. Definitely recommend. The grip material made me have to wear gloves or else my hands would bleed. Other than that it's perfect to me. I called it Igris 😁
I'm really happy to see that Kult of Athena took feedback on the design of the sword and changed the profile taper (I believe these are 100% designed by KoA). It definitely seems to be more cut-focused now than before, although the tip geometry looks more like an XVIIIa to my eyes now. Not that that's a bad thing. I'm pretty confident the leather is real leather - KK from LK Chen has said they went to great lengths to acquire a leather they felt worked well for the grips. I think it's cow leather, whereas a lot of other makers use goat leather. I think - I'm rather hazy on this, but it's my impression. I agree with you that the leather doesn't feel quite the same, not quite as nice as other makers. It's not bad, per se, but not great.
This sword is looking really good. Looking to get my first sword ever and I'm pretty much set on this one. Just waiting for standard grade to be back in stock on KoA
No unfortunately you can only order the sword in red from Kult of Athena. But you can get the sword grip re-done after you buy it. Thanks for watching!
That's a good question. It certainly makes the sword more lively. And if your goal is to cut bottles in the back yard, the answer is an unequivocal yes for me. From the perspective of historicity though, it should probably have more blade presence. LK Chen tends to emphasize speed and maneuverability over blade presence in my experience. Thanks for watching!
Check out "Matthew's Custom Scabbards & Leather crafts". He's re-done grips on two of my swords and does fantastic work. facebook.com/share/RfrHU3D5XFDwow2A/?mibextid=qi2Omg
Its Weird because if you took the Pommel/Grip/Guard from this sword, and gave it the blade from the "Alexandria sword" It would actually be the Brescia Spadona. I dont know why LK Chen just made an entirely different blade profile for this when they already made the correct one.
If you really cared about the die or paint around the handle.. You would have scraped it off already. This thing is like a little Ferrari.. I like it. but it's a bit more flexible than I wanted it to be.
I definitely will, but I wanted to leave the sword as is for the review. To show how it came to me from the factory. I'll get the grib redone eventually. Thanks for watching!
@@UnsheathedSwordReviews so you wanted to show off "issues" that aren't really issues? why? seems more like youre trying to take a newer brand "down a peg" instead of giving a fair review. you complained about the "cutting potential" on a sword designed for thrusting; i dont think you're a reliable source for information.
Amazing review. It's interesting to see how Kult of Athena and LK Chen responded to the first batch of the LK Chen rendition of this model and chose to go with a far less pronounced profile taper, seems to be a more robust and reliable sword now! I always think that the base width could be beefed up to 50mm or so and then maintain this degree of profile taper until the last 1/4 of the blade length below the tip and gracefully transition to the tip instead of the more abrupt transition to the tip. But the current configuration still works.
That would improve the sword for sure. As it stands we're just happy LK Chen appears to be taking feedback and improving. Though even in its current form it's worth looking at. I'm curious to see if there will be future updates.
Nice review, read the Kane Shen comment about the tweaks that could improve the design, notably the slight increase in base width, gentle taper towards the point. So much potential to turn a design that is passably good into something truly exceptional.
Excellent! Lovely sword, and thanks for going over it from tip to pommel. Looks like it still has a few details to work out, but I'm glad to see they are listening to feed back on the BA line. It continues to be a great entry into the series and one I'll have to get my mitts on at some point. Cheers dudes!
There is definitely still room for improvement. But in its current form it's still worth checking out I think. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts when you finally get your hands on one.
Cheers!
I happen to like the handle with such a daring red color and the ribbon in the middle.
I really like the design of the grib as well. I just think the execution on my particular example was a bit sloppy.
Thanks for watching!
Right on. Love the reviews on sub-$600 stuff.
Thanks for watching!
We think it's important to review products at all different price points. There's a lot of fun to be had in this hobby, even if you can't ever drop high end money.
Great review! Thank you guys!!
Thanks for watching!
I own this sword and i love it.
That's great to hear!
Love your stuff guys.
That is awesome to hear! Thanks for watching!
I just got one today. Everything you said was spot on. Definitely recommend. The grip material made me have to wear gloves or else my hands would bleed. Other than that it's perfect to me. I called it Igris 😁
I'm really happy to see that Kult of Athena took feedback on the design of the sword and changed the profile taper (I believe these are 100% designed by KoA). It definitely seems to be more cut-focused now than before, although the tip geometry looks more like an XVIIIa to my eyes now. Not that that's a bad thing.
I'm pretty confident the leather is real leather - KK from LK Chen has said they went to great lengths to acquire a leather they felt worked well for the grips. I think it's cow leather, whereas a lot of other makers use goat leather. I think - I'm rather hazy on this, but it's my impression. I agree with you that the leather doesn't feel quite the same, not quite as nice as other makers. It's not bad, per se, but not great.
Strongly agree sir. I much prefer a sword with good blade dynamics and a fair hilt to the inverse.
Amazing! I just ordered mine😉 thanks for the review brothers!
Glad we could help! Let us know what you think when you get it!
Thanks for watching!
Love the reaction at 10:37! Already ordered one, waiting on delivery.
Glad you enjoyed it! It's always fun when a sword can get you excited. Let us know what you think when you get yours!
Thanks for watching!
This sword is looking really good. Looking to get my first sword ever and I'm pretty much set on this one. Just waiting for standard grade to be back in stock on KoA
I am pretty sure that you will be happy with your purchase.
Please let us know what you think of it when you get it!
@@UnsheathedSwordReviews Got the sword in standard grade once it came back in stock and just got it today. So far it's been a beautiful sword 😃
Is it possible to change the colour of the leather? Id like it black tbh
No unfortunately you can only order the sword in red from Kult of Athena. But you can get the sword grip re-done after you buy it.
Thanks for watching!
Would you say a POB of 2.25" is an improvement over 4" on this sword? Great review btw, lively.
That's a good question.
It certainly makes the sword more lively. And if your goal is to cut bottles in the back yard, the answer is an unequivocal yes for me.
From the perspective of historicity though, it should probably have more blade presence. LK Chen tends to emphasize speed and maneuverability over blade presence in my experience.
Thanks for watching!
Do you have any recommendations on vendors/people who can redo the grip?
Check out "Matthew's Custom Scabbards & Leather crafts". He's re-done grips on two of my swords and does fantastic work.
facebook.com/share/RfrHU3D5XFDwow2A/?mibextid=qi2Omg
Thank you@@UnsheathedSwordReviews
Its Weird because if you took the Pommel/Grip/Guard from this sword, and gave it the blade from the "Alexandria sword" It would actually be the Brescia Spadona.
I dont know why LK Chen just made an entirely different blade profile for this when they already made the correct one.
If you really cared about the die or paint around the handle.. You would have scraped it off already. This thing is like a little Ferrari.. I like it. but it's a bit more flexible than I wanted it to be.
I definitely will, but I wanted to leave the sword as is for the review. To show how it came to me from the factory. I'll get the grib redone eventually.
Thanks for watching!
@@UnsheathedSwordReviews so you wanted to show off "issues" that aren't really issues? why? seems more like youre trying to take a newer brand "down a peg" instead of giving a fair review.
you complained about the "cutting potential" on a sword designed for thrusting; i dont think you're a reliable source for information.
Opinions vary, and you are certainly welcome to yours. Have the day you deserve.
And thanks for watching!
When it comes to life and death, no one cares about finger nails under leather/pommel/crossguard gaps.
I'd be interested to hear how you think life and death intersects with sword reproductions in the modern world.
Thanks for watching.