Hello Everybody,

...Well, if this was a radio show I'd be saying, "long time listener, first time caller".

Anyway, I've been searching for the right sword for me for several years now, but have not had much luck. Truth be told the only way to get the "perfect" sword would be to make it myself. Which wouldn't be that difficult seeing as I've got a knife shop at my disposal. But...

I feel like being lazy. Plus I don't have a large enough kiln to properly heat treat a sword, at the moment.

So I have resigned myself to buying one, for the time being. And, I've gotta tell you, I need all the help I can get, so any help I can get, so any help would be appreciated.

Sword Preferences:

I- Above all it should be functional

2- it should be on the smaller/lighter side; I not a big guy at 5'7" and 155#

3- Cut and thrust capabilities

4- complex hilt; be it sabre, cutlass, basket, sciavona, etc.

Any ideas would really help me out.
Thanks All

Take a look at www.armourclass.com

Thanks Roger. Very cool site, haven't seen any of their stuff before.

Unfortunately it seems they only sell blunts. If they sold sharps, I would be really tempted.

Oh, cool.

I guess I a bit absent minded sometimes.

Does anyone have any experience with them? What kind of company are they? How well does their product hold up to use?

They actually seem to have some stuff in my budget range as well (250US 126UK)

God, I hate how low the USdollar is these days.

Armour Class.....top notch stuff in my book. It's a shame they don't get alot of recognition over here. Lots of UK re-enactment groups use their wares.
check out the review of my Mortuary hilt from them....located in the review section of this site.

It's the prize of my collection.....(said it many times)...I love seeing the look of everyone's face when they pick it up
for the first time.....and hear "Wow".....

Cheers,


Bill

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Very nice. A bit out of my price range though.

Man, that diamond basket hilt is really beautiful. Wish I had an extra grand on hand.

Does anyone know where I can gett a good quality bare blade. I might like to try my hand at handling and making a hilt.

Mr. Goodwin - how tight is that AC Mortuary hilt on your hand? I have a Hanwei practical Mortuary, and the hilt opening is so narrow that I can't wield it with a hammer grip, but must hold it like a rapier.

Roger...don't call me Mr. ...I feel old enough as it is..:)


For me....it's almost perfect.....I can wear a leather gauntlet with ease, very comfortable & roomy.

I too have a Hanwei mortuary (sharp version)-(yet another review to be found on this site)...it's a wee bit small but not totally hindering.


The basket on my Hanwei Cromwell mortuary is rather roomy too but not hideously large.

I don't have large hands ...just long fingers......


Billiam

A couple of suggestions:

http://www.arms-n-armor.com/sword192.html A & A Town guard sword

http://www.arms-n-armor.com/rapier164.html Cavaliere rapier

Cut and thrust, complex hilt, medium sized.

Since period wasn't mentioned my suggestions are fairly arbitrary being a couple that I like.

Thanks Jean,

Their both beautiful. And the town guard sword would definitely work...If I had 700 bucks.

Unfortunately, as I stated earlier, my budget is only about 250US.

My goal with the complex hilt is hand protection...and maybe an inadvertant pair of knuckle dusters. :p

IDK. It's hard to be satisfied, when you're a dedicated nit-picker like me.

I love how a schiavona handles. Cut and thrust, good protection, and heavy enough to be used against something other than a guy dancing around with a rapier. :D

Might want to look into them.

Actually, I've always liked sciavonas. My main concern is I've never handled one.

Weight, balance, ect.???
Any insight would be quite appreciated.

Also, I have relatively small, long fingered hands. So I don't know how what sized gaurd would work for me.

We have reviews of two Armour Class swords on our Reviews page. There are also three of their swords featured throughout the Collection Galleries on this site. :)

The hanwei mortuary sword seems like it might not have enough width, blade-wise, to be an effective cutter. I could be wrong.
IDK

Sword Preferences:

I- Above all it should be functional

2- it should be on the smaller/lighter side; I not a big guy at 5'7" and 155#

3- Cut and thrust capabilities

4- complex hilt; be it sabre, cutlass, basket, sciavona, etc.

-----------------------------------------------
I'm a bit of a novice to the complex realm of swords/medievalism, but I'll throw in my 2 cents to try and help out.

One of my personal favorite swords of all time is the Edward III sword. This is usually a pricier sword, (at least for me), but if you do some price shopping, you can find one that is under $250.

One such place is: http://www.kultofathena.com/product~item~PC20...+Sword.htm

You know? I've thought about it, and I've realized that in all of the arts I've practiced, I've never really used an emphasis on thrust. I've alway used slashing techniques, and they haven't let me down. So I've decinded on a saber or cutlass. If anyone knows of one of decent quality, I would appreciate the help. Does anyone have any experience with the cold steel line?

Thanks all.