What fencing blunt do YOU rely on?

[Shane Smith]

I am making-do with my MRL "Sword of War" in our steel on steel training here in Va. Beach and I find the piece to be less than satisfactory in many respects. There are problems with a sub-standard hilt among others.My fellow Swordsmen here are using Lutels with VERY good results. I'm probably going to be in the market again soon.What are you guys using in your blunt-work sessions? Thanks for any informed input. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Casper Bradak]

In utah here most people are using del tins and mrl weapons. The del tins make the best blunts, because they're designed to be BLUNT, but the better mrl pieces seem to be better for cutting because they're not designed with that blunt bevel in mind. But with mrl you still gotta go by the recommended ones, a lot of their weapons are still substandard.

[GaryGrzybek]

I have a Del Tin 2142 and 2143 for steel training. Sadly there hasn't been much opportunity to use them other than dry drills but that will change very soon <img src="/forum/images/icons/cool.gif" alt="" />

The Del Tins are very good swords for the money but I find the problems with the hilts a bit annoying. When the money is available I would like to give Lutel a try.

[Guest]

ARMA NYC uses Del Tin blunts in thier training: http://www.armanortheast.com/SpartripNYC.htm

My Del Tin is too sharp for blunt training <img src="/forum/images/icons/smirk.gif" alt="" /> but I remember handling Gary's blunts at West Point and they where very nice and stiff.

[Jake_Norwood]

I use an MRL "Sword of Albrecht II) and a del Tin longsword (no idea what model) primarily. I love the blade on the de Tin (it's pre-stage thickness), but the handle is just about an inch or two too short for my ogre hands, making it uncomfortable to work with. I've got some others, but nothing of real note. I've been generally happy with the MRL, actually, but I think the tang is starting to warp. The DT is very nice, though the handle rattle has me ready to snap.

Jake

[Shane Smith]

Thanks for the input guys. It's down to Lutel and DT now.I already own several DT sharps and all are solid performers.I will not be buying any more MRL's.The Lutels look and work great and the few I have handled balance better than any of my DT's. Bob,one of my fellow scholars here in VAB, just got his new Lutel today and it is a wonderful piece.I am now "officially" torn <img src="/forum/images/icons/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/icons/smirk.gif" alt="" />

[Stuart McDermid]

Hi Guys,

I don't know about MRL but I find the temper on Del Tin swords to be consistent but just too soft. DTs make passable rapiers but I wouldn't want to use their cutting swords for any kind of bouting.
Cheers,
Stu.

[Shane Smith]

I tend to agree with your assessment of DT hardness Stu.Mine cut well but do appear much "softer" than my Atrim.The MRL I have seems soft in the extreme.

[Jake_Norwood]

I tend to agree with your assessment of DT hardness Stu.Mine cut well but do appear much "softer" than my Atrim.The MRL I have seems soft in the extreme.

Good grief, yeah, my MRL is the stiffest I've handled, and it's soft. Mike Van Dusen as the XIII C. War Sword from MRL, and the blade is a joke (though I love the dimentions of the sword itself). I'm pretty happy with the blade on my del Tin, though. It's softer than my antique saber, but then again sabers are stiffer by nature, aren't they?

Jake

[Ray Brunk]

I am not familiar with the Lutels. Could you refer me to an armor or manufactorers website for info?
Thanks
Ray

[Guest]

"Mike Van Dusen has the XIII C. War Sword from MRL, and the blade is a joke (though I love the dimentions of the sword itself). "

Yep. Nice handle length, seems well balanced (I have yet to handle antiques, though- hurrah for the NY event!) but the blade is downright floppy. I've had two instances of very light accedental edge contact, which both resulted in large gouges due the softness of the blade (but not a scratch on the other blade.)

The next time I get a sword I want one that is the correct stiffness, so I'll put up the question, How flexible should a sword be? I understand that different swords have diffferent stiffness, so lets say of typical long and great swords.

[Guest]

Ray,

I got my Lutel directly from the Czech Republic, they have a website at www.lutel.cz There may also be a "dealer" or two in the states but I don't know any details on them. If you send them an email telling them exactly what you want, they will respond with the total including shipping.