Darksword Armory: Are They Getting Better? Maybe

It seems the day finally arrived – the day when troubled Canadian sword-makers, Darksword Armory, have announced their long-awaited and long-sought after “mea cupla” resulting from YEARS of customer complaints, emaciated tangs, and suspicions of overseas importing for entire lines of swords.

Better still, apparently, they claim to be DOUBLING DOWN on the overall quality and rigorous inspection process of all their blades for 2019 and beyond.

“DARK SWORD: OUR BAD. SORREY.”

Better late than never? Have they seen the light? We’ll find out.

LITTLE BITTER ABOUT MY BLADES

Now, forgive me my skepticism, but I, personally, was burned by DSA on no less than THREE different swords over a period of about 5 years or so. The Guardian, The Carpathian, The Claymore – all of them came with emaciated tangs and over-built and false-peened hilt constructions that led to catastrophic and potentially-dangerous sword failures.

Not only did I return EACH of these swords MORE THAN ONCE, BEGGING for them to inspect it and provide me with the high-quality sword I paid for, I also subsequently paid Wes Beem of Lonely Wolf Forge HUNDREDS of dollars to tear down and reconstruct the tangs of the Guardian and Carpathian to make them functional (as the Guardian was a wedding gift, and the Carpathian was a favorite design).

I didn’t mind paying Wes to do it. He’s a mad genius with steel, but I must admit, I think I might be ex-wifing this whole scenario pretty hard right now.

The bitterness is still a bit raw, remembering all the mailing I had to do, and the pictures featured in DSA’s article were, in fact, mine: 

I also, presently, have a 11th Century Viking Sword that I purchased around the same time, but I’m afraid to open her up an feel the searing fire of corruption and rage engulf me again.

Plus, she’s too pretty. 

It may also be because after my lengthy email chain with DSA concerning these issues, their apparently indifferent mouthpiece Mike told me:

“It would be best if you purchased from another provider from here on out.”

But this isn’t the blog post to rehash the past.

THIS IS.

THIS IS TOO.

FLASH FORWARD: IMPROVING SWORD QUALITY AT DARKSWORD ARMORY

OK. Enough of that. I’m sure my refunds/new swords/apologies will come any day now (truthfully, they did offer me a new Erland Sword for my trouble. I declined).

But in my many discussions and debates with people who have purchased DSA blades and LOVED them (congrats on picking up good ones), I SWORE that if DSA EVER improved the quality of their weapons and processes with regularity, I would be among the first to come forward and write a “seeing the light” piece about their efforts.

It would seem I am a man of my word.

Here I am, true to life, and here are some things I have noticed that have been positive about the DSA brand image revamp as of late:

• THIS ARTICLE: Do we know if it is all true? Nope. Have they made these claims before? Yep. Evidence to the contrary from renowned swordsmith Jeffrey Robinson? Perhaps. But the fact is they are still acknowledging there was a problem and they are, from photographic evidence, taking steps to correct it. That’s the first step towards recovery and forgiveness, right? For some. Besides, everyone loves a comeback (ask Shakespeare or Rocky Balboa).
  
  
• UPDATED TANG PHOTOS: On their website, on Amazon, in almost location online where they sell, you’ll see a new addition to Darksword’s gallery lineup: a sword blade with a naked tang and transparent (finally) hilt construction. If they weren’t going to provide this type of new and improved tang, they would be setting themselves up for MAJOR legal action for false advertisement and fraud, and potential ruin to their less-than-sterling reputation. I'll count that as a win for the good guys.
  
  
• THE NUT & KEY TANG/POMMEL SYSTEM:
  Most-surprisingly, much like Hanwei, Cold Steel, and other manufacturers - those who know the value of being able to change out their broken or damaged blades - it seems DSA will now start incorporating a  keyed tang system in some of their swords. I haven’t seen any designs on their website to indicate this as of yet (they’re all peened as far as I can tell), but this information comes from collectors on the Sword Buyer’s Guide who have had supposed direct dealings with DSA reps.

Do I trust all of these things? Seeing is believing. Like many of you reading this, no, I have little faith in the promises of DSA. I know there are others who love them, but Im not into abusive relationships (I'm already married).

Are these the right moves to make in order to walk the path of redemption and higher profits within the sword community?

You bet.

“Through perseverance, the snail reaches the ark.” – Charles Spurgeon