Munich Cut & Thrust Sword (Quick review)
Aug 15, 2013 2:33:59 GMT
Post by THE_SUPERWEIRDO on Aug 15, 2013 2:33:59 GMT
Introduction
Hello, SBG Forums! I am here today with my first Renaissance sword, another unique sword for my diverse little collection. I've been interested with getting a sword like this for a while, diversifying my sword knowledge besides Medieval swords and Japanese swords. I did originally plan on getting this sword later somewhere around winter Holiday season, but I couldn't wait no further and bought the sword. I was pretty excited about getting this sword, being a type sword I've never owned before.
Historical overview
I'm not so sure about the full history of this sword, but I do have some knowledge of it I think. This sword is based off of the swords used in the German military police in Munich, Germany. It is has a swept hilt with a Cut-and-thrust blade which was shorter than a rapier blade for the purpose using them in smaller, crowded places. (This is basically paraphrased from the description from the Kult of Athena page -_-)
Disclosure
Purchased full price off of Kult of Athena. I mainly have more experience towards Japanese swords then Euros, but have no experience with a Renaissance sword :? And single handed swords in particular.
Initial Impressions
The sword came in the the standard UPS packaging. Inside the box was a heap load of brown paper, a can of Renaissance wax (Bought separately, finally have some wax :mrgreen: ), the scabbard, and the sword itself wrapped in brown paper.
My expectations were a slightly tip heavy, 3 pound sword when I pick it up, but the balance of the sword was great that most of the weight was in the hilt area. The fact that I realized how nimble the sword really was is where I knew this sword was going to be a great cutter.
Statistics
(I think the blade length from the KoA site included the tiny portion inside the hilt... but I'm not sure)
Blade Length: 33 1/4''
Blade Width: 41.4 mm
Grip Length: 3 3/8''
Overall Length: 39 3/4''
Point of Balance: 2 3/8''
Weight: 3 lb 6.1 oz
Components
The Blade
The blade is made of 1095 carbon steel, and features a mirror finish and a secondary bevel. The blade is also not very broad, something I expected from this sword from the pictures.
The blade did have some smudges on the finish but was quickly rubbed off with some rubbing alcohol.
The blade tapered all the way to the tip, which was sharp and looked very threatening. I guess this is what would make the sword an excellent thruster.
The Handle and Guard
The fittings on the sword was very solid. There was no play on the guard and handles when I did test swings. The fittings of the sword is made of steel, and realizing that, I just noticed how hard I have to keep the fittings oiled (Or waxed ) The guard looks like it was built to to resist bending, while looking very appealing and ornate.
(For some reason, photo-bucket just messed up this particular pic :? )
The pommel was a standard rounded, cylindrical shape. It also had a nice mirror finish to it.
The wire wrapped handle is probably my most favorite feature of this blade. It looks awesome and it's very comfortable in the hand. It did have something spiky at the end of the wrap, but it's small enough that it's not even noticeable when gripping the sword.
The Scabbard
The scabbard is made of leather, a material I think is not very good for long term storage but will get the job done.
The fittings on the scabbard is plain, nothing ornate. Just steel accents that help form the scabbard
The fit of the sword in the scabbard was snug. There was barely any noise when I rattled it around. However, holding it upside down and shaking it would cause the sword to be loose. The scabbard does a pretty nice job though.
Handling Characteristics
The sword is very lively in my hands. It's quite balanced, maybe even the most well balanced single handed sword I have ever held. It does have a bit of heft to it due to it being 3 pounds, but it's still nimble enough for a rapier like sword to me. It was balanced enough where I am able to point the tip of the sword and thrust easily.
Test Cutting
(This pic is also messed up when uploaded...)
The sword was sharp enough on both edges to cut paper. I did feel along the edge and did notice some burr or a wire edge along the edges near the guard, but around the cutting area of the blade towards the tip, the blade was nicely sharpened.
I did some quick thrusts on the packaging box and found it to be a nice thruster.
I also did a very brief cutting video on bottles... Being my last bottle, it was not my nicest cut to record, but I had no choice
This is also my first cutting video :oops: So yeah...
Conclusions
I am quite surprised to see the sword to be more rapier-like in my perspective. It's also a nice cutter and a good thruster, definitely making this an excellent "Cut and Thrust" sword. To me it serves it's purpose very well as a good renaissance sword for a newb. :mrgreen:
Pros
- Nice steel fittings and comfortable wire wrap
- Sharp, hefty but nimble blade
- Inexpensive for a Renaissance sword but looks
Cons
- Leather scabbard will absorb moisture from the sword's oiled blade and may cause future rusting
- A bit heavy for a cut and thrust sword but the near point of balance compensates it
- Little blemishes around the guard
The Bottom Line
Anyone looking to buy a Renaissance sword with a budget of sub-$300, this sword is for you. This sword is a good value for the money.
Hello, SBG Forums! I am here today with my first Renaissance sword, another unique sword for my diverse little collection. I've been interested with getting a sword like this for a while, diversifying my sword knowledge besides Medieval swords and Japanese swords. I did originally plan on getting this sword later somewhere around winter Holiday season, but I couldn't wait no further and bought the sword. I was pretty excited about getting this sword, being a type sword I've never owned before.
Historical overview
I'm not so sure about the full history of this sword, but I do have some knowledge of it I think. This sword is based off of the swords used in the German military police in Munich, Germany. It is has a swept hilt with a Cut-and-thrust blade which was shorter than a rapier blade for the purpose using them in smaller, crowded places. (This is basically paraphrased from the description from the Kult of Athena page -_-)
Disclosure
Purchased full price off of Kult of Athena. I mainly have more experience towards Japanese swords then Euros, but have no experience with a Renaissance sword :? And single handed swords in particular.
Initial Impressions
The sword came in the the standard UPS packaging. Inside the box was a heap load of brown paper, a can of Renaissance wax (Bought separately, finally have some wax :mrgreen: ), the scabbard, and the sword itself wrapped in brown paper.
My expectations were a slightly tip heavy, 3 pound sword when I pick it up, but the balance of the sword was great that most of the weight was in the hilt area. The fact that I realized how nimble the sword really was is where I knew this sword was going to be a great cutter.
Statistics
(I think the blade length from the KoA site included the tiny portion inside the hilt... but I'm not sure)
Blade Length: 33 1/4''
Blade Width: 41.4 mm
Grip Length: 3 3/8''
Overall Length: 39 3/4''
Point of Balance: 2 3/8''
Weight: 3 lb 6.1 oz
Components
The Blade
The blade is made of 1095 carbon steel, and features a mirror finish and a secondary bevel. The blade is also not very broad, something I expected from this sword from the pictures.
The blade did have some smudges on the finish but was quickly rubbed off with some rubbing alcohol.
The blade tapered all the way to the tip, which was sharp and looked very threatening. I guess this is what would make the sword an excellent thruster.
The Handle and Guard
The fittings on the sword was very solid. There was no play on the guard and handles when I did test swings. The fittings of the sword is made of steel, and realizing that, I just noticed how hard I have to keep the fittings oiled (Or waxed ) The guard looks like it was built to to resist bending, while looking very appealing and ornate.
(For some reason, photo-bucket just messed up this particular pic :? )
The pommel was a standard rounded, cylindrical shape. It also had a nice mirror finish to it.
The wire wrapped handle is probably my most favorite feature of this blade. It looks awesome and it's very comfortable in the hand. It did have something spiky at the end of the wrap, but it's small enough that it's not even noticeable when gripping the sword.
The Scabbard
The scabbard is made of leather, a material I think is not very good for long term storage but will get the job done.
The fittings on the scabbard is plain, nothing ornate. Just steel accents that help form the scabbard
The fit of the sword in the scabbard was snug. There was barely any noise when I rattled it around. However, holding it upside down and shaking it would cause the sword to be loose. The scabbard does a pretty nice job though.
Handling Characteristics
The sword is very lively in my hands. It's quite balanced, maybe even the most well balanced single handed sword I have ever held. It does have a bit of heft to it due to it being 3 pounds, but it's still nimble enough for a rapier like sword to me. It was balanced enough where I am able to point the tip of the sword and thrust easily.
Test Cutting
(This pic is also messed up when uploaded...)
The sword was sharp enough on both edges to cut paper. I did feel along the edge and did notice some burr or a wire edge along the edges near the guard, but around the cutting area of the blade towards the tip, the blade was nicely sharpened.
I did some quick thrusts on the packaging box and found it to be a nice thruster.
I also did a very brief cutting video on bottles... Being my last bottle, it was not my nicest cut to record, but I had no choice
This is also my first cutting video :oops: So yeah...
Conclusions
I am quite surprised to see the sword to be more rapier-like in my perspective. It's also a nice cutter and a good thruster, definitely making this an excellent "Cut and Thrust" sword. To me it serves it's purpose very well as a good renaissance sword for a newb. :mrgreen:
Pros
- Nice steel fittings and comfortable wire wrap
- Sharp, hefty but nimble blade
- Inexpensive for a Renaissance sword but looks
Cons
- Leather scabbard will absorb moisture from the sword's oiled blade and may cause future rusting
- A bit heavy for a cut and thrust sword but the near point of balance compensates it
- Little blemishes around the guard
The Bottom Line
Anyone looking to buy a Renaissance sword with a budget of sub-$300, this sword is for you. This sword is a good value for the money.