[J. Erb]

Hello. I've been haunting this most excellent site since discovering it some months ago. What a relief to find an intelligent group of people who are as crazy about old weaponry and tactics as me!

I am in the market for a reproduction sword, and was wondering if anyone had any advice on the matter. I'm looking for a quality one-handed weapon that's light and small enough for a wimpy fencer like me, but could also stand up well to serious use. (I was thinking of a heavier smallsword or a side sword for starters.) I am also on a fairly tight budget!

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd appreciate hearing them.

Thanks!

[Robin Smith]

Please define "serious use"... That will help alot in directing you to the sword you need...

[J. Erb]

I am looking into getting involved with a historical swordplay group, so the weapon would have to be able to stand up against other blades. Besides that, I admit that I'm the kind of nutter who'll be running the backyard attacking the shrubbery and secretly pretending I'm Zorro! Basically, though, I'm trying to find a fully functional sword, not a decorative piece to be hung on the wall.

Thanks!

[Russ Ellis]

If it's a small sword you want you might try this one:



or this one



From Arms and Armor.

If it's a sidesword you might try this one:



Also from Arms and Armor.

www.arms-n-armor.com

[J. Erb]

Ah, Arms and Armor. I've spent more time than I care to admit salivating over the pieces they offer, but at this point I'm leery of their price tags. I'm heading off to college in the Fall, so I'm trying to stretch my limited funds as far as possible. Arms and Armor's work is, I'm afraid, out of my league for the moment.

Finances aside, I'm leaning towards a slightly more robust blade. I love smallswords, but I think I'd prefer something that could both cut and thrust (without being too heavy or sacrificing agility). I suppose I'm looking for something versatile and relatively well-balanced in terms of its abilities -- and, as an afterthought, a decent guard. I do so hate getting nicked on the hand.

Thanks!

[Bill Grandy]

Keep in mind that if you're after something for practice with other partners, you need to follow a different set of criteria than if you want a sword that is realistic. For starters, a practice sword needs to be blunt.

There are a couple of routes you might try.

First, you might want to find a historical swordsmanship group first. From there you can start figuring out what kind of equipment is necessary (it won't do you any good to purchase a practice rapier and then join a longsword group, for instance... nor will it do you any good to buy a steel practice weapon and join a group that only uses aluminum blades, etc.)

If your ultimate goal is to own a sword, and then you plan on doing swordsmanship at a later date, you might consider looking at inexpensive options, such as Museum Replicas. Purchase something that suits your taste just to get a sense of what such a sword may or may not be like. If you don't like it, either return it, or keep it a while and sell it on the marketplace here to fund another sword. This is not necessarily the best option, but at least it will allow you to handle reasonable replica swords before deciding what type of historical swordsmanship you want to practice. Swords such as these are not the most ideal for fencing against a partner, but if left unsharpened they can be used within certain limits.

Or you can do some more research on what types of swords are out there (the photo albums on this site are a fantastic resource, and there are also the hands on reviews here). Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the various styles, and get a broad sense of how certain styles differ from others. While you are doing this research, start saving your pennies so that you can eventually decide what's right for you and purchase it.

As for a light one handed weapon that can be used for cutting and thrusting, you should look into duelling sabers of the 19th century. Many of these are very light weight and incredibly quick, and they do have the hand protection you like.

[Vadim Palshin]

A 19th century duelling saber would indeed fit the specs. Incidentally that is what I am looking for as well. Are there any good (functional, sharp) replicas or do you have to find an original? And what would be a typical price tag for an original? I probably would not feel right anyway beating up a historical sword, but if they are not terribly expensive... Any advice?
Vadim.

[Robin Smith]

This isn't my period (I do 11th C. Norman), but might I suggest Darkwood Armory. However, any sword sharp enough for backyard cutting is going to be too sharp for sparring with a partner... You are either going to need a sword for each, or decide which you will be doing more often...

[J. Erb]

I shall have to investigate the duelling sabers, then.

Regarding the functional vs. blunt matter: I belatedly realize that I didn't explain very well. Rest assured, I never planned to practice on partners with a sharp blade! Given financial (and logistical) constraints, I'll likely be pursuing a less expensive functional sword to terrorize my backyard with, for the immediate future; I'll be looking into appropriate historical groups when I've a bit more open time, and capital.

Many thanks for the commentary!