Hheheh guess I'm too long winded right? :P

If you decide to give your sword some exercise (which is good), just take care not to over stretch yourself if you are not used to doing this and dun hit the ground with ur sword (I see this from many of my customers).

Once you've played with your sword in motion, believe me, there'll be a new link established between you and it. It's like the difference of looking at a beautiful woman and asking the woman do dance with you.

Steve Grisetti wrote:

Lancelot Chan wrote: The first exclusive myArmoury review for Brescia Spadons dry handling (hhahah sounds so grand... in fact I'm just back from my first official solo drill with the sword and my hands are still shaking). Lance - I am tired after just reading your review! So far, I have simply 'exhibited' my swords, but you have me thinking that they could use some exercise, just as much as I can (and I need a lot).

Yes Bill, I think it's my style that caused the problem. As mentioned, my previous sword is a very short long sword so I had to let my sword extend to the extreme in order to compensate the disadvantage of reach during combat, by employing a handshake grip and level the sword so that it lined up with my forearm. Doing so with the old sword doesn't cause a problem except when I wear long sleeve clothes. The pommel sometimes get stuck in the sleeve. :P

In this new sword case, the huge pommel hit my forearm when I level the sword.

So you're right, I'm planning on either changing the style because my sword is now 1 inch + longer than my previous one in the blade length, and have a huge guard that can prevent me from getting counter-attacked during a swing, thus the need to level the sword has decreased, or just put on an archer guard. Both solutions are valid in my opinion. :)

Will let you know more when I get to cut with it.

In reference to cutting with this sword: I had the opportunity to cut with the prototype. I was suitably impressed by this sword's performance on a softer cutting medium. In fact, this sword is the one that caused me to re-evaluate the more accutely pointed blade shapes that I'd never cared for previously.

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

I posted a first practice drill review on this thread as a follow up. Just be reminded that I'm an Asian guy with rheumatoid arthritis who got used to some lighter sword so your experience may vary. I've been in contact with someone who has the Svante and he thought Brescia was overly light. So I think the physical build of the wielder makes a big difference. :)

Jeanry Chandler wrote:

Lancelot Chan wrote: It's here!!!! MUHAHHAHAH.... http://www.rsw.com.hk/brescia-review.htm Lance, congratulations on getting that Brescia Spadona! I've yet to even get my first sharp (hve a couple of really cheap blunts only) I have long been fascinated by the orignal sword that one is based on, the one in italy. It seemed like this one is a bit heavier. I cant wait to hear how it handles in drill, and test cutting if you do any! All in all, I am really jealous, it's a beautiful sword. You diserve it though from all your effort with your excellent real sparring weapons. Jeanry

It was in the deep in the night, 1:30am. I just finished the 5th drill done with the sword. This time, I used a pair of driving gloves that featured no leather on the back and on the fingers, yet thick in the palm. I found it perfect for me to retain my gripping power and blade alignment, yet protected my hands from the mace-like pommel. It virtually let me having all my controls back. Also, the 4 drill sessions beforehand have built up my body enough to swing this sword around with ok speed and accuracy. So I was itching to see how it would actually cut.

It's not an official test cut report because it was deep at night and I couldn't take action shots/videos. Moreover, some friends left some water bottles at home and I also have 2 empty sword boxes. So I set up the boxes vertically and put the water-filled bottles on top of it, taking a roll of tissue and think: Heck, maybe I can try ... just a bit of cutting before the official review.

After the setup, I took a deep breath and aim, swing~!

"DING!" a very tiny vibration transmitted from the tip of the sword.

The bottle didn't move, no spilling, in fact I couldn't see anything happening at all.

"Did I just hit the ground with the expensive sword?" I thought to myself, taking up the blade to examine. No water dots on it, but the tip seemed to be unscratched and I believe in my skill as well.

Then my girlfriend pointed to the bottle, "Look! The cap is gone!"

We took a closer look, both stared at each other's eyes after learning that the sword had just gone through the target as if a lightsaber! The wasn't even any visible driplets of water left on the blade. Think about the sharpness!

I couldn't believe that, and took aim for a bigger cut. Ding again... this time I saw the upper half of the bottle falling off, water spilled, but the bottom half remained stable and in fact, didn't move at all. I look at the blade again. No big water droplets!!!

We changed the target and did it again. It took the cap off again.

Then we packed up, cleaned the sword with tissue and there was not any wetness on it. We tried hard to find the remains in the darkness and here are the results:

[ Linked Image ]
[ Linked Image ]
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I can only say I'm very very impressed by the sword now... DEEPLY AND VERY IMPRESSED! (I'm gonna post it on my own website)

When you get a chance try cutting some heavier targets. You'll be even more impressed.

You're absolutely right! This is the final addition to the series of the sword review, and this sword again impressed me highly. A video is worth thousands words. I test cut two handed cuts at head height, shoulder height, true edge and false edge. Also did cutting with single handed leg height as I often do in sparring. This sword makes all my techniques as deadly as possible.

If you want to see a PJ/Albion museum line sword in action against flesh and bone, this is for you.

[ Linked Image ]
http://www.rsw.com.hk/brescia-test-cut.zip

Patrick Kelly wrote:

When you get a chance try cutting some heavier targets. You'll be even more impressed.

Hey Lance!


That's strange because I heard a rumor that Albion swords don't cut as well as some of their compettitors :lol: :lol: :lol:


I'm really looking forward to test cutting some more now that the weather is getting a little nicer around here. :D

Hi, Lancelot. I actually downloaded your video several hours ago. I had planned to respond earlier, but your video really brought back to me the reality of the task that these implements were meant to perform. Kind of sucked the breath out of me. whew :!: And your Brescia Spadona seems to perform the task with aplomb.

Wow! :surprised:

Thanks for posting everything. Great review, pics and video of a great sword.

First thing i thought of when watching that video was how devastating the cuts where both to flesh and bone!

Second thing was "I hope that the sword doesn't go flying over the edge of the Roof!"

Glad to see that you are enjoying your Sword Lancelot. You have certainly been getting your use out of it.

Can't say as I would be out there cutting through bones with it... not within the first month any way. (too cold outside here) :lol:

Lance, you and I have got to be the only two people on the 'net sword communites that does cutting on his urban-setting rooftop. Me? Somewhere in San Francisco. You: Somewhere in Hong Kong?

Lance-

I've followed this thread with a lot of personal interest since the beginning. The Brescia has been one of the pieces I've been most intrigued with, and is definitely on my "need" list.

The video was, well, both spooky and awe-inspiring. All of the cutting I have done has been against pool noodles, wet newspaper rolls, mats, and 2-liter bottles. Those exercises have proven interesting enough for me... I hadn't seen footage or an exercise in person against flesh and bone that was clear enough to provide the level of understanding that this has.

Thanks for sharing. Not that I didn't respect the sword OR the swordsman before... but now... :eek:

Gary,

I'd like to avoid that troublemaking problem here... I'm a low profile Asian... hahah... sounds like not that convincing, right? :P

Anyway, enjoy your cutting! :D

Steve and Aaron,

I hope I didn't scare you. Parke was certainly awed. It seems due to cultural difference, People from the west in the modern days, especially the city dwellers, are not very used to gruelsome scenes as Chinese are. These can be shown in the choice of foods too. I've heard western travelers commented how gruelsome our foods are prepared. Given the fact that I'm not the weeniest Chinese.... :P

Matt,

Parke had that worry too and that's why I took some time before I do this test cutting because I want no accident to occur due to my unfamiliarity with the sword. I also bought 4 pairs of gloves to find the best combination because I dun want to loss my control on the sword and get somebody hurt.

We did how ever arranged the way the target was set so that even if the pork was flying away, it was not flying out of the roof's boundary.

Nathan,

Yeah! Maybe we should start a rooftop-swordsmen community! :D I have 2 members here ready to join you!

Does anyone know how much the real (oringial antique) Brescia Spadona weighs?


JR

Your video is impressive ! Just to remind us how that pretty sword must have been very cruel on a battlefield (even for someone who doesn't have pigfeet)...
I just feared that you break the tip of the blade on the ground when swinging the sword with one hand but you seem to handle it quite well. Must be a great show for your neighbors too :-)

David

It took maybe half a month for my neighbors to get used to my activity on the top of the roof here since we moved in on January. In the process, they called police once to arrest 2 of my customers whom I don't know what the heck they were doing up there after purchasing something from me. I got them released without problem anyway and since then I don't let my customers to mess on my rooftop without supervision, and the neighbors seem to be happy with that. Some of the parents on the opposite building even brought their kids to the window to see me doing drills in the afternoon or in the evening. I waved to them every time I saw them. At first they didn't response and just turned away but along time they wave to me as well. Courtesy makes good images. :) Besides, I think dedication and persistance is something highly prized among the young generation now so that they can take me as an example. :)

I remember the first time I drilled with the sword, I fear any moment that I would hit the ground with the tip. So that's why I took several practice sessions before I think I'm ready to cut something up. Practice makes perfect (well, close to).

David Etienne wrote:

Your video is impressive ! Just to remind us how that pretty sword must have been very cruel on a battlefield (even for someone who doesn't have pigfeet)... I just feared that you break the tip of the blade on the ground when swinging the sword with one hand but you seem to handle it quite well. Must be a great show for your neighbors too :-) David