Review: The Duellist by Dynasty Forge - An anti-armor longsword
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- ** Specifications **
Overall length: 116.5 cm / 46 in
Blade length: 89 cm / 35 in
Blade thickness: 7 mm (near the guard), tapering to 5.25 mm (near the point)
Weight: 1380 g / 3 lbs
Point of balance: 9 cm / 3.5 in from the guard
Blade type: Oakeshott XVa
Blade material: 1060 spring steel, tempered to 55-57 HRC
Hilt assembly: Full tang, peened
Price: 700 USD
** Pros / Cons **
+ Strong, damage resistant blade, solid grip and pommel
+ Crisp lines, flawless finish, nice overall aesthetics
+ Excellent handling, light and well balanced
- Slightly loose guard (may be an exceptional issue)
- Somewhat uncomfortable pommel shape
- Relatively high price (good value for the quality though)
** Verdict **
This is a very fancy, elegant sword, but also capable of taking a beating. The blade and hilt have held up very well to my abusive tests. If future versions are made with press-fitted guard, that would be a welcome improvement.
It's clearly a thrusting sword, that's what it does best. Achieving halfway decent cuts is rather difficult with it. The overall blade geometry is expertly shaped and lends itself very well to effective thrusts.
If you can afford it, this could be a very nice addition to the collection. At least if you're not for 100% historically accurate reproductions, as some artistic liberty was taken with the guard and pommel.
** Where to get it **
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That is a Rifled Pommel. The twisted ridges help the pommel pick up spin after you throw it so it stays straight in the air.
genius
+InvictusByzantium lol
a weapon to surpass metal gear
+Gaseous Snake Pommel gear?!?
+Gaseous Snake Such a lust for pommels
For some reason I love the shape of the blade.
Same here... Makes me happy
+Yosef Estill It's beautiful
+Danny Smith No, it isn't. I think that's just your juvenile imagination acting up.
Same here
+Yosef Estill when i saw it, i had a huge smile on my face
I wish some blacksmith would make a pommel sword. All pommels, no edge.
+NecroBanana Search for "end someone double as rightly" .
+NecroBanana
NICE!
Skall video comments in a nutshell
Ghnarr РAheh
You said it!
+Dan Slash Someday we will all be endeth rightly by Skall Da Wilder o s1k bl4d3s
Wait a minute Skall... Did you just pierce the ultra leather with just one thrust!?
+Ulf Ravndal
No, that's not what happened.
+Skallagrim Explain please, we're a bit noobs (?)
+Skallagrim I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your videos and to thank you for making them I look forward to these videos everyday and I am now starting my own collection because of your videos and as a coinsidence this was the first blade I ever owned and I really do agree with most of your points just not all of them aka the pommel I really like how it is but I may be just be weird :/ Enjoyed the video and please continue to make more because they are seriously awesome and very informational! :)
+Ulf Ravndal +Arturo Licona
You mean the footage at 2:52, right? That was just part of the original leather test video and the blade did not penetrate all the way. Other than that there is none of that leather in this video.
+Skallagrim Ah, I see now. I suppose you would make a bigger deal of it if this sword managed to punch through. Brain fart.
Your videos are so clear and supported by the description that I can't even ask a question.
Wow Skall, you really upped your standards with these reviews, it's professional, comprehensive, well structured and exhaustive. Go on like that! You got all my likes.
+weemist
Thanks.
"Penetrate the male" -Skallagrim, circa 2015
mail*
And yes, I get the sex joke.
"It was relatively dry when it came"?
"You're restricted to 1 position"
Skall, this is truly one of the best swords I've seen on your channel along with your Albion swords of course.
Man...looks nice, but rust AND play in the fit are both no-go for a $700 sword.
+IIDASHII
My Albion Talhoffer came with a loose quilion and "clicky" grip core that shifts, and rust stains on the pommel..
Those problems are sadly not uncommon in the 6-900$ range.
+Bru741iX nobody should be accepting this poor standard and paying money for it
*****
Well i bought it from a importer in europe, so it was either keep it or get rid of it. I did get a discount, but generally i agree.
In my case it's more of a wallhanger eitherway since im more into arming swords and 2 handers.
I did write Albion directly, since the european importer closed shop, and albion has also offered me to fix it free of charge, but i cant be bothered with the shipping and tons of paperwork with the authorities.
Had i lived in the states, or in Canada, i would have jumped on that opportunity.
But no, you'd think companies like Albion, A&A, Dynasty Forge, etc, had a better QC than this.
But sadly, every now and then, a few bad ones finds its way to the market.
It's the sad reality of mass production, but it's in no way okay.
+IIDASHII A little surface rust is absolutely no issue whatsoever. It should be avoided if possible but it can easily happen but also easily be fixed. The play is more of an issue but can happen to the best of sword makers.
Your attidude is a little bit extreme here imo. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this sword and these issues are MINOR at best.
+Joshua Hayward Then send it back and let them fix it. There is no company on earth that doesn't have issues from time to time.
Thank you, I heard great things about dynasty forge Japanese swords but I always wondered if they put the same effort into their Euro's it nice to see this review thank you for your willow leaf Dao review as well.
I just thought about this: have your neighbours at any time asked what the hell you're doing in your garden?
"EEEAAARL!"
"Yes, honey?"
"The Water Bottle-Slaying Maniac is showing off his new sword again."
he lives in a apartment, so i supose he goes to a friends house for testing
Gaseous Snake I just wondered since I saw another house in the background
Caramel Johnson I'm not gonna lie, I've never even heard of them. What are they doing?
Caramel Johnson wow, looks amazing, thanks
Dat pommel tho'
+Dario Ferretti Damn straight!
+Dario Ferretti Made to end 'em rightly
Yep. That is one badass pommel.
+Dario Ferretti it has ergonomic swirly ridges for increased pleasure when ending someone rightly.
End him beautifully. Credits to +NightBot Ban
The twist on that pommel lowers it's surface area on impact, thus enabling you to end your opponents rightly even more efficiently. Fancy looks is just a bonus.
Could it be that the pommel has that twist in it to enable a more effective mordhau? Kinda like a flanged mace?
+Tyrannosaurus Rex More aerodynamic for throwing
I see! Now it has all become so obvious to me! I have been enlightened!
The pommel is obviously rifled.
+Tyrannosaurus Rex The twists essentially fin-stabilise the pommel after it's thrown. Ingenious.
+Joe Vasicek The next step is too fire a rifled pommel from a mini cannon.
i like how you first discuss your issues with the producer of the weapon so he can give a reply, that's a very decent way to handle it!
You have a lot of very beautiful swords on your channel, but this one really stands out to me in how amazing it looks. This might be my favorite sword (aesthetically) that I've ever seen on your channel.
There is a specific thrusting technique I learned a while back, which is a bit unconventional, but I have found to be pretty good when I tested it. Simply grip the sword as normal, and during the actual thrust, slide your bottom hand down over the pommel, and once contact is made on the thrust, losing your fore hands grip, and push as if you were doing a palm strike, for a little extra penetration, I wouldn't suggest it with this sword because of the pommels geometry, when I tested it I used one of my own designs, which had an extremely smooth flattened sphere shape for the pommel. I believe the proper name for the shape is an oblong or something like that, I forget off hand, but still. A neat trick if you ever need just slightly more penetration. It does take practice though.
Yes yes, but how fast can the pommel be unscrewed?
I'd really appreciate a video on the types of sword/knife grind styles such as hollow grind. I have a hard time keeping them all straight in my head and a visual would be useful. Great video as usual Skall
That Background and all the Swords always make it look like you're about to drop the best Pagan Metal Album of 2015 :D
Nice sword! I like the look of the sword, even if it is not quite historically accurate. Thanks for showing the thickness of the blade near the tip with your fingers in frame to give a sense of scale. Wow, that blade is thick!
Now this is a treat. This blade is what you'd call a Schiavonesca, or Slavic Sword. The design originated in the late 1300s in Serbia and was used mainly by Hungarian and Italians. A very fine blade
I've got a question that isn't related to this video. What is your opinion on man at arms ?
+Samael Exorcist
What is there to say? E' makes stuff.
+Samael Exorcist I haven't seen a peen on any of the swords they have made. Just for show.
Caramel Johnson I'd say that even the more realistically sized swords weren't made sturdy enough to hit against trees like Skall would do.
Their stuff is crap. Looks ugly and is usually pretty flimsy in design. I definitely wouldn't want a weapon made by them unless it was meant to be a wallhanger.
+TheRPGentleman you should not compare what they do on the show with what they make for sale, they are high quality producers and all of their products come with a lifetime warranty so if you really think they make shit swords you can try your hardest to snap them
Anyone else get REALLY high and just binge watch this guy's videos?
What a beautiful pommel. Wonderful Aerodynamics
This isn't usually a thing worth mentioning but since it's getting sorta rare I will, but I enjoy how straightforward you are with your dislikes, you test something and you don't like something? You tell it straight too them, you say everything you don't like in the video. Alot of people are afraid of doing that but that's exactly what anybody making something wants to hear, critique them, they want to make there products as good as possible and even nitpicks will make there products that much better. Unless there a shitty company who doesn't like criticism.
holy crap. I just gotta comment due to the fact that, that is the sleekest, most defined sword I have ever laid eyes on. I really want to see it in person.
That is a damn elegant and classy looking weapon. I would love to wield this but its lack of cutting power is a bummer though.
I've handled this sword recently, and came back to say this. it is a good sword, and feels good in the hand. I basically only have one disagreement with skall, and that is the pommal. I liked it, and it didn't really didn't bother me at all, and helped with some two handed thrusts.
really love the blade and concept scenario it could have been used, just change the pommel so you could hold it in the hand comfortably, but that you're still able to eventually use it as a mace head and a simple straight crossguard
There's a better version of this sword. Cold Steel German Longsword. It's identical to this sword but has a wider guard (Which I prefer. More room for the hands) and a ring guard. Both swords were made at the same forge.
My god skall you're spoiling us with these reviews :3
Good on you Skallgrimm for saying right at the start it was a free review sample right at the start of the video. I ignore all game reviews now because gamer gate dug up a ton of stuff that showed reviewers were on the take. (total biscut has a couple of good videos about it)
Why do you even complain about how uncomfortable the pommel is ? That's not a problem if your first move is to end your enemy rightly.
Gorgeous i love the pommel and crossguard. Also the dye used for the scabbard and handle were probably oxblood leather dye.
I wonder if the pommel design would be more tolerable in the hand when wearing gauntlets? Not that they are especially thick in the palm... But certainly you'd be wearing them. Shame about the loose hilt thoug: considering its anti-armour, I'd want more confidence in it for reverse-grip half-swording, but if they're fixing it then great.
Is the pommel throwable tho
+pattymiester 123 The pommel is specially designed for throwing, as you can see it is designed so that it spins in the air and stabilises itself.
Looks good, and the guard remember me a good sword I've seen on The Witcher 3
One of the prettiest swords you have reviewed I think
Been curious about this since your leather test videos. I think it's a very beautiful shape.
This sword is so pretty it made me smile just from looking at it
Fancy as fluff! But the question is can you unscrew the pommel?
The frequency of your voice is making something on my desk vibrate very annoyingly and loudly. Love your channel by the way.
I am so looking forward to start collecting/learning how to use swords next year! Your videos always hype me up. :P
scabbards without loops to hang on the belt are historically accurate. Sometimes, they used a metal ring in the belt, and passed the scabbard inside that ring, which means you could pick up any sword with a scabbard and put in your belt (good if you have more than one sword), or just carry the sword on the hand, or tucked in the saddle of the horse.
Lindybeige made a video about that some time ago.
Er, which video is that? I don't recall it, and I thought I'd pretty much watched all of his videos.
I appreciate the bias disclaimer, thank you for being ethical!
+Skallgrim To me it seems they were going for a knights sword, somthing that would be carried by a squire hence the lack of a belt loop. And also the style of sword is a plate armour sword maybe for high court duelsor something.
I love it when he braids his beard. He's so freaking cool. Sometimes I wish I was a man so I could grow a beard.
Those thrusts look so effortless.
I've been wondering if twin axes would work hypothetically (because of the dynasty warriors games), and I was wondering if you could analyse that(assuming I have just not missed a video on that before) and see if it could work in dueling?
Hi
Someone answers the axe questions 5 years later
This sword (or a very close likeness of it) actually appears in the Witcher 3 game , worn by Morvran Voorhis, the Nilfgaardian General.
Do you think it would cut better if you cut lower on the blade more towards the center of percussion.
the pommel shape might have some utility in a murder stroke against armor. Though it's more likely for the guard to come in first, I can see hits from farther away going straight to the pommel (especially since the guard is relatively short and the hilt is quite long). The pommel seems reminiscent of a flanged mace to me and the ridges might allow it to bite better into armor while at the same time making the sword aesthetically pleasing. Maybe I'm overthinking it?
I love how... Elegant this sword looks
dear Skall, I had a a notion that you might want to try, its called glass bedding, it is a process typically used on rifles but i thought if you have a sword that is cheaper in build quality and has a loose grip or guard that makes it hard to practice with, this might be a solution. there are alot of videos youtube that can explain the process better than i could, the one thing i will way is that it has to be done on a sword that can be taken apart and reassembled
Heeey! today is Egil Skallagrimssom Skáld's day :)
Warrior, poet, runic mage and youtuber
The S shape guard was common for anatolian sabers (modern day turkey, Anatolia is a geographic location not a country) since the 12th century.
Very nice. Perhaps the scabbard is meant for use with a baldric, which would remove the need for additional attachments?
I'd absolutely love to see you review a larp sword as if it was a real sword as a joke
Hey Skall, were you ever interested in yataghans?
For those who don''t know, it's a Turkish short sabre used in the' 19th century, with a short handle and a pummel which could be used as a base for a rifle, recurve blade and no guard.
I even read that it was sometimes dual wielded (?) vs. cavalry no less!
+tulbanhawk
Yes, I find them interesting, but so far I haven't found any good reproduction of a yataghan.
My favourite Oakeshott blade.
I know this comment is way late, but I gave the pommel some thought, and to me it would seem that it is shaped just right to put your palm on the bottom of the pommel and grip it for extra power in a thrust. not sure if that's is an actual technique or not but it seems plausible.
That feel when the price is equal to what you earn in 2 months xD
Damn that thing is a beauty for its simplicity. Love the look of it, but I'd like a blade that can cut when ever I start my collection. But this is something to keep an eye on.
Anyone reminded of the Penetrator's Sword from Demon's Souls?
+Svart fra Sør Reminds me of the Estoc in Dark Souls as well.
also looks like the blades the nilfgardians use in the witcher
The pommel seems to be adjusted for halfswording and Mortschlags, seldom expecting you to keep both hands on the actual hilt.
Hiya Skall. Long time fan, first time commenter. I'd really like to see some reviews on spears, and I don't think I'm the only one. Do you have any plans on doing any spear videos in the future? Keep up the excellent work!
Your should look up Matt's videos about his Ablion Ringneck, it has very similar blade shape and learning about where best to cut there could help you cut better with this sword.
This type of guard can be seen on Albrecht Dürer's woodcut " St Michael fighting the Dragon" first published in 1498.
Excellent presentation my friend...thank you!
Skall, I think (note, I am in no way an expert at swords) the pommel was shaped that way as a knob is. Possibly for a better pierce. Try using the pommel in one hand and push while controlling the sword with the other? Just a thought.
I agree with skall about the pommel. It looks nice and pretty, but it would most likely feel awkward in the hand.
I have a question.. How come some swords have these beautiful lines in the middle? They look engraved but they are not
The sword reminds me of an estoc, though I know a toc would be a bit skinnier and an unsharpened edge. Very elegant blade!
That's a great looking sword. I wish I could find some like that mor eeasily on the internet.
I am in love with this sword!
Nice blade!
Regarding cutting, perhaps you were striking a bit above the center of percussion? I have a similar sword with a long tapered anti-armor blade (A Type XVII by Windlass), and it cuts fairly well if you strike at a point slightly closer to the hilts. The clips you showed look like what happens when I hit too close to the tip. I'm more used to shorter, curved, cutting-oriented swords, so the blade's long reach always tempts me to try and cut closer to the tip, which doesn't work so well.
Beautiful sword, though! The thrusting capability of these anti-armor longswords has to be felt to be believed. I thought my other swords had serviceable enough points for thrusting and they do work for that, but the sheer effortlessness of these blades is something else entirely.
Man this is a magnificent sword, as it comes to the looks of it ;o
Wouldnt the guard that angles downward be very detrimental in a swordfight? Seems like using that guard could cause the enemies sword to slide down and catch your arm or other part of your body.
Off-topic for the video, but what is your opinion on ricassos? Is it useful in fencing/dueling, both historically and in modern times? Or is it really only because the maker of the blade wanted to save time? The zweihander comes to mind, and I believe it would be useful as a fulcrum to get more energy into the swing. But, I am no expert, so I am asking you. Huge fan of your videos by the way, very informative and entertaining.
The cross-guard, what is its intended use, and how does it work in combat?
I know it's not really meant for the sword, but i see the same guard on *many* other swords, and i always wonder why it looks like it does: one curved down, one curved up.
Explanation?
+Rasmus Lundqvist most swords i've seen with that shape have a slightly longer guard so it can be used to strike the opponent with a punching motion. i see it as a sort of hybrid between a straight guard and a guard from a cutlass.
Alex Schmidtka
Basically implementing the option to both catch and deflect incoming blows?
Rasmus Lundqvist well i definitely wouldn't recommend using that side to deflect blows since the opponent's blade could bounce back at you. im honestly not very educated on the topic, but striking with a guard in the way i described was used in historical fights.
@@swaghettimemeballs4420 also looks
i do prefer my type XVa tip to be a seamless continuation of the blade profile taper. very acute, rigid point. it doesn't even need a distal taper, actually. just like albion's fiore.
and skall, does that sword can be retracted from a thrust fast enough?
but for the grip and pommel, that's a beautiful sword!
the beard looks badass with the braids brother!
It's beautiful...
The pommel, it's beautiful.
good video and cool sword, just curious about audio. I had a hard time finding the right tuning; there was a peculiar bass in your voice which is otherwise rather quiet. A new mic maybe?
Skall have you heard of a weapon called an estoc or tuc in english?
I only ask because your description of this longsword as well as the specified task would lead me to believe that it may be taken from the design of one and as such would like to hear your view on the estoc
Thanks
What's the difference between a scabbard and a sheathe, if you don't mind my asking?
+Emnuzuse Alor I believe either Skal or Mat from Scholagladiatoria did a video on this at some point.
Alright. Thanks, man.
+Emnuzuse Alor
The way I understand it a scabbard has a hard core (wood or metal), while a sheath is just made of flexible material (leather, nylon, etc).
***** Alright, that makes sense. Thanks, Skall.
+Skallagrim so is scabbard hardcore?
I know this makes up for quite a long answer, but... How do rapier thrusting techniques differ from the thrusting techniques of a longsword like this or of an estoc?
Sure it is an awesome looking sword. And pretty light too, even in a bit shorter than what i'm used to. I'll convince some friend to buy it
I know nothing about sword testing but wouldn't it be neat to test an anti-armor sword on some sort of armor? I.e what's the densest material it can reliably go through? Great videos!
The blade geometry reminds me of my Cold Steel Hand and a Half sword. (I know nobody likes cold steel swords, but I bought it before I was educated about swords) It also has a diamond cross section and similar blade shape.
you need a full power kit to work
Super speed speed + mass equals strength so you already gain both
super reflex to coordinate your attacks
super resistance so your body doesn't turn into living flesh with your other powers
and enchant objects to increase the resistance of weapons so they can match your strength. If you have a Thor-style power supply from the MCU, a common sword would bend just from friction with the air.
Little question Skall, do you speak with the swordsmaker before releasing your videos where you tells them in advance what you think of the sword and what they could improve or do you let them discover it with the video ?
I love the sword design. I want one.
Hey Skall, great video as always.
I would like to know though, whether there any blood and iron videos coming soon (e.g.sparring or parcticing videos).
It looks simply awesome. I want one of these too. And I have serious question? If this sword meets one handed rapier, which swordsman will have the upper hand?
I suppose a lot of people in the market for a $700 sword probably already have a nice leather sword belt and frog that they like to use, so I understand why the sheath doesn't come with any kind of attachment points.
If it’s not good for cutting, you could expect more blunt force when hitting which could dissoriant someone before a thrusting attack. Good way to make oppenings? maybe?
the blade on it is gorgeous
Well the pomel (jokes incoming), can be that big so its easier to push it with the palm of the hand for extra force? I dont know, just a thought
Hate to bring it up but what do you think of The Shishkebab from fallout 4 ^^' I guess it would take away a lot of mobility and add too much weight but I could also see that people might fear the flames and cutting destroying the gas tank isn't an option if it blows up in their face too.