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Gregory J. Liebau




Location: Dinuba, CA
Joined: 27 Nov 2004

Posts: 669

PostPosted: Tue 15 Dec, 2015 8:21 am    Post subject: Del Tins for WMA/Live Steel Combat?         Reply with quote

Hello folks,

I may have an opportunity to participate in some WMA classes in upcoming months with a group of dedicated students, some of whom are friends and reenactors as well. Without the need to get into other brands, would anyone with experience using Del Tin swords in live combat settings be interested in sharing their thoughts? Is the quality up to par, are the swords serviceable, etc? There are a number of potential candidates in the Del Tin line that I would pick up if this proves to be the case, and am eager to know if they can withstand the rigors of use.

Cheers!

-Gregory
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Jeffrey Faulk




Location: Georgia
Joined: 01 Jan 2011

Posts: 578

PostPosted: Tue 15 Dec, 2015 10:16 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I believe that is a 'no'.

Del Tin edges, while not sharp, are still too narrow for safe use in WMA. You could cut pumpkins and milk jugs with them without sharpening them if your form is good.

I would strongly recommend looking up some of the Hanwei Tinker blunt swords, or other manufacturers' swords created specifically for WMA. Their edges are thicker and blunter, and therefore much safer.
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Roger Hooper




Location: Northern California
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Likes: 1 page

Spotlight topics: 4
Posts: 4,393

PostPosted: Tue 15 Dec, 2015 3:02 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

People in Europe do use them, but as mentioned above, the blades are unsharp, not blunt. they would nick up pretty extensively. Del Tin hilts used to be a little unreliable - the wood in the grips was suspect and would sometimes split. Abion used to have a service where they would rehilt Del Tins with their own stabalized birch grips. I don't know if Del Tin ever addressed this problem.

(I know you don't want to hear about other brands , but get an Albion Maestro)
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T. Kew




Location: London, UK
Joined: 21 Apr 2012

Posts: 256

PostPosted: Wed 16 Dec, 2015 12:14 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

The basic answer is to consult your group. Different groups have different approaches to safety, and I've crossed swords with clubs that use Del Tins. Nearly lost an eye, mind you, but that was because they also didn't wear masks.

Having said that, I wouldn't choose to use one, and would never recommend someone in my group picked one up as a training weapon. Personally, I think they're hopelessly unsafe without extensive modification.

Your best options are federschwerts - various people make quite good ones (don't get the Hanwei), and they're designed to be reasonably accurate to a real sword and much safer.

However, ask the group. If they're a bit daft, then a Del Tin might make a good option.

HEMA fencer and coach, New Cross Historical Fencing
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Gregory J. Liebau




Location: Dinuba, CA
Joined: 27 Nov 2004

Posts: 669

PostPosted: Wed 16 Dec, 2015 9:40 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Thanks for the responses guys! I'll put that option out of mind for the time being. I'll look into some of the other respectable makers forthwith. Cheers!

-Gregory
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Roger Hooper




Location: Northern California
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Likes: 1 page

Spotlight topics: 4
Posts: 4,393

PostPosted: Wed 16 Dec, 2015 10:26 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

If you want to go with a feder, --

Regenyeis are very popular - https://www.facebook.com/HEMASupplies Facebook page

Also the ones that A&A makes - http://www.arms-n-armor.com/training.html
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Olov Tidemalm





Joined: 11 Jul 2008

Posts: 56

PostPosted: Wed 16 Dec, 2015 12:48 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Ensifer makes nice feders as well.
https://ensifer.carbonmade.com
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