Firehand10k
October 29th, 2007, 01:32 AM
Generation 2 Chaos Fantasy Sword reviewed by Firehand10k
$224.99 from The Steel Source
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4201.jpg
I had been wanting one of these for a while but just when I managed to get enough money together most places I shop were out. I happened on one at The Steel Source and was surprised at my luck to find that it is the older edition with the gold beneath the leather wrap on the handle (it has been made with red there for a few years now). It was priced a bit more than at other places because The Steel Source is primarily a brick and mortar store in Rochester, NY but I wanted it quickly and to get the gold was even better.
It arrived quickly, only three days (but had another delay with UPS wanting signatures when the whole household works).
When I unboxed it I found that it looked much sturdier than the pictures had made it appear. I unpacked it at work, since I was stuck with a 24 hour duty the day my wife signed for it, and everyone who saw was impressed. To my disappointment though when it was out of the box I found a scuff on the sheath, mild surface corrosion on the blade, and a damaged point that appeared to have been set down too hard on a concrete floor. I called The Steel Source about the flaws and they instantly offered a replacement but would have to order it. I preferred to keep the gold since I knew if they got a new one shipped it would be red so I suggested a rebate since I can make the needed repairs. They accepted easily and gave me back 20%.
Now on to the sword itself.
STATISTICS:
Blade Lngth: 33 3/4”
Blade Width: 2 1/16” near guard 1 3/4” at tip
Blade Thickness: 5/16” at guard 3/16” at tip = 1/8” distal taper.
Hilt Length: 8 1/8"
Overall: 45 3/8"
Guard Height: 7/8" at center
Guard Width: 8 1/8”
POB (point of balance): 5 3/4” from base of guard
COP (center of percussion - 'the sweet spot'): 22" from the guard
Weight: 4 Lbs. 10 oz.
FIT and FINISH:
Blade- The blade is polished to a high shine but not a mirror finish. The tool marks from the sharpening and shaping are visible over most of the blade.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4216.jpg
The blade is wider and thicker than I expected from pictures and is very tough. The fantasy cutouts near the hand guard are shallow enough to leave the blade about as strong as it would be without them (I had wondered if they might be a weak point).
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4207.jpg
The full length fuller really helps the overall fantasy look of this sword and gives a good balance to a pretty heavy blade. Although Clyde (Gen 2 owner) told me that these older ones (gold handle) were produced before Gen 2’s last tempering revision this sword sustained only minor scuffing when I missed a cut and stuck the ¾” oak plywood I use as a cutting table (See video and pics below).
Handle- The handle of this sword is very big and while the grip takes a bit of getting used to it just makes the sword feel powerful.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4208.jpg
The handle is completely circular under the wrap so when the wrap was applied in a twist it actually makes the handle thicker than it is wide (opposite a usual oval shaped handle). The wrap is leather applied very tight with even twists.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4211.jpg
The gold under-wrap looks like a painted plastic sheet (maybe that’s why later ones were changed but I don’t know what the red is made on) with a few places where the gold has flaked or rubbed off to expose the black (plastic?) beneath.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4213.jpg
The handle is very solid and secure (even after throwing that heavy plywood board) held on by a peened on pommel.
Hand Guard and Pommel- The hand guard and pommel are both polished steel. They each consist of more than one piece with the pieces pinned and peened together.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4217.jpg
Every time I looked at pictures of this I was concerned that the claws on the pommel might be a bit weak but when I saw the real thing I knew there was nothing to worry about. The claws are ¼” thick. I also thought that they would be welded on but being pinned on makes them much stronger than expected.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4210.jpg
Sheath- Quite the plain leather sheath. Strips of leather stitched together over leather spacers. Very functional with a snug fig but nothing special to look at. Arrived with a scuff about eight inches from the throat and centered. Easy enough to dye and buff out.
TESTING:
Cutting- I had to sharpen this a little before I could cut with it. This may just be due to the fact that I only started cutting about 2 weeks ago (as anyone watching my vids can probably tell). Once I had the edge to fairly sharp this beast was great to cut with. I cut plastic bottles, mostly 20oz soda bottles but also a two liter and a 1 gallon antifreeze bottle.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/th_cut.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/?action=view¤t=cut.flv)
Even with my poor form once I got it started the heavy blade carried through nicely. Although it feels heavy overall it is well balanced and surprisingly easy to use and it made a smooth clean cut. I also ended up putting it through a far more demanding durability test than I had intended. I missed the target bottle and smacked the edge of the 2’ round ¾” OAK plywood tabletop I use for a stand top. The board went flying but when I retrieved it I found a 3” deep split in it with 2” of that being cut. The blade sustained only superficial scuffing and the entire sword was just as solid as before my demonstration of how not to aim.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/th_boardsm.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/?action=view¤t=boardsm.flv)
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4171.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4169.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4168.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4166.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4165.jpg
CONCLUSION:
This sword is a beast. It has already taken more abuse than I would have intentionally put a sword through (I have axes machetes and even a chainsaw for cutting wood). It definitely has a hefty weight to it but is still quite maneuverable. In spite of its weight and thickness it is easily capable of making a smooth clean cut. I had been looking for a good functional fantasy sword and this is the first one I found. Fortunately for me as well as anyone else who is into fantasy weapons Generation 2 has put a much into this as they do any of their historical pieces. I would highly recommend this sword to anyone who wants a fantasy sword that can take the hard use befitting a true barbarian.
RATING:
Historical Accuracy: N/A
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 4/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
$224.99 from The Steel Source
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4201.jpg
I had been wanting one of these for a while but just when I managed to get enough money together most places I shop were out. I happened on one at The Steel Source and was surprised at my luck to find that it is the older edition with the gold beneath the leather wrap on the handle (it has been made with red there for a few years now). It was priced a bit more than at other places because The Steel Source is primarily a brick and mortar store in Rochester, NY but I wanted it quickly and to get the gold was even better.
It arrived quickly, only three days (but had another delay with UPS wanting signatures when the whole household works).
When I unboxed it I found that it looked much sturdier than the pictures had made it appear. I unpacked it at work, since I was stuck with a 24 hour duty the day my wife signed for it, and everyone who saw was impressed. To my disappointment though when it was out of the box I found a scuff on the sheath, mild surface corrosion on the blade, and a damaged point that appeared to have been set down too hard on a concrete floor. I called The Steel Source about the flaws and they instantly offered a replacement but would have to order it. I preferred to keep the gold since I knew if they got a new one shipped it would be red so I suggested a rebate since I can make the needed repairs. They accepted easily and gave me back 20%.
Now on to the sword itself.
STATISTICS:
Blade Lngth: 33 3/4”
Blade Width: 2 1/16” near guard 1 3/4” at tip
Blade Thickness: 5/16” at guard 3/16” at tip = 1/8” distal taper.
Hilt Length: 8 1/8"
Overall: 45 3/8"
Guard Height: 7/8" at center
Guard Width: 8 1/8”
POB (point of balance): 5 3/4” from base of guard
COP (center of percussion - 'the sweet spot'): 22" from the guard
Weight: 4 Lbs. 10 oz.
FIT and FINISH:
Blade- The blade is polished to a high shine but not a mirror finish. The tool marks from the sharpening and shaping are visible over most of the blade.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4216.jpg
The blade is wider and thicker than I expected from pictures and is very tough. The fantasy cutouts near the hand guard are shallow enough to leave the blade about as strong as it would be without them (I had wondered if they might be a weak point).
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4207.jpg
The full length fuller really helps the overall fantasy look of this sword and gives a good balance to a pretty heavy blade. Although Clyde (Gen 2 owner) told me that these older ones (gold handle) were produced before Gen 2’s last tempering revision this sword sustained only minor scuffing when I missed a cut and stuck the ¾” oak plywood I use as a cutting table (See video and pics below).
Handle- The handle of this sword is very big and while the grip takes a bit of getting used to it just makes the sword feel powerful.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4208.jpg
The handle is completely circular under the wrap so when the wrap was applied in a twist it actually makes the handle thicker than it is wide (opposite a usual oval shaped handle). The wrap is leather applied very tight with even twists.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4211.jpg
The gold under-wrap looks like a painted plastic sheet (maybe that’s why later ones were changed but I don’t know what the red is made on) with a few places where the gold has flaked or rubbed off to expose the black (plastic?) beneath.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4213.jpg
The handle is very solid and secure (even after throwing that heavy plywood board) held on by a peened on pommel.
Hand Guard and Pommel- The hand guard and pommel are both polished steel. They each consist of more than one piece with the pieces pinned and peened together.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4217.jpg
Every time I looked at pictures of this I was concerned that the claws on the pommel might be a bit weak but when I saw the real thing I knew there was nothing to worry about. The claws are ¼” thick. I also thought that they would be welded on but being pinned on makes them much stronger than expected.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4210.jpg
Sheath- Quite the plain leather sheath. Strips of leather stitched together over leather spacers. Very functional with a snug fig but nothing special to look at. Arrived with a scuff about eight inches from the throat and centered. Easy enough to dye and buff out.
TESTING:
Cutting- I had to sharpen this a little before I could cut with it. This may just be due to the fact that I only started cutting about 2 weeks ago (as anyone watching my vids can probably tell). Once I had the edge to fairly sharp this beast was great to cut with. I cut plastic bottles, mostly 20oz soda bottles but also a two liter and a 1 gallon antifreeze bottle.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/th_cut.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/?action=view¤t=cut.flv)
Even with my poor form once I got it started the heavy blade carried through nicely. Although it feels heavy overall it is well balanced and surprisingly easy to use and it made a smooth clean cut. I also ended up putting it through a far more demanding durability test than I had intended. I missed the target bottle and smacked the edge of the 2’ round ¾” OAK plywood tabletop I use for a stand top. The board went flying but when I retrieved it I found a 3” deep split in it with 2” of that being cut. The blade sustained only superficial scuffing and the entire sword was just as solid as before my demonstration of how not to aim.
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/th_boardsm.jpg (http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/?action=view¤t=boardsm.flv)
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4171.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4169.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4168.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4166.jpg
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff79/Firehand10k/chaos/IMG_4165.jpg
CONCLUSION:
This sword is a beast. It has already taken more abuse than I would have intentionally put a sword through (I have axes machetes and even a chainsaw for cutting wood). It definitely has a hefty weight to it but is still quite maneuverable. In spite of its weight and thickness it is easily capable of making a smooth clean cut. I had been looking for a good functional fantasy sword and this is the first one I found. Fortunately for me as well as anyone else who is into fantasy weapons Generation 2 has put a much into this as they do any of their historical pieces. I would highly recommend this sword to anyone who wants a fantasy sword that can take the hard use befitting a true barbarian.
RATING:
Historical Accuracy: N/A
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 4/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5