Choosing a New Longsword Waster

[G.MatthewWebb]

I need to purchase a new longsword waster, and I'm considering a New Stirling Arms (NSA) Hand and a Half or a Little Ravens Longword or Greatsword. I've handled a NSA and it is pleasure to handle and allows me to make those quick Meyer-style changes in directions from side to side. But I wonder if it approximates the weight of a real sword. No weight is posted on their website. My current waster, a Wooden Weapons is perhaps too tip-heavy and the handle is too flat to allow me to shift my hands quickly and fluidly. I have not handled a Little Raven waster and from the posted website photos can't tell if the handle is round enough to accomodate quick grip shifts. The Little Raven company says the weight of the Longsword is 2 lb 2 oz and the Greatsword is about 2 lb 8 oz. I wonder if anyone reading this has both a Little Raven and NSA or have handled both and would be willing to list the pros and cons of the two wasters.

Thanks.

G. Matthew Webb
ARMA member
OKC

[Jake_Norwood]

I've handled both. They both feel great. The NSAs tend to be heavier but feel lighter due to balance. They also seem to malfunction more frequently than the ravens, but not horrifically so. Are you using it for solo practice or partner work?

Jake

[G.MatthewWebb]

Jake,

Thanks for the comments. I will primarily be using it for solo practice but I'd want the waster to be able to withstand partner practice.

Matthew Webb
OKC

[Jake_Norwood]

As long as you're not plugging away at a pell, either model should do great. The balance is soooo tight on the NSAs that they make good light-sparring weapons; you have a lot of controll over that tip! OTOH, they tend to be pointier. Stew Feil is the NSA guy (he helped develop them). The VAB guys can give you the skinny on the Ravens. You'll be happy with either, I think.

Jake

[Matthew_Anderson]

The NSA wasters are really pretty, really well balanced, but a little too light IMO. I want a longsword waster to approximate the weight of an actual sword. I really like the Raven Studios products. They have just about the right balance of feel and weight and seem to be pretty durable.

[Matthew_Anderson]

Well, no. I haven't handled any recently and 3 lbs. is certainly not too light! Sounds like they are on the right track! I agree about the wood factor as well. If there is a bad grain situation or an unseen flaw, the waster will often split or crack under even moderate use. When I make my own, I'm very picky about selecting pieces of wood, going through a huge pile to get two or three good pieces.

[Shane Smith]

The newest NSA I have handled is owned by ARMA Associate member Bob Savage on the Eastern Shore of VA. . The waster is probably less than a year old. If it is reprersentative of what they are still making,it IS too light in my opinion. In hanging guard drills, all of our wasters pretty much blow the lighter NSA off-line too easily. It does have a wonderful balance however. All of the half dozen or so NSA's I have handled in the past have seemed light as well.

If they are making them more substantial now, they ought to be superb by any measure; We all have our favorites though and I still favor my Raven and loathe my way too nose-heavy and slab-handled WW over any others I have tried. <img src="/forum/images/icons/cool.gif" alt="" />

[GaryGrzybek]

Keep in mind that good care will often prolong the life of your waster. I know a few folks who never really bothered to oil theirs and eventually they either warped or cracked. I have wasters that I've tried to intentionally break but still remain tough over several years. You guys are right though, good grain lacking in flaws will always be stronger.

"Nothin like a good piece of hickory"

Clint Eastwood <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[JeffGentry]

Hey folk's

I have been making my own waster's out of hickory and doing a weight in the pommel and they are about the same weight and balance as an Albion Sempach, I highly recomend it if you can find some were to get the hickory.


Jaron Bernstien has an NSA and the pommel came off, they were good enough to send him another and with in a few month's that pommel came off too, we love our pommel's here in Columbus, I took a look at it and the pommel and handle are two seperate piece's and that is a big problem when you torque the pommel alot.

Raven waster may be good i have no experience with them.


I am a cheap skate when it come's to waster's. <img src="/forum/images/icons/blush.gif" alt="" />


Jeff

[John_Clements]

I have both, they are each very fine at good prices and among the best I have used. The differences are not just cosmetic, they do have different feels. I can't say one is superior, it is more about your taste and personal style.

JC