G814 Cutlass review
Jan 15, 2010 14:04:58 GMT
Post by sutter on Jan 15, 2010 14:04:58 GMT
Introduction
Looking to get started in sword collecting. Needed something that was a small enough investment that I didn't feel like I was getting in over my depth, but was also a real working sword.
After spending about 2 months reading about the various manufacturers, sword types and what to look for I felt I was ready to start shopping around. I literally wanted the cheapest functional sword I could find, I may have found it.
Searching through various websites, I found Global Gear's eBay page, where they had for sale the G814 Pirate Cutlass.
Historical overview
As a cutlass, all that is required of the sword is to be not too long, have a hand-guard, be sharpened along one edge and possibly curved. Something that feels like the result of a machete and a saber crossbreeding would fit the bill well.
Initial Impressions
I was shipped a box made of thick, heavy cardboard which protected the brown wooden Global Gear box inside.
The box itself is nice enough. The wood feels light and cheap, but looks nicely stained and appointed with its hinges and handles. The lining inside is red satin over styrofoam, which is pleasant enough to see and feel and holds the cutlass in place.
Somewhat to my disappointment, there was no scabbard included, just an ill-fitting asian-style sword bag.
No other accessories were found within.
Under the sword bag the blade was oil-coated and plastic-wrapped. The oil had dried, leaving ugly stains on the blade where the bag had been touching it. I assume it'd been sitting in a warehouse for some time (hence its discount status in eBay). It was at this point that I felt a bit worried, what the hell had I just bought?
Statistics
Blade Length: 61.1 cm
Handle Length: 16.2 cm
Overall Length: 77.3 cm
Guard Width: 7.5 cm
Weight: More than 1kg, but could not accurately measure.
Components
Picking up the sword, it feels weighty. It is a touch blade-heavy, but in a good way. This is a supposed to be a close-quarters hack-you-to-bits sword, after all. The entire sword feels well made, with the handle fitting snugly with no rattle or movement when shaken.
The blade is thick on the blunt side and tapers quickly to the sharp with a fuller-groove running 9/10ths of the way. Once I'd given it a quick clean and oil, I could see that the surface had been nicely polished; it's bright and shiny with no marks to mar the surface.
Advertised as "razor-sharp", the cutting edge falls short. The tip and the top 20cm of the blade has been sharpened enough to cut paper, but the rest of the blade is dull. Striking using that top end of the blade seems to have little trouble cleaving up the various household items I pit it against, but after a few blows the blade wouldn't go all the way through a water bottle.
The handle is made of a smooth, dark wood surrounded by an aged brass guard which feels reassuringly solid; once the pommel nut on the base is undone, it slips off freely to allow access.
All up, it feels nice and is good-looking; there's no fancy trimmings and everything holds together well.
Handling Characteristics
The G814 feels a bit too top heavy for a one-handed sword to comfortably swing around for multiple strikes. The hand guard finds a way to rub uncomfortably whenever you change directions. Thrusting and cutting motions feel good, with the weight working well to carry the blade forward.
For reference: I'm an average sized guy and moderately fit.
Test Cutting
As mentioned above, I set my sword against some plastic water bottles to test it out.
As you can see in the video, thrusting works very well, with the sword going cleanly through in a satisfying motion. Swinging into the bottles, less so.
Conclusions
Generally, I'm happy with the G814. For the price, I got a decent quality, practical sword that functions quite well. It looks nice, feels pretty good and chops things (really, do I want more that that?).
Pros
- Cheap
- Pirate-y
- Solid well-made feel
- Aged guard and well-polished blade (once cleaned) looks great.
Cons
- Edge was not as sharp as advertised
- Bit too top-heavy
- Handle is too smooth and round to grip well
So do I think it's worth the cost? Yes. It's a decent sword, especially considering the price. Any pirate would be happy.
Looking to get started in sword collecting. Needed something that was a small enough investment that I didn't feel like I was getting in over my depth, but was also a real working sword.
After spending about 2 months reading about the various manufacturers, sword types and what to look for I felt I was ready to start shopping around. I literally wanted the cheapest functional sword I could find, I may have found it.
Searching through various websites, I found Global Gear's eBay page, where they had for sale the G814 Pirate Cutlass.
Historical overview
As a cutlass, all that is required of the sword is to be not too long, have a hand-guard, be sharpened along one edge and possibly curved. Something that feels like the result of a machete and a saber crossbreeding would fit the bill well.
Initial Impressions
I was shipped a box made of thick, heavy cardboard which protected the brown wooden Global Gear box inside.
The box itself is nice enough. The wood feels light and cheap, but looks nicely stained and appointed with its hinges and handles. The lining inside is red satin over styrofoam, which is pleasant enough to see and feel and holds the cutlass in place.
Somewhat to my disappointment, there was no scabbard included, just an ill-fitting asian-style sword bag.
No other accessories were found within.
Under the sword bag the blade was oil-coated and plastic-wrapped. The oil had dried, leaving ugly stains on the blade where the bag had been touching it. I assume it'd been sitting in a warehouse for some time (hence its discount status in eBay). It was at this point that I felt a bit worried, what the hell had I just bought?
Statistics
Blade Length: 61.1 cm
Handle Length: 16.2 cm
Overall Length: 77.3 cm
Guard Width: 7.5 cm
Weight: More than 1kg, but could not accurately measure.
Components
Picking up the sword, it feels weighty. It is a touch blade-heavy, but in a good way. This is a supposed to be a close-quarters hack-you-to-bits sword, after all. The entire sword feels well made, with the handle fitting snugly with no rattle or movement when shaken.
The blade is thick on the blunt side and tapers quickly to the sharp with a fuller-groove running 9/10ths of the way. Once I'd given it a quick clean and oil, I could see that the surface had been nicely polished; it's bright and shiny with no marks to mar the surface.
Advertised as "razor-sharp", the cutting edge falls short. The tip and the top 20cm of the blade has been sharpened enough to cut paper, but the rest of the blade is dull. Striking using that top end of the blade seems to have little trouble cleaving up the various household items I pit it against, but after a few blows the blade wouldn't go all the way through a water bottle.
The handle is made of a smooth, dark wood surrounded by an aged brass guard which feels reassuringly solid; once the pommel nut on the base is undone, it slips off freely to allow access.
All up, it feels nice and is good-looking; there's no fancy trimmings and everything holds together well.
Handling Characteristics
The G814 feels a bit too top heavy for a one-handed sword to comfortably swing around for multiple strikes. The hand guard finds a way to rub uncomfortably whenever you change directions. Thrusting and cutting motions feel good, with the weight working well to carry the blade forward.
For reference: I'm an average sized guy and moderately fit.
Test Cutting
As mentioned above, I set my sword against some plastic water bottles to test it out.
As you can see in the video, thrusting works very well, with the sword going cleanly through in a satisfying motion. Swinging into the bottles, less so.
Conclusions
Generally, I'm happy with the G814. For the price, I got a decent quality, practical sword that functions quite well. It looks nice, feels pretty good and chops things (really, do I want more that that?).
Pros
- Cheap
- Pirate-y
- Solid well-made feel
- Aged guard and well-polished blade (once cleaned) looks great.
Cons
- Edge was not as sharp as advertised
- Bit too top-heavy
- Handle is too smooth and round to grip well
So do I think it's worth the cost? Yes. It's a decent sword, especially considering the price. Any pirate would be happy.