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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2010 20:15:16 GMT
Ok, so I've been developing a character, rogue type of guy, (drawing attached) and I want to get a lightweight quick sword. I have not owned any European swords to this point so I'd like the first one to be satisfactory. I don't need it to be the greatest most awesome sword, just a good one. www.sword-buyers-guide.com/side-sword.htmlI found the review on SBG and thought the side sword would be a good choice for a few reasons 1. Lightweight- easy to wield, quick 2. Blade- not as skinny as a rapier so it can still cut decently 3. Appearance- I think it's quite attractive and has a simple elegance about it. So, I was wondering if anyone else has handled this sword and what some other suggestions might be from those who have owned or used similar swords. Are there better swords in the price range? any pros/cons I should know about this or any other sword you'd like to tell me about? Thanks for any and all input! Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2010 20:45:34 GMT
It certainly does handle beautifully. I handled it in the shop when I was buying H/T GSoW and I really liked this little guy. But how well it can cut I don't know.
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Jan 8, 2010 15:33:16 GMT
Akos:
The only thing that makes me nervous about mine is the hollow plastic handle that Hanwei put on it. If the handle was plastic, and solid, I'd call it a "solid" move. As it is, with the handle being hollow, I worry about the support for the tang. Essentially, the tang is free floating, held at the ends.
I like the compound guard, I like the blade. Sometimes I worry that the pommel is a touch heavy, inclining it more towards thrusting than cutting, but I could be off base on this one.
I do like this sword, and when I get my round tuits all lined up, I'm going to do something about the grip. Until that time, i use it to stab and not to cut.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2010 19:18:21 GMT
I filled my grip with JB Weld.
It cuts very well. Scabard sux, but that can be fixed as well.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2010 21:08:08 GMT
Scabard sux, but that can be fixed as well. How so? and what do you recommend for fixing it?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2010 21:12:52 GMT
Love the way mine handles and looks. When I show them my collection, people often like this more than other swords I have that are much more expensive. Haven't cut with it because I haven't filled the handle yet, though this thing can thrust better than anything else I own. I'd like to fill the handle and fix my scabbard as well. I think the scabbard is actually quite nice, I just wish the fit at the throat was more snug., so I'd also like to hear a good way of improving the fit (because I usually just hear "put some leather in there" and I'm not crazy about leather sitting against the bare blade).
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Jan 8, 2010 22:07:50 GMT
Purely in the interest of expanding the sample size, I'll say that the scabbard for my Hanwei Side Sword is well made and a good solid fit. You can hold the sword upside down in the scabbard without it loosening; if you shake it, it will come out. My understanding is that the scabbard is fiberglass under the leather wrap (and steel chape and throat), but this bothers me not a whit.
I'm rounding up my tuits---picked up some JB Weld when I was grabbing plumbing supplies.
I don't know how accurate this sword is . . . but I really like the package.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jan 9, 2010 19:52:10 GMT
Yup... like the look of the sidesword... hate the hallow plastic grips. Blegh.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2010 16:29:09 GMT
The tang-end is a welded-on piece of all-thread. Mine was also bent slightly, and had voids in the weld. That aside, it handles nice, and it's pretty. If you get one, twist off the pommel and inspect it. The handle definitely needs filling. Beside the grip/tang issue, it's very nice for it's price range. There isn't another good looking sidesword under $500, that I know of.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2010 23:18:41 GMT
The tang-end is a welded-on piece of all-thread. The welded thread seems like a fluke, because the several that I have handled and disassembled have all been one piece.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2010 4:57:07 GMT
/index.cgi?board=swordreviews&action=display&thread=9592&page=2Seems from this thread that the design has changed. In the picture Shootermike posted, and in the picture I posted, you could clearly see the weld, but it was reported on models bought later that the weld was gone. If that's the case it's really good news, and I might even buy another.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2010 14:44:00 GMT
I wish the handles weren't HOLLOW plastic. If they just fit around the tang I'd be happy.
M.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2010 16:45:18 GMT
Thank you all for your time in giving me some info! I have purchased myself one from KoA who has it for 133.95 USD and free shipping on orders over 100 USD. I thought it as good a time as any to get it. I am a little sad about the handle but I am not planning on doing much in the way of cutting exercises for now.
Maz, I saw that handle you made for a rapier you got from shadowhowler out of wood, I like the way it looks and was thinking maybe you could make one for my side sword.
What are the best ways to fill the handle if I don't get a new one made? I've heard epoxy or JBweld, and do any of the fill options allow you to ever disassemble the sword again?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2010 18:58:39 GMT
I'm glad my handle isn't made from wood. I'm tired of reworking/repairing/replacing the grips on my swords. Just had to do it to my Cold Steel HBH this weekend when I found it twisted around the tang.
As for my comment about the scabbard being less-than-desirable....
If you don't want to shim with leather, use thick paper. I shimmed mine, then had to use weights to deform the throat until it finally gripped the sword lightly.
Also, the tip of the scabbard really, Really, REALLY needs to be weighted to counter the weight of the sword's complex hilt.
Concerned about a welded allthread tang? Fill the grip and don't worry about it.
Other than that, I have no complaints about this piece.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2010 0:53:25 GMT
What are the best ways to fill the handle if I don't get a new one made? I've heard epoxy or JBweld, and do any of the fill options allow you to ever disassemble the sword again? If you cut a couple of strips of thin cardboard that match the profile of the tang where it passes through the handle, maybe you could fill one side with epoxy, slide the cardboard strip in, let it set up for awhile, then flip it over and do the other side. That way the epoxy fills the handle, but isn't in contact with the tang. In order to make you a handle, I'd have to have the sword in hand. You can make one yourself easily enough though, if you have wood glue, a jigsaw, a belt sander and a chisel (or dremel). Just take two pieces of wood, cut them to the right length, lay the tang across one and trace the tang's profile. Then chisel it out to the depth of the tang. Make sure it's a good tight fit, then glue the other block over it with woodglue and clamp it over night. After it's set up, file or sand it to shape untill it feels good in the hand, and is even. Then seal it, slide it on to the tang and voila. Doing a wire wrap is another feat altogether, and there is a good tutorial up here somewhere.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jan 12, 2010 1:31:31 GMT
Yeah... Maz really did some improvements to that rapier... I wanted to buy it back from him after what he did, but didn't have the cash at the time.
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Jan 14, 2010 15:24:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2010 21:11:59 GMT
For people who've filled the grip with JB weld or epoxy, was it fairly easy to do or a big pain in the rear? Would you recommend getting the sword to someone else who planned to do the same thing?
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Post by ShooterMike on Jan 14, 2010 21:47:43 GMT
If you really want to fill the existing plastic handle and still be able to disassemble the sword, consider using an AcraGlas Gel kit. It comes with plenty of release agent to coat all the tang and the first couple of inches of the blade as well as the guard and pommel. www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=3785/pid=1038/sku/ACRAGLAS_GEL_4_oz__KitYou would use it to completely fill the grip with it assembled, then screw on the pommel and snug it. Let it setup for 12-24 hours then disassemble and cleanup the overage with an Exacto knife. You may need to experiment with masking tape to prevent the gel from running out of the grip before it sets up. The big drawback to filling the grip is that the sword already balances too close to the guard. Filling the grip will move the balance point back into the grip. IMO that would totally ruin the handling. Of course, you could offset this by radically reducing the size of the pommel.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2010 18:43:03 GMT
At that point, it would probably just be best to send it to someone like Christian Fletcher.
M.
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