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Jason G. Smith
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 Posted: Thu 26 Jun, 2008 8:09 am Post subject: Hanwei Bastard Sword |
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I have a student who wants to buy himself a Hanwei Bastard sword for practicing WMA. I have concerns as to its suitability and durability for this purpose. I've advised him to wait and pick up one of the new Tinker models, but he's all gung-ho, so I'd like to solicit opinions here. Has anybody handled it/used it for WMA? The following link takes you to the item in question:
http://www.kuttersknives.com/scrItem.asp?prod...ypes_id=38
Thanks in advance.
Les Maîtres d'Armes
Member of the
Chivalric Fighting Arts Association
... above all, you should feel in your conscience that your quarrel is good and just. - Le Jeu de la Hache
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Bill Grandy
myArmoury Team
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| Posted: Thu 26 Jun, 2008 8:20 am Post subject: |
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For WMA work, I'd advise against it. For starters, the sword is a sharp, so he'd have to completely blunt it down. Even after that, it won't work as well as a purpose-built blunt (which I realize you probably already know). For that price, he can afford the practical hand and a half that Hanwei sells, if not the Tinker blunt.
Aside from that, the piece has a very strong blade presence. Not out of the realm of historical pieces, mind you, but far more than the typical modern practitioner is used to. I also have heard of quality control issues with the tang, but I don't have any first hand experience with that, as I only handled one once briefly.
HistoricalHandcrafts.com
-Inspired by History, Crafted by Hand
"For practice is better than artfulness. Your exercise can do well without artfulness, but artfulness is not much good without the exercise.” -anonymous 15th century fencing master, MS 3227a
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Jason G. Smith
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| Posted: Thu 26 Jun, 2008 9:03 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Bill, I wasn't aware it was sharpened. It's definitely a no-go in that regard. I have some lingering doubts as to the suitability of any of the current line of Hanwei swords for WMA. The hand and a half is a bit short, IMO, but still serviceable I suppose.
I've advised him to wait and get something more appropriate, but he's "highly motivated." 
Regards,
Les Maîtres d'Armes
Member of the
Chivalric Fighting Arts Association
... above all, you should feel in your conscience that your quarrel is good and just. - Le Jeu de la Hache
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B. Pogue
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Thu 26 Jun, 2008 11:50 am Post subject: |
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| Jason G. Smith wrote: | Thanks Bill, I wasn't aware it was sharpened. It's definitely a no-go in that regard. I have some lingering doubts as to the suitability of any of the current line of Hanwei swords for WMA. The hand and a half is a bit short, IMO, but still serviceable I suppose.
I've advised him to wait and get something more appropriate, but he's "highly motivated."
Regards, |
Hello Jason,
Here are the Tinker designed models built specifically for WMA practice we are coming out with:
Tinker Designed Line
If he can wait a month the Blunt Longsword trainer will be available and around $300 street price.
I should also mention the pommel issues Bill is referencing have been taken care of, the older version of the sword had a hollow pommel that didn't like to stay peened. Now they are solid and we haven't had any problems since (that I'm aware).
Blake
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Mike Arledge
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| Posted: Thu 26 Jun, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject: |
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Not to highjack the thread, but have the other Hanwei pieces like the Marshall also had the pommel issues fixed yet?
Mike J Arledge
The Dude Abides
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Ed Toton
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| Posted: Thu 26 Jun, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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We discussed this sword a bit in another thread a while back: http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...ei+bastard
To summarize my thoughts-- The one I have has a balance point 9" away from the guard, and feels horribly blade heavy. From what I understand, the pommel was hollow and could break loose easily as well. Since then, Hanwei redesigned the pommel, which also drew the balance back by several inches. I would guess that it's still a weighty feel, though much better than before.
The blade is technically a sharp, but it's not really sharpened either. A very dull "sharp" sword. It still manages to cut through pumpkins like butter.
-Ed T. Toton III
ed.toton.org | ModernChivalry.org
My armor photos on facebook
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Jason G. Smith
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| Posted: Thu 26 Jun, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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| B. Pogue wrote: |
Hello Jason,
Here are the Tinker designed models built specifically for WMA practice we are coming out with:
Tinker Designed Line
If he can wait a month the Blunt Longsword trainer will be available and around $300 street price.
I should also mention the pommel issues Bill is referencing have been taken care of, the older version of the sword had a hollow pommel that didn't like to stay peened. Now they are solid and we haven't had any problems since (that I'm aware).
Blake |
Thank you , Blake. If you'll note, that was my first recommendation for him - that he should wait and get the Tinker swords by Hanwei. In fact, I hope he does - he can be my Guinea pig, and if they're as nice as I think they will be, I'm getting a matched set...
Cheers,
Les Maîtres d'Armes
Member of the
Chivalric Fighting Arts Association
... above all, you should feel in your conscience that your quarrel is good and just. - Le Jeu de la Hache
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Jason G. Smith
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| Posted: Thu 26 Jun, 2008 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Ed Toton wrote: | We discussed this sword a bit in another thread a while back: http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...ei+bastard
To summarize my thoughts-- The one I have has a balance point 9" away from the guard, and feels horribly blade heavy. From what I understand, the pommel was hollow and could break loose easily as well. Since then, Hanwei redesigned the pommel, which also drew the balance back by several inches. I would guess that it's still a weighty feel, though much better than before.
The blade is technically a sharp, but it's not really sharpened either. A very dull "sharp" sword. It still manages to cut through pumpkins like butter. |
Thanks, Ed. I did a search and found those comments - I just didn't associate them with this sword! Go figger.
At any rate, pumpkin killer or not, it's not good for pairs practice or sparring! I'll ask him to wait for the Tinkers, or go for one of the A&A Spada di Zogho or an Albion trainer.
Regards,
Jason
Les Maîtres d'Armes
Member of the
Chivalric Fighting Arts Association
... above all, you should feel in your conscience that your quarrel is good and just. - Le Jeu de la Hache
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Bren O
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