BATTLE READY HADHAFANG (SWORD OF ARWEN)

Very exciting! Someone finally took to the time to reconstruct the sword of Arwen, Hadhafang, made oh so famous in the the Lord of the Rings movie, the Fellowship of the Ring, in a functional, full tang, slice-up-your-dinner-then-eat-it-for-you kind of way!



TraditionalArcheryBows.com (I know, it's terrible, was EVERYTHING else taken?) has done some amazing pieces in the past and I am always thrilled to death when they create something both functional and beautiful. They are true craftsmen of the highest order with some amazing videos on their site.

Now, that being said, it is true that this version of Hadhafang lacks the elvish grace and whimsical aesthetic of Tolkien's faery folk, but, put to the test, no doubt this thing would take down a tree.

I, for one, am all aboard to save Frodo's midget behind at the ford of a river, or chop some useful kindling (sacrilegious for a swordsman, I know) using this hunk of steel and wood that certainly wasn't built for any lady I know.

Darksword Armory Guardian Sword

Good evening loyal fans and readers! After a long hiadus, as I was planning, executing, and celebrating a wedding seven years in the making, I am back and typing away for your love, my practice and all of our amusement. I am very happy to say that I am now a husband, truly, I believe, a man and have taken on the sacred and time-honored mantle of THE GUARDIAN.

Michelle, my incredible wife, has entrusted me with the guardianship of her heart, her love and her well being for the rest of her life, not to mention our small, yet paramount family. It is an incredible feeling, really; being chosen, out of 7 billion other people on the planet to serve as protector, defender and compatriot. It has all I have ever strived for, really, and I am truly honored.

My Small Army

In as matches my new appointment as GUARDIAN, my best friends, and best man, decided to reach back to hallowed antiquity and present me with a truly extraordinary gift to match my station.It the treasure that I have drooled over for months. I have written about it. I have viewed it countless times online, seen movies, dreamed about it, pretended my wooden waster was made of shining steel, and at long last, I own it. At long last, THE GUARDIAN from Darksword Armory is in my grasp...forever.

CUE THE MUSIC FROM EXCALIBUR

More beautiful than I could ever dream of, the GUARDIAN sword comes in refined, yet raw and powerful brown leather, much like the gritty wrap you would find on the battlefield. It's rock solid construction is surpassed only by its incredible aesthetics and original design. The entire sword handles like a dream, but the blade is simply the perfect length and balance.

Couple that with the amazingly sturdy, supple, integrated leather scabbard and this steel masterpiece works as well on a hike through the mountains as it does as a display piece on your wall.

But what has vindicated all my waiting and saving, my not spending money on the purchase of this glorious glaive, was what made this weapon a truly epic gift worthy of an imperishable song:

THE DATE OF MY WEDDING

REGULATORS! MOUNT UP!

The devil, as it were, is in the details. Along with my glorious new bride, this sword truly is a conduit of my true self and a jewel in the crown of my life.

Darksword Armory: Guardian vs. Carpathian Sword, The Purchase

Two weapons, both alike in design and construction: full tang, incredibly strong, expertly made. So much so, choosing between the two has been the subject of my internal debate for many months now. I have come to the conclusion that when I purchase one of these two magnificent weapons it will have to be due to the excellent advice of my peers, yourselves, my brothers and sisters of the sword.

Ladies and gentlemen, the choice is before us:

GUARDIAN OR CARPATHIAN?

The Guardian

The Carpathian

Normally, when making a decision about a sword purchase, it is very simple. You see which sword catches your eye, appeals most to your honed sense of aesthetics, is constructed by the most reputable armorers for the best price and then pull the trigger. However, in the last half a year, I have been doing much more eBay selling and money saving than making any purchases.

I am getting married in July!

Anyone want to buy me one as a wedding present? LOL

Though ecstatic that another human being (my exquisite fiance) has chosen to spend their life with me (a fact that thrills me to the marrow), I have been charged with saving a nearly insurmountable cash reserve of $12,000 to pay my share of the wedding. Savings plans like that don't exactly leave inexhaustible pockets of $350 for swords.

But, once again the good Lord sees me out of the corner of his eye and watches out for my sword-buying habits. I have recently, as of November of 2011, switched jobs from a low-earning copywriter for a small-time Concierge company to commission-banking sales shark for a multinational travel conglomerate. This change in lifestyle provides me with certain perks and is exactly the reason why, my devoted readers, I have not posted in over 3 months. Also, this new gig is how I WILL be able to save the money I need. It feels good to be writing again, and even better that it is about swords.

SO LET'S GET DOWN TO IT!

The Guardian:

Jason Woodard's original design, married with Darksword Armory's meticulous creative steel innovations, inspires strong feelings of honor, righteousness, strength and mystical heroism. This amazing, full-tang fantasy sword would undoubtedly be carried, over the shoulder, by some ranger general in defiance of great evil. It is a sword every fan of the genre should own.

The breakdown:

• Overall Length: 43 inches Blade length: 31 3/8 inches
• Blade Material: Tempered 1060 carbon steel
• Weight: 5 lb 1.6 oz
• Point of Balance: 4 inches
• Grip Length: 8 1/4 inches
• Pommel: Peened

LET'S SEE IT IN ACTION:







Initial Impressions: Though a pound heavier than its Eastern European counterpart, this sword radiates strength and durability. It is truly a warrior's blade; less finesse (though not totally devoid of it) but much more stopping power. ALSO (ADDED BONUS) the sword can have a custom green handle wrap!

VERY TEMPTING!

THE CARPATHIAN:

Again, Jason Woodard comes through with a totally original, awe-inspiring design. The Carpathian resembles the Guardian in hilt construction but has some particularly unique differences. It is a sleek, stylish, steel individual. The pommel, for instance, resembles that of a more Norse construction, with leaf-lobed shape. This could be more useful in not losing grip on the sword.

The Breakdown:

• Overall Length: 42 3/4'' Blade: 31 1/2''
• Blade Material: Tempered 1060 carbon steel
• Weight: 4 lb 2 oz
• Point of Balance: 2 and 3/8 inches
• Grip Length: 8 inches
• Pommel: Peened

Initial Impressions: The Carpathian is incredibly appealing due its long, leaf-bladed, streamlined construction. Whereas the Guardian almost fails to taper down into the tang and handle; potentially making it vulnerable at the intersections between handle and blade, the Carpathian is thinner, lighter and quite tapered. This makes me believe that none of these dangerous intersections exist.

LETS SEE THIS BAD BOY IN ACTION:





FINAL (NOT REALLY) VERDICT: I believe the Guardian will be my initial purchase.

Though slightly more expensive, I believe this sword is built for the heaviest cutting and steel-on-steel combat. The tang is a small concern, but I have no doubts that Eyal and the rest of the master craftsmen at Darksword have compensated for this with the hardness potential hazard with overall durability for the blade and furniture.

The Carpathian is a beautiful finesse blade for sure and I love it. And, because it comes from the same designers, Darksword Armory, I have no doubt of its quality and durability. The only discounting factors are that the sword is a little lighter and I was never really into the whole "vampire inspired" design for my weapons. I don't know that Vlad the Impaler would carry such a weapon (though he should have) against the Turks.

LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS! THANKS ALL!

(IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BUY ONE FOR ME AS A WEDDING GIFT. BECAUSE YOU ARE AWESOME, YOU CAN SEND IT TO MIKE TERRY, 80 MEDITERRANEAN DRIVE, WEYMOUTH, MA 02188)