Practical Vking Sword advice ... -- myArmoury.com

Rob Stanford · Posted: Thu 16 Jan, 2014 2:49 pm Post subject: sword

if you do end up wanting to try the deepeka, go through these guys as they are already in Australia - http://www.esford.com/armourymedieval.viking.celtic.htm and not bad on price.

I got a couple from them and like them - I have started to sharpen to do some test cutting and the steel seems good. Also the scabbard is pretty damn good in my opinion (for the price), I may end up using them with some more expensive swords!

Johan Gemvik · Posted: Sun 19 Jan, 2014 12:52 pm Post subject:

I only have experience with bare sharp Tinker line blades, not the blunts.
My Sharps are a few years old now, used for a ton of light and heavy cutting, some very heavy cutting even and still hold up very nicely and keep a keen edge.
I've seen on this forum and heard that some of the medieval tinker swords with threaded pommel break at the thread due to it retaining temper and not being properly soft as well as the sharp cut thread (as on any threaded tang) becoming an obvious stress point where cracks can start to grow, but I've never head of the fully peened viking model doing the same.

So maybe it's ok for this use? I'd expect them to at least outperform the other blades mentioned so far on the therad.

If nothing else you could buy some bare blunt type X tinker line blades to make into simple gaddhjalt viking swords that you peen yurself to be sure of the assembly. If you're worried about the tang breaking you can heat it to remove any accidental temper on it to be sure it's not brittle.

Those blades are not made with a safe edge though but simply not Sharp. The tip is rounded not ot be directly lethal, meant for controlled HEMA use and to feel more like a live blade, but not meant for live steel/ reenactment battle.
Come to Think of it I probably need to get two of those for just that puropse. Bare blades or complete swords, depends on how much spare time I have available. I'd use them for safe cutting instruction to beginners and pre-live training.

Johan Gemvik · Posted: Sun 19 Jan, 2014 1:12 pm Post subject:

Never mind, I just saw that Kult of Athena no longer stocks the Hanwei Tinker bare blades, nor the blunt viking. Perhaps these aren't on the market anymore at all.

Ron Reimer · Posted: Mon 20 Jan, 2014 2:06 am Post subject:

Here's some links to places in Oz that carry serviceable blades.
http://www.warsword.com.au/
http://www.medieval-fightclub.com/
http://www.esford.com/
I've got swords from all 3 and they are (IMHO) reputable dealers . I wouldn't discount the Hanwei practical line of swords, the quality and durability is very good, . The group I'm a member of has used the medieval ones for quiet a few years with very little problems.

S White · Posted: Mon 20 Jan, 2014 4:22 am Post subject:

Ron Reimer · Posted: Tue 21 Jan, 2014 1:29 am Post subject:

The group I'm a member of (The Companie of Knights Bachelor), has been using quite a few Practical Single-Hand Swords for many years.I have been using the Practical Bastard and the Practical Hand and a Half as well for several years with no problems quality wise. They seem to be a very popular base model sword here in Queensland with metal weapon re-enactors.If you look at photos from the Abbey Medieval Festival and History Alive you'll see a great many Hanwei's being used .

S White · Posted: Tue 21 Jan, 2014 5:04 pm Post subject:

Well after long consideration and research, I have opted to try the Hanwei Practical Viking Sword which came in well below my $300 budget requirement for students - James at Warsword in Brisbane was excellent to deal with and we had a long chat about HEMA and various manufacturers and their sharps vs blunts. Based on the contact so far I would highly recommend Warsword to any fellow Aussies looking for a solid dealer. I will be testing these out and will report my findings in due season. A big thank you to everyone who pitched in with suggestions ...

Hael Faith, Hael Folk, Hael Family ... Hael the Gods!

Soren.