By The Sword/Museum Replicas Ltd: This is my most recent purchase. I have been keeping an eye on MRL swords and daggers for a time. There appears to be an ebb and flow of quality pieces coming from MRL the past few years. Now and again a nice piece pops up at an affordable price, but as you probably know, MRL doesn't produce any model of weapon for ever. They make a run of the model and then they are done, So you need to get one when it comes out or before it disappears from clearance (I still regret not getting in on the "Medieval Short Sword" that came out back in 2002-2003). The weapon in this case, though, was the brass handled rondel dagger. There was a review on My Armory (Chad Arnow) and a pretty decent list of satisfied customer reviews online giving it 5 stars, which prompted me to purchase this item. Based on an extant piece dated to around 1400 ce, in Museums für Deutsche Geschichte. I ordered a sharpened version as sharpening a blade of this shape from blunt would be a nightmare for me.
I ordered it from By-The-Sword because even though I have had questionable service from them in the past, they were the best price ($100 sharp), and the quickest to respond to my question about sharpening. The dagger arrived yesterday. I expected issues based on reviews (specifically with the scabbard), but the most annoying issue was that despite being "sharpened" the dagger was not particularly sharp. The edge has been ground down with somewhat uniformity except where someone evidently slipped with the grinder and made a nice gouge on the blade edge creating a 1/16" fishhook jag on the blade. Besides this gouge (which aesthetically is annoying, is not the major problem), the knife is l not sharp. Pointy as all get out. But dull blade despite the obvious attempt at sharpening. Total turn around was about 13 days, which felt like a long time, but considering someone probably had to do the sharpening before it was shipped. I don't consider it at all unreasonable. Shipping was surprisingly affordable, now-a-days where people seem to be gouging you on shipping and handling to increase their bottom line, total cost to ship was only $8.95. Considering the fact that it is a mass produced dagger, it looks amazingly close to the original (though larger in the handle length and blade width), and feel it is a decent purchase. It simply looks nice sitting on a shelf. If I had paid the $115 to $120 +$18 shipping from other sources, I would have not have been as happy. But for a total of $109 including shipping, I consider it a good deal. (on a side note, MRL appears to be on the ebb currently with the majority of their pieces. But keep an eye out, they occasionally a diamond in the rough seemingly escapes.)
Master Eirik's Oversized Rattan: I purchased 3 pieces of extra thick rattan from Baron Eirik so it can be shaped. All I can say is; Holy cow! This grass is massive! I didn't know rattan could grow this large. The pieces measure around 2" to 2.125" in diameter
. From date of order to date of receipt was about 2 weeks, which I consider pretty fast. I wasn't in any big rush and Eirik had stated recently that he was low on stock, but was expecting more thick rattan soon. The cost is obviously not cheap as thinner rattan, but I am happy to have made the purchase, as I will have little issue with making the hafted weapons. The rattan is exceptionally straight (which means I can use the table saw to make the flats), and plenty of material to handle any variance or mistakes on my part. Well worth the cost and longer ship time.
Parts & Technical: I purchased some of the medieval decor items from Drews website and items were delivered timely and in good packaging. I didn't have to have him build anything as they were resell items, but the turn-around was still fast considering I told him he could take his time getting things to me. My primary SCA fighting bascinet is from Parts and Technical and really love it. So he gets my thumbs up for speed, good packaging and a good price on vintage items.
Anshelm Arms & Armor: Over the past 6 months or so, I've ordered several pieces of spring stainless for my kit. Several weeks ago, I had ordered a set of the Crecy era Spaulders for my kit also in spring stainless. As usual Brent responded quickly, and in an unprecedented turn around they were on my door step in about 6 weeks from the initial enquiry I made. They are light, uniform and perfectly polished. A very nice addition for a mid 14th century to 15th century kit. A+ on Brent's skills, service and I think pricing structure.
Armor and Castings: I ordered some belt pieces from A&C a while back. Once again, about 6 weeks from the original order date, the pieces arrived from the Ukraine. For a $100 investment, I had enough hardware to replace 2 belts complete (one with mountings). I consider it a very good deal. The belts are completely assembled, but no good pics yet. A+, 5 stars, and two thumbs up for Armor and Castings.
-Cian of Storvik