Balaur Arms/ Honshu Historic Forge 15th Century Italian Longsword Comparison
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- Опубліковано 4 тра 2024
- Today we take a look at two compelling longsword offerings. The 15th century Italian Longsword by Balaur Arms and Honshu Historic Forge. Both take inspiration from historical examples and both swords have a shared history. Does the Balaur Arms version warrant the $219 price difference? Or is the Honshu the better option? We'll let you know in this comparison.
Disclaimer
We're not experts in weapons, history, or anything really. We don't study HEMA or any other form of material arts that would tell us how to use the weapons we talk about. We are simply enthusiasts and consumers. We'll give you our honest opinions so that you can make informed buying decisions.
Specs
Balaur Arms
Overall Length - 45"
Blade Length - 34 3/16"
Weight - KOA 2 lbs 10.3 oz Ours 2lbs 15 oz
Width - 42.3 mm
Distal Taper - 7.4 mm - 2.2 mm
Pommel - Peened
P.O.B. - 2 1/4"
Grip Length - 7 15/16"
Blade - GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel
Honshu Historic Forge
Overall Length - 46 1/4"
Blade Length - 35"
Weight - Listed 2.6lbs Ours 3lbs 2oz
POB - 2.9"
Distal Taper - 7.0 mm - 2.25 mm
Pommel - Peened
Grip Length - 8"
Blade - 1065 High Carbon Steel
Where to buy
Balaur Arms
www.kultofathena.com/product/...
Honshu Historic Forge
www.trueswords.com/Honshu-His...
www.budk.com/Honshu-Historic-...
Individual Reviews
Balaur Arms
• Balaur Arms 15th Centu...
Honshu Historic Forge
• Honshu Historic Forge ...
Key words
Balaur Arms
LK Chen
OTC
Honshu
Historic Forge
18b
XVIIIb
Longsword
Italian
Scent stopper
comparison
Love that you guys are doing this.
Love this comparison! This model or models are the brain child of Kult of Athena. I have something to say about these made by different makers (3 at this point), and maybe we'll briefly go over it next week during the live stream or podcast. 👍
Love this format lads! As always it’s great having two opinions in one video and this type of head to head is really helpful since many collectors will be looking at each of these swords and trying to decide which to buy.
Look forward to even more in this line. And, Vic I’m going to have to steal that shirt.
One of the greatest consoles of all time!
Great comparison video. One other thing to note - the Balaur Arms sword is the second or third generation of that model made by LK Chen. Kult of Athena's designer listened to feedback and made tweaks to the design. So it's very possible going forward, the model will keep improving.
Do they list this via some version number? Would people know which version they get? I'm also thinking of the second hand market.
@@FiliiMartisUnfortunately they do not. At least to my knowledge.
Good point, I remember your review. The version you got was vary different(in performance) from the current one.
Thanks for the side by side comparison of the two swords, I just started looking at maybe acquiring one of these two swords. Haven’t made up my mind yet. Hopefully soon we’ll get to see your reviews of the Strasbourg & Milan.
I second that. The Milan looks like a superb one-handed sword. That pommel looks comfortable, good for switching grips, while still useful for indexing the blade with your little finger. The grip is fat and wide to help index the blade. The guard has those curved quillons to easy wrists cuts, while it angles those surfaces nicely. The wide blade looks gorgeous with its twin fullers, and I expect it to be a good cutter. Being made by a good maker also helps. Looking forward to seeing it in action and hearing their thoughts after actually using it, since from a simple visual inspection, I can only conclude good things (but you never know until you get feedback on how it feels in the hand).
@@FiliiMartis well I actually have both models and you’re correct it is an amazing cutter, I’ve been able to get through double tatami with it pretty easily doing basic diagonal cuts. It’s actually my second favorite arming sword, while the Strasbourg feels a touch more agile to me than the Tauber does, but slightly less blade presence. I’m really kinda splitting hairs on those last two though.
I think the price discussion is what's relevant here. Saving for the extra 100, you get a blade from a maker that's known for making good blades. You get a better shaped guard. You get a sword that matches better the martial use of these type of swords (from what you reported on the balance; but also, try to thumb the blade on the Honshu, it looks uncomfortable). Once you start collecting swords, there are higher chances you will regret getting the Honshu. And if you only want a backyard cutter, wouldn't other swords perform better at Honshu's price point?
I still don't get why entry level manufactures don't choose to do a simpler designs. Stick to a type XVIII or type XV we see here, but use a guard we see on Albion's Agincourt (simpler to make and nicer to use), use a simple oval grip that's waisted, and use a scent stopper pommel like we see on the Ringeck (because more people will go for that than wheel pommels). All these are listed as reference, not as an invitation to copy and paste from Albion. We get lots of flat surfaces and slight curves to keep the manufacturing costs down, while still having a guard and pommel that work together on a sword that would appeal to lots of people from an aesthetic and use perspective.
👍
fun
I had the opportunity a couple years ago to buy a deeply discounted Albion Brescia Spadona, but after handling it a bit I decided to not make that purchase. I've never liked that style of guard, and the faceted pommel just doesn't feel nice. I passed on that Albion, just as I shall pass on these two shades of it. Once more, I pass the test, I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel.
Quality control and costumer service are arguably the most important thing when purchasing, well anything really. It's not that 275$ is a ton of money, but to me the extra 120$ to make sure you get what you paid for would be more than worth it.
Standards vary from collector to collector, what one person considers good enough another would have a serious case of buyers remorse about. If you buy the honshu you really have no idea what's going to show up at your door. Because their standards are very low. Lk Chen on the other hand, has raised the bar for the whole industry. In design, performance, construction, fit and finish and QC and customer service and most importantly value.
For 400$ you get an amazing sword that can hang with swords twice the price, guaranteed. For 300$ you get what you get, f#@k you.... personally I would only buy the honshu if i already had the BA. Then like you guys said, let people beat that one up instead of the BA. If you have that kind of money to buy stuff just for other people to play with that is.
Personally I don't have a ton of money for swords so I would rather wait and save the extra 120$ then cross my fingers that I get a "good one" from honshu, that I then have to live with because there's a near zero chance of getting a replacement. I guess if you buy from a good retailer like kao maybe they would send a replacement. But I don't know for sure and who knows what QC issue you might get with the honshu? To me the issues you guys have on yours would bug the shit out of me. I would be coping with it rather than actually enjoying it.
I Get what you guys are saying having handled both swords the honshu is so close to the BA performance and handling wise it's kinda hard to justify the extra money. It has an undeniable appeal in its price range. But that's because they just stole the design from kao to begin with. Why support that kind of business and get stuck with a lemon? When you can buy the real deal and return or exchange it if there are issues. I would only buy the honshu as a Beater if money was no object. But that's just me.
"I Get what you guys are saying having handled both swords the honshu is so close to the BA performance and handling wise it's kinda hard to justify the extra money. It has an undeniable appeal in its price range. But that's because they just stole the design from kao to begin with." I actually forgot about this (good) point. But also, you may think twice about lending an $1500 Albion to a friend, but a $400 LK Chen? I don't think that's a strong argument to buy a Honshu (as a second sword) since either you have Albion money, and you probably have the LK Chen money as well, or you don't, so you better just get the LK Chen as your only sword.
@@FiliiMartis I agree with you. I was saying if money was no object then the honshu would make a good beater. And if 400$ is your most expensive sword you may think twice about letting a non sword person swing it around. I let my buddy use one of my swords when I first got it. I said don't screw around with it please. But they did. And they chipped the blade on a rock when they overswung and hit the ground. It was a Maa grosse Messer so no great lost but it was annoying lol. If you only have money for one or the other no question the BA.