Universal Swords - 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword Review
Sept 3, 2013 11:15:16 GMT
Post by Alfacentori on Sept 3, 2013 11:15:16 GMT
The Story
I have always been a fan of Napoleonic War history, and of the elan of the various cavalry of the period. Last year I purchased a Cold Steel 1796 LCS, but the one I had always wanted was the LCS's larger cousin, a battle ready 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword. So, when I saw the Universal Sword 1796 HCS come up at Kult of Athena I had to have one. Also who wouldn't want the sword of Richard Sharpe?
The History
The 1796 HCS, just like the 1796 LCS, was a direct copy of a foreign design, in this case an Austrian sword. It was used by the elite heavy cavalry formations of the British Army, including units such as the Scots Grays, Life Guards, and the Kings German Legion. Unpopular with its users due to its weight which slowed ripostes, it never the less soldiered on and won favour from those who appreciated its sturdy construction and brute force, winning notable victories included the capture of an Imperial Eagle by Sgt Charles Ewart of the Scot Grays at Waterloo.
The Full Disclosure
I paid full price for this sword of $169.95 plus postage. I have no relationship financial or otherwise with Kult of Athena. I am a sword novice and all comments in this review should be viewed in that light.
The First Impression
The sword came from KOA by their usual method, well packaged and wrapped in heavy brown paper via UPS. Unwrapping it and picking it up for the first time my first thought was 'damn, this is huge'. This is a seriously big single handed sword, it doesn't look any longer than my 1796, but if sure feels it. My second thought was I need a horse....
The Stats
Taken from KOA.
Blade Length: 34 inches
Handle Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 40 inches
POB (Point of Balance): 8 1/4 inch
Weight: 2 lbs 12.5 oz
Components
The Blade
It's long, it's straight, it's heavy, it's a Heavy Cavalry Sword. The blade is this sword, it has the feeling of meat cleaver, and I kind of like it. The blade came sharpened from KOA and it is certainly sharp. The blade itself is quite thick and retains much of that thickness down its whole length which adds to the weight. The thickness also adds to the blades rigidity, which means that despite its length there is only a mild level of flex. All in all it feels impressive in the hand, the only slight negative is a couple of very minor marks on the blade, but they aren't notable and will polish out.
The Handle
The grip looks like leather, but it's very hard, it almost feels like a dark coloured wood. All in all it feels utilitarian, like a soldiers weapon should.
The Guard
The guard is bigger than it looks, and would provide a lot of protection in the chaos of a battle. There is nothing stylish about it, you can see it was riveted together just like the mass produced original, all good really.
The Pommel
Peened, solid looking, nothing else to say.
The Scabbard
It feel and looks very similar to that of my Cold Steel 1796 LCS, and indeed may have been made in the same factory. It is marked just like the original sword with the makers name 'Osborn and Co Birmingham'. All in all solid and nice.
The Handling
It's heavy, did I say it's heavy? Holding it I can understand why a cavalryman used to the much lighter blades such as those used by Hussar units would feel disappointed picking up the 1796 HCS. That said I think once you realised it was designed for a different kind of fighting, not for the chase, but for a smashing assault through double or triple infantry ranks, I can also see why many came to value its strengths. It has no finesse, its a brutal weapon, but to sum up how the it feels in one word it feels 'effective'.
Test Cutting
None done yet.
Conclusions
Having not heard a lot about Universal Swords I was curious to see what I would get in the mail. I ended up largely impressed, the quality certainly feels as good as my Cold Steel 1796 LCS, indeed it could have been made in the same factory.
Having not held a genuine 1796 HCS I can't compare, and I'll leave the comments on that side to those with the expertise, but hold the Universal Sword product it seems to match the descriptions of the original. It's a big, serious sword to hold and own, see the below pic with CD case for scale.
All in all I'm happy.
Pros
-Historical coolness
-Looks
-Price
-Hard to find made battle ready
-Impresses friends
Cons
-Weight
-Small quality control issues
The Bottom Line
Would I recommend someone buy this sword? Yes, for the price, for the cool factor, for a battle ready blade, it's worth it.
I have always been a fan of Napoleonic War history, and of the elan of the various cavalry of the period. Last year I purchased a Cold Steel 1796 LCS, but the one I had always wanted was the LCS's larger cousin, a battle ready 1796 Heavy Cavalry Sword. So, when I saw the Universal Sword 1796 HCS come up at Kult of Athena I had to have one. Also who wouldn't want the sword of Richard Sharpe?
The History
The 1796 HCS, just like the 1796 LCS, was a direct copy of a foreign design, in this case an Austrian sword. It was used by the elite heavy cavalry formations of the British Army, including units such as the Scots Grays, Life Guards, and the Kings German Legion. Unpopular with its users due to its weight which slowed ripostes, it never the less soldiered on and won favour from those who appreciated its sturdy construction and brute force, winning notable victories included the capture of an Imperial Eagle by Sgt Charles Ewart of the Scot Grays at Waterloo.
The Full Disclosure
I paid full price for this sword of $169.95 plus postage. I have no relationship financial or otherwise with Kult of Athena. I am a sword novice and all comments in this review should be viewed in that light.
The First Impression
The sword came from KOA by their usual method, well packaged and wrapped in heavy brown paper via UPS. Unwrapping it and picking it up for the first time my first thought was 'damn, this is huge'. This is a seriously big single handed sword, it doesn't look any longer than my 1796, but if sure feels it. My second thought was I need a horse....
The Stats
Taken from KOA.
Blade Length: 34 inches
Handle Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 40 inches
POB (Point of Balance): 8 1/4 inch
Weight: 2 lbs 12.5 oz
Components
The Blade
It's long, it's straight, it's heavy, it's a Heavy Cavalry Sword. The blade is this sword, it has the feeling of meat cleaver, and I kind of like it. The blade came sharpened from KOA and it is certainly sharp. The blade itself is quite thick and retains much of that thickness down its whole length which adds to the weight. The thickness also adds to the blades rigidity, which means that despite its length there is only a mild level of flex. All in all it feels impressive in the hand, the only slight negative is a couple of very minor marks on the blade, but they aren't notable and will polish out.
The Handle
The grip looks like leather, but it's very hard, it almost feels like a dark coloured wood. All in all it feels utilitarian, like a soldiers weapon should.
The Guard
The guard is bigger than it looks, and would provide a lot of protection in the chaos of a battle. There is nothing stylish about it, you can see it was riveted together just like the mass produced original, all good really.
The Pommel
Peened, solid looking, nothing else to say.
The Scabbard
It feel and looks very similar to that of my Cold Steel 1796 LCS, and indeed may have been made in the same factory. It is marked just like the original sword with the makers name 'Osborn and Co Birmingham'. All in all solid and nice.
The Handling
It's heavy, did I say it's heavy? Holding it I can understand why a cavalryman used to the much lighter blades such as those used by Hussar units would feel disappointed picking up the 1796 HCS. That said I think once you realised it was designed for a different kind of fighting, not for the chase, but for a smashing assault through double or triple infantry ranks, I can also see why many came to value its strengths. It has no finesse, its a brutal weapon, but to sum up how the it feels in one word it feels 'effective'.
Test Cutting
None done yet.
Conclusions
Having not heard a lot about Universal Swords I was curious to see what I would get in the mail. I ended up largely impressed, the quality certainly feels as good as my Cold Steel 1796 LCS, indeed it could have been made in the same factory.
Having not held a genuine 1796 HCS I can't compare, and I'll leave the comments on that side to those with the expertise, but hold the Universal Sword product it seems to match the descriptions of the original. It's a big, serious sword to hold and own, see the below pic with CD case for scale.
All in all I'm happy.
Pros
-Historical coolness
-Looks
-Price
-Hard to find made battle ready
-Impresses friends
Cons
-Weight
-Small quality control issues
The Bottom Line
Would I recommend someone buy this sword? Yes, for the price, for the cool factor, for a battle ready blade, it's worth it.