Which for the Splurge?

[NathanMeidell]

So let's say you decide to splurge for a nice sparring blade, a longsword. As it will probably be the only one for a long while, is the Albion Maestro line the one to look at?

http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/maestro/sword-practice-liechtenauer.htm

Is it always assumed that the blunt edge is best for long-term utility in training, or should I consider getting a sharpened blade?

[CalebChow]

Clearly, sparring is out of the question if you get a sharp.

As far as I can tell Sharps are only really useful for test-cutting practice.

For long-term practice the Albion Liechtenauer is the way to go. The Meyer and Epee de Guerre I've heard are very good too.

[NathanMeidell]

Thanks for the response Caleb. A sharp blade will need to be further down the road for me then, since cutting would still be a great and essential portion of this art. Just not yet in my case.

I'll check out those other brands as well.

[william_cain_iii]

It isn't an albion, but a lot of people have recommended the Arms and Armor Fechterspiel to me. Nimble, well balanced, sturdy, it's comparably priced to an albion and by all accounts has a similar performance.

http://armor.com/sword203.html

Plus, it's pretty.

Also, the albion Meyer, which shares a similar profile to this blade, has very sharply defined wings on its schilt (the wider portion of the ricasso), whereas the fechterspiel (and its related, tougher cousin the fechtbuch) doesn't. This might make it more forgiving of hard-in Ringen am Schwert techniques.

[Stacy Clifford]

Lutel also makes excellent blunt swords a little cheaper than Albion. Mine has held up very well against Albions and others for the last six years.

http://www.lutel.eu/