on the G. Gedney Godwin small sword, how good is the steel? does anyone have one?

ive read all the reviews for the small swords, i feel the del tin would have the best "un-bendable" blade. i but ive never had an arms and armour sword either.

my cold steel sabre broke so i wont be getting another on of those.

tell me, Will the G. Gedney Godwin short sword live up to rigorous use? is it worth the money? should i buy one tommorrow?

thanks guys

Katie

We'd need to know what you mean by "short sword" to give much helpful advice. In general, I think it's a good idea to judge a reproduction blade by its documented historical appropriateness rather than by any subjective modern criteria (test-cutting of ahistorical targets, comparison to other reproductions, "feel", etc.).

It also bears repeating that the unbreakable sword exists only in the realm of fantasy. Any decent sword will withstand use appropriate to its design, but the finest sword ever made will break if pushed far enough beyond the parameters of its intended purpose. And, of course, that purpose will determine the degree to which the blade must be able to flex. A flexiblle, hatchet-point cutting blade such as that of the 1796 is a good thing. A flexible estoc is a bad thing.

Good lord Gentlemen! im not looking or meaning to refer to The "ultimate" unbendable sword.

im looking for something that with bend back true after tough use!!

Russ knows what i ment. is del tin the way to go for a small sword? does G. Gedney Godwin sword steel compare?

I bought a Godwin colichemarde in 2004. It was beautiful, but when I flexed it slightly, it stayed bent. It had the pliablility of a coat hanger. I sent it back, but sometimes I wonder if it was a fluke.

There is another supplier of historic clothing that offering smallswords made with fenceable blunts

Smiling Fox Forge

Here is a link to one of the swords they offer link

Cheers,

David Teague

When I purchased the Godwin smallsword quite a few years ago it was explicitly not warranted against breaking if actually used as a sword. Some years later I talked with someone who had used his for fencing with no problems. So I started using mine and although I haven't fenced extensively with it, it has held up fine. The blade is stiff but does return true and has not broken. As has been posted, this experience is not universal.

That said, my first choice for a reliable civilian smallsword is still Arms & Armor http://www.arms-n-armor.com/rapier069.html

Yes, it is pricey and uses a commercially produced third-party blade. But it is historically good and it works. If I had to choose a smallsword with which to defend myself it would be the A&A. Alternatives such as offered by Smiling Fox might well be a better choice for your budget, but I would at least look for a "musketeer" or "double-wide" blade rather than an epee blade.

JSA