CAS Celtic Sword
Mar 31, 2009 5:44:08 GMT
Post by shadowhowler on Mar 31, 2009 5:44:08 GMT
Review of the CAS Celtic Sword by Sean O. Stevens Grvovetown, GA USA
Introduction
How I ended up with this sword is a bit of an odd tale. My wife had bought me the Cold Steel Shamshir for my birthday... because she knew I didn't have a sword of that type and wanted one. She got it from KoA... and when it arrived I was thrilled! Until I unpacked it and saw it had a twist in the blade toward the end. She contacted them and asked about replacing it... and she was told to send it back, which we did. However, upon receiving it we were informed that they thought the twist was so minor that they were NOT going to have one to replace it that would be any better. I was VERY sad about this, because I LOVED the feel of the weapon... the balance of it was great... but I disagreed VERY much about the severity of the twist on the blade... it was a deal breaker for me. So My wife got me this Celtic sword as a replacement. She knew I was looking for the Gen 2 version, and it was sold out everywhere at that time (still is, I believe) So... a few days later... TA DA! I had a CAS Celtic Sword.
Historical overview
This style of Celtic sword is not very historically accurate, but it's very popular with modern reproducers. It's nearly identical in style to Generation 2's Celtic Sword... so Paul has already said what needs to be said on this score here: www.sword-buyers-guide.com/celtic-swords.html
Still, historically accurate or not, I think it's pretty cool looking.
Initial Impressions
The sword arrived very well packed from Kult of Athena. I found this message on the box... which at first inspired awe and fear... but I would later discover was somewhat humorous:
Scary right?
Not so much.
The sword came with a very noticeable secondary bevel... which is fine, many swords do. However, as is the case with almost ever CAS/Hanwei sword I have ever seen... the Western/European swords are dull as a butter knife, while their Katana are as sharp as a razor! This Celtic sword was no exception.
Despite this, I liked the look of the sword... and the heft of it was a lot more then it's size suggested. I did not have an accurate way to weigh it, but it seemed the listed weight at KoA of just under 3 lbs was about right.
It's very blade heavy, as you would imagine with such a pronounced leafblade... and the grip on it is very slender... not wide as I have heard the Generation 2 Celtic sword is. I suspect the grip on the Gen 2 would be better for me, as I have very large hands.
All in all, I had nothing like this in my collection, and it looked almost exactly like the Gen 2 one I had been looking for, so I was happy at first with the exception of the edge.
Statistics
Overall Length: 29 3/8' Blade: 23'
Weight: 2 lb 15.6 oz
P.O.B.: 4
Thickness: 6.6 mm - 5 mm
Width: 34.5 mm - 48.2 mm
Grip Length: 4
Pommel: Threaded
Components
Blade
The blade had a clean, almost mirror polish on it when I got it. However, that changed drastically by the time I was done with my ROUGH amateur sharpening. With some sandpaper and some work the clean look could be restored, I'm sure.
It's a leaf blade with a small fuller running down the center. It's a very attractive blade, in my eyes.
The steel is HARD. It was VERY difficult to sharpen, files mostly skated off of it... and there is NO flex to the blade at all, it's VERY stiff.
Handle/Grip
The grip of the sword is a macassar ebony wood and very attractive, if a little slim. It had a few small cracks... but it didn't look as tho they would be a big problem... tho under heavy use or after some time, they could become worse.
Guard & Pommel
The Guard and Pommel appear to be solid brass... the pieces are certainly heavy!
Tang
The tang is thick enough and sturdy enough to support the blade under reasonable use. I wouldn't push it to extremes. The thread seems to be part of the tang itself and not welded.
Scabbard
An attractive leather scabbard comes with the sword and fits it very well. It has a large belt loop that fits on all my sword belts. It's a nice peice... but don't store your blade in it when not warring the sword, as leather can accelerate rusting.
Handling Characteristics
The sword handles pretty much like you would think it would. It's a short very heavy weapon... and it has a lot of blade presence. However, due to the heavy brass hilt and pommel components it brings some of the weight back into your hand. Still... it's a chopper, NOT a quick nimble short sword.
I'm very thick and strong... so I can get it moving pretty quick and change direction well because of it's short size and weight at the hand. However, it weight could tire your arm out quickly if you don't keep your movements tight and econamical... and someone with a more long, lanky build might fight the sword more difficult to control.
Test Cutting
Well... at first it just swatted bottles across the yard... the edge was far too dull to handle even 20oz soda/water bottles. I spent quite a bit of time sharpening this sword, removing the secondary bevel and making a scratchy mess of the blades once shinny surface.
I could refine it even further... but it DOES cut now... as you can see.
Pros
The CAS Celtic is more affordable then the Generation 2 Celtic by about $60 - $80 depending on where you buy it. It is also in stock most places, while the Gen 2 Celtic has been MIA for some time.
After you get it sharp it cuts pretty well. Someone more skilled then myself could put a NICE edge on this sword, and I feel it would cut VERY well due to it's blade design and weight.
It's an attractive piece, I like the style, even if it is a stretch as far as true Celtic History is concerned.
Cons
The standard 'Hanwei Dull' edge is annoying, and the sword is VERY tough to sharpen.
The grip may be to slim for some, and with the small cracks may have issues over time.
I would prefer a peened pommel on this sword. The threaded pommel seems not quite robust enough for such a heavy stout blade.
The Bottom Line
This one is difficult to answer, as I feel this sword is going to be very subjective from person to person. I think if you like this sword and you are on a budget, it may be a great option for you. However my sense is the Generation 2 Celtic may be a bit better choice... but then again, it is hard to find and more costly. I'd say if you don't intend to use the sword on heavy targets, and you don't mind some work to get it sharp, this could be a good option for a Celtic sword, and the price is certainly nice.
Thanks for reading!
Introduction
How I ended up with this sword is a bit of an odd tale. My wife had bought me the Cold Steel Shamshir for my birthday... because she knew I didn't have a sword of that type and wanted one. She got it from KoA... and when it arrived I was thrilled! Until I unpacked it and saw it had a twist in the blade toward the end. She contacted them and asked about replacing it... and she was told to send it back, which we did. However, upon receiving it we were informed that they thought the twist was so minor that they were NOT going to have one to replace it that would be any better. I was VERY sad about this, because I LOVED the feel of the weapon... the balance of it was great... but I disagreed VERY much about the severity of the twist on the blade... it was a deal breaker for me. So My wife got me this Celtic sword as a replacement. She knew I was looking for the Gen 2 version, and it was sold out everywhere at that time (still is, I believe) So... a few days later... TA DA! I had a CAS Celtic Sword.
Historical overview
This style of Celtic sword is not very historically accurate, but it's very popular with modern reproducers. It's nearly identical in style to Generation 2's Celtic Sword... so Paul has already said what needs to be said on this score here: www.sword-buyers-guide.com/celtic-swords.html
Still, historically accurate or not, I think it's pretty cool looking.
Initial Impressions
The sword arrived very well packed from Kult of Athena. I found this message on the box... which at first inspired awe and fear... but I would later discover was somewhat humorous:
Scary right?
Not so much.
The sword came with a very noticeable secondary bevel... which is fine, many swords do. However, as is the case with almost ever CAS/Hanwei sword I have ever seen... the Western/European swords are dull as a butter knife, while their Katana are as sharp as a razor! This Celtic sword was no exception.
Despite this, I liked the look of the sword... and the heft of it was a lot more then it's size suggested. I did not have an accurate way to weigh it, but it seemed the listed weight at KoA of just under 3 lbs was about right.
It's very blade heavy, as you would imagine with such a pronounced leafblade... and the grip on it is very slender... not wide as I have heard the Generation 2 Celtic sword is. I suspect the grip on the Gen 2 would be better for me, as I have very large hands.
All in all, I had nothing like this in my collection, and it looked almost exactly like the Gen 2 one I had been looking for, so I was happy at first with the exception of the edge.
Statistics
Overall Length: 29 3/8' Blade: 23'
Weight: 2 lb 15.6 oz
P.O.B.: 4
Thickness: 6.6 mm - 5 mm
Width: 34.5 mm - 48.2 mm
Grip Length: 4
Pommel: Threaded
Components
Blade
The blade had a clean, almost mirror polish on it when I got it. However, that changed drastically by the time I was done with my ROUGH amateur sharpening. With some sandpaper and some work the clean look could be restored, I'm sure.
It's a leaf blade with a small fuller running down the center. It's a very attractive blade, in my eyes.
The steel is HARD. It was VERY difficult to sharpen, files mostly skated off of it... and there is NO flex to the blade at all, it's VERY stiff.
Handle/Grip
The grip of the sword is a macassar ebony wood and very attractive, if a little slim. It had a few small cracks... but it didn't look as tho they would be a big problem... tho under heavy use or after some time, they could become worse.
Guard & Pommel
The Guard and Pommel appear to be solid brass... the pieces are certainly heavy!
Tang
The tang is thick enough and sturdy enough to support the blade under reasonable use. I wouldn't push it to extremes. The thread seems to be part of the tang itself and not welded.
Scabbard
An attractive leather scabbard comes with the sword and fits it very well. It has a large belt loop that fits on all my sword belts. It's a nice peice... but don't store your blade in it when not warring the sword, as leather can accelerate rusting.
Handling Characteristics
The sword handles pretty much like you would think it would. It's a short very heavy weapon... and it has a lot of blade presence. However, due to the heavy brass hilt and pommel components it brings some of the weight back into your hand. Still... it's a chopper, NOT a quick nimble short sword.
I'm very thick and strong... so I can get it moving pretty quick and change direction well because of it's short size and weight at the hand. However, it weight could tire your arm out quickly if you don't keep your movements tight and econamical... and someone with a more long, lanky build might fight the sword more difficult to control.
Test Cutting
Well... at first it just swatted bottles across the yard... the edge was far too dull to handle even 20oz soda/water bottles. I spent quite a bit of time sharpening this sword, removing the secondary bevel and making a scratchy mess of the blades once shinny surface.
I could refine it even further... but it DOES cut now... as you can see.
Pros
The CAS Celtic is more affordable then the Generation 2 Celtic by about $60 - $80 depending on where you buy it. It is also in stock most places, while the Gen 2 Celtic has been MIA for some time.
After you get it sharp it cuts pretty well. Someone more skilled then myself could put a NICE edge on this sword, and I feel it would cut VERY well due to it's blade design and weight.
It's an attractive piece, I like the style, even if it is a stretch as far as true Celtic History is concerned.
Cons
The standard 'Hanwei Dull' edge is annoying, and the sword is VERY tough to sharpen.
The grip may be to slim for some, and with the small cracks may have issues over time.
I would prefer a peened pommel on this sword. The threaded pommel seems not quite robust enough for such a heavy stout blade.
The Bottom Line
This one is difficult to answer, as I feel this sword is going to be very subjective from person to person. I think if you like this sword and you are on a budget, it may be a great option for you. However my sense is the Generation 2 Celtic may be a bit better choice... but then again, it is hard to find and more costly. I'd say if you don't intend to use the sword on heavy targets, and you don't mind some work to get it sharp, this could be a good option for a Celtic sword, and the price is certainly nice.
Thanks for reading!