Waster Question.

[Sam Nankivell]

I am looking to get a waster to use for drilling, pell practice and a bit of free-play. I am about 5'6" (yes, rather short for a male) and looking for a longsword waster. What should the specs be for handle and blade length? I already have measured from my toe to my armpit (51"), so I already know the overall length of the waster needed, I just need to know what the handle and blade length should be.

[Greg Coffman]

It looks like the NSA hand-and-a-half is right for you.

I don't really consider that armit thing a hard and fast rule. Longswords were made in many different lengths. I think getting a good quality waster is far more important than any "ideal" length. And the NSA waster is about as good as manufactured wasters go. At least in my experience. I have not handled the New Raven longswords.

Seriously, I think length is more of a personal preference. Either of the hand and a half lenghts that NSA makes should suit you well. I have the longer but constantly have buyers remorse. Perhaps it is good to be familiar and comfortable with either. Also, most of the longswords Albion makes seem to be in the 36 in blade range. Perhaps I give that more weight than I should but they are based on historical samplings.

[Sam Nankivell]

Thanks for the advice, though it isn't the blade length I am concerned with as much as the handle length. On their specs it says the handle is only 9" (I assume including the pommel). That seems a bit small for a handle used with two hands.

[Andy Spalding]

The NSA great sword gives a generous amount of grip length. Only thing is that i have heard and seen that NSA wasters tend to break on pells. A lot of people recommend not using them for pell work.

[Greg Coffman]

Yeah, I kind of feel like the grip is short on the NSA waster, just a bit. However I think that it is well within the historic range of what would be appropriate and it is still the best waster I have ever handled. I think the shorter longsword waster probably suits the handle fairly well (and it has the same handle as the longer one). But really, it is a non-issue. It's a good waster and you get used to the handle and the pommel. I initially didn't like the large fishtail pommel but now I love it.

[Mars Healey]

So, what type of waster do you guys use on a pell. On my tire pell, I've been using cut pieces of saplings, oak and hickory. They are heavier than my wooden waster, but that's a good thing. Makes for a good workout. (I don't want to use my Purple Heart waster for fear it will snap.)

(My Show Me Your Pell thread got zippo responses. )

[Seth Halsell]

I would have put up some pictures of my pell Mars but I"m affraid I have no idea how to post pictures on threads here on the forum

[Mars Healey]

I would have put up some pictures of my pell Mars but I"m affraid I have no idea how to post pictures on threads here on the forum

I host them on Image Shack when I post on forums. It's free and I've never had any trouble with them. I can also host them on my website, but it uses up my base allotment of space there.