Good comparison. The RK Italian Longsword is a pretty good deal, that checks almost all the right boxes. The right amount of distal taper, weight, and balance. Attractive flamboyant fishtail pommel with a good peen that's polished, and a comfortable crossguard. I don't like the way RK does waisted grips though--it's nice to have a waisted grip on a budget sword, but the central waist is so rounded and thick, which is definitely wrong. The blade is a bit too narrow even though it has the correct profile taper. It's about 41-42mm wide, and type XVIa should be wider than 5mm at the base--nitpick but something they should be able to fix without a lot of effort. I have the RK3-2 Alexandria--looks great and imposing and all that. But the pommel is puny and seems to be hollow. So the sword overall is light for a type XVIIIc, but lacking proper counterweight, therefore incredible tip heavy. A good project sword to add a proper hefty pommel for a type XVIIIc and it's all good. Both the CS and the RK models in this video are pretty good choice for sub-300 dollar longswords. Room for improvement, but still solid offerings as they are.

Just purchased today. I’ve been researching for a while, but the somewhat tender awe you displayed for the piece sold me. I had to have it. Your voice reminds me very much of Matthew Gray Gubler, has anyone told you that before? 😆

Really liking that long sword addition you have there from Ronin, just about exactly what I'm looking for, for the price and as a long sword...great share Michael...although I do like model 1 wider blade as well

RK is my favorite and I saw somebody on youtube do a destruction test on the Italian Arming Sword and the thing is exxxtremely tough and well constructed. the handle was broke and the tang exposed and was beefy....the peen on the pommel never budged.

If you had to pick one to keep and one to get rid of after roughly a year, which would stay and why? I'm looking at these swords head to head for myself but also somewhat brand to brand for a friend of mine. Price would end up being the same but i would have to import to get myself a ronin so warranty and that sort of thing would be a pain in the event something goes wrong, that being said im swayed more towards the ronin for several reasons, im more just looking for reasons not to get it at this point.

Here’s a big question for me is the Ronin #5 floppy and does it “sag” under its weight when you hold it horizontally?

"I bought two swords and saved myself $20." Hahahahahahahahaa! Happy Aftermath!

I definitely prefer ronin katana…cold steel’s weapon durabilities and life longevity are usually low…the quality is sadlynot really there in CS

Yes Happy Aftermath, now cut some stuff up...lol