Hanwei Henry V Sword Review Updated
Oct 13, 2010 21:09:34 GMT
Post by johnapsega on Oct 13, 2010 21:09:34 GMT
Introduction
I picked this sword up from KoA a couple of months ago because I likes the style. This was the first sword that I have ever bought and I loved that the price was only 120$ shipped.
Historical Overview
The original sword is a early 1400's cut and thrust sword used my Henry V which is now hanging over his tomb in Westminster Abby.
These are some differences between the original and this reproduction courtesy of Odingaard from the old forum. (if this violates anything please just tell me and ill remove it)
The original has a Type XVIII blade profile and is slightly hollow-ground with no ricasso.
The Hanwei version is about a pound heavier.
The original has a hollow pommel covered with metal disks that are gilded with gold and embossed with red crosses.
The Hanwei guard is thicker, shorter, and terminates at less of an angle.
The original lacks the pommel and guard collars like on the Hanwei.
The Hanwei has a thicker grip which lacks a tapered form.
The original has a peen block.
Initial Impressions
My first thought was that this actually feels like a sword , as opposed to the wall hangers that I have had. It was way different than I had imagined it with the really wide blade at the base. There was a secondary Bevel and it was a little sharp. Nothing different than I expected other than that.
Specifications
Directly from KoA
Overall Length: 34 1/8'' Blade; 27 1/4''
Weight: 2 lb 14.6 oz
Edge: moderately sharp
P.O.B.: 3 3/8''
Thickness: 6.3 mm - 4.5 mm
Width: 46 mm
Grip Length: 3 5/8''
Pommel: Peened
Blade
The blade has a riser running the length of both sides. It is fairly straight with few deviations. It is a Oakeshott type XVIII sword and for the most part it has the necessary elements of its type. However the blade is not wide enough to match the original. Zoom in (real dimensions: 1024 x 768)
The blade comes to a conclusion in a pretty stiff point. Although its really not a pointy as I had expected for this kind of sword but I may be wrong.
The most disappointing thing about the blade is the large hideous unsharpened ricasso that is not accurate to the original and not necessary or functional in any way.. Also the secondary bevel but that is not that bad and could be easily fixed.
Handle
The Handle is some form of fake leather glued on a wood core. the seem is almost invisible (sorry no picture )
What I don't like about it is the metal spacers between the grip and the pommel and guard. However this is just personal opinion.
Guard
I love he guard it is very attractive slightly curving with the ball shaped ends. It is fairly close to original but it does not curve as sharply. This is one of my favorite things on the sword even though it is to large to be accurate.
After extended use the guard moves a but around the blade but thats to be expected at this price point.
Pommel
The cross of the pommel is a little odd but I like the look of it. However it is in no way historically accurate to the original. Not only that but the pommel is FAR to large. The furniture was made extra large to even out the weight of the blade. However this is not accurate to the original and it makes the sword look ridiculous in some ways. The cross on the front was also just another way to add metal to the guard and it is in no way accurate or attractive. The peen is small and rough and is lacking the peen block found on the original.
Scabbard
The scabbard is wood core wrapped in the same fake leather that the grip is. The suspension rings that come with it are nice over all it is a good add on to the sword.
Unfortunately it does not hold the sword well at all and the seem in the back is very visible and not well done.
Handling
This sword is a little on the heavy side especially compared to the original that it was based off of. The point of balance (PoB) is very close and while I know that this is not always a good thing and it might not fit the sword that it was based off of. I believe that it is plausible for this blade type and overall increases the swords thrusting performance. However I wish it had a little more blade presence.
Cutting
I have done many hours of cutting with this and it is so fun to handle and cut with. Video to come soon.
Conclusion
This sword is ok. However with the H/T line swords not much more money and with the frequent super sales I will never buy another of this line again. I think that if Hanwei made this sword a little lighter, and improved the historical accuracy of the pommel and guard along with removing the unsharpened ricasso this sword would be far better and well on its way to becoming something worth owning. There might even be a customization project in my future for this blade.
Pros
Moderate Handler
reasonable price
Cons
Fake leather
Secondary Bevel
Not historically accurate to the original
unsharpened ricasso
Bottom Line
I believe that this line has improve drastically since it was created, for the value to money I would say that this sword is minimal quality but however has not let me down yet with many hopeful cutting sessions ahead of it. I believe that if someone were to buy this as a one time thing for a first sword it would not be a big deal. However with swords like the H/T line of swords it is pretty hard to buy a sword of this quality with swords like that on the market.
I picked this sword up from KoA a couple of months ago because I likes the style. This was the first sword that I have ever bought and I loved that the price was only 120$ shipped.
Historical Overview
The original sword is a early 1400's cut and thrust sword used my Henry V which is now hanging over his tomb in Westminster Abby.
These are some differences between the original and this reproduction courtesy of Odingaard from the old forum. (if this violates anything please just tell me and ill remove it)
The original has a Type XVIII blade profile and is slightly hollow-ground with no ricasso.
The Hanwei version is about a pound heavier.
The original has a hollow pommel covered with metal disks that are gilded with gold and embossed with red crosses.
The Hanwei guard is thicker, shorter, and terminates at less of an angle.
The original lacks the pommel and guard collars like on the Hanwei.
The Hanwei has a thicker grip which lacks a tapered form.
The original has a peen block.
Initial Impressions
My first thought was that this actually feels like a sword , as opposed to the wall hangers that I have had. It was way different than I had imagined it with the really wide blade at the base. There was a secondary Bevel and it was a little sharp. Nothing different than I expected other than that.
Specifications
Directly from KoA
Overall Length: 34 1/8'' Blade; 27 1/4''
Weight: 2 lb 14.6 oz
Edge: moderately sharp
P.O.B.: 3 3/8''
Thickness: 6.3 mm - 4.5 mm
Width: 46 mm
Grip Length: 3 5/8''
Pommel: Peened
Blade
The blade has a riser running the length of both sides. It is fairly straight with few deviations. It is a Oakeshott type XVIII sword and for the most part it has the necessary elements of its type. However the blade is not wide enough to match the original. Zoom in (real dimensions: 1024 x 768)
The blade comes to a conclusion in a pretty stiff point. Although its really not a pointy as I had expected for this kind of sword but I may be wrong.
The most disappointing thing about the blade is the large hideous unsharpened ricasso that is not accurate to the original and not necessary or functional in any way.. Also the secondary bevel but that is not that bad and could be easily fixed.
Handle
The Handle is some form of fake leather glued on a wood core. the seem is almost invisible (sorry no picture )
What I don't like about it is the metal spacers between the grip and the pommel and guard. However this is just personal opinion.
Guard
I love he guard it is very attractive slightly curving with the ball shaped ends. It is fairly close to original but it does not curve as sharply. This is one of my favorite things on the sword even though it is to large to be accurate.
After extended use the guard moves a but around the blade but thats to be expected at this price point.
Pommel
The cross of the pommel is a little odd but I like the look of it. However it is in no way historically accurate to the original. Not only that but the pommel is FAR to large. The furniture was made extra large to even out the weight of the blade. However this is not accurate to the original and it makes the sword look ridiculous in some ways. The cross on the front was also just another way to add metal to the guard and it is in no way accurate or attractive. The peen is small and rough and is lacking the peen block found on the original.
Scabbard
The scabbard is wood core wrapped in the same fake leather that the grip is. The suspension rings that come with it are nice over all it is a good add on to the sword.
Unfortunately it does not hold the sword well at all and the seem in the back is very visible and not well done.
Handling
This sword is a little on the heavy side especially compared to the original that it was based off of. The point of balance (PoB) is very close and while I know that this is not always a good thing and it might not fit the sword that it was based off of. I believe that it is plausible for this blade type and overall increases the swords thrusting performance. However I wish it had a little more blade presence.
Cutting
I have done many hours of cutting with this and it is so fun to handle and cut with. Video to come soon.
Conclusion
This sword is ok. However with the H/T line swords not much more money and with the frequent super sales I will never buy another of this line again. I think that if Hanwei made this sword a little lighter, and improved the historical accuracy of the pommel and guard along with removing the unsharpened ricasso this sword would be far better and well on its way to becoming something worth owning. There might even be a customization project in my future for this blade.
Pros
Moderate Handler
reasonable price
Cons
Fake leather
Secondary Bevel
Not historically accurate to the original
unsharpened ricasso
Bottom Line
I believe that this line has improve drastically since it was created, for the value to money I would say that this sword is minimal quality but however has not let me down yet with many hopeful cutting sessions ahead of it. I believe that if someone were to buy this as a one time thing for a first sword it would not be a big deal. However with swords like the H/T line of swords it is pretty hard to buy a sword of this quality with swords like that on the market.