I have been out of the sword world for about 10 years, sold most of my nice ones I used to own (a couple of atrims) long ago but lately I have been getting the itch for a sword or two. I was wondering if I could get some recommendations on production swords for use in backyard cutting applications.

Types I am interested in:

XIV one handers, never had any of these

Viking swords, I have not owned a good one so far.

Wide bladed sabres, hungarian sabres, 1796, some dragoon swords and so on. Used to own the cs 1796 liked it but it was over weight.

Messers and falchions, used to have the cs grosse messer but it was a little lacking.

Price range is about $350.00 which I know is quite limiting. Main considerations are handling and durability, not so much on cosmetics.

The best inexpensive XIV that I am aware of is the Windlass. I have not seen another at such a great price and handles very well...

http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=500972

Here are a couple of reviews:

http://www.myArmoury.com/review_ws_typeiv.html

http://sbgswordforum.proboards.com/thread/678...ming-sword

I have been looking at that one a bit, very similar to the factory x Dracula sword people raved about. Thanks for the link

Just got the Windlass Type XIV. It is really good for its price.

Only good Viking in that price range is Hanwei Tinker Viking... But it's rare to see one in stock these days...
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...+%2D+Sharp
The next best thing IMHO is the Windlass Leuterit: http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...king+Sword
A surprisingly good sword for the price although fittings are not the best representation of the original ones...

Luka I'm not so sure I would go along with the assessment that the only good viking offering in that price range is the HT Viking or the Leuterit....... I believe there are others to consider, - Legacy Arms (Gen 2) Witham might be one, especially considering the OP stated main considerations.

good offerings so far, thanks. I think I will focus on either 1796 again or the hanwei viking sword. But has anyone handled the windlass american revolutionary saber?

Windlass Ulfberht is a good handling sword. It suffers a bit in some of the details. The fake inlay, the chunky cross and the incorrect diamond cross section at the tip could be turn off. I have one and like it. For the price it's tough to beat. I removed the diamond tip on mind because that really bugged me.

Before


After

As far as Viking models go, I also recommend the H/T Viking....if you can find one. Other than that, I own the Hanwei Cawood Viking.....I love it. It handles great, and it's a cutter right out of the box. Light, fast, and very sharp.....or, at least, mine was. A bit of vegetable oil on the grip and scabbard goes a long way to cutting down the 'orange' leather to a more brownish hue. Fantastic sword...Get one...You'll like it!.......... :D ............McM

That's a nice modification Brian, like it. I've been trying to find something like that as well, the distinctive tips they just seem to pass makers by. Looking forward to modding the Del Tin and Hanwei ones I've bought.

KOA is a great place to find and buy, but the data they post about items isn't always accurate. Or perhaps the swords themselves aren't consistent. I have a Legacy Arms Witham (from KOA incidently) that varies from the posted stats fairly significantly. The grip is 4 1/4" rather than 3 3/4", the weight is 3.25 lbs rather than 4 lbs, and while I have not measured the distal taper it appears to the eye to be perhaps 2mm. That of course is a guess sighting down the edge.
Its a great backyard cutter that cannot be hurt, to the best of my knowledge. It is not an historically accurate representation, but it does have a form that is pleasing to my eye. Some of the other models others have mentioned are also appealing to me, but rather than increase the number of examples I have at lower price points I've decided to look more toward the other end of the market, targeting a smaller number of more historically accurate reproductions.

Legacy Arms and Windlass swords can vary quite considerably even within the same model. As such any given specs should be taken as only a general guideline; individual reviews should be sought if possible.

It's quite possible to take the CS 1796 LCS and grind it down to a more historically accurate weight, however the balance will never be quite right because the blade just doesn't have enough meat in the tang and lower part of the blade. This means that it'll always be a little more blade-heavy than an original. I've handled a re-ground CS and an original; the CS was Indian standard 3/16" thickness steel, the original was 1/4" or a hair thicker.

You could perhaps offset this by adding weight to the grip area in some way (lead plugs in the wood grip core?), but ultimately it's still an adequate chopper/slicer and re-grinding the blade to give it a better distal taper can only help it.

Well I think I want the tinker viking, though most seem not to have it in stock. exhttp://www.swordsofmight.com/hanweitinkerpearce9thcenturyvikingsword.aspx
and
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...+%2D+Sharp