My first longsword

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Andrew Kesterson
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My first longsword

Postby Andrew Kesterson » Sat May 07, 2005 2:45 pm

Okay, so I made my acquisition of a training weapon. I don't have any photos, but the description should serve. Let's have some opinions of how well I did.

I don't know the maker of this blade, I have only heard it referred to as a "practical". Maybe that's the maker, I dunno. The sword is somewhere between an Oakeshott XVa and XVIa. The blade is approx 34 and 1/4" from hilt to tip, with a 9 1/4" long grip (counting the round pommel). The crossguard is 7 1/2" across, and roughly 1/3" square all around, except where it comes around the blade, where the profile matches the grip. The blade starts at 1 3/4" wide at the hilt, and tapers to a very fine point (approx 1/2" before the point comes together). The fuller is well defined and runs approx 1/3 of the blade. The blade itself is of high carbon steel, and it flexes about 3" without any deformation. The sword is full tang, with the obvious "smashed" protrusion of the tang at the end of the pommel (it's definitely not coming apart there). The handle is wrapped in black leather (glued not stitched apparently), and the balance is about 3" from the hilt. It's a true distal tip; I don't have calipers to take measurements, but it loses blade thickness in the last 1/3 of the blade until it tapers off at the point. It's got a blunt edge, only 1/16" wide, which means most people wouldn't be comfortable having it swung at them.

It came with a wooden scabbard (with appropriate metal mouth and tip), and I got the whole thing for $130. I don't think I did too bad. I got it from a store at the GA renaissance festival that routinely plays a game called "Trust The Pirates", if that gives you any idea. They're actually pretty cool, and most of their prices match what I think everything's worth.

Opinions?

Edit: I forgot, according to my bathroom scale, it weighs in at 3 pounds.
[color:red]Andrew Kesterson - andrew@aklabs.net
"Timor Omni Abest ... Vincit Qui Patitur"[/color]

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Shane Smith
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Re: My first longsword

Postby Shane Smith » Sat May 07, 2005 3:54 pm

It's a Chen practical hand and a half. I have one and it is a decent training blunt as long as you round the tip if you have one of the newer ones that come a bit pointy. The crossguards often develop a bit of rattle and the wrap comes loose at the seams in hard use but for 100 dollars, you can't beat it. I like mine well enough and I also have the Chen practical knightly single-hander for sword and shield and sword and buckler practice.
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Brian Hunt
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Re: My first longsword

Postby Brian Hunt » Sat May 07, 2005 4:04 pm

Sounds like you bought a Paul Chen Pracitcal Hand and a Half sword. I have two of them, plus two of the practical knightly swords as well. These are good training weapons, and the price can't be beat. If I was going to buy a better blunt weapon, I would then jump up the Albion Squire line. But these cost a lot more. Enjoy your new toy.

Brian hunt
Tuus matar hamsterius est, et tuus pater buca sabucorum fundor!

http://www.paulushectormair.com
http://www.emerytelcom.net/users/blhunt/sales.htm

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Brian Hunt
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Re: My first longsword

Postby Brian Hunt » Sat May 07, 2005 4:05 pm

oops,

looks like Shane and I posted at about the same time.

<img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

Brian Hunt
GFS
Tuus matar hamsterius est, et tuus pater buca sabucorum fundor!



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http://www.emerytelcom.net/users/blhunt/sales.htm

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JohnGallego
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Re: My first longsword

Postby JohnGallego » Sat May 07, 2005 4:32 pm

Yep, Paul Chen Practical hand and a half.

Decent beater <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

I have a few, and am actually selling one of them on Ebay right now for $30 <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

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Andrew Kesterson
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Re: My first longsword

Postby Andrew Kesterson » Sat May 07, 2005 7:18 pm

I've handled it a bit tonight, and it feels pretty good. The balance is alot different than I was expecting; I think it's just because of my experience with Katana... The handling is a bit strange. And you were all right, that cross guard can be a bit strange sometimes. It makes it difficult for me to use the same wrist movements that I used with Katana, because it knocks me in the wrists sometimes. I haven't banged myself in the head yet though. :-)

Even blunt, it's obliterated two bamboo wasters, and I can put it through a normal edition of the newspaper with a sufficient thrust (give or take a sports section). The blade's flex never ceases to amaze me - I tried thrusting a sunday newspaper, and it felt like I had a spring in my hands. It would flex 8 or 10 inches, then *sproing* back into shape. I've never known a katana that would do that. If it bends, it bends and stays there.

So I'm pretty satisfied. :-) Now I just need someone to swing one at me in return!

Thanks for the help and advice in picking a sword, from the members and from JC's various articles. Thanks to that, I got a reasonably good deal.
[color:red]Andrew Kesterson - andrew@aklabs.net

"Timor Omni Abest ... Vincit Qui Patitur"[/color]

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GaryGrzybek
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Re: My first longsword

Postby GaryGrzybek » Sun May 08, 2005 7:14 pm

Hey John,

For $30 I'll buy it from you. Always offer to your buddies first! <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />
Gary

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ARMA Northern N.J.
Albion Armorers Collectors Guild

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JohnGallego
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Re: My first longsword

Postby JohnGallego » Sun May 08, 2005 8:16 pm

You guys have way better stuff! I didn't think you'd be interested <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

I'm biding my time for a nice Albion blunt, at which point you can HAVE my Paul Chen <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

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David_Knight
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Re: My first longsword

Postby David_Knight » Mon May 09, 2005 8:35 am

I'll see Gary's offer and raise you to $30.01 <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />

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GaryGrzybek
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Re: My first longsword

Postby GaryGrzybek » Wed May 11, 2005 6:03 pm

Do I hear $31? <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />
Gary



G.F.S.

ARMA Northern N.J.

Albion Armorers Collectors Guild

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GaryGrzybek
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Re: My first longsword

Postby GaryGrzybek » Wed May 11, 2005 6:05 pm

It's always good to have an extra beater around. I'm eagerly awaiting my Albion Mair. I hope it's here at least by the fall <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />
Gary



G.F.S.

ARMA Northern N.J.

Albion Armorers Collectors Guild


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