River Witham Viking Sword – a second opinion

In this second opinion review by SBG Competition winner Grayson C. from Florida, we get another look at this extremely popular and beautiful Viking sword. Combined with Mike Harris’s review of the Witham and you should be able to get a good idea if this sword is your cup of tea or not...

Gen2 River Witham Viking Sword
Review by Grayson C, Florida, USA

This review is on one of Gen2's newest offerings- the 10th century river Witham Viking sword. Gen2 has consistently brought us fine swords that people jokingly refer to as names like "tanks," "crowbars," or "rocks" due to their unyielding quality of their goods that they make. Many people have been entirely satisfied in the strength department of the swords, however the looks of the sword can often be a little lacking.

The Gen2 Witham Viking has done and excellent job of blowing all previous stereotypes out of the window. Before I commence this review (and I'm writing this off of the top of my head with no pre-planning) I'd like the reader to be familiar with the type of collector that I am and the swords that I own.

I will be the first to admit that I am no expert in the field of swords, but I have a passion and willingness to learn that is quite common on the SBG sword forum. I've collected swords for something like 4-5 years now so I know a little bit on functionality and looks of swords and their mechanics. I own 5 swords, not including this one: a wallhanger rapier, a training rapier, Windlass' sword of war, Windlass' shrewsbury, and (the biggest badboy of them all...just to show that I'm more experienced than only having lower end swords), the Albion Ritter.

I received this sword on April 12th, 2007 by the extreme generosity of the SBG sword forum members. They awarded me ANY sub $300 dollar of my choice and I chose this interesting model. That's right, I paid absolutely nothing whatsoever for this fine piece of a sword, so I feel that it is only right that I do my utmost to right a review on it.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

My first impression upon taking the sword of of the box, de-mummifying it, and taking the preserving oil off was the width of the sword. It's a good 2.5 inches. This isn't a bad thing, it's just striking.

Next aspect that I noticed was that the copper diamonds weren't exactly perfect - more about this later. I checked the sword up and down and after being pretty satisfied, I let a couple of days pass to become familiar with it before I started the review. I took it outside with one of my self-made shields (yes, I know it's all beat up, I actually fought with it) for further tests.

FIT AND FINISH

The look of this sword is basic and stoic - a look that I like a lot. I'm not really a fan of heavily elaborate swords, so this weapon appeals to me greatly. I did find a few little flaws, but thankfully, not a single pit. The copper diamonds' (which stand out phenomenally!) edges are not straight and perfect and there are places where they overlap with the steel and vice versa, causing some very slight unpleasant aesthetic problems.

These imperfections are very small and cannot even be noticed in these pictures below.

Another important thing to point out is that the fuller wavers slightly in areas and isn't completely executed. This really isn't an issue though as it wanders by millimetres. It is just enough to notice if you look hard in this picture:

The scabbard is wooden and well made. It doesn't fit to my sword tight enough though because there is slight rattle when it's shaken, but it is certainly a step up from typical leather knife styled sheathes.

HANDLING

As stated above, I brought out one of my shields to do some shield work with it. The Witham is a type X on the Oakeshott typologies and therefore, it is meant mainly for infantry combat in tandem with a shield. The sword is a little heavy at slightly over 3lb, but certainly not unmanageable. You do feel the weight, but it is quite a lively sword and it is a joy to swing.

When I tried it without the shield, I felt more "free," but that really doesn't have much to do with the sword. Recovery is easy due to the hand-friendly suede grip that, while not historically accurate, is great on your hand and gives you a good secure grip that I might not have on more slippery leather.

I would like to point out to the reader that, if he or she is experienced in katanas, that the Witham Viking will feel like a dead clumsy weight in your hand. Before passing judgment, however, I need to heavily stress that a katana is an entirely different beast made for an entirely different battlefield with entirely different dynamics.

This sword is VERY agile, but it is an agility that takes time to develop and will almost certainly be missed when one first handles it. Don't expect this sword to be a feather - it isn't. Don't expect this sword to turn on a dime, it won't. DO expect this sword to be the most fearsome shield splitter you've ever come across while still maintaining good dexterity in the movements.

It's very hard to describe the nuances of difference in the handling of these "clumsy" (and I'm being a tad sarcastic using that phrase...) type X swords.

STUCTURAL INTEGRITY

This is my first gen2 so I can't speak for other swords that they make, but from what I've read, they seem to have no equal in rock solid build.

When you pick the sword up, one of the first things you notice is how tight and secure it feels; like it was made from one piece of steel. It is securely peened over the Viking style pommel so I can't examine the tang, but I'm almost positive it is a monster. There is no rattle whatsoever in the hilt components. The blade is pretty sharp, but certainly not paper sharp.

As always I flex the sword, but this particular sword proved quite a problem. Pardon the obscure shot, I was groaning with the effort of trying to bend the blade and taking the picture correctly wasn't on the top of my mind right then! Needless to say, this sword is rigid. There is no whippiness whatsoever and not even a sag when held horizontally. The tip is well made with no lopsidedness and should thrust well in a battlefield situation.

So we've established this is a good sword, yes? We've established it's pretty and it handles well, so now what? Am I just going to leave you there only taking my word that it's a good sword? Of course not! I spotted a tree stump in my yard and decided...why not?

I risked damaging the blade for this, so I better not be accused for conflicted interests because the sword was payed for by others! ;-)

Swinging full force, I wanted to see just how deeply this sword would penetrate a "partially" dead gumbo limbo tree....it's still living, but not that part...blame hurricanes. I raise the sword high and strike! And guess what? I'll let the picture do the talking:

Here's another view of the same cut, it's hard to see the damage it did in one camera shot because there is a tree limb in my way. So I figured that two shots should do it. That is the tip side, by the way.

Before I terminate this review with my ratings, I leave you with one last picture of this truly awesome sword by gen2.

SOME LAST WORDS

THE VERDICT Historical Accuracy: 4/5 Fit and Finish: 4/5 Handling: 4/5 Structural Integrity: 6/5 Value for Money: 5/5 OVERALL: 5/5 (BUY IT NOW!)

Some last words: (taking a leaf from Mike Harris’s book) If someone were to have handed me this sword without me having any prior knowledge of it, I would have said it was from Albion at first glance.

Then I would have noticed small things like the grip being suede (Albion has different grips obviously), the slightly irregular fuller, and the imperfect diamonds, and I would be really stumped! Here is a sword that is shaped and handles like an Albion...but why is it's fit and finish a hair off...? None of those listed before are condemning and horrible things, but we, as humans, like to carp on about the negatives. I'm making a big deal about them, but it really isn't as bad as I make it seem.

If this sword cost 200 or even 300 dollars more, I would still heartily recommend it. Gen2 has raised the standard bar on sub $300 swords. And that is commendable beyond doubt. Take my complaints with a grain of salt, this sword IS worth your money!

WHERE TO BUY

The River Witham Viking sword has a standard online price tag of US$299 everywhere, including my favourite Gen2 retailer Arms of Valor. Check it out on their website here

Enter the coupon code SBG in the 'redeem coupon' field of their checkout, click on the button and Arms of Valor will generously take 10% off the price (dropping the price down to just US$269.10, which is the best deal for this sword anywhere on the net)! Plus, each discount sale gives my site refferal credits to keep SBG running and helps offset the cost of my site. Click here for more information on SBG discount coupon codes.