Saroyan sword question

aazura · 10-16-2007, 08:58 PM

... a sword is a costume item right?? Just wondering where I should post this...

So I've been in the market for a sword. Never bought one before. I saw some beautiful Saroyans at Rak East and almost bought one... but I thought I would first inquire with the great bhuz info machine.

I loved the way the sword felt on my head -- it was balanced and seemed to sit securely. I'm just wondering what people think of Saroyan swords and especially how they stack up to other makers. Do they keep their finish? Stay balanced? Are they better or worse than other models?

Enlighten me, oh great wise sword-wielding bhuzzers!!

suzyq52 · 10-16-2007, 09:38 PM

I just purchased a Saroyan sword. I had asked my dance instructor if I was to purchase a sword, what type would be best and she recommended a Saroyan. Also, being as I was ordering from Saroyan, she purchased one as well. I know she finds the Saroyan sword much more balanced than her previous sword. She is soooooo glad that she made this purchase. I've not had experience with any other swords but I know I sure like my Saroyan! They were so easy to deal with and shipping was quick!

Monica · 10-16-2007, 09:47 PM

Saroyan swords were unavailable for a long time, so I believe these are from a different factory than the older ones.

However I have had my older one for about...14 or 15 years. Still holding up great! I did have it chromed to stop it from rusting about 7 years into owning it, though. Prior to that I had to clean it with steel wool every week or so.

TediThomas · 10-17-2007, 08:51 AM

Like Monica, I have had my Saroyan sword for (actually) a couple of decades. Mine is one of the chromed ones and I have had little difficulty with care and maintenance of the blade. It does need to be wiped clean of any body or hair oil each time you handle it to keep the chrome from tarnishing/discoloring. That is, wipe it down after each use (as it would be inconvenient to wipe it down each time you touch it during practice or performance).

Nepenthe · 10-17-2007, 08:53 AM

One of my friends is letting me borrow hers and it balances far better than the other sword I had (one of the leopard-handled ones). It has a little bit of a wobble, but right away, I was able to do everything including floorwork that I wanted to do with the sword.

Of course at Raks East I ended up buying one of those huge scimitars with the giant curved blade so now I have a new toy. It is about 2x as heavy as the Saroyan.

perizaad · 10-17-2007, 09:04 AM

I've danced with one of the new Saroyan's, and I can't say that I thought it was any better than the sword I usually dance with. I got it from a friend who originally got it from Kittie (see thread). They are soooo much more affordable, and I think they balance well. I don't like the notches they put on the new Saroyan swords. On the other hand, the one's Kittie sells has the handle facing the wrong way. I happen to think it makes it easier to balance, but its less "correct". General audiences would not notice such a thing though...

aazura · 10-17-2007, 09:20 AM

I was wondering about Kittie's swords. I remember the thread about them and was going to get one, but then I put the Saroyan on my head and liked how it felt. I've never tried one of Kittie's sword so I can't compare.

phillyraqs · 10-17-2007, 09:30 AM

I don't like the notches that are on the new Saroyan swords either - I usually show off the sword a bit to audience members first, and I'm sure a few people would notice it and ruin the illusion.

I have one of Kittie's swords and really like it - it balances well and looks pretty. My blade tends to bend a bit, but the cost far outweighs the few negatives.

Gia al Qamar · 10-17-2007, 09:34 AM

One of my students purchased a Saroyan scimitar at Rakkasah and just came for a private lesson on balancing and dancing with the sword.
It was my first real opportunity to handle and judge the sword compaired to my own, which is a copy less than half the price purchased from another company years ago.
I found almost no difference in the swords. The weight is identical, the materials used to produce both swords, the same. The engraving may be a bit different on the Saroyan, the blade itself is curved MORE than my 'knock off'. I didn't like the notches. The handle turned on the Saroyan made it more difficult to 'dance' with and made no difference in the balancing.
My 'knock off' looks as good as the day I purchased it and has needed little if any maintainence.

Gia

zamora · 10-17-2007, 10:44 AM

we do not care for saroyan "swords." the chrome , no blade, cookie cutter design, can not use at faire.
but that is just us!
z

bintbeled · 10-17-2007, 12:09 PM

I love my vintage Saroyan, chrome finish, notches and all! The balance is amazing. But if you're looking for good swords that are considerably cheaper, contact Bipin at Jewel of India. He was showing some very nice swords at RakEast, very very good prices.

kahaz · 10-17-2007, 08:23 PM

I have two Saroyans; I've had them for years (they were 10 and 15 year anniversary presents from my husband) so they're probably the "vintage". I love them, especially for beginners. It's the old conundrum: beginners don't want to invest a lot of money so they end up with a sword they can't handle as opposed to us old dancers that could dance with cheapies but invest in a Saroyan.

Kitty

nitara · 10-18-2007, 12:25 AM

I really like my Saroyan sword. It's extremely stable. A friend has a replica sword that looks just like it, but the quality and balance are quite awful.

Nobody has ever noticed the notches on it, though, if I know I'm going to be dancing around Renfaire folk or sword/martial arts fans, I use a different sword.

zorba · 10-18-2007, 10:31 AM

I don't think you can go wrong with a Saroyan. They've been made from Stainless Steel for a long time - its the (now) very old ones that would rust.

With the strong caveat that I'm *NOT* a sword dancer, the Saroyan balances better and is better made than a lot of the cheap $60 swords out there. OTOH, I've seen some Saroyan knockoffs that seemed to be just fine.

Saroyan used to accept orders for notchless swords - you just told 'em not to notch it and they wouldn't. I dunno if that still true or not.

Didn't they discontinue the chromed version?

tabitha · 10-18-2007, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zamora

we do not care for saroyan "swords." the chrome , no blade, cookie cutter design, can not use at faire.
but that is just us!
z

Why, because they are looking for something more authentic for the faire?

Sorry, that made me giggle.