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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2010 0:15:28 GMT
My niece wants a sword for her Sweet 16. I have a limited budget, and after some looking I found the Hanwei Practical Mortuary Hilt. It's on By-The-Sword.com for $183, which falls into my price range perfectly. Says it's sharpened, and capable of cutting excercises. My question is, has anyone had experience with this sword? She's pretty set on a baskethilt, and the mortuary looks very nice for a first sword. My only concern is, can it cut and how does it handle? I couldn't find a review for it in the review list, so any information would be appreciated.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2010 0:43:47 GMT
The description at By The Sword seems to have gotten mixed up with the description for a katana. The Practical Mortuary Hilt is ordinarily a blunt sword intended for re-enactment purposes. Here's the description from Sword Nation (where it's $164.99, btw) "The Practical Mortuary Hilt Sword (SH2076) is built for the re-enactor. The basket is identical to that of the SH2004 but the blade is unsharpened, with 1/16” edged and a rounded tip, complying with the combat rules of many re-enactment societies." I would strongly advise you to email By The Sword before placing an order, to avoid any confusion or hassle.
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Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Jan 4, 2010 1:01:51 GMT
Hey Chuck, Yeah the "Practical" is the blunt version, but Hanwei does make a sharp version. I own the sharp version of the Mortuary Hilt. I like the sword. It is very well balanced, light and quick. The blade is quite narrow in profile but still quite thick and stiff. The grip is comfortable and the pommel allows for a more extreme "handshake" or rapier style grip where others, like my Cromwell, dont.
Recently I took down our Christmas tree, usually I cut the braches off with my various swords and axes for practice (good fun and as far as cutting targets go, as long as you don't try hacking at something thats too much for the weapon)and then buck up the trunk with a saw for firewood. This year, my Mortuary was one of the sword I used to take off the smaller branches and branchlets ,it cut well and no rattles in the hilt developed, and no warps, bends, nicks, or sets to the blade. Ive also cut up lots of cardboard boxes and it performs well there, usually I use boxes for thrusting practice, I'll put targets on it for thrusting accuracy. I don't know if Id take CUTTING against water bottles, thrusting yes, but Id worry about bending the blade with cutting them.....4 liter milk jugs on the other hand tend to be softer and less stiff plastic....Id be comfortable cutting those.
All in all, a good sword in my opinion, good weight and balance and easy for a beginner to control.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2010 1:34:08 GMT
How about the Cromwell? If I'm looking at going above $200, I might as well look at all my options. Can the Cromwell handle bottles or is it pretty much the same as the mortuary?
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Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Jan 4, 2010 2:40:16 GMT
I would be more comfortable to use my Cromwell against bottles, but I havnt tried it yet. The Cromwell blade is actually a bit bore flexible than the Mortuary.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jan 4, 2010 6:36:22 GMT
I like both of the mentioned swords... but two problems... 1. As with any non-katana I have ever gotten with Hanwei, the edges on the examples I have seen where craptastic. Hanwei seems unable to have an out of the box cutting sharp sword that is not a katana. 2. I belive both of these may have the plastic grips. I did not take the ones I handled apart, but I have taken apart several similar weapns from hanwei, and they all had plastic grips underneither the wrap.
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Post by YlliwCir on Jan 4, 2010 6:52:36 GMT
Paul did a review of the anitqued version of Hanwei's mortuary hilt here. Just a heads up, Chuck, Hanwei's website discription follows The Practical Mortuary Hilt Sword (SH2076) is built for the re-enactor. The basket is identical to that of the SH2004 but the blade is unsharpened, with 1/16” edged and a rounded tip, complying with the combat rules of many re-enactment societies.I've handled the antiqued version and I concur with Sean and Paul, the edge will need some work to cut well. I haven't gotten a Hanwei "sharp" euro sword yet that didn't need to be sharpened some more.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2010 17:49:14 GMT
Wow, what a sweet 16 present! You may want to look at Hanwei's website to get a better idea of their entire catalog. I've long been fond of the look of both their Mortuary Hilt and Cromwell, but my experience with their sharps has been the same as mentioned above. I have their Godfred Viking sword, and even though the edge has been worked on, it just won't cut. My second Euro will be an Atrim. The price difference is worth it. I still say you can't go wrong with a Hanwei for a first sword, however. It's head and shoulders above what many of us on this forum started with, myself included. I would say take a look at Windlass, but their quality has really gone downhill since the founder passed away. Happy birthday to your niece and best of luck in finding her the perfect sword. -Midori Kurogami of Sword N Armory.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2010 17:52:52 GMT
You might want to look at wiwingti's site for his price. I would suggest the cromwell if she wants a cutting sword. Wish someone had've given me a sword for my 16th or 18th or 21st, ah well will have to hold out for my 30th lol.
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Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Jan 5, 2010 6:43:02 GMT
I like both of the mentioned swords... but two problems... 1. As with any non-katana I have ever gotten with Hanwei, the edges on the examples I have seen where craptastic. Hanwei seems unable to have an out of the box cutting sharp sword that is not a katana. 2. I belive both of these may have the plastic grips. I did not take the ones I handled apart, but I have taken apart several similar weapns from hanwei, and they all had plastic grips underneither the wrap. The Cromwell came with a well sharpened blade. The Mortuary was sort of sharp but needed some work. On aside note to Hanweis sharpness out of the box...my Godfred came unbelievably sharp out of the box with no secondary bevel at all...tapers straight from fuller to edge, and has held an edge very well....even a few cuts through an old hardned goat spine didn't damage it....so not every Hanwei Euro comes unsharpend....although I have had a couple that needed file work out of the box (Revolutionary saber and Longsword). As to plastic grips, you may be right....I don't disassemble my swords until they start to loosen up from use and I havn't had either of these apart yet.
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Razor
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Post by Razor on Jan 5, 2010 8:39:49 GMT
Here Is Paul's review. www.sword-buyers-guide.com/english-swords.htmlI have seen this sword at ren faire but have only handled the practicals one. It is not a good cutter like a broadsword or a backsword but you can cut with it, just not deep cuts like you would a heavier sword. This sword would work for a later time frame of sword play, like Hutton saber style. But for a young boy or girl I think this sword would be a good training sword for any broadsword or saber style. After watching Paul's cutting video, I would fell comfortable cutting water bottles with it. Have her start off with milk jugs first, but after she had some training with it first. Hanwei has three different styles of this sword. It has the Practical for training and re-enactment/stage combat. www.silvermane.com/acatalog/CI-SH2076.htmlAnd they have an antiqued finish like the one Paul reviewed. www.silvermane.com/acatalog/CI-SH2004N-mortuary-hilt-sword-antiqued.htmlAnd the one that has the plain steel finish. www.silvermane.com/acatalog/CI-SH2004-mortuary-hilt-sword.htmlI have the Cromwell, and I like it very much. It has a flex but not whippy. It is a good sword but it wasn't sharp enough to cut a water bottle. I had to sharpen it. Another good sword is their baskethilt backsword. I almost got that one instead of the Cromwell, I might still get it. I think the Mortuary would be a good first sword for your niece. It is a light and nimble sword and when her sword arm gets stronger she could start getting the heavier swords
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2010 10:49:46 GMT
I also have the sharp version mortuary and the Cromwell....go with the Cromwell for a more well rounded cutter...if that's your main goal for the sword. my reviews on both /index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=5442&page=1#85494 www.myarmoury.com/review_casi_mort.html
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2010 15:38:25 GMT
I handled Cromwell and I liked its handling very much. I think it would be a good cutter. But she would probably need a glove for it. The one I handled was quite uncomfortable, the grip was sharp. Btw, I didn't handle it but looking at the stats, backsword looks like it would be a nice handling sword and I believe better cutter than Cromwell. 2lb9oz, 3'' PoB.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2010 15:58:56 GMT
I'd be remiss if I didnt mention that Silvermane is a good bunch of guys we deal with often. They are off season (for renfairs) and have a retail store in Boston. If your considering a purchase while looking at their website give them a ring for a price check!
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Post by shadowhowler on Jan 5, 2010 16:17:34 GMT
The Cromwell came with a well sharpened blade. The Mortuary was sort of sharp but needed some work. On aside note to Hanweis sharpness out of the box...my Godfred came unbelievably sharp out of the box with no secondary bevel at all...tapers straight from fuller to edge, and has held an edge very well....even a few cuts through an old hardned goat spine didn't damage it....so not every Hanwei Euro comes unsharpend....although I have had a couple that needed file work out of the box (Revolutionary saber and Longsword). In my experience, I'd say you are very lucky. In the past 2 years I have had over 75 hanwei non-katana swords pass threw my hands in one way or another... not a single one of them was cutting sharp. ALL of them needed work. However, I have had about 50 Hanwei Katana pass threw my hands in that same time frame... and ever single one of them had a nice sharp cutting edge. I dunno WHAT hanwei's problem is... but it is prolific. Even my new Hanwei Tinker Fullered Bastard sword is not sharp enough to cut. Lame. As to plastic grips, you may be right....I don't disassemble my swords until they start to loosen up from use and I haven't had either of these apart yet. I ALWAYS take apart any sword I have that is designed to be taken apart, just to make sure everything is OK, get a look 'under the hood' so to speak. The Mortuary and the Cromwell I I have handled I did not take apart, because they were not mine... but I have taken apart a couple Hanwei rapiers that had VERY similar grip styles to those swords, and each of them had these funky plastic grips... so my money is on plastic grips for these as well.
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 5, 2010 23:07:33 GMT
I seem to recall it being confirmed that the Mortuary, Cromwell, Sidesword, and the rapiers all had hollow, plastic grips...though maybe this has changed, I don't know. What I DO know is if Hanwei ever puts out a slightly wider mortuary with the same basket but a solid, wood grip...it's mine. The Cromwell is nice, but...a little too decorated. I've been back-and-forth on billiam's favorite, I believe the Armour Class mortuary?...for quite some time. Never had the spare cash but always liked the looks, and if his word is one to take, a fine sword, indeed.
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Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Jan 6, 2010 0:11:08 GMT
In my experience, I'd say you are very lucky. Heh, after seeing what Razor wrote about having to sharpen his Cromwell, I was thinking the same thing, my Crom came quite sharp, not as sharp as my Godfred or my Sovereign though. Bottle cutting season was over for me before I got these two (unless I wanna cut ice ) but I have no doubt the Cromwell would cut bottles effortlessly. The mortuary only needed a whet stone to sharpen it to what I believe would be able to cut bottles, but every other hanwei and especially Windlass' needed file work. Its funny because both my Godfred and Cromwell were both bought at a local shop (the same shop actually) instead of online, like almost all my other swords...but there is no evidence that the shop sharpened them....that patina spray that Hanwei puts on their blades is still on the Crom so I'm positive that it has not been touched....and the Godfred, well,WHOever, WHEREever, WHENever it was sharpened knew what they were doing....I was afraid it was too sharp and would chip, but that goat spine I cut through was HARD and not a speck of damage to the edge. A couple years ago (when I first got the Godfred) I actually threw an EMPTY beer can in the air and cut it cleanly in half diagonally, even through the thicker metal at the bottom without warping or denting the can.....(a boast I have been unable to replicate since...to my chagrin ..though Ive only tried a couple other times).
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2010 0:33:56 GMT
I seem to recall it being confirmed that the Mortuary, Cromwell, Sidesword, and the rapiers all had hollow, plastic grips...though maybe this has changed, I don't know. What I DO know is if Hanwei ever puts out a slightly wider mortuary with the same basket but a solid, wood grip...it's mine. The Cromwell is nice, but...a little too decorated. I've been back-and-forth on billiam's favorite, I believe the Armour Class mortuary?...for quite some time. Never had the spare cash but always liked the looks, and if his word is one to take, a fine sword, indeed. Yes, indeed......best production /semi-custom/custom mortuary hilt is from Armour Class..period. It's the one sword I will never,ever part with. www.myarmoury.com/review_ac_mort.html
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Razor
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Post by Razor on Jan 6, 2010 7:11:17 GMT
My Cromwell had an edge but not a sharp one, just some work with my DMT and it has a sharp edge now. It looks like wood under the shark skin wrap, and at a ren faire I saw a show model from a vendor and the the shark skin was coming undone and that grip was wood.
I put a threadlocker on mine but at the top by my pommel there is some of the skin that is missing and i can see the wood.
Maybe Jak can take is apart and see if the grip is wood or plastic?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2010 20:40:30 GMT
Hey Jak, great cut ;D many years ago I did something similar, I set an empty aluminum pop can on a post, and cut it in to with my Gim sword. The base of the can stayed put on the post
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