Sword Thread

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>>33026648

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>>33026660

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>>33026673

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>>33026710

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>>33026648
best coming through

>>33026648
What's your budget? And is there any particular reason you want something custom made? A lot of smiths give you options as far as cross, pommel etc but true "custom" swords can run at double the price of a quality sword mass produced by a reputable company like Albion, Ensifer, Pavel Moc, etc

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>>33026843
I've put aside $1000. I'm holding aside $100 or so for a low end Tritonworks scabbard fitted to it.

Honestly it's more the pommel and hilt I'd like customized, although for the blade itself I'd be willing to go with a blank or stock as long as it isn't just a wall-hanger. I've seen a friend's windlass sword and the thickness was <4mm and I wasn't enthusiastic.

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>>33026840

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>>33026916

>>33026873
by "custom" do you mean "a fishtail instead of a scent-stopper" or "a lost wax casting of the head of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, may God rest his Soul?"

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>>33026947
Not at all, more the former. Just a different combination of hilt and pommel that are found on other oakshott swords but that smiths might not have advertised on their websites. So in reality it's not that much of a custom work.

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>nothing beats Albion obviously

Albion doesn't make customs. And ignoring that I don't see myself picking one of their swords over one from, say, Fabre Gael, Robert Moc, Patrick Barta or Peter Johnsson.

>>33026873
Well, Windlass really is the bottom end up "probably worthy of not being called a wallhanger". Getting better than that shouldn't be hard.

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The more I look at this thing the sexier it gets

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>>33027039
Oh christ, I like Peter's work.

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>>33027090
I like how Swiss Saber just means "complex hilt and incredible sexiness"

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>>33027113
Agreed. I've got that very picture in my folder.

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>>33027132
A very nice Boromir repro made by odinblades

why are some sheathes spaced out like
>>33026710
>>33026941
instead of >>33027039 seems like one loop would be easier to make

>>33028428
so it hangs pointing back, making it easier to draw, more comfortable, preventing it from dragging on the ground, etc

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>>33028393

>>33026648
Going by your 1k price point, I'd say Lockwood+scabbard

Unfortunately for you, you just missed out on an ebay deal of an Albion Knight+custom scabbard that went for around $1100. But Lockwood, Albion, or some semi-custom stuff would be best. I'm sure there are some European smiths who could do it for you.

>>33028803
Thanks. I've heard there's a lot of ebay fraud regarding swords like that, listed as Albion and really just being some mallshit. I wish I could find the blog but there was one talented smith making custom hilts for bare blades somewhere.

>>33028872
Brotherbanzai does exceptional bronze work, very well detailed and we'll made. Though I think he's all booked

You have to be a bit careful with ebay, but you can get good stuff there for cheaper than retail. I got an antique Spanish cavalry sword for roughly $60 US because he would only sell to people in my country and I was the only one who bid on it

>>33029107
I'll check him out, there's some other projects I eventually wanted to fund that need bronze work.

Ebay can be good I agree, but it has plenty of scammers. I did get a steal on a winter trigger for the M14 rifle on there though.

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>>33027113
>>33027132
I really like the hilt design on that one, but most of them have this whole handle protection which looks kinda weird.

>>33029126
Generally if you're shopping for sword stuff there I just filter out everything from China. Too many fakes and junk coming out of there

Unless I'm looking at some of the companies doing work with some longquan forges, but you go to those specific companies - huawei, St nihonto and so on

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I will always regret not buying this when I had the chance. It's a real 17th century piece

>Lockwood
Pretty good
>Czech smiths
Get their armor
>Nothing beats Albion obviously
Nothing short of custom-made stuff from real deal smiths
>Windlass
Hit or miss, typically miss, never sharp.
>Darksword from Canada is shady
That's about right. They're sword like objects. You'd do better to sharpen a crowbar. Impossible to break, though.

>>33029460
>impossible to break
No, very possible. I've seen DSA tangs breaking from bottle cutting, I've had the pommel on one I had ( sold it and told the guy the problem ) fall off when I was trying out how a viking shield I made would stand up to sword/axe hits.

Just avoid DSA completely, we even know for a fact now that the blades are not made in Canada. At that price point just go with Valiant Armoury or an Albion squire. VA swords and scabbard are better, Albion squires are better swords than both but no scabbard

>>33029460
Might be worth adding that Windlass "battlecry" is actually very good for how cheap it is though, in fairness to them

If you're gonna buy windlass buy DotD windlass. Even if they aren't the best swords they're good if you're the kind of person who likes a large variety of swords from different cultures. I'm not a huge fan of Roman gear but I wanted a somewhat decent gladius and a 60% off of the pompeii was a great deal

Hello.
I know that this is a sword thread, but I didnt want to make a new one just to ask.
Besides, it fits under the melee theme.

Does /k/ in their materials have anything about handaxe combat? Maybe something about vikings or something? Anything that would help in utilizing a hatchet in a fight without just flailing and swinging it from side to side like an idiot?

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>Albion will never make the Gallowglass again
>Longsword
>dat pommel
>dat ricasso
>dat crossguard
>Dose quillons

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Here's mine

>>33029598
I don't really think any treatises covered it. It's pretty much does come down to swinging it from side to side like an idiot. Well, to be less of an idiot you can try not to swing it too much as it has a lot of inertia, and maybe hold it close to the axehead. Remember, war axes were very thin and a lot lighter than utility ones.

>>33029598
Most basic cuts used in arming sword/buckler combat would work with axes. Just adjust your tactics for weight and balance.

http://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Category:Sword_and_Buckler

http://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Gladiatoria_(MS_Germ.Quart.16)

http://wiktenauer.com/wiki/Walpurgis_Fechtbuch_(MS_I.33)

We honestly have no idea how the vikings fought, aside from speculation based on their weapons and armor. They never made fechtbuchs or other such manuals, and the most information from contemporary sources concerning fighting come from runestones, which usually exaggerated events to make them more interesting.

>>33029618
albion doesnt hold an exclusive rights to an irish ring-hilted type XIX.

and to be honest, as a smith myself, if someone came to me asking for an irish ring-hilted sword, with the pommel in modern steels, rather than handforged wrought, I'd be laughing - getting the pommel to fit is always a headache, but with the hollow space on that one, its so straightforward, it would slice days off the production time. Any decent smith would likely ask a pretty affordable price because its simple - just ask them to work off the blade data of historical originals.

>>33029636
>That forest green
Very nice. I don't think KoA offers it anymore.

>>33029598
It's not something I have personal experience with but I know there are well developed tomahawk systems to look into

>>33029667
Groovy. Thanks, anon. I was feeling pretty iffy about the Arms and Armor version of the sword, but you make a good point. I am in love with the design, and good smiths would probably be able to do it well. The only real obstacle would be finding one in my area.

>>33029598

http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/manufacturing/text/viking_axe.htm

this might help you. I think a bit of training in FMA/ any stick fighting would probably help with the dynamics of the short axe. The long axe, such as that used by the Saxon huscarls was more of an anti-cavalry weapon, although I can imagine it being pretty handy for hooking a sword-wielding footsoldier off his feet and hacking him up from range.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dane_axe

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who makes a good rapier?

>>33029666
Nice trips satan.

But now I really want that Fiore II in hardcover

>>33029618
There's one up for sale on sbg's classifieds for like $800 if you got the money now

>>33029782
Marco Danelli - Danelli armouries.

booked up till 2018 though

>>33029782
Darkwood are good from what I hear

>>33029782
Fuck off idiot. You don't joke about rape. You NEVER joke about rape.

"Hurrr let's buy swords and rape a women." Idiot.

>>33030892
Low energy

>>33030974
I don't care if a woman is tired. I don't care if she's drunk. Rape is rape.

>>33031031
What if a woman rapes a woman

Swords are for decoration and collection only.

There is literally NO USE for a sword right now that doesn't make you autistic as fuck.

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>>33031031
>>33030892
CTR PLEASE GO THE ELECTION IS OVER YOU LOST

>>33032697

Now anon, remember that the poor Euros are not allowed to carry a gun, so a sharp stick for them might be the difference between life and death.

As far as tacticool military weapons though, the tomahawk has it beat, being in active service still.

>>33027090
holy shit you ain't kidding

fucking beautiful

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>>33032810

They'll never go

Cancer requires surgery.

>>33032697
No way! Really? Whoa, you opened my eyes!

>>33032823
They won't carry a sword either.

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>>33026648
>nothing beats Albion obviously.

a whole lot of makers beat Albion mate, in price and quality.

http://szymonchlebowski.pl/en_US/

Anyone here use regenyei feders or blunts? Any opinions?

>>33034095
There's a loaner Regenyei feder in my club. It's pretty good. What do you specifically want to know?

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>tfw want to set up a forge and make my own swords

How realistic is that? How expensive would it be, how long would the mastering of metalsmithing take me?

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>>33034095
I have a bunch.

The basic feder gets the job done. I also have the medium Trnva (IIRC it's the one called light), not quite as quick as the standard feder, a bit more authority in the bind, slightly "sexier" in overall handling IMO. Only concern is that the "yellow" cord grip wrap was, well, see for yourself.

I also have a "One handed training tool" and a "strong saber", no complaints about either.

>>33034095
>regenyei
So I visited their site the other day and was surprised to see what appeared to be three language options represented by three flags: Hungarian, British and American. So I chose the British flag and what do I see? "Saber".

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>>33034387
Doing that is quite realistic, plenty of people have done it. Depends a bit on where and how you live of course. It's if you have some hope of making a decent living off of it that things get a lot trickier in a hurry.

Mastering the craft would take a very long time at best.

Keep in mind though that forging is not a necessary step in order to make a sword. Bar stock and a bench grinder or similar will do the job as well. Meanwhile a forged blade blank will also require a lot of grinding, so while the forging part is optional, the grinding and the tools for that isn't.

The specifics I'll leave to someone who actually knows those bits, as I don't.

>>33034461
The US flag isn't a language option, click it and see.

>>33027113
>>33027132
just wear a god damn gaunlet

>>33034449
>gets the job done

What job?

Wait, do you guys actually use these swords?

>>33034563
HEMA is a legit sport

>>33034574
Hook, line and sinker.

>>33034603
well, not everybody knows what a feder is

Any advice on a very right wing dagger that's not Nazi?

>>33031031
i'm sure you don't care. But then, you're not some kind of autistic Rorschach ivan mashup, so who cares whether you care.

>>33034660
http://www.snyderstreasures.com/pages/italymilitaria.htm

Italian fascist dagger. Not too cheap, but not as expensive as some go for. If you're worried about being seen as a Nazi, i'm sure less people know the symbolism on this than on an SS dagger.

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>>33034660
Is a pugio right wing enough?
Kills Caesar and doesn't afraid of anything.

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>>33034660
Here's an expensive modern tacticool version of an Italian fascist dagger

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>>33026648
I'm really excited, yesterday I got an Email from Valiant Armoury, my Rhinelander (pic related) is on it's way, after a 9 1/2 week wait. Should be here Wednesday, I'll post it.

I ordered mine with a blue handle/belt and a gray sheath.

>>33034522
Gauntlets are inconvenient, offer less protection and you can't wear them in your everyday life.

>>33034835
I don't think you can carry a sword around in your everyday life either. Fuck, gauntlets would be easier to transport in your everyday life.

>>33034897
Well, we're not talking about modern day, in the Renaissance you could carry a sword.

>>33034746
this is good.


>>33034737
Looking into this one

>>33034820
This is great too

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lol, i bet none of you actually know how to use a sword

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>>33034897
>I don't think you can carry a sword around in your everyday life either

I the issues of our current day probably weren't as big a concern for those who designed that hilt as the issues facing them and their customers in their life there and then.

>>33034989
Unlike that bitch, I *know* how to use one but I have no practical experience because I'm not a faggot.

>>33034989
And you know so much about using a sword, you think this swordfu "knows how to use a sword", because she twirls it around a little.

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>>33035032
>>33035039

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>>33035055

>>33034939
Rich people could carry a sword. Poor people were banned from carrying weapons, not that they could afford them, for fear of peasant uprisings, which happened often.

>>33034989
this bitch would get shivved the moment she started that fancy shit.

>>33035153
Way to broad of a statement, it varied greatly by area and the exact time we are talking about in the Renaissance.

But by the Renaissance, swords were not that expensive, at lest a basic, if not used one, and this is even by the late Medieval period, non the less the Renaissance.

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>>33035153
Laws, custom and the price of swords varied considerably with place and time. Plenty of peasants and burgers would have swords, as well as other weapons, and some armour lying around, while others would not.

See for example: http://hroarr.com/lecture-on-swords-in-daily-life-of-the-renaissance/

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>>33035032
>>33035039
>>33035157
These fucking autists.
Hint: that's supposed to be fancy twirling, not a display of actual swordsmanship.

>>33035335
Obviously... but his post is about knowing how to use a sword... typically it would be a good idea to accompany that accusation with anything other than a webm of someone improperly using a sword, at lest in the combat sense.

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>>33035347
>typically it would be a good idea to accompany that accusation with anything other than a webm of someone improperly using a sword, at lest in the combat sense.

THIS! Webm related

>>33035350
>all that turning
the pragmatic thing to do is not face away from your enemy at any time if you can help it. Honour in a deathmatch doesn't exist that often, unless you're dealing with people who have something to lose by fighting dishonourably, like nobles or holy warriors.

>>33035451
>I don't understand the context of the video and will pretend to be an expert on the subject
Every time with you retards.

>>33035451
I'm not sure the "no backstabbing" thing was all that universal either, and even when it does apply, it may be more about exploiting an unfair advantage than punishing someone for intentionally doing stupid things.

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>>33026648
What gun is that?

>>33035350
>>33035475

Looks like a practice drill to me... the guy looks familiar, I think he is a sword guy on YouTube, maybe in the Italian style.

>>33035475
>turning away from the enemy in a sword fight
>ever
LOL
GTFO

>>33035475
>i'm going to tell these guys that they have no idea how to fight with a sword, then post videos that are explicitly a shit example of fighting with a sword
wew lad

>>33035512
>Looks like a practice drill to me...

Filename.

>>33032697
>stop liking what I don't like!

>>33035512
>Looks like a practice drill to me...

It's not. He did a video explaining how one can do pirouettes with a sword like in the Witcher games. He outright says in his video that doing that shit would not work in a real fight.

>>33034989
6/10 would bang if desperate or after 2 beers

>>33035350
Actually, I think that girl has better edge alignment whenever she actually swings the sword.

>>33035634
>Tommy stop playing knight with the tree and come get your chicken tendies

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Can any of you nigs help?

From lookin online, seems to be a 1944 style Shin Gunto. Trying to figure out how to take the handle off, but most of the videos show tapered pins that you just punch out. This one has some threaded bolt with no head, and it looks like there is a second pin lower on the handle but it is under the shoelace wrapping.

>>33035826
>>33034989
Implying you wouldn't snatch her sword away and pin her down on the mat and rape her until she shits her self.

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>>33026648
>Windlass
>Indiashit whippy garbage

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>>33036014
And the other side

Not trying to cause more damage to the thing. I swear it almost looks like the original pin fell out and somebody jammed a bolt in there and used a hacksaw to cut off the head

>>33027039
I have a windlass gladius that is built like a rock.

>>33036014
That's not exactly a standard feature. It might simply have been beaten in there, and then firmly welded in place by seventy years of corrosion. Unless you really, truly, absolutely must get the handle off, just leave it.

>>33036036
Nvm somebody def jammed an old bolt in there to hold the handle on. Wtf.

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>>33036068
Forgot pic

>>33034522
gauntlets make it too hard to use a gun.

>>33036077
The fact that it's signed is good, the lower quality guntos didn't have them. Might be worth getting it properly restored, though I have no clue who you'd send it to for that

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>>33036135
You know of a good website? I've been googling for it and all I can find so far seems to be the star on the other side meaning it was likely made by a "Jumei" so while it doesn't look like a super rare sword, it might not be total stamped garbage from the end of the war.

Hey swordfags

What would be the best sword for killing an unarmored opponent in confined spaces no larger than a 10x10 room?

I've never used a sword but I have stabbed two people with knives if that helps. Me and my friends also used to fight eachother with sticks and paint roller handles when I was a kid so I have an okay handle on the general motions involved in swording people.

This is intended to supplement a firearm, I am just a mildly paranoid person who wants to have every option covered.

>>33036240
Something short and light, maybe some filipino stuff like a moro bangkon, a cutlass, a hanger, gladius, etc.

>>33036240
Cutlass.

>>33036035
is that meme in finnish?

>>33036240
Gladius. Short sword that is light weight and can get quick stabs which deliver a really really ugly wound (I stabbed myself in the hand with one by accident once trust me its bad)

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>>33036159
So I think this side, or at least part of it, is when it was made

>>33036240
a bayonet.

a cutlass, sidesword, or backsword is also good

>>33036159
I'm afraid I don't know how to read the kanji, it could be worth asking about on SBG forums or myarmoury as I'm sure there are people there who can tell you a lot more

>>33031949
Both go to jail for being confusing.

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>>33036159
www.nihontomessageboard.com could probably point you to a reputable polisher for restoration, as well as give you some insight on the blade.

Proper polishing is a lot of money though.

>>33036240
Mild paranoia is probably much better treated by psychiatry than weaponry. As for the sword, the idea of a "best" sword is probably fundamentally flawed in itself, which makes any argument regarding which one it'd be a castle built on a house of cards somewhere in the vicinity of Tokyo. A few things can be said with some certainty, a large twohander for example probably not being ideal in a small room, but as soon as you want somethign mroe specific it's most likely going to be a question not of which is the best sword, but which sword you're the best with.

Further muddling the waters is the fact that most sword types see a lot of variation. If you claim type A is more X than type B, then in many cases we can without too much problem find a B and an A where the B is more X than that A. Thus the best sword here is unlikely to be a sword type, and may instead be a specific individual.

Long story short, take your meds, and get whatever sword feels right. Just avoid wallhangers or zombie slayers and whatnot, we shouldn't encourage that kind of thing.

>>33034522
How can you see the first blood if big sexy metal hands?

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>>33036303
Seems to fit, yes. Showa 20 is 1945.

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>>33036317
I think I may have the date part down.

First two are "Sho" and "Wa" which basically means 1926, and the next two are "2" and "10" so maybe 1938? And the 6th and 7th are "1" and "Month" so Jan of 1938. Idk about the last two.

I think the other side might be the maker's signature but there are so many markings. Fucking gooks trying to be all isolated and so different from Western cultures. The Arisaka was much easier to find info on.

>>33036361
Ok, so it's 20 and not 12? Idk how to read those Japanese numbers at all. One website shows you just add them. Makes sense because I think that model was 1944+.

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>>33036014
Idk about metal ones, I'm used to bamboo. Typically they are tappered, so one side will come out, here is a good video on it. Pic related is my Hanwei Raptor taken apart for maintenance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyQr2mF_ZtY

>>33036370
>First two are "Sho" and "Wa" which basically means 1926

The Japanese calendar goes off the reigns of the Emperors. The reign of Emperor Hirohito is the Showa period, which began when he took the throne in December 1926. We're currently in the Taisho era.

"Two ten" is simply how you write twenty in Japanese. Contrary to the rest of us, they don't bother with "fourteen" and "thirty" and so on, they just say "ten four" and "three ten" instead.

So the twentieth year of the Showa period.

Without bothering to look up the last two, it may be something about it being on an auspicious day or such, that's quite common IIRC.

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>>33036389
>>33036361
And if it were 12, I would've messed that up too because Showa 1 would be 1926, right? So Showa 12 would be 1937?

So I'm at Jan 1945 and something with Jumei. Making progress.

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>>33036422
Cool. Thanks f@m.

Now I'm gonna start tripping and piss people off. Idk where to even start with this side. I'm guessing this is the signature side?

Only thing I saw so far was the star, which means it was probably made by an actual army swordmaker rather than a last ditch cheap leaf spring sword, right?

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>>33036423
One thing to keep in mind in general is that blades can be much older than their fittings, though this doesn't seem to be the case here.

Anyone got any Scottish Swords?

>>33036240
>, I am just a mildly paranoid person who wants to have every option covered.

I suspect your best weapon would be a good psychologist, not a sword.

however.

>What would be the best sword for killing an unarmored opponent in confined spaces no larger than a 10x10 room?

any sword would do the job.
katana, khopesh, Oakeshott Xa, and so on. there's no such thing as deader than dead, and real life doesnt have hit points. what matters is actual training, to use the weapon in the right way.

That said, I would say a cutting weapon in favour of a thrusting one. Rapiers, smallsword etc are more lethal, by causing internal organ damage, they are more likely to kill. However, such injuries are less likely to incapacitate. In contrast, cleaving cuts which sever muscle groups are far less likely to kill. They are far more likely to disable.
And killing is not the objective. the objective is to not be killed yourself. Disable the opponent, and you remove the threat from yourself. Cause ultimately fatal wounds which will take 10 mins to kill, and your opponent continues to be a threat for those 10 mins.

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>>33036446
Went and had a look at one of the good places to keep bookmarked: https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/showato.htm

So the star means it was made by a smith of the Rikugun Jumei Tosho, the Army's approved sword smith group. Thus Jumei is in no way a specific smith. It also seems to make it likely that you have a traditionally made blade there, rather than a leaf spring. (Though if they'd waste leaf spring metal on one of the last ditch swords in 1945, I dunno...), though it's no guarantee.

So your smith would probably be one of these guys:

https://www.japaneseswordindex.com/gendai2.htm

Well... I'm sure there are reference books out there which shows how each and every one of those in the first list at least signed their work, but I don't have any such, and I'd probably have to learn Japanese to read it anyway.

If you really feel like digging in personally I guess it's time to start identifying individual knaji, and then go through the different readings until some combination matches a name form the list. That's an ungodly amount of work though (looking up kanji is a bugger and a half at the best of times) and unfortunately I think names may at times have very, uhm, creative ways of going from kanji to sound, and here we'll have a century's worth of language evolution to contend with as well (at least they tend to be conservative).

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And then there's this, which is apparently a thing that happened, possibly because the universe knew these two topics would end up next to each other.

>>33036469
>>33036540
>>33036553
The ugliest and most uncomfortable basket hilt of all.

>>33036504
Agreed, also some mace is a great idea

>>33036504
>smallswords
>more lethal
This is a myth, smallswords are duelling weapons. They're not warswords and they're not designed to kill. Running someone through is not necessarily going kill someone even if you hit a lung do to the small blade profile, and most injuries from swordfighting are to the arms or hands, where any injuries inflicted by a smallsword are likely to be totally superfluous.

Get a sidesword if you want a thrusting sword, smallswords are too, well, small, and rapiers are too unwieldy unless you're already a very skilled fencer.

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>>33036469
I have a VA Rhinelander on the way currently. The XIIa is not inherently Irish, however my sword has furniture that would be more common on Irish swords, a type of "S" guard and a T pommel.

>>33036606
>>33036504
Actually I just reread your post, never mind, you make good points

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>>33036540
Yeah that's the website I have been going off of, but they don't show the markings for each swordsmith so I think they are expecting you to go through the kanji and translate that and then try to find that name on the list of Jumei swordsmiths. But they say some of the simple signatures are two characters while this one has twelve so I'm getting a headache just trying to translate the characters and find out which is the actual signature and what the other markings are.

I'm going fishin. I will deal with that shit later.

>>33036610
isn'tt the word "rhinelander" germanic?

>>33036422
>We're currently in the Taisho era.

Heisei is dead?

>>33036606

It is not a "myth". it is a fact.
Puncture wounds - be it by rapier, smallsword, stiletto, or anything else, are more likely to result in fatality.

where the difference lies is in the speed of fatality, and the wounded target's capacity for action after receiving an ultimately fatal wound.

While it is less of a concern with modern medical aid, the thrusting wounds had a history of causing fatal injuries which would cause the victim to cling on for several days before death. the transition from longsword to rapiers in duelling saw a massive spike in faltalities, and most importantly, double fatalities - where one person was run through, but still capable of doing the same to their opponent.

The smallsword, rapier, etc meanwhle underperform in causing the disabling injuries which are ultimately survivable with even medieval medical care, but which rapidly or instantly neutralise their threat capacity.

the attacker with a knife, gun or another sword is not a threat, if the arm is unable to be lifted. they are a threat, if their arm is fine, but they have a stab wound through the liver.

This has been a subject studied by historians, martial artists, and pathologists ( I know one forensic pathologist who also did HEMA combining the two.) who have written at length on the subject of the difference of wound types from different combat injuries.

>>33036677
yep, died a while ago, apparently, in 1989. current emperor is this guy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akihito

>>33036715
>yep, died a while ago, apparently, in 1989
That was Showa.

>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akihito
That is Heisei.

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>>33036677
Nope, just a good deal of my brain it seems. Taisho comes before Showa, now it's Heisei. If most likely not for much longer.

>>33036732
aha. Wasn't aware they had two names. No clue who that guy the other anon was talking about is. Though it does say that Heisei is supposedly set to abdicate in 2018

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Well I just bought a Scharad Brush Sword, not really a "sword" and more of a machete, but figured I would say it here. .. even though I have my VA Rhinelander on the way.

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>>33026648
Some of what I've heard, seen or handled:

Custom:

Regenyei: Have sparred with. Nice Feders, really well-balanced if a bit on the light side. Affordable. Have seen one break on first use; customer service did respond appropriately but took while to do so.

Berbecucz: I own a Feder of his. Sturdy. Not perfectly balanced, but good enough. Also affordable. Can't complain.

Maestle-Goer: Have handled several. High quality, well-balanced, excellent performance. Exorbitantly pricey. And you thought Albion were expensive.

Lutel: Supposedly decent.


Production:

Hanwei Tinker: I own a GSOW, it's really affordable and great fun for cutting. Have also handled some others from this line, which were all decent and affordable.

Windlass: I own a blunt 15th Century Longsword. It's almost completely rigid, so I must deny the claim of whippiness in at least this instance. Really soft metal though, so many chinks you'd think it'd speak Chinese. Has survived a lot of shit, though.

Darksword: Supposedly overbuilt as fuck.

Albion: Have handled. Good, sure enough. Far too expensive to do much with, no matter what richfag braggards claim. Seriously, don't get those if you aren't rich as fuck or you don't intend to to anything with your sword.

>>33036687
yes I know puncture wounds are more lethal, I misread your post and I made another post agreeing with you.

But, like you said, the ability to incapacitate your opponent is much more important than the lethality of any given wound, because if you become incapacitated in anything that isn't a duel, you're dead.

I tend to jump the shark on these kinds of arguments because there's this prevailing "smallsword elitism" meme where people act like smallswords are the epitome of sword design, and that anyone with a smallsword could cut someone with a longsword to ribbons, etc

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>>33026947
>a lost wax casting of the head of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, may God rest his Soul

I want this.

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>>33036504
There is another reason why a cutting sword is better: it's better suited to deal with multiple opponents. If you run an enemy through with your weapon, you then have to get the weapon out, and that could be a problem.

This here is a Russian tesak. Many of them were similar to hunting swords both in design and functions, though some were more like machetes or messers, and they were standrd issue weapons to Russian sailors, so they played the role of cutlasses. This one looks more like a falcata.

We all know smallsword fencers are gay, right?

>>33037540
Wrong?

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>>33029676
It's not KOA - it's a custom piece made by Sonny at Valiant Armoury. They are excellent and very attentive to their customers

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>>33037865
I'm so excited, my VA Rhinlander is now in mail, I waited about 9 1/2 weeks for it, so it's coming sooner than I expected.

>>33037540
I mean, there's nothing WRONG with smallsword fencing. I sport fenced for years before I made the switch to HEMA, and there's a lot that transfers over, in timing, measure, footwork, etc. My saber and sidesword, but especially my rapier, are all pretty good as a result, and I had a pretty solid foundation to build my longsword on.

It's just that there's a weird smallsword cult of retards that don't even fence that say shit like "I could poke a dozen holes in you before you swing your longsword once" and shit like that. It's basically the katana 2.0

>oh yeah I also come from a wrestling background and rapier is like 40% wrestling if you know how to fleche

>>33038091
I have never in my life seen any smallsword fanboys like you describe. Not even anyone close.

>>33029293
>>33027132
>>33027113
>>33027090
Where can I buy a Swiss sabre like these for under 200?

Looking for a training beater not a wall piece desu

>>33039544
I think you forgot a 0 there friend

>>33037000
Trips of truth right here

>>33039544
>200
Try 1800

>>33039552
>>33039596
Oh wow jeez, if that's the case where can I buy a sabre/ krieg Messer for 200?

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>>33039544
Well the Dark Sword Armory Swiss Saber is $425, but honestly DSA is a little bit sketchy in my books. They are beautiful, and well put together, but a lot of people say their blades are a bit "whipy" and their long term durability (with heavy use) is questionable.

I'm eventually planning to buy their Danish Dagger, because blade rigidity and structural integrity are not really an issue with daggers like they are with a sword.

>>33039637
Once more, I think you missed a 0 from there.

what you're saying, roughly, is "I've got $5000. where should I buy a Ferrari 488 GTB?"

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>>33039637
As for a Messer, Ronin Katana just put out there Euro #10. It's a Kriegmesser... Now it's actually a Falchion because of the handle design.

Things to note though, for $200 the Fit&finish is going to be a bit rough, and the sheath is a freebee, it's crap... BUT it is a good functional sword. I'm considering getting one. Ronin's are known for being tanks.

>>33039637
>Sabre
Universal swords offers I couple, though I can't recommend them since I've only had one that I never got around to sharpening and just threw it on a wall.
>kreigsmesser
At that price range, maybe the cold steel man at arms messer, though that's another questionable buy.

For a $200 budget the only type of sword I can recommend is the katana simply because of how cheap chinese forges can put them out, you can get a pretty good one for a low price due to this. Though if >>33039700 is at that price, go for it. RK swords are actual tanks unlike darksword's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSS-BzSno9k

>>33039637
You aren't going to find anything high quality for anywhere near that

I was going to suggest Cold Steel, I know they sell a messer for like 400 or so, but >>33039700 is probably a better choice. Cold Steel has a reputation for being sharpened crowbars, which might be what you want for "training beater" depending on the use you intend.

>>33039700
problem with it is, its no more a messer than a AR15 is a "Kalashnikov".

no nagel or even a side-ring, and completely the wrong pommel type. There is not one surviving messer like that in a single museum.
you could just about get away with the grip construction on a few of the dresden group messers, but they're not kriegsmessers.

plus the pommel size is a massive flashing warning light saying "danger, overweight blade in front"

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>>33039734
I even stated that it's not a messer, it's a Falchion, because of the handled, but it's shaped like the iconic Kreigsmesser. I'm familiar with the Emslie Typology.

>>33039734
It looks like they took their longsword guard&pommel and threw it on a different blade.

>>33039766
So am I.

I'm just less generous than you are at even calling it a messer..... I'd hesitate to even call it a falchion.

I'd just call it a fucking trainwreck.

Speaking of Ronin Katana, their scratch and dent sale is in two days.

Those dojo pro models are fantastic and all you have to do is glue on a kurigata, replace a frayed sageo, or clean off some basic surface discolorations

>>33039833
Well it is a falchion by definition.

It would be a F5a+ or ++ where as the classic Kriegmesser would be a M5a+ or ++

Yeah it may not look the best, (I honestly think it looks nice), and it maybe a miss mash of parts... but it's a functional European styled sword for $200, that is a proper weight, and based on RK's other stuff, is not terribly balanced.

>>33039846
Oh I did not know they had one, is it on their main site? I may just have to pick something up... even though I really should not... I have a $650 VA longsword in the mail... and a $35 swordchete on the way as well.

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>>33039898
Yep, I have a dojo pro #18 I got last year. It's on their main site

http://roninkatana.com/2017-scratch-dent-sword-sale/

If I wasn't saving up to build a PC (And didn't have my VA kriegsschwert and windlass pompeii on the way) I'd pick up a dojo pro wakizashi and see if I could find a green ito wrap to match the #18
http://roninkatana.com/2017-scratch-dent-sword-sale/

>>33039937
Oops didn't mean to link it twice

>>33039879
actually, it has a stepped spine in the first third, so its an F4b,

specifically, a Type F4b+, Style 11 (straight), Form T5 (Faceted).

Group 5 blades are principally parallel-sided blades where there are no steps or rapid changes in profile width. Group 4 are those with stepped spines, including those with yelman.

at 1.44kg, its a bit overweight for a messer. Hard to say for a falchion given its inaccuracy to real ones there. Sad thing is, put an Oakeshott J (or even better, a Z) pommel on it, and it would be perfectly fine as a Hungarian single-edged sword.

Its not grotesquely overweight though for that sort of weapon. just had one pie too many.
Cross dimensions are ropey as fuck for 15th C styles, of course, too, should be geometrically proportioned, ideally.

>>33026648
What sword is that

>>33039937
fuck you... like really... Thanks to you I'm spending $165 on a sword tomorrow.. lol

I'm still looking through them, but so far the #18, #25, and #11 have stood out to me... Ideally though #11 because I want something with a Bo-hi. I have a Hanwei Raptor with out a Bo-hi. Ideally one of these will have a Bo-hi and a cool handle color, ideally black ray skin on blue/green/brown/dark red silk.

What was the issue with your #18? Anything you could notice that was why it was in the sale?

>>33040083
With my 18? The kurigata had fallen off (epoxied back on and it's fine) and the sageo was frayed to shit (which didn't matter because I don't practice Japanese sword martial arts and can just put the scabbard to the side when cutting)

I went with the 18 soley because of the handle colors. The green and black looks really good together, though I would have liked a bo-hi. It's a beast of a blade and all the fittings are very well attached

>>33040115
I'm honestly going to go with the 18 if I get to it in time. I like the color too, and the tsuba is rather pleasing as well, I've always like the simple symmetric ones.

Unfortunately they only had two with Bo-hi and both had white ray skin with black silk.

God I don't know who's gonna kill me worse, my mom or girl friend... It does not help that I'm going to have the VA longsword and the Scharad Brush sword coming in this week as well.

I better do some sharpening to make up for this....

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>>33035350
>>33034989
How HEMA actually looked

What are the best viking swords for under $600

>>33040810
Albion squire line viking is $430. This is the correct answer

>>33040810
>>33040840
I agree with the Albion... However it is worth mentioning the 9 month wait time and no sheath.

Because of that it is worth considering Valiant Armoury... however they do not make a Viking Era sword... I've heard that DSA's Viking Era swords are not as sketchy as their longswords because they are shorter, more ridged, blades. So its worth looking at them.

>>33041134
Well there's the VA hjalmar and norseman. Which currently just barely fit under the $600 mark due to some sale

>>33041204
OH I forgot about those. And there is the Hedemark which is $450.

VA always has their swords "on sale"... The only real sales (that I've seen) are the 12 swords of Christmas.

>>33041292
The hedemark isn't up on the site anymore, might not be around at the moment but Sonny is a great guy and might be able to get you something similar to it since he's able to mix and match various hilt parts around if you ask.

>>33040810
VA heidmark
http://www.customswordshoppe.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60&product_id=89

valiant armory is the best for "budget" swords with great scabbards/belts. Suttles is fast to produce and good with communication throughout the process.

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How come nazi swords are so cheap? Are they real shit? I would have thought they'd have the aryabu tax like anything else nazi related.

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>>33041343
Hmmm, it's still there for me, under the Signature Collection. But yeah they have removed a lot of the swords lately. Must be getting ready to launch some new ones.

I'm not the guy asking about the Viking swords... I've got too many Swords in the works as it. I got an email from Sonny yesterday saying my Rhinelander is ready and being shipped.. And I bought a Scharad Brush Sword (more of a Machete) today, and thanks to this (>>33040115) fag I'm buying a factory second Ronin katana on Monday. I'm gonna be broke blade wise for the next few months.

http://www.valiant-armoury.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60&product_id=56

>>33027090
this thing is brazed garbage btw

Darksword makes ill tempered crap from parts made in china, unless you honestly believe they have a foundry and forge in a small industrial park warehouse while registered in canada as an import company.

>>33041402
You maybe looking at wall hangers... Or do you mean like Actual antique WW2 Nazi swords?

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Still confused if anybody here is really bored and wants to figure this out...

>top half and bottom half of the tang

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>>33041419
These might be wall hangers.
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/german-wwii-officers-sabre-sw1147/
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/german-army-officers-wwii-sabre-sw1148/

This one is definitely real though, Much pricier at $1,400, but a bargain compared to Japanese swords.
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/german-wwii-luftwaffe-airforce-officers-sword-sw1144/

>>33029460
>impossible to break
het

>be me
>be underagefag
>need sword for hema
>DSA looks good and they have several neat options
>email ezyel or however you pronounce that fucks name about their suitability for hema/blade on blade fighting
>he says they'll hold up great muh super durable steel
>buy "siegmund of tyrol" sword from KOA soon after
>use it once against a hanwei 2h bastard sword blunt that gets chewed up if you look at wrong
>1/2 cm nicks where metal is literally scooped out of my blade every time they touched
>fugg
>contact KOA and show them owner of the fucking companies email
>return it
>buy a BKS longsword instead
>this was 6 years ago
>used the BKS in a couple of submission armored combat fights today and have been 1-16 times a month ever since I bought it.

>>33036564
or possibly because a guy on SBG/myarmoury had a broken potmetal indian made backsword with their ok/10 cast brass baskets and a spare katana blade

>>33041509
You could get one hell of a modern sword for $1,400. That is the upper end of European swords, and the mid/upper end of Production Katanas (i.e. not made in Japan, but functionally the same/better).

>>33041623
> That is the upper end of European swords

its also the very bottom end of the handmade european arms.

and they go up far further than $1,500...

>>33041623
I don't know if you're familiar with Collectors Firearms in Houston, but their Jewry knows no limits. $1,400 for a real sword is on the low end for them.
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/italian-18th-century-schiavona-sw985/

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/swords/

>>33039060
I think you underestimate the level of autism within the sword community and it's very specific echo chambers
>sport fencers think their radio antenna quick draw event is the epitome of sword fighting and shit on all others because they that one time fought a guy from the SCA who has never read a rapier manual and trounced him
just like
>SCA guy thinks hitting a real sword against armor is too dangerous so everyone else like adrian empire must be faking/holding back or they'd be cutting through each others armor like lightsabers... then Botn/HMB craze including several fatalities showing what unequivocal pussies they are for hitting each other with hardcore broom handles

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>love odachi/nodachi
>really hard to find real information on their use
>make fun cutting videos using one
>Metatron starts making vids on them
>For Honor introduces more kiddos to it
>start getting cringey comments from people who have no idea what they're talking about

This is the only thing I hate about making videos with japanese swords. I just got another idiot saying "You need to put that odachi down blah blah it requires special training due to it's length." I made a video using it in one hand with reverse grip just to trigger them more. Pic related is me.

What is your swordfu?

>>33041790
Metatron's videos are great, but I hate all the people who then go to other people just having fun and screaming "NO YOU CAN'T DO IT THAT WAY STOP ENJOYING YOUSELF"

>>33041790
Post the videos, I like seeing autists cut things.

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>>33041790
My swordfu is the Albion Doge. Assuming swordfu means a dream sword.

>>33041665
>>33041740
Sorry I meant to say "production" European like I said Production katana.

>>33042120
So you avoided the question completely. Like comparing a Picasso to a Bob Marley poster.

I'd still like to know why these Nazi swords are relatively cheap for historic antique swords, despite Nazi memorabilia typically going for a premium.

>>33042019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCz97rmJyvQ&t=205s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyZIrc3R4WE

I have more, but I'm not too happy with them.

>>33041981
I like his videos. I made two Odachi technique videos(I think before he did) and we pretty much found the exact same things. He was very professional, however, and blew my crappy videos out of the water. I might take these down at some point, my cutting sucked.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00QgZABirQU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxoJ8wDzO54

>>33042247
>I'm naruto
>noooo my water
kek good stuff

How do you like that musashi? I was considering adding it to my list of swords I eventually want to pick up because of seven samurai and for honor

>>33042541
I absolutely recommend Musashi as a brand, fantastic stuff for the price. They also just made a Yari(spear) and a naginata.

As for that Odachi, it's only $200, comes sharp enough, isn't loose, and it comes in a cool storage box with a cleaning/oiling kit. It's pretty weighty, but if you have good balance you'll be fine. I'm a skellyman but I can still use it(keep in mind I work out regularly though, it does put strain on the arms).
For even cheaper you can get one of the Shinwa Odachi. Personally I dislike Shinwa, and think their odachi has too much handle along with their general sword problems.

>>33027039
>doesn't have the right ulfberht stamp
someone didn't do their research

>>33034503
>>33034387
I'm a bladesmith, maybe I can help you out a bit.
To get a basic working set up is pretty cheap, I made my first coal forge for under 50 dollars. Depending on your area you can sometimes find an old anvil on the cheap, but be prepared to spend around 150 for a decent ~125lb or heavier anvil. Don't go lighter than that. You'll need a proper hammer and pair of tongs to start with, id budget another 75-100 dollars for that but you can get by with something cheaper until you're ready to commit to the hobby. Once you have the basics your next goal should be to start building tools. Mastering the Fundamentals of Blacksmithing by Mark Aspery is a great series of books that will have you making a bunch of useful stuff and completing all of the projects there will put you at a good place skill wise. There should be a pdf out there of it if I remember correctly. With a basic forge and tools you'll mostly be limited by what your hammer can displace and what you can grind so if you are serious about making swords the next thing you need to look at getting is a proper grinder. be prepared to spend at least as much on this as you've spent on your anvil and forge. You don't want to be finishing a sword blade using only files, I've done it before and it sucks. I'd also recommend picking up an angle grinder as you can emulate a lot of other tools well enough for a beginner with that.

>>33043504
>someone didn't do their research

On the contrary, he has - much more than you have.

that's a pattern-welded blade, not a wootz steel.

therefore, that is the right marking; +ulfberht+, rather than the +ulfberh+t marking which has only been found on those which have been identified as Wootz ones.

>>33043929
I see your point, just not why someone would want to replicate the details on the counterfeits and not the original.

>>33044569
because there are three groups of these swords:

+ulfberh+t - the wootz steel ones.

+ulfberht+ - the high-quality ones with pattern-welded steel blades.

and then you get vlfhbrt+ ulb+vbrt, ufbrt, and so on. Those are the ones which are copies, and most of them are crap steels, or worse, wrought iron cores.

most of the research indicates that +ulfberht+ and +ulfberh+t came from the same production source somewhere along the Rhine, the +t ones simply being identified as a particularly higher-standard product.

>>33044725
and lastly, even the crappy ones are also "original" swords.

they may not be +ulfberh+t swords - but they are genuine swords from the 7-9th centuries. and therefore, study of them teaches us about the weapons.

infact, if anything they teach us more than those wootz steel ones. Those are the ferraris or lamborghinis of their age.

if you were a historian in 3017, and you wanted to know how people travelled to work every day, which is more informative - a lamborghini, or a ford?
the lambo might teach you about the millionaire boss, but the ford teaches you a shitload more about the normal people's everyday commute.

>>33041366
how do people deal with the very short handle of viking swords?

My hand always feel wedged between the very bulk guard and very bulky pommel

>>33045529
That's (probably) intentional to force you into using a certain style of grip. Similar to how the tulwar handle is set up

>>33045538
maybe people back then had tiny hands

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>>33045529
Don't hammer grip.

>>33040254
dope webm

>>33036687
>but they have a stab wound through the liver.
I agree with most points but about liver. Stab through liver most probably would be immediately incapacitating via pain.

>>33037187
>it's better suited to deal with multiple opponents.
It depends on the moral of opponent. If they are here to kill then yes, if they are here for your purse then not much. Long arse rapier is perfectly suited to scare multiple not-so-eager opponents off. "Who would make first step and die for his purse? Better you than me. " Stalemate.

>>33039544
You really can't is the sad thing.

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I really want a Schiavona because it looks so cool, but it seems like it would be impractical in the modern context, since the handguard would be most likely useless and even a hindrance in grabbing it quickly when you need it.

I'd think a gladius would be best, since its simple handle and short blade would be ideal for close quarters home defense.

>>33034387
>>33034503

Suppose I should give my penny's worth, given someone sent me a link to look at the thread.
I'm a professional smith - one, in fact, mentioned by people in here. No, not saying which one.

>tfw want to set up a forge and make my own swords
>How realistic is that?
>How expensive would it be,
>how long would the mastering of metalsmithing take me?

How realistic? I'll be honest: its not for the sensible. Especially not as a sole source of income.
its brutally harsh work for an hourly rate that struggles to reach basic minimum wage. It can wreck your hearing, your eyesight (IR heat damage), your lungs (breathing dust) and your body. (hammering isnt fun year on year). Its a tought gig to make a profit at. one smith I know made the memorable quote that sums that up: "I am a successful sword-smith. that means I've only been bankrupt three times."

So, is it realistic to do as a day job? probably not. Realistic to be able to do as a hobby, and accept you're probably never going to make a penny? Well, that's more likely.

How Expensive?
Well, how much money do you have to burn? Full heat-treat kilns with salt pots, a 100kwt anvil, a coal forge and a gas one for when you need an oxidising flame, a set of 50 different file types, a dozen different hammers, sets of swages, a pexto block, a 50lb power hammer, a hydraulic press for PW work, pillar drill, leg vise, table vise, woodworker's vise, a set of chisels, a platen belt grinder, a contact wheel grinder, a few hundred belts, a full-size workshop rented out... the sky's the limit.
To give you a sense of perspective, though for me, I'd estimate my equipment in total is somewhere in the region of $5000 to 6000, not including any workshop building - and I have a long list of equipment I'd like to own that I dont yet have.

You can rig up a crude setup for maybe $500. basic coal forge, old crapped out anvil, a DIY'd belt grinder, but that will severely gimp your ability to make certain types.

>>33048431 ctd

How long to master?
I've spent about 15 years making swords (and dabbling for longer). forgeworking for 11. I have an international reputation, I sell mine for $3000+ pricetags.

And I don't think I've mastered it. not even close.

I think I might be comfortable calling myself an expert now, but I'm no master. Perhaps another 10 years of work and I could be getting toward that level.
I spend perhaps 50% of my time not making swords. That time is spent travelling around museums from one end of Europe to the other, sitting in the back rooms with calipers and tracing paper, making measurements and data of each real one, to understand the exact dimensions they had, doing research studying the insanely anal details of cross-sections of hilts, and the thickness of grip risers, or looking at renaissance paintings, and practising to do techniques that a few hundred people worldwide know. I collaborate with some of the best sword-smiths in the world, we're a close-knit community - as Peter Johnsson has put it, we are "brothers of fire" - and its true, we do treat others as our brothers (and a few sisters.) in this insane craft we're doing.

There is a huge amount of work to master it, and become great. Its not hard to learn to make a basic steel blade - though I'd also emphasise, start by learning to make small stuff like knives or daggers - but the devil is in the details. there's an awful lot of people making sword-shaped lumps that dont balance right, are too heavy, disproportionate, or have similar faults. It takes years of research to get there - what I've done is PhD level research, and most smiths I know are doing postgrad level study of the academic and history side at the bare minimum. If you think its just a case of grinding out a 3' blade and sticking a metal cross shape on it, and wrapping the non-pointy end in wood and leather, its badly underestimating the work and the details that it takes to make it right, and become a master.

>>33048449
>>33048431

ctd.

Now, with that said, am I saying don't do it? hell no! Its a beautiful craft, you can create amazing stuff with your hands, learn to understand the techniques they used. There is nothing in the world like holding a 600 year old sword, and seeing the scratch-lines of where the maker drove a file across the hilt, and being able to move your own hands, as if you were holding a file, and copy the movement that that smith made, somewhere in medieval Germany.

There's nothing quite like the moment you finish and have something that looks beautiful, which is *right* in every detail.

I've worked in many fields of creative art, I do jewellery, I've made videogame art, I've worked in books and done photography. Nothing comes close to the satisfaction you get from making something beautiful in steel and leather.

all the hard work is worth it.

Don't expect it too make you rich, don't think its easy. But trust me, If I went back to 2002 again and started from scratch, I wouldn't change my career for anything, knowing how far I've managed to get.

>>33048158
why would hand protection be impractical?

You think a baseball bat on your fingers is no big deal?

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>>33048431
>>33048449
>>33048522


Thanks a lot for your insight, really. I'm the second person you quoted. It's thoughtful and well-written.

I wasn't regarding smithing as a prospect to make money, just as a full-on pastime activity, because I'm so fond of metalsmithng and old blades.

I'm not willing to take too much of your time but, if you're still lurking, what advice / recommendation would you give to an aspiring forgeworker?

I don't think I've ever seen a forge in France, so I'm asking while you're there.

>>33048631
plenty of good french smiths - Dr Fabrice Cognot in Dijon, and Gael Fabre in St Julien du Serre come to mind straight away. Fabrice might be able to offer classes too.

> what advice / recommendation would you give to an aspiring forgeworker?

Invest in good safety gear. you only have one set of eyes, one pair of lungs.

Learn when to throw stuff away. that applies to equipment (so many people trying to save a euro on sandpaper, and spending an extra week of sanding, when those extra few pennies spent on new, fresh paper would've done the job in 1/10th the time!), and it applies to blades, hilts etc, when you realise its going wrong. Its better to learn from the mistakes and start again, than try to fix what's gone wrong. Steel is cheap - time is not.

Get into the habit of using fresh material. A lot of people dabbling in it will start by trying to use scrap metal, and its the worst mistake you can have. you dont know if its high carbon steel, mild steel, or something in between, if its full of cracks, or brand new. you cant tell the best method to heat-treat it not knowing the composition. and those all add variables out of the maker's control. Its far better to remove uncertainties, so if something does fail in making it, you can eliminate all possibilities of it being due to the choice of material etc.

Look at the real stuff, not replicas. replicas have mistakes. your copy of a replica will compound those mistakes, adding your own. So always go back to the source when you can.

those are the four main points I would emphasise.

>>33047324
Here's the full video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GoQlvc_H3s

>>33048158
Dude. Any sword is impractical in modern context.

>>33034060
You've been shilling this dude every sword thread for the past several weeks.

>>33048786
Thanks a lot.