Anyone know of any pics of CASI sword tangs? I would sure like to see 'em. Thanks.

I had a Templar sword a few years ago. The first time I used it to cut fresh green bamboo, I felt the hilt loosen after a few cuts. I stopped and gave it a small tug, and sure enough, the tang had broken. The only thing that had kept it from flying out was the excessive amount of epoxy in there.

I don't have it anymore, but the tang was REALLY skimpy. If I remember correctly, it was around a centimeter or so at the shoulder of the blade. The pommel was still affixed to the tang and the grip, so I don't know how it was attached.

Whoa, speak of the Dev...I was just about to post some pictures of my casi sword hilts. I have a "white shadow" hand and a half. and a steel hilt "archer/ henry V sword" I will post them as soon as I can borrow my brother's camera. The swords are a few years old so they may have revamped the line-up since. The "shadow" has about a two inch tang welded to a split bolt. I haven't taken apart the other sword yet. They are tougher than other welded tangs I have but not terrific. More with the pics.

Nathan Cole

Both hilt assemblies:

[ Linked Image ]

Close up of split welded bolt:

[ Linked Image ]

4 tangs from left: "Cheap but not totally lousy internet deal", "Darksword "medieval combat", Casi "archer", "Casi "shadow".

[ Linked Image ]

As you can see they do not have particularly good tangs but in comparison to a $40 internet piece and a supposedly combat worthy re-enactment sword they are not too bad.

I can't say I would recommend paying full retail price for a Cas/Iberia sword. I got both of mine on internet actions and I am fairly pleased with them. The blades are rather stiff but fairly springy. They have a secondary edge-bevel-sharpening that is like 45-60 deg. angle. Rather dull.The stupid thing is the hilts were glued in place. I shattered the ebony grip on the archer sword taking it off.

All in all they are not too bad and the overall handling is probably better than most swords you can get for the price. Perhaps they are not too out of line with cheaper mass produced weapons of the medieval ages :confused: I like them because they feel solid in the hand and can take a bit of beating around.

I think unless CAS/Iberia has a better line I might look for other moderately priced production swords. I have not seen a Windlass/MRL sword tang but the lightness and springiness of their blades that I have handled impressed me more than the CAS/I swords I have handled. Actually I also have two Cas/Iberia Rapiers and some daggers. They seem to be pretty good to me though it I harder to mess up a dagger.

Nathan Cole

I have to constantly tighten the pommel on my CASI White Shadow. It has become second nature to ring my hands clockwise while handling it. I am sure that some thread lock compound might fix that, but I am reluctant to do that becuase I'm not sure it the grip is done compressing. Also, it's very difficult for me to get the end of the grip and the pommel to line up perfectly after disassembling it. It always seems that one side of the pommel is hanging over the grip. I takes a few minutes of tinkering to get them perfect again. Othere than that, it handles fery well. It's fast and light in one hand or two.

FYI mine has more tang and less all-thread than the one pictured here.

The practical viking has a reasonably meaty non-welded tang, with well-radiused shoulders, and likely the rest of the practical line will as well. Sorry for the lack of a picture, but I don't have a digital camera around.

Hi Nathan C.,

Are you doing catting practice with these swords? Looking at the picture you posted I will be scared to even think about it. It is amazing that the first sword ("cheep but not totaly lousy internet deal") has a straight tang?!?!?!?!?

Alexi

Catting? I haven't cut much of anything with them. Just a few innocent branches. :) I certainly wouldn't try serious cutting without protection and even then I might not.

The internet sword cost $50 and while it is not functional it looks like a sword which is more than can be said for the stainless steel things with spikes and barbs all over. I bought it merely for show and was not surprised by the pencil thin tang. (I included it for contrast). I was disappointed in the others since they were billed as "Battle ready". :evil:

Nathan

Some of those tangs are accidents waiting to happen...

I have a Valiant Armoury Agincourt (which is just an upper level CAS for those of you who don't know) An i have done very light cutting card board boxs, and a few 1/2 in. in diameter weeds, and so far i have only noticed a small loosenting of the handel, that is barly noticable, and may just be a figment of my imagination.

oh yeah most definitly, which is why i don't cut with it very often. The thing is like tree yeras old though, and from what i have heard, im surprised at how long it has survived. :)