Torawashi
December 12th, 2008, 01:44 AM
Thought I'd do another sword review from my collection for your entertainment and edification. Looks like I'm gonna have to hold up the Medieval side of the house..... this is one of my top faves because of the quality of manufacture and the light weight and great balance and handling. It's a "practical" sword, which means it is meant for cutting rather than a showpiece but it is historically accurate. It's not a reproduction of a particular sword but rather a reproduction of a type.
It's an Oakeshott XVIIIa type, circa 1400-1440 A.D., has a 34 3/4 inch blade, which is both profile and distal tapered to an acute point. this type of sword was used with the advent of plate armor and is considered a cut and thrust sword. the acute point is for finding niches and joints in the armor (such as under the arms and at the neck) and the blade edges are sharp for slashing (such as against men-at-arms who were less armored).
The blade has a fuller which runs about 1/3 of its length from the guard. the blade has a brushed steel finish which I personally prefer in a medieval sword. The grip is of black leather over cord over wood and is a two handed style. very comfortable to wield both one and two handed.
The pommel and cross guard are of solid steel and very sturdy. The end of the tang is threaded to fit an Allen nut recessed into the pommel for dismounting the blade for inspection.
A high quality scabbard of black leather over wood shell with steel throat and chape (tip) is included and fits the sword just about perfectly.
The real beauty of this sword, to me, is its weight and balance. to look at, this two hander would seem big and unwieldy. nothing could be farther from the truth. it weighs in at under 3 lbs. (see specs) and is very well balanced, in fact it weighs less than some of my single hand swords.
It was designed by noted swordsmith Michael "Tinker" Pearce and produced by Hanwei/Paul Chen so that should tell you about the quality. Very well made and at just over $300. it's a true bargain. Comes cutting sharp too.
I have enclosed a few images I snagged from the internet. Here are the specs:
Oakeshott Type: XVIIIa
Overall Length: 46-1/4 inches
Blade Length: 34-3/8 inches
Blade width @ Base: 2-1/8 inches
Blade Width 4 inches from point: 3/4 inch
Blade Thickness @ Base: .250 inch
Blade Thickness 4 inches from Point: .125 inch
Hilt Overall Length: 12 inches
Length of Handle: 9 inches
Handle Construction: Wood core, cord-wrap covered in leather
Guard Type: 2
Pommel Type: T-1
Center of Gravity: 3-3/4 inches
Location of Blade Node (measured from Guard): 20 inches
Weight: 2lbs 14 oz
the blade is forged from 5160 steel with a hardness of HRC 50-53. the tang is drawn out to a hardness of HRC 30. I have named this sword BLACKFYRE.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/concrete21xi0.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/concrete08bc3.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/woodpics35gq2.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/BlackfyreinScabbardBumpMaroonBevel.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/BlackfyreandScabbardGravelMaroonBev.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/woodpics40uy8.jpg
It's an Oakeshott XVIIIa type, circa 1400-1440 A.D., has a 34 3/4 inch blade, which is both profile and distal tapered to an acute point. this type of sword was used with the advent of plate armor and is considered a cut and thrust sword. the acute point is for finding niches and joints in the armor (such as under the arms and at the neck) and the blade edges are sharp for slashing (such as against men-at-arms who were less armored).
The blade has a fuller which runs about 1/3 of its length from the guard. the blade has a brushed steel finish which I personally prefer in a medieval sword. The grip is of black leather over cord over wood and is a two handed style. very comfortable to wield both one and two handed.
The pommel and cross guard are of solid steel and very sturdy. The end of the tang is threaded to fit an Allen nut recessed into the pommel for dismounting the blade for inspection.
A high quality scabbard of black leather over wood shell with steel throat and chape (tip) is included and fits the sword just about perfectly.
The real beauty of this sword, to me, is its weight and balance. to look at, this two hander would seem big and unwieldy. nothing could be farther from the truth. it weighs in at under 3 lbs. (see specs) and is very well balanced, in fact it weighs less than some of my single hand swords.
It was designed by noted swordsmith Michael "Tinker" Pearce and produced by Hanwei/Paul Chen so that should tell you about the quality. Very well made and at just over $300. it's a true bargain. Comes cutting sharp too.
I have enclosed a few images I snagged from the internet. Here are the specs:
Oakeshott Type: XVIIIa
Overall Length: 46-1/4 inches
Blade Length: 34-3/8 inches
Blade width @ Base: 2-1/8 inches
Blade Width 4 inches from point: 3/4 inch
Blade Thickness @ Base: .250 inch
Blade Thickness 4 inches from Point: .125 inch
Hilt Overall Length: 12 inches
Length of Handle: 9 inches
Handle Construction: Wood core, cord-wrap covered in leather
Guard Type: 2
Pommel Type: T-1
Center of Gravity: 3-3/4 inches
Location of Blade Node (measured from Guard): 20 inches
Weight: 2lbs 14 oz
the blade is forged from 5160 steel with a hardness of HRC 50-53. the tang is drawn out to a hardness of HRC 30. I have named this sword BLACKFYRE.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/concrete21xi0.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/concrete08bc3.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/woodpics35gq2.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/BlackfyreinScabbardBumpMaroonBevel.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/BlackfyreandScabbardGravelMaroonBev.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/jimnpatsy/woodpics40uy8.jpg