Hanwei bastard sword for cutting exercise -- myArmoury.com

Luka Borscak

http://www.casiberia.com/product_details.asp?id=SH2250

I'm interested in this sword for two handed cutting exercises but I would also like it to fit into certain period. The thing I would like to know is does the pommel and crossguard and the looks in general could fit into early 15th century (I'm interested in Polish - Lithuanian - Teutonic Great war, Hussite wars and 100 years war battles from Azincourt to Joan of Arc)? Pommel seems like Oakeshott type I or J, the cross like Oakeshott style 7 and the blade maybe XIIa? Please tell me if I'm wrong...

Ed Toton · Posted: Sun 14 Oct, 2007 8:56 am Post subject:

Have you had an opportunity to handle one, or have you only looked at the photographs?

I know this is outside your historical question, but I'm asking because you mentioned wanting to use it for cutting. It comes unsharpened (it does come to an edge though, it's not flat-edged). Also, I find it extremely blade-heavy (Point of Balance is about 9" from the guard), though you may prefer this for cutting, I'm not sure.

The website says the PoB is 8" from the guard, but I think they're measuring from the forward tips of the quillons, not the attachment point.

Just thought I'd mention it, since I have one sitting here. Happy

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

The shapes of the pommel and guard probably can fall into your period, though the funny-shaped ricasso on the blade is not very historical. A ricasso wouldn't be out of place for the period, but how it transitions to the fuller and the rest of the blade is unlike anything I've come across in historical weapons.

The ridges on the guard may be more appropriate for an earlier period sword than a 15th century one. It actually recalls the decoration on the guard of the Morosini Type XIV in the Met, which is achieved by wrapping silver strips around the guard.

Luka Borscak · Posted: Sun 14 Oct, 2007 12:50 pm Post subject:

Ed, I handled it and it is a bit blade heavy but it suits me regarding the purpose it will have. The one I handled and probably will buy was sharp enough altough it isn't sharpened specificaly...

Chad, thank you for answer, I'm satisfied with it because authencity is not my PRIMARY concern about it but it is good to know it is not far off...And if it is from earlier period, I wouldn't mind, I just wouldn't like it to be from the later period...

Luka Borscak · Posted: Sun 14 Oct, 2007 1:43 pm Post subject:

Ed, you said you have one, how it is with durability?

Ed Toton · Posted: Sun 14 Oct, 2007 8:09 pm Post subject:

Christopher Lee · Posted: Sun 14 Oct, 2007 9:05 pm Post subject:

I seem to recall a thread a fair while ago where someone took one of these apart and found that the pommel is actually hollow, hence the point of balance being so far out and it feeling blade heavy. I think that the tang seemed ok, but why on earth it was manufactured with a hollow pommel is a mystery to me.

Luka Borscak · Posted: Mon 15 Oct, 2007 6:42 am Post subject:

I went to the shop again to see it because the last time I handled it I didn't planned to buy it so I didn't study it carefully. I'm sure now that it is sharpened (by hand it seems) altough not very sharp. I found this article about the hollow pommel. It is strange but it isn't important to me because the balance like it is suits me for two handed cutting.
Thank you all for helping me decide.

Gary A. Chelette · Posted: Mon 15 Oct, 2007 8:03 am Post subject:

Almost looks like a Del Tin BS except for the blade.
Mine is a DT that was imported through MRL and it has a much different pommel.

http://www.deltin.net/5156.htm

Luka Borscak · Posted: Mon 15 Oct, 2007 12:14 pm Post subject:

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

Ed Toton · Posted: Mon 15 Oct, 2007 5:53 pm Post subject:

Luka Borscak · Posted: Tue 16 Oct, 2007 6:41 am Post subject:

Thank you both. At least a good blade it seems, if not very historical.

Luka Borscak · Posted: Sat 20 Oct, 2007 3:29 am Post subject:

Another option emerged, Hanwei Albrecht II hand and a half sword. It costs about 80USD more then Bastard and I don't know if its blade is any better or it is just a question of looks, historical appearence and better balance. The most important thing for me is good, strong blade with good heat treatment, flexible but not whipy... Is Albrecht superior to Bastard in that? There are few articles here that talk positively about Albrecht but no Albrecht vs Bastard discussions...

Luka Borscak · Posted: Sun 21 Oct, 2007 2:26 am Post subject:

Is there anybody who has or at least handled both of these swords? I wouldn't like to spend money for something not worth it...

Luka Borscak · Posted: Mon 22 Oct, 2007 6:22 am Post subject:

I researched a little about that bastard sword and I found that it is a strange combination but all of its parts goes into 14th century... (XIIa blade (let's say it's XIIa, ;-)), type 7 guard, type J pommel...) but the hilt that long shouldn't be in a combination with type 7 guard which is common with single handers, especialy type XIV... And of course that riccaso Chad mentioned...

Ed Toton · Posted: Mon 05 Nov, 2007 1:25 pm Post subject:

I figured I'd go ahead and post an update since I got a chance to cut pumpkins with this sword this past weekend--

It cuts pumpkins very well. Some very sharp but significantly lighter swords in my collection had a harder time of it. The mass of the Hanwei Bastard sword seems to win out over the fact that it's a thick blade and lacks a sharp edge. It was devastating to the pumpkins. I suspect it wouldn't fare as well against some other types of targets... for instance, the sword fodder targets seem to favor sharp blades over massive ones.

Luka Borscak · Posted: Tue 06 Nov, 2007 7:10 am Post subject:

Finally I decided for a bit more expensive and much earlier period Gen 2 12th century sword. I'm small (162cm) and it is a perfect two handed sword for me, it cuts anything I put in front of it and I realy like it in general, although that wide cross and steel rings on the hilt are not very nice estheticaly... And when I get some money I will also buy a nice, well balanced 14th/15th century longsword... I had 15th century longsword and Ulfberht from Windlass for cutting but they where both to flexible, Ulfberht's hilt components weren't very tight and I sold them both. Now I have just this Gen2 and two very cheap nameless blunt swords for sparring and I will definitely buy something nice and historical when my financial situation gets better...

Randall Moffett · Posted: Thu 08 Nov, 2007 5:09 am Post subject:

It looked like an interesting sword. I'd go with the hand and a half they make as I quite liked the weight and feel of it, the practical version is very nice though the points are pretty narrow so many groups do not allow them

RPM

Luka Borscak · Posted: Sat 17 Nov, 2007 10:00 am Post subject:

I bought Gen2 12th century sword, cut some branches with it and it bend (I know branches are not good for swords but I expected Gen2 to be durable enough for that). Fortunately, the guy in the store is very fair and he gave me my money back. Now I'm ordering Del Tin sword and I would appreciate a few advices...

My choise number 1 are DT 2142, 2146 and 5143. They are similar swords but I'm not sure are they the same period or not... Please date them so that I could chose the one wich would have more preferable date for me (and with these swords that would be second half of 13th century until the begining of 14th, earlier is better for me).
http://www.deltin.net/2142.htm
http://www.deltin.net/2146.htm
http://www.deltin.net/5143.htm

The second would be DT 5156. They say it's 15th century. Could it pass as last quater of 14th century? (Some interesting battles in Croatia I read about in 1386-1396 so... Wink

).
http://www.deltin.net/5156.htm

I would also like to know what is "Harm. bal." (English is my second language, I'm a Croat) on this B. Hellqvist page. http://bjorn.foxtail.nu/swords.htm

And of corse, I'm opened for suggestions (as long as they are Del Tin Happy

).

Sorry for bodering you but I wouldn't like to chose the wrong one as I don't have enough money for mistakes...