Hi everyone,
I'm not going to bore you with the trials and tribulations of being a Highlander fan. If you know the franchise, you know the official merchandise was always **** (like the sequels!), with the exception of the excellent video and dvd collections.
For all matters regarding swords, it took the initiative of fans to set things right. And though the series may be dead and gone, the dreams of a Highlander fan are entirely possible now.
Daryl Kyle. If this dude keeps up his quality and customer service, his name is going to be legend in the prop world. He has the blessing of Sal D'Aquila (the original propmaker for the series and creator of the Season 1 Sword of the Dragon), and after working with him, I see why.
When Daryl and Sal made it possible for me to obtain an original Season 1 katana (taken from the mold used in the series), there was no question I was going to have one. It was just a matter of when, how much, and what blade.
Daryl reminded/warned me many times that the Season 1 was not a Musashi katana. The Musashi Katana is Sal's refined version of the Season 1. They are literally night and day. I have a Musashi built by Sal with a Paul Chen Bushido blade, and it's amazing. I can't compare the swords. The Season 1 handle is unrefined, imperfect, and raw. But that's it's appeal!
Now, back to the Season 1...
Daryl was straight with me. He told me he could make me a Season 1 with an aluminum blade, a stainless blade (the marto tachi used in the original series), OR...I could go all-out and get a real blade made. He would handle all the back-and-forth with the blademakers. All I'd have to do is give the OK every step of the way.
And that's exactly how it went.
Whenever I'd ask, Daryl would consistenly update me on the progress of the katana. He'd show me photos of the handle, and ask how I wanted it painted. We're talking down to the EXACT EPISODE here, people. If you wanted a Season 1 katana the way it looked in Episode (insert random episode here), Daryl could do it. If a clear screenshot was available, Daryl could make it happen. And in the end, you OK it. He does nothing without your greenlight.
I chose to have my handle look similar to the first episode, The Gathering. In that episode, the handle is a more cream/yellow, and there's barely any shading/detail. My additional instructions to Daryl were, "Make it look like it's been around for 400 years."
When the blades came in, Daryl took pictures and sent them to me before they were mounted. He assured me that if I saw something wrong, they'd go right back to the bladesmith. Luckily, they came out fine.
This sword is real. To quote Daryl, this is what you'd want at your side during a zombie invasion.
When I finally received it, there were no words. I spent an hour talking to Daryl, holding the sword in my hand the entire time. The blade is a beast. However, the balance was so great, my arm never felt fatigued.
Here's some specs on the blade:
Nagasa length - 76 cm (from mune machi)
Sori Curvature - 3cm
Tang - 20 - 25 cm - Straight
1095 folded steel - laminated over 1060 for flexibility
Short Kissaki
Authentic Hamon - Gunome Style Sawtooth
Brass Habaki with rounded top
Saya - Dark Brown lacquered
Sageo - Dark Brown
I wanted to wait to review this because I wanted to be able to review it objectively. After over 8 months of having this katana, I'm still in awe of it. I feel like it's equal parts an accomplishment on my part as it is Daryl's. I helped to build the Season 1 katana of my dreams, and Daryl made it possible.
Now here's the best part. Daryl's swords come with what's essentially a lifetime warranty. If there's an issue, or something you don't like down the road, Daryl is open to working with you on it. It's not just a "one and done" thing with him. He genuinely wants you to be happy.
I also had a Season 1 made for a buddy of mine. His is based on the episode Mountain Men. His review will be forthcoming.
So that's it! Visit Welcome to Point Gallery if you're interested in having one yourself. If you're a big Highlander fan, you won't regret it.
I'm not going to bore you with the trials and tribulations of being a Highlander fan. If you know the franchise, you know the official merchandise was always **** (like the sequels!), with the exception of the excellent video and dvd collections.
For all matters regarding swords, it took the initiative of fans to set things right. And though the series may be dead and gone, the dreams of a Highlander fan are entirely possible now.
Daryl Kyle. If this dude keeps up his quality and customer service, his name is going to be legend in the prop world. He has the blessing of Sal D'Aquila (the original propmaker for the series and creator of the Season 1 Sword of the Dragon), and after working with him, I see why.
When Daryl and Sal made it possible for me to obtain an original Season 1 katana (taken from the mold used in the series), there was no question I was going to have one. It was just a matter of when, how much, and what blade.
Daryl reminded/warned me many times that the Season 1 was not a Musashi katana. The Musashi Katana is Sal's refined version of the Season 1. They are literally night and day. I have a Musashi built by Sal with a Paul Chen Bushido blade, and it's amazing. I can't compare the swords. The Season 1 handle is unrefined, imperfect, and raw. But that's it's appeal!
Now, back to the Season 1...
Daryl was straight with me. He told me he could make me a Season 1 with an aluminum blade, a stainless blade (the marto tachi used in the original series), OR...I could go all-out and get a real blade made. He would handle all the back-and-forth with the blademakers. All I'd have to do is give the OK every step of the way.
And that's exactly how it went.
Whenever I'd ask, Daryl would consistenly update me on the progress of the katana. He'd show me photos of the handle, and ask how I wanted it painted. We're talking down to the EXACT EPISODE here, people. If you wanted a Season 1 katana the way it looked in Episode (insert random episode here), Daryl could do it. If a clear screenshot was available, Daryl could make it happen. And in the end, you OK it. He does nothing without your greenlight.
I chose to have my handle look similar to the first episode, The Gathering. In that episode, the handle is a more cream/yellow, and there's barely any shading/detail. My additional instructions to Daryl were, "Make it look like it's been around for 400 years."
When the blades came in, Daryl took pictures and sent them to me before they were mounted. He assured me that if I saw something wrong, they'd go right back to the bladesmith. Luckily, they came out fine.
This sword is real. To quote Daryl, this is what you'd want at your side during a zombie invasion.
When I finally received it, there were no words. I spent an hour talking to Daryl, holding the sword in my hand the entire time. The blade is a beast. However, the balance was so great, my arm never felt fatigued.
Here's some specs on the blade:
Nagasa length - 76 cm (from mune machi)
Sori Curvature - 3cm
Tang - 20 - 25 cm - Straight
1095 folded steel - laminated over 1060 for flexibility
Short Kissaki
Authentic Hamon - Gunome Style Sawtooth
Brass Habaki with rounded top
Saya - Dark Brown lacquered
Sageo - Dark Brown
I wanted to wait to review this because I wanted to be able to review it objectively. After over 8 months of having this katana, I'm still in awe of it. I feel like it's equal parts an accomplishment on my part as it is Daryl's. I helped to build the Season 1 katana of my dreams, and Daryl made it possible.
Now here's the best part. Daryl's swords come with what's essentially a lifetime warranty. If there's an issue, or something you don't like down the road, Daryl is open to working with you on it. It's not just a "one and done" thing with him. He genuinely wants you to be happy.
I also had a Season 1 made for a buddy of mine. His is based on the episode Mountain Men. His review will be forthcoming.
So that's it! Visit Welcome to Point Gallery if you're interested in having one yourself. If you're a big Highlander fan, you won't regret it.
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