swords with side rings?

[Aaron Pynenberg]

I am in the hunt for a new practice sword and have been thinking about a lutel. I was wondering if anyone had thoughts on the inclusion of side rings.

Specifically do they interfere with techniques or movements etc.... the sword I am considering has one side ring on it, and I am a little hesitant-thanks, AP

[Allen Johnson]

well we know they were quite common on the later longswords so they couldnt be all that terrible. No reason to have them if they dont help you in some way.

Armor Class makes a very nice looking one that I have wanted for quite some time
http://www.armourclass.co.uk/Data/Pages/17Century_2.htm

[Randall Pleasant]

Aaron

Two people in the DFW study group have Lutel swords and both swords have side rings. Although I love both swords I do really dislike the side rings.

[Stacy Clifford]

I have a Lutel with one side ring and I haven't found it to interfere with any of my techniques thus far, so I'm fine with it. It looks good and it's helped protect my knuckles a few times (kinda wish I had one on both sides). It does make the sword bulkier to pack and transport in a case, however.

[JeanryChandler]

Side rings appear on a great many historical swords, particularly later in the period, and do help protect your hands significantly.

One potential issue though is that a lot of replicas made with side rings are made very heavy, 4 lbs or even more, and this is especially true of some of the older Lutels. Conversely, i know someone who has an original 1580 bastard sword from Germany, 46" with prominent side rings and it's only 2 lbs! So IMO current manufacturing of replicas may not be up to par for this type of weapon.

JR

[Shane Smith]

I've handled the Lutel with one side ring quite a bit. It handles pretty well and the ring does protect your right hand from grazing shots to the back of it. The ring is also the right size to carry a dixie-cup for battlefield refreshment <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" />

[John_Clements]

Interfere? No, not at all. They are great.

JC

[Francisco Uribe]

I ownn a Del Tin 2160.
http://www.deltin.net/2160hi.jpg
It has rings, anulets and is not simetrical.
I have found that it allows me to train with much more confidence of not getting my hands hurt, when performing certain techniques.
There are several examples of what I'm saying. I the one I preffer to illustrate this is that my fingeres are really well protected when performing a -not so perfect- zwerchhau against overhaus.
My only complain to this particular model is that it feels heavy (due to the extra metal of the rings) and that the handle is a little short. But training rapidly overcomes these "flaws".
But overall I'm really happy with it. I would buy this model again.

Francisco
ARMA Lansing

[Aaron Pynenberg]

cool, thanks for all the imput, I will give her a go, AP

[GaryGrzybek]

I have an older version of the Armor Class and it's been a fine training sword.