Condor - El Salvadorian company - Gladius

[Rogerbutthead]

Got my Condor made Gladius today.

Quite sturdy, but I am not going to test it my jabbing and cutting things with it.

Seems much better by "feel" that that cheaper Indian made Gladius I got earlier - and also cut myself with - trying to move quickly - the scabbard tipped easily - and I made the mistake of grabbing at the falling blade - minor cuts - stopped when I realized I was a moron.

This scabbard is made of wood with metal reinforcement - not going to bounce around as much as the prior one.



One day, I will order an Albion Spatha - but I just think I will die before it ever gets delivered to me. (up to two year wait)

[jyo]

Condor makes some good blades of all sorts, but kinda overpriced now compared to earlier pricing...

[Mojaveman]

Hail Caesar!

[Rogerbutthead]

I bought the Condor Greek Spear (only 45 inches long total) and this axe.

Kinda disappointed in how short the spear is.





Read how they rust easily from the buyer's reviews, so didn't even take them out of the plastic yet.

[gorn5150]

Condor knives used to be dirt cheap. That changed several years ago. They make good stuff out of 1075 steel. It will rust if you don't keep them oiled, just like ESEE's 1095 knives.

[jyo]

Condor makes some good blades of all sorts, but kinda overpriced now compared to earlier pricing...

I fully agree---Condor prices used to be MUCH more friendly---they still make good products, but the cost is now premium... People continue to still buy their products, so they probably have no reason to lower their prices... And yeah, most of their products will rust very easily...

[OCEquestrian]

My Albion Decurio...


spatha.jpg

[OCEquestrian]

Custum Mark Marrow spatha...

pompeiisemispatha.jpg

[Rogerbutthead]

I ordered an Albion 4 months ago. No contact since then.

Wondering how long it will take. Over a year?

Emailed one custom sheath manufacturer - he never responded to my email.

Wonder how long that will take or will I just keep it without a sheath.

[jyo]

One final note about Condor knives---they usually come with a very nicely made leather sheath, but leather is the worst possible material for a knife that's made of non-stainless metal! The sheath will absorb water on most any outdoor adventure and this water WILL rust your knife throughly in a very short time---so basically, you're paying good $$$ for a knife that will be damaged by it's sheath in almost any damp/wet situation...

[TrappedinCalifornia]

One final note about Condor knives---they usually come with a very nicely made leather sheath, but leather is the worst possible material for a knife that's made of non-stainless metal! The sheath will absorb water on most any outdoor adventure and this water WILL rust your knife throughly in a very short time---so basically, you're paying good $$$ for a knife that will be damaged by it's sheath in almost any damp/wet situation...

Leather knife sheaths have been around and used for millennia. There's probably a reason for discussions around patinas, regular use of proper protectants and lubricants for the blades, and 'waterproofing' your sheaths. Just to give it proper context...

The first 'stainless steel' was 'discovered' in 1913, although the work on it actually began in the 1800's... The Discovery of Stainless Steel

...On the 13th August 1913 Brearley created a steel with 12.8% chromium and 0.24% carbon, argued to be the first ever stainless steel. The circumstances in which Brearley discovered stainless steel are covered in myth; some enchanted tales of Brearley recite him tossing his steel into the rubbish, only to notice later that the steel hadn’t rusted to the extent of its counterparts, much like Alexander Fleming’s experience 15 years later...

Brearley struggled to win the support of his employers, instead choosing to produce his new steel at local cutler R. F. Mosley. He found difficulty producing knife blades in the new steel that did not rust or stain and turned to his old school friend, Ernest Stuart, Cutlery Manager at Mosley’s Portland Works, for help. Within 3 weeks, Stuart had perfected the hardening process for knives. Brearley had initially decided to name his invention ‘Rustless Steel’, but Stuart, dubbed it ‘Stainless Steel’ after testing the material in a vinegar solution, and the name stuck. And that’s how Harry Brearley discovered stainless steel…. well, not quite…

During the 5 year period between 1908 and Brearley’s discovery in 1913 many other scientists and metallurgists have potential claims to Brearley’s title...

Meanwhile, the first, known, leather knife sheaths were used circa 3,300 B.C.

The bottom line is that there is no 'perfect' material for knife sheaths, regardless of what material is used in the knife's construction. This piece, from back in January of this year, discusses the pros/cons of several options (leather, kydex, plastic, and nylon)... What Kind of Material is Good for Knife Sheaths? Even carrying a knife without a sheath comes with pros and cons. Thus, it comes down to a combination of personal preference, type of knife, intended use, environment primarily carried/used in, and level of maintenance.

[Rogerbutthead]

I got my Albion Spatha today. It seems very light compared to the Condor Gladius. The Condor sword seems heftier, wider and sturdier than the Spatha version I ordered.

I am not going to see which one could take more damage, but just in terms of weight and thickness of the blade, my faith in the longer but thinner - seemingly weaker Spatha has fallen.

[Rogerbutthead]

The scabbard and baldric for this Auxilia spatha is going to cost nearly twice as much as the sword.

It will probably sit on a wall and just be admired by me - until the next owner comes along.

[Rogerbutthead]

This Amazon sold Damascus Roman replica was pretty cheap, so I added it to my accumulation.