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| General Discussion Forum General discussion of swords of all cultures and time periods, makes and methods. |
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My new Purpleheart Waster -
03-03-2006, 05:17 PM
Sometimes when you order something you're pleasantly surprised. It doesn't happen very often, but when it does, you should enjoy it.
Such was my experience with Purpleheart Armoury. I called them Tuesday, placed my order, verified that they had what I wanted in stock, and forgot all about it, expecting to wait. After all, that's what we do in WMA, is it not? Buy and wait.
Three days later, UPS rang my bell, and my waster was in my hands.
I can't say enough nice things about this product. It's a pleasure to use, feels solid as a block of steel and has a very nicely finished shape that is pleasing to the eye. There's something about a good piece of wood that speaks to the soul, and this is a good piece of wood.
The point of balance is 9" from the guard (EDIT: I said 11" before, but then I actually measured it). Weight is a hair under 2lbs. The handle has a very nice shape, and the pommel lets me grip it in the exactly way I grip my longsword, with my left hand partly on the handle and partly on the pommel.
The grain is tight and the there are no knots or other defects in the wood surface. After a coat of tungoil, it feels silky smooth.
I've handled a couple of low end wasters and a couple of high end ones (don't remember who made them). Compared to this one, one of the high end wasters was too blade heavy and the other had a very skinny handle. This one does not feel unduly blade heavy and the handle is very comfortable and correctly shaped.
I highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a good waster.
Here it is next to my AT1563:
Last edited by Michael Edelson; 03-03-2006 at 10:39 PM..
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03-03-2006, 06:18 PM
Wow, Michael
That looks really nice!
You'll let me handle it this weekend, right? Please?  |
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03-03-2006, 06:41 PM
Well, at the very least you can make contact with the edge. |
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03-04-2006, 04:25 AM
Definately, Purpleheart doesn't get enough good press.
One reason we just don't hear about them is their wasters do not break.
I bought 3 from them almost 5 years ago, all going strong ...well, except for the one I ran over with the tractor.
Thing wreaked holy hell on the blade, though...
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03-04-2006, 06:51 AM
Now Trish, no matter what they have told you, running over a sword with a tractor is sword abuse. I hope you did not request a refund :P. I have a purpleheart waster and three of their quarterstaves and I am extreamly happy with all. When they shipped out my 8' quarterstaff it had a pretty good crack in the end of it and they ofered (well I kinda requested) another 6' staff as a kind of gesture of good will. I offered to pay the shipping on the staff (because that is really the most expensive part) but they said no and just sent it to me. They are great ;people to work with and I'd gladly do business with them again.
This poster does not make any warranties, express or implied, as to the accurate spelling of the words contained within this text.
"The sword is just a tool, I am the weapon."
(\__/)
(='.'=)This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny
(")_(")into your signature to help him gain world domination.
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03-04-2006, 12:07 PM
Seconded/Thirded/whatnot: Purpleheart is a great company to deal with, both in terms of product quality and in terms of customer service! I have one of their longsword wasters as well, and it is great!
Johan Schubert Moen
When the dark night seems endless, please remember me.
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03-04-2006, 12:21 PM
Another great thing about Purpleheart is that they pick up their phone. Of all the people I've dealt with, only Angus Trim and Christian Fletcher routinely answer the phone (or have someone that does on staff).
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03-05-2006, 05:05 AM
Originally posted by Nathan Shaffer
Now Trish, no matter what they have told you, running over a sword with a tractor is sword abuse.
I hope you did not request a refund :P.
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Is not, it's tractor abuse.
The Daughter and friends were in the yard 'swordfighting' as is their habit and one of the little (ahem..) darlings left this dagger in the grass.
Which I, in turn, whacked with the John Deere. The waster we glued another cross to after ''re-profiling'' it on the grinder. The tractor blade ...forget it. |
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03-05-2006, 03:10 PM
Congrats on your new weapon.
May you have many many training sessions with it!
I'm happy with my... 10+(?) PHA wasters that get 2-3 uses per week in my longsword classes.
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09-04-2006, 02:44 PM
All good things come to an end. 
RIP, my beautiful Purpleheart waster. You've served me well, but not even you could withstand the free-hanging pell for very long.
Today, it snapped in half, and I feel bad about it. I really loved that thing. Now that it's finally bit the dust, I'd like to comment on the strength of Purpleheart Armoury's products. That thing was tough! This makes the fifth or sixth waster I've broken on a pell, and this one took a lot more abuse than the others.
Just to make things clear...no waster can withstand a pell for very long. This one lasted longer than I expected.
Wherever Purpleheart gets their hickory, that stuff is very strong. The only stronger wood I've come accross is Jatoba, but that stuff is expensive. Congrats, Purpleheart Armouries, on making a fine product that can withstand rigorous training for a very long time.
Anyone doing pell work would be well served by one of their wasters...you'll get more out of it than most others. |
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09-04-2006, 04:02 PM
I'll have to consider Purpleheart should I ever begin training. How would you say the rigours sparring compare to pell work, Michael?
Some stories can't be told by words.
Some legends are meant to die.
Some bloodlines must come to an end.
- Old Snake
Whoever wins, the battle does not end. The loser is freed from the battlefield, the winner must remain there, and the survivor must live his life as the warrior until he dies.
- Big Boss' final words to Solid Snake
A name means nothing on the battlefield. After a week, no one has a name.
- Naked Snake
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09-04-2006, 04:13 PM
Originally posted by Ed Chan
I'll have to consider Purpleheart should I ever begin training. How would you say the rigours sparring compare to pell work, Michael?
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While we do not spar with wasters, we do full power/full speed drills, and I have yet to ever break a quality waster that way, so I would say that pell work is, for some reason harder.
I understand why a stationary pell would break swords (and does!), but my free swinging pell (4x4 beam surrounded by poool noodles, duct tape and canvas) is also a waster killer. You would think that since its padded and free hanging that it would be easier on the wasters than full contact work, but you would be wrong. If anyone can tell me why, I would love to understand it.
You really can't go wrong with Purpleheart. They make a good product and they stand behind it.
Last edited by Michael Edelson; 09-04-2006 at 04:16 PM..
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09-04-2006, 04:34 PM
Thanks for the information! I'll keep that in mind when I begin training.
Some stories can't be told by words.
Some legends are meant to die.
Some bloodlines must come to an end.
- Old Snake
Whoever wins, the battle does not end. The loser is freed from the battlefield, the winner must remain there, and the survivor must live his life as the warrior until he dies.
- Big Boss' final words to Solid Snake
A name means nothing on the battlefield. After a week, no one has a name.
- Naked Snake
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09-04-2006, 04:44 PM
No problem.
btw...I'm going to test the theory that glue can be stronger than wood. The waster broke neatly along the grain...I'm going to glue it and clamp it overnight, then use it in training to see how it goes. I believe this information might be usefull.
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09-04-2006, 07:29 PM
I can't wait for a report on how it goes. It'd be great if this works well for getting extra use out of your waster.
Some stories can't be told by words.
Some legends are meant to die.
Some bloodlines must come to an end.
- Old Snake
Whoever wins, the battle does not end. The loser is freed from the battlefield, the winner must remain there, and the survivor must live his life as the warrior until he dies.
- Big Boss' final words to Solid Snake
A name means nothing on the battlefield. After a week, no one has a name.
- Naked Snake
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09-04-2006, 08:56 PM
I'd also like to chime in about Purpleheart wasters. I bought mine when I was a junior in high school, and I'm now a 5th year senior in college. The only mark in the thing is near the tip where I broke a light some years back. This thing is solid, and moves quite well for a chunk of wood.
Michael, what kind of glue did you use? Hope it turns out well.
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09-04-2006, 09:26 PM
Originally posted by Michael Edelson
While we do not spar with wasters, we do full power/full speed drills, and I have yet to ever break a quality waster that way, so I would say that pell work is, for some reason harder.
I understand why a stationary pell would break swords (and does!), but my free swinging pell (4x4 beam surrounded by poool noodles, duct tape and canvas) is also a waster killer. You would think that since its padded and free hanging that it would be easier on the wasters than full contact work, but you would be wrong. If anyone can tell me why, I would love to understand it.
You really can't go wrong with Purpleheart. They make a good product and they stand behind it.
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Easy. It is all about mass. Your pell has more of it than your waster. Even if it is free hanging. Do you have the pell moving when you start hitting it with your waster? That will also give it more mass as well.
When you separate groups into "US" and "THEM" you automatically become one of "THEM"
There are two infinities. The universe and human stupidity. And I'm not so sure about the universe.
Our spirits were forged in snow and ice.
To bend like steel forged over fire.
We were not made to bend like reed,
Or to turn the other cheek.
-Amon Amarth "Thousand Years Of Opression"
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Friendly Forumite
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09-05-2006, 01:44 PM
Originally posted by Glenn Morrill
Do you have the pell moving when you start hitting it with your waster? That will also give it more mass as well.
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Unless it is moving very close to c (the speed of light), it will not gain mass by moving. It will, however, gain kinetic energy and momentum if it is already in motion, and it can impart these into the waster. |
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09-05-2006, 03:17 PM
6 months worth of hard use isn't a bad track record. I have been eyeballing Purpleheart for some time now... there are nice handful of products I'd like to get from them. Gorget, singlestick, waster, perhaps some books/vids. Nice to hear more good feedback about them. I just have to save up some cash (it's been going to a great many things lately, including some PC parts so I can build a better box). I'll have to give them a try in the near future.
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09-06-2006, 05:27 AM
I've had a Purpleheart for several years now and its served me very well. However, I am converted to New Stirling Arms. I find them to be superior to Purpleheart in everyway...plus a better return policy. Ever give them a try?
http://www.newstirlingarms.com/
A man in a kilt is a man and a half!
Clan Grant
Craigellachie!
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09-06-2006, 09:46 AM
Originally posted by Allen Johnson
I've had a Purpleheart for several years now and its served me very well. However, I am converted to New Stirling Arms. I find them to be superior to Purpleheart in everyway...plus a better return policy. Ever give them a try?
http://www.newstirlingarms.com/
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I got to hold one at the Atlanta Blade show...I can't vouch for how tough it is as I've never used one, but the balance and feel are amazing. It's a little thinner than the Purpleheart one, so I don't think it will hold up as well against the pell, but because of the outstanding balance I think they are excellent for partnered drills. |
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09-06-2006, 10:22 AM
Hmm, sounds like I'll have to consider getting two wasters for training.
Some stories can't be told by words.
Some legends are meant to die.
Some bloodlines must come to an end.
- Old Snake
Whoever wins, the battle does not end. The loser is freed from the battlefield, the winner must remain there, and the survivor must live his life as the warrior until he dies.
- Big Boss' final words to Solid Snake
A name means nothing on the battlefield. After a week, no one has a name.
- Naked Snake
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09-06-2006, 09:22 PM
Even after all these years, with all the new options wasters, Purple Heart Armory is still where I go to get my wooden training weapons. The quality of Christian’s work is outstanding. I still have two long sword wasters that I purchased back in 2001 and 2002. They show their age, but what the hell, they still work!
Keith Jennings
Free Scholar, Chicago Swordplay Guild
Bloodied, but never cry submission.
Following our instincts, not a trend,
Go against the grain until the end.
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09-07-2006, 02:39 PM
Originally posted by Allen Johnson
I've had a Purpleheart for several years now and its served me very well. However, I am converted to New Stirling Arms. I find them to be superior to Purpleheart in everyway...plus a better return policy. Ever give them a try?
http://www.newstirlingarms.com/
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I couldn't resist...
plus a better return policy
which would you rather, a waster that you'll use for years (right Dave?) or a better way to return the waster you spent your money on?? |
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09-07-2006, 04:49 PM
Originally posted by Natasha Darce'
I couldn't resist...
plus a better return policy
which would you rather, a waster that you'll use for years (right Dave?) or a better way to return the waster you spent your money on??
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Don't let his words bother you Mrs. Darce', your product is great and I like the look much better than the others out there. Your service and policies are just fine.
This poster does not make any warranties, express or implied, as to the accurate spelling of the words contained within this text.
"The sword is just a tool, I am the weapon."
(\__/)
(='.'=)This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny
(")_(")into your signature to help him gain world domination.
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