Going to buy a blade (Paul Chen Sir William Marshall Sword)

[Jussi Yliluoma]

So I've been looking for one, and this definately looks like a good one for me. If anyone of you have had this or if you've tried it, please share your thoughts. Here's a small information of it:



Overall length: 40"
Blade length: 33.25"
Weight: 2.2lbs = 1kg

And what they say:
- Direct replica from museum piece
- Excellent balance
- Fully Functional

It's made of high carbon steel, it's sharpened etc. The prices go around 200-300 dollars, and where I live it's about $280. Now I'd like to know if what they say is true, if it cuts well and if the hilt is fine. After all it is Paul Chen, but certainly that alone isn't enough.

[JeremyDillon]

I've handled this sword and it's a good bargain sword, although certainly not up to the standards of a high end sword maker such as Albion. Albion's 13th century knightly sword would be a better bet, I'd say, and is only about $100 more expensive than that piece. http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/alb ... ightly.htm

[Jussi Yliluoma]

That seems like a good one, but I don't have a credit card so I can't order anywhere else except my country (Finland). In this small country, the shame is that I can't seem to find other swords like the one I mentioned in my post (except those stainless steel wallhangers).


So, I still have a couple questions about the Sir William Marshall Sword; is the hilt/grip solid so it won't loosen or break when cutting light items with it, and does the blade flex well?

[JeremyDillon]

That seems like a good one, but I don't have a credit card so I can't order anywhere else except my country (Finland). In this small country, the shame is that I can't seem to find other swords like the one I mentioned in my post (except those stainless steel wallhangers).


So, I still have a couple questions about the Sir William Marshall Sword; is the hilt/grip solid so it won't loosen or break when cutting light items with it, and does the blade flex well?

I didn't actually get to do any test cutting with the weapon, but I can tell you that when I handled it the hilt was already loose after only a few weeks use. It wasn't horribly bad, but the cross was definitely loose.

[Jeffrey Hull]

Since you are in Europe, maybe you could instead get something from this maker in Czech Republic. They have good reputation. Their website has the swords under Catalog / Katatlog (it is in both Czech & English):

http://www.lutel.cz/


Honestly, Paul Chen / Hanwei / CAS Iberia is totally undeserving of the business which he keeps getting. He morphs his company into something new under different name like every five years. He must rely on continually gaining new customers, as the poor quality of his work and materials certainly does nothing to retain any previous customers. I would recommend staying away from any and all of his junk.

[Jussi Yliluoma]

Hmm, then it seems I need to reconsider and check some other sites and shops. Thanks for all the help.

EDIT: Although if I still come up with this sword, I assume it's possible to tighten the hilt when it comes to it? But still, I'll search for some other swords from the links mentioined above.

[Craig Peters]

That seems like a good one, but I don't have a credit card so I can't order anywhere else except my country (Finland). In this small country, the shame is that I can't seem to find other swords like the one I mentioned in my post (except those stainless steel wallhangers).


So, I still have a couple questions about the Sir William Marshall Sword; is the hilt/grip solid so it won't loosen or break when cutting light items with it, and does the blade flex well?

Jussi, can you not get money orders in Finland? Albion accepts them. Also, there's an Albion Europe that you can order from: http://www.albion-europe.com/shop/

Trust me, you'll be much happier with the Squire Line 13th C sword.

[Risto Rautiainen]

Hi Jussi!

So what kind of blade are you looking for and what's it for? A sharp or a blunt? Are you going to use it or is it just going to be on a wall? I might be able to give some pointers. Albion europe is a good choice btw.

[Jussi Yliluoma]

Oh, yes. I'm looking for a sharp one for actual use (self-training and test cutting) and it's shape should be somewhat same as those "classic medieval swords" like the one in the first post.

But.. Lately I've been thinking about buying a katana, as it is more suitable for slashing. At least I'd get some experience from those, because I've never had a katana before.

Looking for a sword 100 percently suitable for yourself certainly is troubling..heh.

[Risto Rautiainen]

Then I'd definitely go for the Albion Knightly sword. Hard to find any sharps in that price range that are good. But you would really get your money worth by waiting a little longer and paying a litte extra.

The suitability for slashing depends only on technique. There really isn't that much difference if you know what you're doing. There were reports in the II WW about katanas performing really bad in cuts and that was just because the officers really didn't know how to properly use them.

To get a sword 100% suitable for you, you have to go custom. Preferably so that you can meet the smith and discuss the properties of the sword. In Finland that would basically mean Mr. Pälikkö and buying one of his 1000+ euros swords.