This is my first replica sword – not a sword/knife collector but Hobbit movie/Thorin fan and been looking at this sword for months – finally bought it by way of celebrating, as it were, the upcoming release of the movie “The Desolation of Smaug” – to decorate with, and just to have it. Sword just came today and DELIGHTED – because while I may not know custom knives and steel and swords, I do some jewelry work, and I’m detail-fussy AND frown on “plastic” anything.
So, overall impressions – 1. Very neat assembly and finishing. True, it doesn’t have sharp edge, but has a nicely angled beveled edge (which as far as I am concerned is movie-correct, as I’ve read in making the Hobbit movies both edged and non-edged weapons were used, for safety reasons). Looks like it could be re-edged by someone who knows what they are doing, but I’m good with it. Does not have a cheap, sharp-edged “production” look (as some cheap jewelry, cookware, and knives do). Grip seems firmly set.
2. Very happy with embossed/raised details and antiquing – and while normally I frown on “plastic” in this case IMO the resin “dragon tooth” grip to me has a “good feel” to it, not overly brittle, very nice coloration (and in any case w/o being paranoid there have been professional articles about bone products carrying diseases – enough to make me think, anyway. So I’m OK with not having a genuine bone handle.) Beautiful job, really, and feels good in hand. All the 4 little jewels a the end of the pommel were there along w. nice detail. Re the “Hobbit movie” blade stamping – only on one side up by the hilt – for me it’s so subtle and small it’s a non-issue, and if it is ever seen think it will add interest to visitors who see it.
3. Whoah – it’s heavy – at least to me. I’m not particularly weak (build modular brick walls, use tools, and all that) but a few experimental, sloppy swings tired my small hands and wrists in like, 2 minutes. It’s like swinging rebar around, IMO. And with the weight and nice sharp point suppose you could use it as a weapon if you had to – tho it’s a REPLICA and someone already mentioned this is not a sword where the metal goes through the handle, so it COULD break if abused, I guess. But feels solid and well-made – what can I say, for a replica it just feels good to hold. Particularly like the hefty feel of guard and blade, and Orcrist has such graceful lines.
4. Steel quality – of course I had to look this up, being fussy. So this is made of AUS-6 stainless, and I found this info “AUS-6 is a entry level Japanese cutlery steel in the same class as 440A……AUS-6 is typically hardened to RC 55-58 or so, and take a very fine edge, though edge retention is not as good as steel such as 440C.” “440A is one of the workhorses of the Sports and Tactical Knife industry. The majority of entry level knives use either 440A, 420HC or AUS-6 steel. 440 is a medium carbon, martensitic stainless steel that is very corrosion resistant and extremely tough that can be hardened to about RC58.
While not considered a premium knife steel, 440A still has some very good properties for cutlery use. It takes a very fine edge and will easily pop the hairs off your arm if heat treated properly, and is more corrosion resistant and tougher than 440B or 440C.” (from Custom Tacticals online).
So I read all this as a good, basic, steel quality, well suited for a good replica at an affordable price point, e.g. it’s not junk! but made of a “workhorse” type steel (and I DO want to know stuff like that, it makes me feel better. This sword isn’t THAT cheap in cost! and there’s a lot of junk memorabilia around – overpriced just because of the name on it).
5. Nice hanging plaque and very much appreciate having the hanging hardware with drywall mounts included – and the very nice certificate with the map on the back. Plus well-packaged, NO PEANUTS!! and incredible fast shipping.
Summary: I’m fascinated with my new “toy” and having Orcrist – well, a solid version of it anyway – in my hands. Will probably spend time lovingly mounting (next to Hobbit posters) and polishing with jeweler’s cloth. Definitely a worthy piece of memorabilia that of course I don’t NEED, but am so happy to have and NO regrets on this purchase at all. Thank you, UC, for a solid, well-made (not junk) replica that is worthy of having and displaying. And I’d buy from UC again – for what it is and this price point, 5 stars for me.
(BTW, personally would not use this for battle, seems strong but think you would have to go into stuff specifically made for re-enactments, tho I guess you could carry this around for a costume where allowed. Hopefully I can get the scabbard, one day, but will display beautifully without it).
