Strongblade Roman Gladius: Praetorian Guard review
Oct 12, 2010 7:59:51 GMT
Post by serge021974 on Oct 12, 2010 7:59:51 GMT
Strongblade Roman Gladius: Praetorian Guard review
Before reviewing the sword, I want to give you some historical background. Gladius is literally Latin for "sword". This was a short sword emerging from the Iron Age that was generally a short sword, used by Roman legionaries from the 3rd century BC and designed specifically for making short, powerful thrusts. The Gladius was crafted from soft iron and then the blade was coated with coal dust and hammered again on the anvil while still hot. This hardened the blade and allowed it to take a razor sharp edge.
Early ancient Roman swords were similar to those used by the Greeks. From the 3rd century BC, the Romans adopted swords similar to those used by the Celtiberians and others during the conquest of Hispania. This kind of sword was known as the Gladius Hispaniensis, or "Hispanic Sword." It was once thought that they were similar to the later Mainz types, but the evidence now suggests that this was not the case. Rather these early blades followed a slightly different pattern, being longer and narrower, and were probably those that Polybius considered good for both cut and thrust. Later extant Gladii are now known as the Mainz, Fulham and Pompei types. In the late Roman period Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus refers to swords called semispathae (or semispathia) and spathae, for both of which he appears to consider gladius an appropriate term.
The common Gladius was straight and double-edged, with a sharp V-shaped pointed tip and a rhomboid cross section. The weapon was about 60 cm (22 inches) long and generally weighed 3 pounds (1.4 kg) making it ideal for one handed stability and power projection. In battle the Gladius was used in a thrusting action.
A Roman legionary would always mount the scabbard for his Gladius on the right side, allowing a formation of soldiers to easily draw their swords in formation without accidentally injuring soldiers to either side. Centurions and Praetorian Guard units typically wore their swords on the left as a sign distinction from the regular legionnaires.
Type Pompeius Gladius from the Guttmann collection
Several Sword handles made of bone, possibly also wood (London Museum and British Museum London, UK)
Several early swords from the Nijmegen museum, NL, showing the handles made of bone/ivory and hardwoord
Strongblade roman Gladius
Review by Serge Winckelmans, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
The Praetorian is Strongblade’s highest end Roman Gladius. With a beautiful 18-gauge high-carbon steel blade, signature V-tip design. The round Pompeii-style pommel and gaurd on this weapon surround a stylish and comfortable ridged grip made of bone. The blade has a rhomboid cross-section, giving it additional strength, and ends with a sharp-angled "V" perfect for thrusting as the Romans tended to do.
Some specifications :
Impressive Carved Bone Grip
Beautiful Sheath Designs in Brass, with Double loops
Elaborate Pompeii Style Hilt
Hand-Forged High-Carbon Blade with Signature V-tip (Fully Tempered)
The stats look like this:
Blade length: 51 cm
Grip length: 9.5 cm
Overall: 71 cm
POB: 11 cm from base of guard
Weight: 1025 gr.
DESIGN, FIT & FINISH
The Blade
Thick stiff blade as should be seems to be of decent steel a little flex. Seems to have held up well. Full tang construction. The polish on the blade was as usual mirror polish. As I’ve seen on most other strongblade swords.
The edge was blunt , just like every other strongblade sword. The edge is not like a windlass (ready to sharpen) edge. I had to use my accusharp on it and this for a several minutes (a little hour).
The Grip
This blade has a very small (bony) grip. On the other hand, when cutting and thrusting, you haven’t got the idea that it’s TOO small. Using this sword is a real pleasure.
The Pommel
The pommel is hardwood and beautiful finished. It is very comfortable and somehow seems quite appealing to me.
The Guard
The guard is constructed of hardwood and a steel face plate in the typical fashion of the Roman short sword. There’s also placed a piece of leather to smoothen the insert in the scabbard.
The Scabbard
The scabbard is a wood core with leather coat, covered with a brass throat and accents. Has brass rings for a baldric. It's a bit heavy for my tastes and the woods thicker than I would like. It looks good too and I think it’s fairly historically accurate.
TESTING
And again : CHARGE!!!
Cutting
Cutting on a 2 liter plastic bottle (if you ask me doing this twice, sorry, I can’t)
Cutting on a 5 liter plastic jug
Cutting a tatami mat
My last (incomplete) cut.
Thrusting the sliced plastic bottles
Results :
Cuts easily plastic bottles and tatami mats and thrusts like a dagger. At the end of the testing I couldn't discern any loss in the sharpness of the edge.
2 minutes of FUN!!!
CONCLUSION
THE VERDICT
Historical Accuracy: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 5/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 5/5
OVERALL: 4,5/5 (Superb)
This sword really shines as a short thruster.
In my opinion, it performs well for a Roman pattern sword and is typical of this type. The sword is more that capable of doing what it is designed to do and it's a lot of fun doing it. Fittings remained tight after the workout. Definitely a nice value for money piece
WHERE TO BUY
Strongblade swords are only available from the Manufacturer – and you can pick up the Gladius for US$174 + shipping.
5% DISCOUNT FOR ALL SBG VISITORS!
Before reviewing the sword, I want to give you some historical background. Gladius is literally Latin for "sword". This was a short sword emerging from the Iron Age that was generally a short sword, used by Roman legionaries from the 3rd century BC and designed specifically for making short, powerful thrusts. The Gladius was crafted from soft iron and then the blade was coated with coal dust and hammered again on the anvil while still hot. This hardened the blade and allowed it to take a razor sharp edge.
Early ancient Roman swords were similar to those used by the Greeks. From the 3rd century BC, the Romans adopted swords similar to those used by the Celtiberians and others during the conquest of Hispania. This kind of sword was known as the Gladius Hispaniensis, or "Hispanic Sword." It was once thought that they were similar to the later Mainz types, but the evidence now suggests that this was not the case. Rather these early blades followed a slightly different pattern, being longer and narrower, and were probably those that Polybius considered good for both cut and thrust. Later extant Gladii are now known as the Mainz, Fulham and Pompei types. In the late Roman period Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus refers to swords called semispathae (or semispathia) and spathae, for both of which he appears to consider gladius an appropriate term.
The common Gladius was straight and double-edged, with a sharp V-shaped pointed tip and a rhomboid cross section. The weapon was about 60 cm (22 inches) long and generally weighed 3 pounds (1.4 kg) making it ideal for one handed stability and power projection. In battle the Gladius was used in a thrusting action.
A Roman legionary would always mount the scabbard for his Gladius on the right side, allowing a formation of soldiers to easily draw their swords in formation without accidentally injuring soldiers to either side. Centurions and Praetorian Guard units typically wore their swords on the left as a sign distinction from the regular legionnaires.
Type Pompeius Gladius from the Guttmann collection
Several Sword handles made of bone, possibly also wood (London Museum and British Museum London, UK)
Several early swords from the Nijmegen museum, NL, showing the handles made of bone/ivory and hardwoord
Strongblade roman Gladius
Review by Serge Winckelmans, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
The Praetorian is Strongblade’s highest end Roman Gladius. With a beautiful 18-gauge high-carbon steel blade, signature V-tip design. The round Pompeii-style pommel and gaurd on this weapon surround a stylish and comfortable ridged grip made of bone. The blade has a rhomboid cross-section, giving it additional strength, and ends with a sharp-angled "V" perfect for thrusting as the Romans tended to do.
Some specifications :
Impressive Carved Bone Grip
Beautiful Sheath Designs in Brass, with Double loops
Elaborate Pompeii Style Hilt
Hand-Forged High-Carbon Blade with Signature V-tip (Fully Tempered)
The stats look like this:
Blade length: 51 cm
Grip length: 9.5 cm
Overall: 71 cm
POB: 11 cm from base of guard
Weight: 1025 gr.
DESIGN, FIT & FINISH
The Blade
Thick stiff blade as should be seems to be of decent steel a little flex. Seems to have held up well. Full tang construction. The polish on the blade was as usual mirror polish. As I’ve seen on most other strongblade swords.
The edge was blunt , just like every other strongblade sword. The edge is not like a windlass (ready to sharpen) edge. I had to use my accusharp on it and this for a several minutes (a little hour).
The Grip
This blade has a very small (bony) grip. On the other hand, when cutting and thrusting, you haven’t got the idea that it’s TOO small. Using this sword is a real pleasure.
The Pommel
The pommel is hardwood and beautiful finished. It is very comfortable and somehow seems quite appealing to me.
The Guard
The guard is constructed of hardwood and a steel face plate in the typical fashion of the Roman short sword. There’s also placed a piece of leather to smoothen the insert in the scabbard.
The Scabbard
The scabbard is a wood core with leather coat, covered with a brass throat and accents. Has brass rings for a baldric. It's a bit heavy for my tastes and the woods thicker than I would like. It looks good too and I think it’s fairly historically accurate.
TESTING
And again : CHARGE!!!
Cutting
Cutting on a 2 liter plastic bottle (if you ask me doing this twice, sorry, I can’t)
Cutting on a 5 liter plastic jug
Cutting a tatami mat
My last (incomplete) cut.
Thrusting the sliced plastic bottles
Results :
Cuts easily plastic bottles and tatami mats and thrusts like a dagger. At the end of the testing I couldn't discern any loss in the sharpness of the edge.
2 minutes of FUN!!!
CONCLUSION
THE VERDICT
Historical Accuracy: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 5/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 5/5
OVERALL: 4,5/5 (Superb)
This sword really shines as a short thruster.
In my opinion, it performs well for a Roman pattern sword and is typical of this type. The sword is more that capable of doing what it is designed to do and it's a lot of fun doing it. Fittings remained tight after the workout. Definitely a nice value for money piece
WHERE TO BUY
Strongblade swords are only available from the Manufacturer – and you can pick up the Gladius for US$174 + shipping.
5% DISCOUNT FOR ALL SBG VISITORS!