Hi all,
Mike at Albion recommended me to ask on this forum regarding choice of swords. I am studying the German longsword (mainly Ringeck), and I need a sword that I can use for cutting practise and single drills. I was recommended the Brescia Spadona, but looking at the swords on Albion I am tempted to go for some cheaper alternatives (if I can). So what I want to know is if any of you have done some single drills and cutting with either the Brescia, Sempach or Regent, or preferably several of them so that you can compare. Which is the best cutter, and how do they handle when training with them? If you feel you can recomend me any other blade that I have not mentioned, I would appreciate it. In short I am looking for good handling, good cutting ability and a good thrust. I also want to keep the weight down and still have a long blade (I have a bad wrist and I am quite tall). Picky guy, hey? :)

So can you help me out?

Cheers,
Anders

I've handled and cut with the Bescia and the Regent.

Overall I find the Regent to be the superior sword. It's more decisive in the cut, and also follows the point better in a thrust. I also find it to be a more interesting sword visually.

The Brescia is a fine sword, but I find the Regent to be a step above it in handling and performance. I feel that it's better suited for the German schools of swordsmanship.

http://www.myArmoury.com/review_alb_reg.html

It certainly is a beautiful sword, thank you for you comments.

The Regent weighs slightly more than the Sempach and the CoG is a bit further from the cross, so I am guessing the Sempach would be a bit faster (if such things can be judged solely by those figures)? So has anyone cut with the Sempach?

Patrick Kelly wrote:

I've handled and cut with the Bescia and the Regent. Overall I find the Regent to be the superior sword. It's more decisive in the cut, and also follows the point better in a thrust. I also find it to be a more interesting sword visually. The Brescia is a fine sword, but I find the Regent to be a step above it in handling and performance. I feel that it's better suited for the German schools of swordsmanship. http://www.myArmoury.com/review_alb_reg.html

I haven't handled the Regent, so I can't say, but I will definately say the Sempach is excellent for German longsword. Without revealing too much, expect to see something on this site about it sometime soon...

I have the Regent and Landgraf.

The Landgraf and the Sempatch are the same blade with different funriture unless I am mistaken.

All are valid options for German work, IMO.

The Landgraf/Sempatch is light, fast, agile, and responsive. It cuts surpisingly well ( it is very narrow most of the length), is very quick between guards, and tracks true in the thrust. I met it in Atlanta and bought one while there; I r-e-a-l-l-y like it. Bottom line it is an excellent and completely surprising weapon that will probably work favorably with your wrist. The odd thing (to me) is that it just feels more natural when using this sword single handed or when half swording.

All that said, the Landgraf is not the sword that gets grabbed by everyone at ARMA events.

The Regent is the epitome of a bastard sword (from any number of German schools) according to every practictioner I've had play with it (perhaps a dozen). It packs power, authority, and presence into an attractive package; and thrusts scary staight and true. The only complaint ever voiced concerns the pommel. It can be uncomfortable when working through some moves. However, this most likely reflects lack of skill on the part of the practicioner (at least it does for me) since these pommels are well documented historically. I normally work with fig/scent stopper pommels on wasters and they are more hand friendly shapes (for me). As a bonus, the Regent packs bigger WOW factor at show and tell time if that matters to you.

Either option is valid and both are excellent weapons.

As for my experience and opinion, take both with a grain of salt. I am extremely early in the WMA learning process. I've found some interesting things so far in my short journey that have changed some of my preferences and perceptions. Don't know where you are at on the trail, but I suspect your preferences will change too.