Help buying a sword

[Dustin Sanders]

Hey, I wanted a little help to see if anyone had purchased a sword from a company called " Dark sword armory"
( http://www.darksword-armory.com/main.html ). The sword i am interested in is this 14th century era longsword. It is copied from an actual sword, but i don't know if it is any good. It claims to have a full tang, but i don't know anything about the right amount if carbon needed in the metal. Has anyone bought this sword? ( http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2187778264&category=20272 ) if so, is it anygood?
--Dustin

[Patrick Hardin]

Dustin,

This sword looks an awful lot like a Windlass sword that MRL used to sell. One of our guys down here owns one, and I've handled it. The blade is more rigid than most Windlass swords usually are, and that's a good thing. The hilt is, well, a Windlass hilt, which means that at some point, it will probably loosen.

However, I'm not 100% sure that this is the exact same sword. I looked at Darksword's website, and they don't seem to carry other Windlass stuff, only imitations. Plus, the pommel nut seems larger on the ebay sword than it is on the Windlass sword I handled, and the grip looks different. I would conclude that the ebay sword is a cheaper imitation of an old Windlass sword. For my two cents, I don't think this sword is a decent weapon. I wouldn't get it, but that's up to you. It might make a decent blunt, but don't expect it to perform very well.

Patrick Hardin

[Guest]

Dustin, they are pretty [censored] IMO. The blades are too soft and not properly tempered. Not what I would call "functional" at all. For not much more money, you could get a Del Tin or a Lutel which will serve much better.

[Dustin Sanders]

Ok, i'll wait till i've got enough cash to get a Lutel. Thanks guys.

[Kelten Sivola]

okay here is a rather stupid question. I am trying to find an affordable functional sword. See my problem is being on a fixed income (SSI) I have few funds. I have been looking at MRL's Irish hand and a half and a similar sword from Angus Trim.
My question is are there any good swords for around $250, or any of you out there willing to sell an old blade?, lol had to ask...
I got 2 wallhangers, but I feal it is time to get a blade and test cut...
thanks,

Kelten Sivola
McKinleyvill, CA

[Shane Smith]

I personally consider DelTin to be one of the better blades for the price.I also have grown pretty fond of all of my buddies Lutels,especially since they're now making sharps. Both of these brands start at around 300 dollars though. Some here claim great success with MRL,which is in your price range,but the two MRL longswords I have owned are not great weapons in my opinion. The one saving grace with MRL is their return policy.They'll exchange a poor blade for an unhappy customer basically "no questions asked"...That counts for something.If it were me,I'd save the extra 50 bucks and go either Lutel or DelTin.