Hey Gents. This is my first post here.

ive searched through the site regaurding "the toughest" most abusable blades and sword makers. Any recomendations?

thanks

In my experience Lutels are good tough swords that can take some good abuse. I have heard good things about Armor Class also. I also have an Albion Lichtenaur that has held up to some pretty good use, though it take a pretty good divot out of the blade when fighting in armor combat once (hit wrong on vertical protrusion on the other guy's shoulder).

I also have heard good things about the Towton from Museum Replica's too, though I don't think that is in production any more, I may be in error though.

The new Tinker swords at Hanwei are pretty good, but I wouldn't fight with them in Armor. For drills and use outside of armor though I think they are my preference now for cost/value.

Hope this helps,

Bryce

Jon, I guess it depends on what "abusable" means to you, but I've seen the guys at Badger Blades at the Ohio Renaissance Faire take one of their "swords" and chop up a concrete block, then bash up a cheap made-in-China sword, and then demonstrate there was no damage done to their sword, edge included. Badger Blades are certainly NOT historical, well-balanced, or meant for real historical sword fighting, but I have to admit, they're really tough! Are they swords in the traditional sense of the word? Well, no, but perhaps they are sword-shaped objects of a martial nature. Even so, I won't be trading any of my Albions, A & A's or Del Tins on one of them. ;) You asked!

Cheers,

Chris

not historical but tough :eek: http://www.angelsword.com/

Guy in a group I re-enact with has an armour class, and after a year of twice monthly training with the group, his sword is unmarked. Our non armour class blades all dinged to hell, so I can attest to the abusability of at least the armour class longsword.

I have had good experiences with Gen2 swords as far as toughness goes. They are not the most aesthetically pleasing, but they can take some damage!

Nobody came up with Darksword yet??? ;) http://www.darksword-armory.com/

Angus Trim: http://www.christianfletcher.com/Christian_Fletcher/Welcome.html

(Not that I'm recommending "abuse", but, if you want performance, there you go.)

Now, if you want something to abuse, something cheap but tough, I'd recommend a Machete. No, seriously. A decent machete is much less expensive than a sword and can take a lot more abuse (it's intended as a tool, for gosh sakes). And if you ruin it, you're not out much, just go get another one.

Starfire swords are still being made, aren't they? Not sure I'd call them swords, but they are very abusable.

Recently I recommend a Hanwei to a friend for his son (sixteen), as a good starter weapon, but I was surprised: the tang snapped after some days...

I buyed a machete like David recommended: it has a year of use and abuse, and only to nicks in the entire blade (courtesy of some extra-pricey swords in the battle of the Castelgrande of Bellinzona).

In addition to the above comments about handling penalties, making the sword thicker than historical counterparts will introduce more drag or friction into test cutting experiences. Many of the classic reproduction models have a solid reputation as "thin" and historically agile that are plenty durable enough for the types of medium to light targets most of us actually subject our replicas to. In historical use against armour these would not remain as new, just as historical blades were commented as becoming "saw toothed" or nicked up in actual battles.

Realistically, the best implements for deliberately beating on armour, wood shields, etc would be; hammers, various clubs and axes, or less costly pole arms and spears.

Paul Binns. I have tried to beat the heck out of it and have not even scratched it.

WOW you guys are well versed in swords on this site. im impressed!!

thanks for all you recommendations. im going to look up Armour class and Badger blades.. ive heard good things about Darksword.. does anyone own one, that could recommend them for sure?


ive had Albions bend on me and Angus trims swords outright break on me. so im gonna avoid them in the future!

Thanks

I read these posts and am truly astonished by the level of ignorance that exists here.Why would you take any instrument and abuse it in a manner it was not meant to be used as a test to its quality. Would you tow a scrap iron trailor with your exotic sports car? Would you hold your best rifle by the barrel and swing the stock against rocks? Do you often use your best chef's knife as a cement trowel? The people that wright and contribute to these posts should limit themselves to large stones and dead wood branches as their istruments or tools of choice. The ancients cared for their weapons and used them for their intended purpose because it was truly a matter of life or death.

Have fun trying to find a sword that will slice through stone walls, cleve the roofs of cars or cut down oaks in a single blow.