The new $398 Italian longsword WORSE than the old $225 version? Balaur Arms LK Chen review
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- čas přidán 25. 07. 2024
- #sword #swordreview #cutting
Balaur Arms has gone through a number of sources for their swords in the past few years. First they were made by OTC, then Windlass, and now LK Chen.
All 3 manufacturers have made a version of possibly the most iconic sword in the catalog, the 15th Century Italian Longsword. In this video, I am doing a deep-dive review of the latest iteration, made by LK Chen.
I go over the history of Balaur Arms, do a lot of comparisons with the original one I own (made by OTC), and cut water bottles, pool noodles, and tatami. In addition, I identify 3 areas that could be improved to make this a better sword, and then finally render my verdict of whether or not it's worth the list price of $398.
This sword listing on Kult of Athena (currently out of stock): www.kultofathena.com/product/...
Link to my review of the Balaur Arms 15th Century Arming Sword, in which I discuss the steel controversy some more: • Sword Review - PART ON...
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Sword measurements photo gallery: photos.app.goo.gl/8EDa3rQFLjw...
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00:00 Intro
00:18 Background
03:15 Balaur Arms
05:52 Scabbard
07:37 Hilt
12:32 Blade
15:47 Cutting
19:59 Handling
28:05 Potential Improvements
29:58 Bottom Line
32:00 Outro
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Background Music
Concerto 2 in A Major
Composed by Anthony Vivaldi
Performed by Carl Pini, John Tunnell, Anthony Pini, and Harold Lester
Sourced from MusOpen: musopen.org/music/3609-la-cet...
Licensed under Public Domain: creativecommons.org/publicdom...
Concerto in B minor, RV 580
Composed by Anthony Vivaldi
Performed by The Modena Chamber Orchestra
Sourced from MusOpen: musopen.org/music/3715-concer...
Licensed under Public Domain: creativecommons.org/publicdom...
Concerto in D Major Op. 3/9 "L'estro armonico'
Composed by Anthony Vivaldi
Performed by Sylvia Marlowe
Sourced from MusOpen: musopen.org/music/3738-lestro...
Licensed under Public Domain: creativecommons.org/publicdom...
It really feels like we should all make it clear the less expensive windlass are the way to go for KOA. I think we will be reminiscing of the days we could get something so good for Deepeeka prices and I feel for people who get into the hobby and have the passion a few years from now that cant get a good cutter for under 4-500bucks.
I think there's room for both. Perhaps KoA could do different tiers for the BA models. Entry level by Windlass in the $200-$300 range, and higher level by LK Chen in the $400-$500 range.
I just received the most recent production run of this sword, April 2024. The updated model is 1/2" longer, the distal third of the blade is wider, 8 oz. heavier and most importantly.......they fixed the tempering/flexibility issue. Now it's essentially like one of LK Chen's two-handed Jian blades.. Very stiff with a completely different cutting performance with a single continuous bevel. I think they literally made the exact changes that you suggested. Now it is incredible! Kudos!
Great to hear! The pictures they've shown of the newer generations definitely have a reworked profile, and make the sword a lot more attractive to me - both in looks and expected performance.
When I was writing my graduate thesis, I was warned not to take on a comparative analysis as they are extremely difficult to pull off successfully. I think you really nailed this comparative analysis. I appreciate all the time you put in to these reviews, especially the detailed measurements. I know it took some time to put together that still photo showing the measurements from my own experience. From a buyers' perspective, this should really help steer LK Chen and KOA towards making a superior product. It's already good, but based on the observations you made in this review, it could be much better.
The measurement schematic is definitely one of the more time-consuming things to put together. Only single step that I can think of that takes longer is actually rendering the videos.
Dude what a spectacular in depth review! Great that you have so many like swords to go side by side with. Would be interesting to see where the design modifications were choices from KoA/BA or LK. Certainly looks like more of a light “bastard” sword now. Great stuff!
Thanks! I too wonder if it was KoA or LK Chen who redesigned the blade.
Love the review. I don't mind it being over 30 minutes long. If it contains all the information, it should take however long it needs to be. I'm sending this review to KK at LK Chen as soon as it's released. I agree with everything you said here, and on top of that I think not only the thickness can be beefed up, and overall width can be as well. I think that given the degree of profile taper, they might as well start the base of the width at 52-55mm, and let the upper portion of the blade have a little bit more width as well. I have noticed that LK Chen like making more triangular blade profiles, if you look at their version of Alexandria, the profile tapers more quickly than the original, and most of the production swords based on that, including the Albion Principe and Alexandria. This could impact the cutting performance, being so light at the foible, having neither the thickness or width.
Light swords can cut quite well if engineered correctly. I once cut with an Acamedie Duello instructor's Atrim XVIa.7. Almost the same length and same weight, but the point of balance is at 4". It's jaw-droppingly nimble, but the size of the pommel, and the mass distribution of the blade makes it also an incredible cutter. It truly is effortless and almost feels magical, when you hold a two and a half pounds piece of steel in hand, and it still does most of the work for you. I'll give LK Chen a pass given that this is among their first medieval models. They nailed the Ribaldo, but this one clearly needs some revamp. It's a textbook example of a sword doing extreme well in dry handling not being a great sword overall. If you look at most good federschwerts, they handle well but the mass distribution will not allow them to be great weapons to cause damage to enemy combatants.
Well this makes me want to try out an ATrim XVIa.7!
I hope LK Chen is able to work with KoA to improve the sword. Honestly if they go back to mostly the same profile of the old model, with a little bit better thickness (and consistency in the thickness!), I think it'd be a real winner.
That's awesome that you have a comnection with LK Chen! They're a really impressive company & I'm delighted that my first sharp sword came from their workshop.
Great review! Interestingly enough there was a second pre order for this model which I got on . Mine isn't as flexible in the tip as yours and has less wobbles in it but is as nimble and light as you mentioned yours to be 🤔
Excellent review, thank you for all the great info. And damn I have to say I'm a little bummed out. Like a lot of people I absolutely love the look of that sword. I was sad when I missed getting it on the first run. And I have been waiting to jump on it once it returns. But now I think I'll wait. Hopefully they are making improvements and will release an updated version at some point. Thanks again!
Thanks! I really wanted to love this sword, but it's just not quite there yet. I really hope they do make some further refinements.
Absolutely wonderful review! Very thorough and in depth with fair details to the likes and dislikes. I was actually able to pick up one of the new batches of the LK Chen Italian Longswords and I feel like they may have improved a bit on what you were touching on. There is still flexibility at the tip, but not nearly as pronounced as what you were showing. I have been able to cut bottles and such without much issue, granted I am also a complete novice, but the blade still feels very light and lively, only now with much less wobble (at least on mine).
You should totally do a video collab with Alientude on that!
Great review as usual. It's really interesting to see how much the sword struggles with cutting, as I haven't had a chance to use it yet myself. I do agree after dry handling for a few months that it's considerably too light, though it is kind of fun in its own lightsaber-esque way.
I do think mine is also noticably less flexible (though it's got a fair amount still), and the rippling in yours looks a bit more pronounced - consistency still seems to be a common issue in the budget range unfortunately.
I think there's a ton of potential with LK Chen moving into the euro direction, but still lots of room for improvement. I hope they pay attention to your feedback!
Thanks!
I think it's a good sword to hand to people who think Medieval European swords are heavy clunkers.
Hoping LK Chen and KoA make some improvements. I believe it's more on KoA's side for the specifications and design.
Great review Alientude! Been looking at these for awhile and now im kinda disappointed i didnt get the last gen of this sword.
Thanks! I was sorely tempted to get one of the Windlass-made Italian longswords when they went on closeout.
Amazing review. Really wished that windlass around for entry level products, I can't really call them a budget option when most of their longsword are 300 and above.
Absolutely fantastic review, Kyle! So in depth and thought out. I was expecting you to mention that debris in the scabbard thing, but maybe for a free scabbard, maybe I'm being too picky! Lol I was sort of gobsmacked to see the difficulties you had in cutting, and I think you diagnosed the problem exactly. The blade doesn't have enough mass at the 'weak' at all, particularly the point. 2mm isn't enough. I've noticed something similar with my German Longsword but my sword's geometry and width save it, plus it feels like there is authority in the cut. I hope Balaur Arms & LK Chen work out the kinks with the excellent feedback because there is so much potential and LK Chen are only just now dipping their toe into a totally different sword culture. Maybe some of them can visit a HEMA club in Singapore & get more of a feel for the European fighting style. I do regret missing out on the Windlass run of the swords, but I'm very happy with my purchase. Should probably review it on KoA to make sure they keep working on the R&D!
As always, love your work!
Damn, completely forgot to mention the small bits of wood flakes and debris in the scabbard! Always seems to be something I meant to talk about that I end missing.
I think LK Chen absolutely has the potential to make these swords the best in the price range with more refining.
@@alientude I'm sure you'll get 'em next time lol Considering all the work involved filming yourself talking, cutting, taking measurements and then making a graphic of those, I'd say you had enough on your plate! Watching your review got me fired up to do some cutting and now my recycling bag is ready for pick up!
i enjoyed every minute of the video! this longsword model is one of my favourites! at the moment i am mostly collecting Deepeeka Rapiers after my first one was a really nice one for the little money....but beware: i got a Krieger Historical custom Falchion in the mail😅😊
That falchion is going to be sweet, I bet!
the main thing for cutting pool noodles is speed. Sharpness is of secondary concern here. I`ve seen pool noodles cut with blunt gymnasium sabers, used for sparring.
Excellent as always sir. Interesting about the blade gap. I had their crusader which, as you know, has little to no gap! So very interesting they made no effort on this gap.
My first wife thought that collecting swords ,second wife thought I was a monster and sick in the head so we parted ways .I have many original version of ancient swords ,as well as Italian, Turkish, Israeli, Mongolian.
😳😲That blade flex... I expected it to be far stiffer & not flex that much. Not that it's a problem in half swording, but thrusting with hands on hilt may be bad. Not acdeal breaker probably just different than I expected.
I think this sword would cut a lot better if it wasn’t so flexible. Blade flex is good to keep your sword from snapping but it actually impedes cutting performance. The thin blade combined with the flex may just be giving it poor cutting performance. That being said, great review I like your style and honesty a lot. I think that, given a little more time we’ll start seeing really great European swords for sub $400-$500.
Does anyone know how many of these swords were made? I was able to purchase this sword....no 010...and my understanding is that they sold out within 24 hours.
My first thought regarding this sword was...why didnt they just make a reproduction of a Brescia Spadona? This sword was described on KOA website as being a cross between the Black Prince sword and a Brescia Spadona. Really it is a sword that has the narrower Black Prince blade and a Brescia Spadona pommmel and riser. KOA/Balaur arms/Lk chen in my view should have just used the blade from their German longsword instead...it is closer to the dimensions of the original Brescia Spadona and Albions version of that sword.
I agree with almost all the comments that Alientude made. However I felt that the blade on the sword I received was stiff and did not have too much rippling. I was less pleased with the pommel..my pommel looks far worse than than the pommel shown in the review here. It has numerous marks and scratches on it...to the extent it really detracts from the sword. The grip is ok...i just dislike the color of it and the scabbard.
Speaking of the scabbard, it is terrible. After barely using the sword and having it for approximately 5 months, the sword no longer stays secure in the scabbard. I dont know what happened but i feel confident in saying it was not due to the temperature or weather changes.
I am not sure I think this sword is a good value. If the sword had fewer scratches, marks and blemishes, I might have recommended this sword. I collect many other things and for the price I expect the fit and finish to be better. I have pieces of art that are $500 or more and they are not scratched or blemished like this sword...perhaps its an unfair comparison.
KoA didn't say how many they made. Judging by how quickly they sold, I'm guessing something like 5-10 of each model in the initial run.
They should have stuck w/ windlass imo. There is a reason Matt Easton from @Scholagladitoria & @theroyalarmouries used them for the historical line they collaborated on. The work they do these days is just really good for hand forged.
Well, keep in mind Matt Easton also collaborated with LK Chen on their Ribaldo. There's room for more than one company doing collaborations. Like I said in another comment, I think it'd be really cool if KoA experimented with multiple tiers of Balaur Arms - Windlass at the lower price point ($200-$300) and LK Chen at a mid range ($400-$500).
I dont like lk chens work. For their prices the products lack much.