sword damaged?

[Will Adamson]

So the sword that I got at MRL not long ago has developed some hairline cracks. The cracks do not appear to be very deep. I'm assuming this is not supposed to happen. I've only used the sword for solo drills, and the damage won't prevent me from using them for that purpose.

Did I just plain get a crappy product? Is this something I should contact MRL/Windlass about?

I wasn't expecting to get a fabulous product from MRL, but I at least thought I could get something more than a wall hanger. My entire purpose was to just get something that I could get the feel for steel with in doing solo drills.

[Allen Johnson]

what sword is it? Id send it back for replacement.

[Will Adamson]

It's the Early Renaissance Longsword (real specific name isn't it.) I think I might see if they get any worse after working with it a few more times.

[Derek Gulas]

Just out of curiosity, where are the cracks on the sword?

[Shane Smith]

Cracks in a swords blade anywhere are a fatal flaw for the sword(and maybe you or onlookers if you keep swinging it) and are unacceptable. Call MRL and then send it back.

I have never heard of an MRL blade with a cracked blade that didn't spontaneously separate the moment it was damaged.Are you sure it's truly cracked and came out of the box that way? Can you post a picture for educational purposes?

[John_Clements]

Cracks are very bad and not usual. The crack you can't see is the worst part.

JC

[david welch]

Will,

MRL swords come with a lacquer coating. The flex the sword goes through might have cracked the coating and look like a crack in the sword.

The biggest problem I have seen with MRL swords is that they go through no quality control at all, and let you do it instead. They do however have an almost no questions asked return policy, so you should have no problem having it replaced.

Your other option if you don't want to do that takes a little work and will cost you about $20-$50.

Take your sword apart, and use lacquer thinner and clean off the coating. Then find a machine shop in your area and have them magnaflux or, what I would prefer if it was mine, liquid dye-penetrant test it. Personally, I am going to have both of these on any sword I buy, from anyone, from now on.

David Welch
ARMA East Tennessee

[Will Adamson]

Now that you mention the lacquer, I think that is what is cracking. Most of the cracks are 8-12 inches from the guard with another new one two inches from the tip. They are a dark brown color and look like kinky hairs on the blade.

I'm not sure they would take the sword back since I've already had to do some grinding on it. I actually managed to hit the ground with the tip while doing an oberhau ending in tail guard. Wouldn't you know that there happened to be a rock just under the surface at that particular spot. I then rounded off the tip with my dremel. Oh well, without mistakes how else am I going to learn?

Should I still see about sending it back if the cracks are just the lacquer, and I've altered it a bit?

Do dealers come to ARMA events, or should I just take a look at other folks' swords and order via the internet for my next one?

[david welch]

" They are a dark brown color and look like kinky hairs on the blade."

Reddish brown?

LOL... those are hairs in the lacquer coating. Mine had them too. I think they are beard hair, to be specific. <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

[Will Adamson]

I didn't see them before I bought the sword. I'll take a closer look with a jewler's loop.

That would be really funny.

[JeffreyHendricks]

<img src="/forum/images/icons/shocked.gif" alt="" /> maybe the folks at MLR should wear beard nets......

[Will Adamson]

Let's hope it is "beard" hair. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge.