Review: VA ATrim I-Beam Practice Sword
Jun 4, 2009 2:33:12 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2009 2:33:12 GMT
VA ATrim I-Beam Practice Sword
Introduction
As a practitioner and instructor for the Schola St. George, I am constantly on the lookout for improved practice blunts. Fiore's method is rough on even the highest quality steel wasters, so rumor of a higher quality steel blunt for the WMA community always catches my attention. When Valiant Armory began a production model of the Angus Trim I-Beam, I knew immediately that I would have to give one a try.
Historical Overview
Though not built to replicate a specific sword from the Oakeshott Typology, I would classify the I-Beam as a Type XVa with a Style 5 guard and a Type H pommel. The only reason I do not call it a Type XII (like the Kriegschwert or Practical Longsword) is because the blade thickness and general feel is more along the lines of the Type XVa family.
Initial Impressions
I ordered the sword on the Thursday before Memorial Day from KoA for $189.95 plus $11.90 for UPS Ground shipping. It arrived the following Wednesday (a little slower than normal due to the holiday weekend).
It suprisingly did not arrive in the standard VA white box, but it has been wrapped in brown paper and put into a plain brown box. Unpacking the sword, I found that the blade had a 1/2" set, some minor edge usage, and a pretty funky grip wrap. After reporting this in the forums, Sonny from Valiant insisted on replacing the weapon directly from him.
The replacement was shipped out before I was able to box up the defective I-Beam and return it, so I give kudos to Sonny for great customer service. The new I-Beam arrived quickly and therfore granted a reset for this review.
So, I unpacked the remailer box to find the standard VA white clamshell box inside. Inside of the white box, I found the the new I-Beam packaged safely inside complete with foam inserts to hold the blade securely.
Giving the sword a cursory inspection, I was plesantly suprised at the quality and feel of the weapon. What started as a rouygh experience was quickly corrected, and in my world, this means that Sonny gets more of my business in the future. ;D
Statistics
Blade Length: 35.00"
Blade Width: 1.25" tapering to .75" at the tip
Blade Thickness: 3/16" at the guard tapering to 1/8" at the tip
Handle Length: 9.00"
Overall Length: 46.50"
Guard Width: 8.25"
POB (Point of Balance): 4.50"
COP (Center of Percussion): 22.25"
Weight: 2lbs, 6oz
The Blade
The blade on the ATrim I-Beam is unique in all of the sword world. It is essentially a CNCed I-Beam, built to withstand the abuse of WMA practitioners while maintaining a marigin of safety.
The edges are far thicker than on most sparring weapons - making it in essence safer and more durable. The edge starts at 3/16" thick at the guard, then tapers gradually to 1/8" thick at the tip.
To lighten the blade and make it more flexible, there is a wide central fuller that cuts deeply though the center of the blade which terminates about 7" from the tip. The fuller is painted black with enamel paint, which gives the I-Beam its characteristic look. The finish is the same 400 grit-ish brushed steel look as on the VA Practicals.
The blade is well-tempered, giving a fair amount of flex, yet it is not quite as flexible as the other offerings in this genre - such as the Tinker Longsword or Hanwei Hand and a Half trainers. It does have more give than the Zohgo from A&A or the Albion Lichtenhauer though.
The Grip
One of the best features about the ATrim I-Beam is the grip. It's composed of a black leather wrap over cord-wrapped poplar. It's 9" long and has plenty of room for my bear paws to wrap around with a couple inches between my hands.
The grip is not overly thick for me, it gives a good, comfortable, and secure feel for my hands while wielding the blade though Fiore's poste. Some users (like my wife) with smaller hands might find the grip a little too thick, but for me, it works.
The Guard
The guard is the same Style 5 as featured on all of the Practical ATrim models. It is plain, yet attractive; finished to the same sheen as the blade and pommel. It has a slight bowtie geometry which terminates in flared ends that have been gently rounded for an added safety factor. The blade sits well against the guard and does not have any unsightly gaps or play in it.
For others selecting this for WMA use, I would recommend that the guard be filed down a little further to remove a little more edge - but as it stands for my purpose, it works well.
The Pommel
The Type H pommel is secured to the tang via a 5mm hexagonal nut - just as on genuine ATrim models. The pommel is finished with the same brushed steel look as on the guard and blade. It has rounded edges, which sit comfortably against the hand. This causes no interference with using the sword; which is more than I can say for a Hanwei Practical Hand and a Half. This is a much more comfortable sword to grip and wield because of this.
The Scabbard
No scabbard is included with the ATrim I-Beam, but then again, why would you need one with a training sword?
Handling Characteristics
The ATrim I-Beam is a pleasure to wield in WMA sparring. My stepson and I gave the sword a good workout in my back yard, running though the longsword plays of Fiore.
The sword possesses good speed and agility, and though it is a sparring weapon, it maintains the feel of an actual sword. The tip tracks well in thrusting attacks and the sword works well as a unit when performing more complex offensive/defensive moves. Blade recovery is quicker than one would expect. The sword is practically impressive, doing just what it needs to do and doing it well.
It's easy when using the I-Beam to become one with it. It has the look and feel of a much higher dollar training blunt, so you forget quickly that this was a sub-$200 trainer. I have wielded the Hanwei, A&A, and Albion blunts in Schola, and to be honest, the I-Beam just feels better in the hand.
Inspecting the I-Beam after use showed no edge damage from a session of moderate steel on steel contact. The wide edges will go far to prevent it from looking like a hacksaw blade in the forseeable future. Though it will eventually suffer some superficial damage from use (even $1000 trainers must be refinished at some point), I have no doubt that it will be servicable for many years to come.
Test Cutting
No test cutting was done, as this is a training blunt.
Conclusions
Despite an initial hiccup with ordering, I have found that the I-Beam is an excellent training sword for the money. The I-Beam impresses me greatly with its quality, construction, and functionality. The I-Beam is just about the perfect training weapon for the money, and I feel that others would find it of great benefit in their training arsenal.
Pros
- Unique blade designed to handle abuse.
- Can be disassembled easily for maintenece.
- Feels and handles like a much higher dollar training blade.
- Valiant Armory has proven to offer excellent customer service.
Cons
- Initial problems with order should be looked at as a possible QC issue.
- Users with smaller hands might find the grip too large.
- Some customers might want a scabbard with the sword (which I think it silly, but some will probably ask about it).
The Bottom Line
I would highly recommend the I-Beam to anyone who is at an intermediate to advanced level in their western martial arts studies. I feel that it is a training weapon of the highest caliber and as such, purchasing it is money well spent.
Though I see the I-Beam as an excellent training weapon, the reason that I would not recommend immediately to beginners is that in many cases, the entry-level student should spend money on their gear and therefore go with something a little cheaper until they are better established and know they want to stick with the art.