[Ben Coomer]

So, my wife and I have been practicing WMA for a while with wooden wasters and finally circumstances are going to allow us to get some real swords. I am thinking an Albion Agincourt and my wife is trying to decide between the Constable and the Castellan. Lancelot Chan is currently constructing a pair of trainers based on those swords specs, but we still need something between the padded and the real for some exercises like pell work and bindings.

So, the question is should what should we get. I've gotten some good use out of homemade wooden wasters, but they do have some problems. So I am trying to decide if Hanwei Tinker's blunt bastard and longswords would be suitable or go with Swordcraft's aluminums. The prices would come in about the same, maybe a little cheaper for a munitions grade aluminum, so it really is a decision as to which suits our needs better.

Thanks in advance.

[Kel Rekuta]

Admittedly, I am biased toward the Swordcraft product as they were originally designed and produced to our specifications at AEMMA in Toronto. We've had a couple hundred pass through the salle since 2003. Never one broken, not one. My own longsword from the original batch is still in weekly use with no appreciable wear. Other people found an occasional dressing with a medium file takes out the inevitable dings.

I also have two Tinker Hanwei Practical LS. I doubt they would survive anywhere near as long in regular use but they do the job for light training. They are useful entry level steel blades for those that want the feeling of steel while learning plays. They don't seem to survive extensive bouting in our experience.

To be fair, you should at least look at the new Purpleheart nylon simulators. I suspect they might become a new standard at US - HEMA events, should you find opportunity to attend one.

[Roger Norling]

Here are a few reviews for you. More on the way. PurpleHearts which is based on my favourite the Penttis is up next, and then Arms&Armour and Peter Regenyei.

http://www.hroarr.com/articles/index.php