Hello folks,

I may have an opportunity to participate in some WMA classes in upcoming months with a group of dedicated students, some of whom are friends and reenactors as well. Without the need to get into other brands, would anyone with experience using Del Tin swords in live combat settings be interested in sharing their thoughts? Is the quality up to par, are the swords serviceable, etc? There are a number of potential candidates in the Del Tin line that I would pick up if this proves to be the case, and am eager to know if they can withstand the rigors of use.

Cheers!

-Gregory

I believe that is a 'no'.

Del Tin edges, while not sharp, are still too narrow for safe use in WMA. You could cut pumpkins and milk jugs with them without sharpening them if your form is good.

I would strongly recommend looking up some of the Hanwei Tinker blunt swords, or other manufacturers' swords created specifically for WMA. Their edges are thicker and blunter, and therefore much safer.

People in Europe do use them, but as mentioned above, the blades are unsharp, not blunt. they would nick up pretty extensively. Del Tin hilts used to be a little unreliable - the wood in the grips was suspect and would sometimes split. Abion used to have a service where they would rehilt Del Tins with their own stabalized birch grips. I don't know if Del Tin ever addressed this problem.

(I know you don't want to hear about other brands , but get an Albion Maestro)

The basic answer is to consult your group. Different groups have different approaches to safety, and I've crossed swords with clubs that use Del Tins. Nearly lost an eye, mind you, but that was because they also didn't wear masks.

Having said that, I wouldn't choose to use one, and would never recommend someone in my group picked one up as a training weapon. Personally, I think they're hopelessly unsafe without extensive modification.

Your best options are federschwerts - various people make quite good ones (don't get the Hanwei), and they're designed to be reasonably accurate to a real sword and much safer.

However, ask the group. If they're a bit daft, then a Del Tin might make a good option.

Thanks for the responses guys! I'll put that option out of mind for the time being. I'll look into some of the other respectable makers forthwith. Cheers!

-Gregory

If you want to go with a feder, --

Regenyeis are very popular - https://www.facebook.com/HEMASupplies Facebook page

Also the ones that A&A makes - http://www.arms-n-armor.com/training.html

Ensifer makes nice feders as well.
https://ensifer.carbonmade.com