[Eric Myers]

Hi,

Does anyone here have any info about where the point of balance should be for a great /two-handed sword? I'm looking at making or buying a waster with a 48" blade and 15" grip, and would like to get this detail at least ballpark correct, otherwise I could just use a closet pole Most of the replicas I've handled are particularly unwieldy due to weight and perhaps POB, so they aren't really much help.

Thanks,

[Gary Grzybek]

[Jean Thibodeau]

My A & A 15th century English twohander has a balance point about 6" past the guard with a 46" blade.
( Check on A & A site )

[Eric Myers]

Thank you both. Jean, did you get a custom piece? I see an English Longsword with a 33" blade, and a German twohander.

[Jean Thibodeau]

Just their standard model but a real sword not a wall hanger: In any case A & A doesn't make wall hangers.

Here is the one I'm talking about: http://www.arms-n-armor.com/sword156.html

This is a much bigger sword than it looks like in the Picts.

[Eric Myers]

Thanks Jean, not sure how I missed that one...

[Don Stanko]

Hello Eric. I have 2 Two-handed swords, one from the 13th century and one from the 14th century. Now they are a bit corroded and missing proper grips but both balance approximately four fingers from the crossguard. I have 2 hand and a half swords as well. They are from the 15th century and intact, they also balance about four fingers from the guard. Hopefully this helps.

[Alexander Ren]

Take a look at the specs on http://www.angustrimdirect.com/. There are a couple of hand-and-half and two handers that I am told are anything but unwieldy. There is a review of one of them in the myArmoury reviews section http://www.myArmoury.com/review_at1592.html.

[John Cooksey]

Hmmmm, that would be a big sword.
Damned big sword . . . . .

With my bastard swords (not real two-handers), I like the POB to be anywhere between 5 and 8 inches out, depending on the size and style.

And remember, the waster is always gonna be a fair bit lighter than a real sword, so the POB doesn't have to be in the exact same place to get a similar "feel".

Look at a good Bokken, they balance almost in the middle of the weapon, but they manage to simulate a kat pretty well because of the difference in overall weight.
Actually, come to think of it, I like bokken better than kats. :-)
Nothing beats a good cudgel! :-)

[Don Stanko]

At Alexanders request, a few photos of my two handed and hand and a half swords...Enjoy!