Hanwei Tinker Bastard Sword w/ Fuller
Jan 14, 2011 3:01:01 GMT
Post by Hiroshi on Jan 14, 2011 3:01:01 GMT
Hanwei Tinker Bastard Sword w/ Fuller
Reviewed by: Hiroshi
Introduction
A few weeks before christmas I started thinking about getting an english sword. After posting a few questions about what kind of sword I should get it was suggested that I get this sword. The CASIberia Hanwei Tinker Bastard Sword w/ Fuller SH2411. I must say I really like this sword, but I can tell this is a "bottom shelf" sword. I'm looking forward to getting a much higher quality sword.
Full Disclosure
Now I have to say I'm a Katana collector. I know almost nothing of english swords. All of my training and experince is with katana.
Michael "Tinker" Pearce
Michael "Tinker" Pearce is one of the pre-eminent makers of custom medieval-style swords, with a large international following in the collector and Western Martial Arts communities. His swords have a long-standing reputation for durability and performance. He has studied swords for over thirty years and was one of the first makers to study the structural and engineering aspects of antique swords. Tinker has introduced many of the concepts of modern sword design such as authentic weight, balance and dynamic characteristics that have become standards in the industry. His articles have been featured in Blade Magazine and many of his works on the physical characteristics of swords have been published. He is also the author of "The Medieval Sword in the Modern World", a book about modern reproduction swords and their characteristics. Tinker was an SCA heavy fighter for many years and practiced period rapier-fencing with the Academy Della Spada in Seattle, WA. He is a self-defense instructor and currently teaches Medieval European martial arts. He is also a trained fight-choreographer. His research and broad-based training has engendered a good understanding of how swords were used by the generations that fought for their lives with them and also the needs of modern re-enactors and martial artists. He is an Honorary Educational Advisor for Sword Forum International.
Initial Impressions
Unpacking the blade was very easy. But when I did I found a wonderful surprise(I'll get to that in a minute). It was packed well with 3 foam blocks. One at the top, one in the middle and one at the end. Also taped to the back of the box was an hex key. I wasn't expecting Hanwei to include that.
The Merchant
I bought this sword from Stromlo_Swords_USA, I must say this guy is great! He not only held the sword for over a week for me but he also gave me a great price! I sent the payment via paypal on friday night and the sword arrived thursday the 13th. But back to the surprise I was talking about, with the sword I was given some Hanwei Sword Oil, but not just one bottle, I got two whole bottles for free!!!! How awesome is that!! I can promise you the next time I but ANY sword, I'll be checking with Stromlo first. This was by far the best experince I've ever had buying a sword! Thank you Stromlo! Thank you!
Statistics
Below are all my mesurements of the sword.
Blade Length: 33 3/16" 84cm
Handle Length: 7 1/8" 8cm
Overall Length:
Guard Width: 5/16" 9mm
POB (Point of Balance): 4" 7/16
COP (Center of Percussion):20" 1/4
Weight: 2lb 8.05oz
Blade width at Guard:1 9/16"
Fuller width at Guard" 15/32"
Guard Lenght:7" 7/8
Hex Nut Weight:0.2oz
Pommel Weight: 8.45oz
Handle Weight: 1.10oz
Handle Circumfrence at Top: 3" 3/8
Handle Circumfrence at Bottom: 2" 3/8
Guard Weight: 1.7oz
Blade Weight: 1lb 8.7oz
Scabbard Weight: 10.65oz
Scabbard Lenght: 37" 3/8
yea I know I went overboard but I was on a roll.
Components
All the components of this sword seem to be fairly good quality, but again, I get the feeling that there are much, much better swords out there.
The Blade
The blade feels pretty sturdy, and seems well made. Of course it does have a secondary bevel. That really isn't an issue for me right now, I live in an apartment complex and I doubt my neighbors would turn a blind eye to some nut job cutting stuff up with a sword. I do have a problem with the fuller. As you can see in the last picture in this set, on one side the fuller is off center. I don't know what this will do to the handling/cutting characteristics.
The Handle
The handle is quite plain. The only issue I have with it is that it's way to thin for me. Being used to Katana Tsuka the average 3"1/4 in circumfrence and this one is 3" 3/8 to 2" 3/8 it's a bit uncomfortable. I'll have to change that pretty soon.
Notice in the next two pictures how the leather is kind of crushed up under the guard. It would be nice if this was fit a little better.
The Guard
The guard is pretty basic.
The Pommel
Basic & round. One issue I have here is it seams the hex nut is partially stripped. Not really a big deal. But I'll probably end up replacing it pretty soon.
The Scabbard
The scabbard is expected and somewhat unexpectidly flawed. Let me explain. The usual falws are there, The throat locket scrapes the blade when drawing and resheathing. But then there is something unexpected. When sheathing the blade everything feels smooth untill I get all but 7" 3/4 in. It hits some sort of blockage, almost feels like there is a splinter sticking out or maybe the blade dug into the side the first time it was put in. The only way I can get the blade in is to turn the whole thing on it's side(seem on the scabbard facing in).
The Chape at the end of the scabbard seems a little weird to me, but I guess it's normal.
Handling Characteristics
I'm actually quite happy with how this sword handles. It's very quick.
EDIT: So I just cut with the sword for the first time.
1 Styrofoam cup
1 2-Liter
The cup was destroyed of course.
The 2-Liter suffered the same fate.
The sword handled pretty well. I can tell that it's not that sharp but still did some damage.
Test Cutting
The balde does have a secondary bevel and it isnt sharp enough to cut paper. I did a couple test cuts on the box it came in and it only went 3-5 inches in. Comparied to my Bushido that is "Tom Sharp" I cut the box cleanly in half at a 45' angle. Thrusting is quite nice with the blade it went straight through.
Conclusions
Over all I'm glade I bought this sword.
Pros
- The fit and finish is prettty good.
- Blade is free of any defects.(aside from the off center fuller)
Cons
- Fuller is off center.
- Throat locket needs to be filed down.
- Handle is way to thin for my taste.
The Bottom Line: I really like it, but needs slight modifications including: Removal of secondary bevel, filing of throat locket and thickening of handle. I also wouldnt mind a different guard, this one is a touch too generic for me.
Reviewed by: Hiroshi
Introduction
A few weeks before christmas I started thinking about getting an english sword. After posting a few questions about what kind of sword I should get it was suggested that I get this sword. The CASIberia Hanwei Tinker Bastard Sword w/ Fuller SH2411. I must say I really like this sword, but I can tell this is a "bottom shelf" sword. I'm looking forward to getting a much higher quality sword.
Full Disclosure
Now I have to say I'm a Katana collector. I know almost nothing of english swords. All of my training and experince is with katana.
Michael "Tinker" Pearce
Michael "Tinker" Pearce is one of the pre-eminent makers of custom medieval-style swords, with a large international following in the collector and Western Martial Arts communities. His swords have a long-standing reputation for durability and performance. He has studied swords for over thirty years and was one of the first makers to study the structural and engineering aspects of antique swords. Tinker has introduced many of the concepts of modern sword design such as authentic weight, balance and dynamic characteristics that have become standards in the industry. His articles have been featured in Blade Magazine and many of his works on the physical characteristics of swords have been published. He is also the author of "The Medieval Sword in the Modern World", a book about modern reproduction swords and their characteristics. Tinker was an SCA heavy fighter for many years and practiced period rapier-fencing with the Academy Della Spada in Seattle, WA. He is a self-defense instructor and currently teaches Medieval European martial arts. He is also a trained fight-choreographer. His research and broad-based training has engendered a good understanding of how swords were used by the generations that fought for their lives with them and also the needs of modern re-enactors and martial artists. He is an Honorary Educational Advisor for Sword Forum International.
Initial Impressions
Unpacking the blade was very easy. But when I did I found a wonderful surprise(I'll get to that in a minute). It was packed well with 3 foam blocks. One at the top, one in the middle and one at the end. Also taped to the back of the box was an hex key. I wasn't expecting Hanwei to include that.
The Merchant
I bought this sword from Stromlo_Swords_USA, I must say this guy is great! He not only held the sword for over a week for me but he also gave me a great price! I sent the payment via paypal on friday night and the sword arrived thursday the 13th. But back to the surprise I was talking about, with the sword I was given some Hanwei Sword Oil, but not just one bottle, I got two whole bottles for free!!!! How awesome is that!! I can promise you the next time I but ANY sword, I'll be checking with Stromlo first. This was by far the best experince I've ever had buying a sword! Thank you Stromlo! Thank you!
Statistics
Below are all my mesurements of the sword.
Blade Length: 33 3/16" 84cm
Handle Length: 7 1/8" 8cm
Overall Length:
Guard Width: 5/16" 9mm
POB (Point of Balance): 4" 7/16
COP (Center of Percussion):20" 1/4
Weight: 2lb 8.05oz
Blade width at Guard:1 9/16"
Fuller width at Guard" 15/32"
Guard Lenght:7" 7/8
Hex Nut Weight:0.2oz
Pommel Weight: 8.45oz
Handle Weight: 1.10oz
Handle Circumfrence at Top: 3" 3/8
Handle Circumfrence at Bottom: 2" 3/8
Guard Weight: 1.7oz
Blade Weight: 1lb 8.7oz
Scabbard Weight: 10.65oz
Scabbard Lenght: 37" 3/8
yea I know I went overboard but I was on a roll.
Components
All the components of this sword seem to be fairly good quality, but again, I get the feeling that there are much, much better swords out there.
The Blade
The blade feels pretty sturdy, and seems well made. Of course it does have a secondary bevel. That really isn't an issue for me right now, I live in an apartment complex and I doubt my neighbors would turn a blind eye to some nut job cutting stuff up with a sword. I do have a problem with the fuller. As you can see in the last picture in this set, on one side the fuller is off center. I don't know what this will do to the handling/cutting characteristics.
The Handle
The handle is quite plain. The only issue I have with it is that it's way to thin for me. Being used to Katana Tsuka the average 3"1/4 in circumfrence and this one is 3" 3/8 to 2" 3/8 it's a bit uncomfortable. I'll have to change that pretty soon.
Notice in the next two pictures how the leather is kind of crushed up under the guard. It would be nice if this was fit a little better.
The Guard
The guard is pretty basic.
The Pommel
Basic & round. One issue I have here is it seams the hex nut is partially stripped. Not really a big deal. But I'll probably end up replacing it pretty soon.
The Scabbard
The scabbard is expected and somewhat unexpectidly flawed. Let me explain. The usual falws are there, The throat locket scrapes the blade when drawing and resheathing. But then there is something unexpected. When sheathing the blade everything feels smooth untill I get all but 7" 3/4 in. It hits some sort of blockage, almost feels like there is a splinter sticking out or maybe the blade dug into the side the first time it was put in. The only way I can get the blade in is to turn the whole thing on it's side(seem on the scabbard facing in).
The Chape at the end of the scabbard seems a little weird to me, but I guess it's normal.
Handling Characteristics
I'm actually quite happy with how this sword handles. It's very quick.
EDIT: So I just cut with the sword for the first time.
1 Styrofoam cup
1 2-Liter
The cup was destroyed of course.
The 2-Liter suffered the same fate.
The sword handled pretty well. I can tell that it's not that sharp but still did some damage.
Test Cutting
The balde does have a secondary bevel and it isnt sharp enough to cut paper. I did a couple test cuts on the box it came in and it only went 3-5 inches in. Comparied to my Bushido that is "Tom Sharp" I cut the box cleanly in half at a 45' angle. Thrusting is quite nice with the blade it went straight through.
Conclusions
Over all I'm glade I bought this sword.
Pros
- The fit and finish is prettty good.
- Blade is free of any defects.(aside from the off center fuller)
Cons
- Fuller is off center.
- Throat locket needs to be filed down.
- Handle is way to thin for my taste.
The Bottom Line: I really like it, but needs slight modifications including: Removal of secondary bevel, filing of throat locket and thickening of handle. I also wouldnt mind a different guard, this one is a touch too generic for me.