[M. Eversberg II]

Are they any good at what they do? By this I mean, are their wasters worth the 50-80 dollars they sell for? Or are they still at the level of the cheaper ones? I've heard a few good things about them, but none of the people speaking spoke from owning one, only from using a product of theirs for a short time.

M

[Joshua Reptsik]

I like them. They're a bit hefty and blade heavy in comparison to a real well made, well balanced sword. What make them good is their durability. Mine about two years old and has put up with three time a week training routine. I'm satisfied.

[Ed Toton]

Do you mean "Purple Heart Armoury"? I'm pretty pleased with mine. I'll agree that it's a little heavy in feel. It definitely has more heft than my MRL wasters, but clearly is a lot more durable as well.

I split one of the MRL models right down the grip and had a second one coming loose at the pommel in a surprisingly short time. I haven't had the Purple Heart model as long yet, but it's taking it's beatings quite admirably so far.

[Bill Grandy]

I'll echo what's said above. I have three, and while I primarily use steel these days, my wasters get loaned out to students a lot. I bought them about five years ago, I think, and as long as I keep them sanded and oiled, I've never had any problems with them.

[Mikko Kuusirati]

I own Purpleheart Armoury's longsword, sword and buckler. With some sanding and oil, all have stood up very well to more or less regular use, not to mention the climate (I live in a coastal city in Finland).

They're blade-heavy, compared to real swords, but making the blades thinner would make them almost as dangerous as live steel, so that's not really much of a criticism: IME, wooden wasters just don't come much better than this.

[Michael Eging]

I have a few Purple Hearts as well. I find them pretty solid, if a bit bladey. I like their purple heart rondel as well. However, mine took a while to be delivered and one of my hand and a half's fairly quickly developed a bow in it.

However, I have to say, while I use mainly steel lately as well, I simply love my Raven Studios wasters.

http://www.little-raven.com/

I have a hand and a half, as well as an arming sword. They are incredible -- well balanced -- and tough. Also, the wood they use is simply gorgeous. I got teary-eyed when I scuffed it the first time.

Raven Studios also has terrific customer service, from my experience.

Mike

[Jeremy G]

Purpleheart wasters are good tools...most of my class has them. I'm the only one that doesn't. I have New Striling Arms wasters which I think feel a little more like a real sword than the purplehearts. Either way, none really feel like steel, but definitely good training tools. We will be switching to aluminum soon, but we will still use the wood depending on what we're doing. Anyway, I don't think you can go wrong with the purplehearts. They're tough, and balanced well, plus they have a really good warranty.

[David Martin]

I have ordered a couple hickory staves and a Rudis from Purpleheart Armory. I found Christian and Natasha Darce' to be wonderful to work with and committed to delivering a quality product. I will definitely purchase additional items from them in the future.

[Matthew Miller]

I have used purple heart for all of my time studying the longsword and single handed sword. I love them immensely, but I would wait to order one until their padded wasters are available again.

[M. Eversberg II]

I'm thinking I like Little Raven's more than the others.

M.

[Michael Eging]

I have both and have used the New Sterling wasters. The Raven Studios are elegant, sturdy, and feel lively in the hand. The Purple Heart's are solid, blade heavy and take a lot of abuse.

My opinion -- I love my Raven Studios wasters. I loan the Purple Hearts....

Mike