Training weapons

[Nathan McCartney]

I was just wondering if anyone knows a good place to get good swords to train with. Probably just wasters to start with so I don't injure myself. Unfortunately all I have seen is 90+ dollars for wooden wasters from posts I've seen in the forum already but I'm broke as hell. So if anyone knows of another place I could get them for cheaper, or even if it would be better to try and build my own, I'd appreciate the info. Thanks

[Jaron Bernstein]

Pretty much you get what you pay for. If you have the skills and time I suggest making your own. Otherwise Raven and New Stirling Arms (NSA) combines high quality wooden wasters with good customer service. Albion (www.albion-swords.com) makes the best steel swords that I am currently aware of. You might have to save up over time for a waster, but it is better to do that than just buy junk that will break the first few times you use it.

[Nathan McCartney]

I suppose it would be better to just save up then since my wood working skills are pretty bad.

What would be a good blunt steel longsword from albion? I've been looking through their inventory but since I don't really have any personal experience to go by any advice is great.

[J. Harvey]

Most people that I have seen use the Albion Liechtenauer, many use the Meyer. I have both , each handle slightly differently so if you can , I'd suggest trying one out first. I haven't handled one, but have heard the CAS Hanwei practical hand and a half is pretty good and you can get one for $100.00 from Cult of Athena - the last time I checked, which is about the same price as a good waster.

[Nathan McCartney]

Most people that I have seen use the Albion Liechtenauer, many use the Meyer. I have both , each handle slightly differently so if you can , I'd suggest trying one out first. I haven't handled one, but have heard the CAS Hanwei practical hand and a half is pretty good and you can get one for $100.00 from Cult of Athena - the last time I checked, which is about the same price as a good waster.

Hey I found the sword you were talking about-

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH2106&name=Hanwei+Practical+Hand+and+a+Half+Sword+%2D+5th+Generation

Do you think this would be good enough to do training for longsword practice since it has a shorter grip (i think), and would it be an acceptable weapon for free play? I've never done either so I want to be sure before I put money into it.

[Sal Bertucci]

It's ok.

For any solo stuff you're going to do it will be fine. A common quick fix you need to do with Hanwei is to epoxy the cross down. But that is part of what you pay for.

They do well for sparring. The blade will come up on the short side of the stick if you go against higher end trainers though.

Handle and blade length actually had a large variation throughout the period, but if you wanted to save up a bit more you could go with this modle:

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... tard+Sword

Which is bigger in general.

[Nathan McCartney]

When you say "the blade will come up on the short side of the stick against higher end trainers" do you mean the blade quality, or actual length since the hand and a half is roughly 2 inches shorter then the liechtenauer? I want to be sure on what would be the best for me to get since it'll probably be my only steel blunt I can afford to get for a looong, long time.

I'll probably try and save the extra sixty dollars to get the bastard sword since it'll have the longer grip and blade anyways though.

[Sal Bertucci]

When fighting a higher end sword, even using proper technique you sword will have more damage. Not enough to make it useless but more.

I.e. the bastard will have little nicks at the end of an engagement while the Albion will have none.

[Nathan McCartney]

When fighting a higher end sword, even using proper technique you sword will have more damage. Not enough to make it useless but more.

I.e. the bastard will have little nicks at the end of an engagement while the Albion will have none.

Do you have any idea how long you could use a blade like that (roughly) before all the nicks would weaken it to the point of failing?

[Sal Bertucci]

Using proper technique and with good care still a LONG time.

Easily long enough for you to get another one.

[Nathan McCartney]

Right on. Like I said I'm a noob to historical fencing so I appreciate the advice and tips every one has been giving me. Thanks a lot. =D

[Chris Holloman]

Sal is right on the money. I have the second bastard sword that he linked to and a friend of mine has the first one. I prefer the second one by far. It is longer and has better balance.

Here is a link to another thread discussing these swords in which I wrote a more detailed review of them... http://www.thearma.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24404

On a side note, I got the sharp version of the practical bastard sword for Christmas. Having the option of getting a sharp that has the same cross and grip as your blunt, is nice. I have yet to do any test cutting with it, but even just working out using it has a different, better feel, than using the blunt.

Have fun and enjoy learning the art!

Bro Chris