Universal Swords French Hussar Saber
Oct 23, 2013 14:55:46 GMT
Post by Jussi Ekholm on Oct 23, 2013 14:55:46 GMT
Introduction
I was the lucky one who won UBC Summer contest, and this was the prize. I'm pretty much like a blank canvas when it comes to more modern military swords. I do not know much about, and I do not have had a huge intrest towards swords of this age. So most likely I wouldn't have picked this sword up by myself. But I'm very happy that I got the chance to experience this sword. I have never even handled a product by Universal Swords before this, and it's really nice to see what the company can provide.
Historical Overview
Like I said I do not know much about military swords. There are many versions of these Hussar sabres used in the French military, and I cannot pinpoint the exact model this is based on. I've found several examples that are quite close, but not exactly this.
*EDIT* Thanks Pinotte_1814 for the correct information.
Just so you know the model they copied is the French An IV (c.1796) sabre for hussars during the Revolution. The markings which indicate the date of service are true to originals but the wire grip is wrong: hussars hated it and never had that in their sabres; the Horse Guard Chasseurs (Napoleon's bodyguards) had their M1802 sword which was the same type of hilt but reinforced with wire grip.
Full Disclosure
I paid only the shipping costs of this sword, and a very minor tax. As this sword was a prize it has been a free sword. I have very little experience with European military swords, but I'll try to do my best in reviewing this sword. I try to keep in mind the original price of this sword, 210$'s, when I think about the quality and value of this sword. Sword was sharpened by Kult of Athena, as they were also the supplier of the prize. I've dealt with Kult of Athena many times in the past, but that shouldn't affect my review.
Initial Impressions
Finnish customs made a slight error with importing this, and the procedures were similar to those I had to do some years ago. It was not really a big deal, bit annoying but not a big deal as they admitted the error was theirs. I got the sword through as a gift and had to only pay very minor tax & fee. When I got the package open I must say I was quite impressed. My first impression was very heavy but well made.
Statistics
I'm doing a comparison to the Historical example as it's stats are found on the link. I'll put historical values in brackets ().
Blade length: 85,4 cm
Blade width at guard: 3,3 cm
Blade width 10cm from tip: 2,55 cm
Blade thickness at guard: 6,4 mm
Blade thickness 10cm from tip: 4,7 mm
Curvature: 5,3 cm
Weight: 1125 grams
Point of balance: 23 cm from the guard
Grip length: 11,5 cm underside (knucklebow side)
Components
The blade is pretty well made, and Kult of Athena did good sharpening job. I really like how they also sharpened the 15 cm back edge at the tip, and the tip is very sharp. The fullers are made ok, near the guard the narrowing transition looks bit bad. I think the Klingenthal engraving on the back and the inspection marks? on the blade add neat character to it. The biggest downside I think this blade has is the weight. I think there would be slight need of improving the overall geometry of the sword to bring the weight down a bit. As the sharpened sword weighs 1125 grams and point of balance is 23 cm ( 9 inches ) from the guard, I personally feel that this is very tiresome to use, and the blade feels bit overbuilt. If this would be a bit lighter then this would be much more enjoyable to use.
Here is a comparison with the antique tulwar I have, it's the only sword I have that resembles this quite a bit. However it has a balance point at 16 cm (6,25") from the guard and it weighs 1055 grams. So even though the weight difference is quite small, the difference in balance point makes a huge difference in handling them. Yes these are quite different swords, and I don't know about proper handling & using of military sabers, I just wanted to point out the difference in handling.
Just my personal feel that the sword should be a bit lighter, or not necessarily lighter, just balanced bit more towards the guard.
Here is the part where I think this sword shines, overall appearance. I think the hilt is very well made for 200$ sword, and the scabbard was the most positive part of this sword. Hilt and scarbbard parts are brass, and thick black leather. The wire wrap on the handle is nicely made. I think the peen looks very nice for the price. I really like the knucklebow and how well it flows with rest of the hilt. You can see in the pic how well the langets fit to scabbard. The scabbard is wooden cored, with very large brass pieces and leather. It's very heavy scabbard, but the fit is just perfect. To be honest for this pricepoint I was expecting the sword to fall out very easily, but no. You can hold this upside down and rattle it, the fit is amazing as the scabbard sucks in the last centimeters of the sword.
Conclusion
I must admit, that without winning this sword I might not have given much thought to Universal Swords. But after having this sword I think it's sometimes good to get out from your comfort zone and try something completely new. I think this sword is great value for 210$'s. I don't know much about military swords but I know what I like. Most likely those that specialize in military swords will find many shortcomings on this sword. But I think this is great overall sword, I'm not perfectly happy with the blade weight and balance of the sword, but I'm still amazed of the overall quality that's offered by this sword.
This sword impressed me so much, that when I someday might look for another military sword, I will definately check out Universal Swords. Before seeing their swords in person I didn't think very highly of them without any real reason. This sword really changed my mind of the company, sure it's not perfect, but it's darn nice in the c.200$ range.
Cutting will be done later as I have to do it at my parents, but it will come, I just don't know the exact date when I can cut.
I was the lucky one who won UBC Summer contest, and this was the prize. I'm pretty much like a blank canvas when it comes to more modern military swords. I do not know much about, and I do not have had a huge intrest towards swords of this age. So most likely I wouldn't have picked this sword up by myself. But I'm very happy that I got the chance to experience this sword. I have never even handled a product by Universal Swords before this, and it's really nice to see what the company can provide.
Historical Overview
Like I said I do not know much about military swords. There are many versions of these Hussar sabres used in the French military, and I cannot pinpoint the exact model this is based on. I've found several examples that are quite close, but not exactly this.
*EDIT* Thanks Pinotte_1814 for the correct information.
Just so you know the model they copied is the French An IV (c.1796) sabre for hussars during the Revolution. The markings which indicate the date of service are true to originals but the wire grip is wrong: hussars hated it and never had that in their sabres; the Horse Guard Chasseurs (Napoleon's bodyguards) had their M1802 sword which was the same type of hilt but reinforced with wire grip.
Full Disclosure
I paid only the shipping costs of this sword, and a very minor tax. As this sword was a prize it has been a free sword. I have very little experience with European military swords, but I'll try to do my best in reviewing this sword. I try to keep in mind the original price of this sword, 210$'s, when I think about the quality and value of this sword. Sword was sharpened by Kult of Athena, as they were also the supplier of the prize. I've dealt with Kult of Athena many times in the past, but that shouldn't affect my review.
Initial Impressions
Finnish customs made a slight error with importing this, and the procedures were similar to those I had to do some years ago. It was not really a big deal, bit annoying but not a big deal as they admitted the error was theirs. I got the sword through as a gift and had to only pay very minor tax & fee. When I got the package open I must say I was quite impressed. My first impression was very heavy but well made.
Statistics
I'm doing a comparison to the Historical example as it's stats are found on the link. I'll put historical values in brackets ().
Blade length: 85,4 cm
Blade width at guard: 3,3 cm
Blade width 10cm from tip: 2,55 cm
Blade thickness at guard: 6,4 mm
Blade thickness 10cm from tip: 4,7 mm
Curvature: 5,3 cm
Weight: 1125 grams
Point of balance: 23 cm from the guard
Grip length: 11,5 cm underside (knucklebow side)
Components
The blade is pretty well made, and Kult of Athena did good sharpening job. I really like how they also sharpened the 15 cm back edge at the tip, and the tip is very sharp. The fullers are made ok, near the guard the narrowing transition looks bit bad. I think the Klingenthal engraving on the back and the inspection marks? on the blade add neat character to it. The biggest downside I think this blade has is the weight. I think there would be slight need of improving the overall geometry of the sword to bring the weight down a bit. As the sharpened sword weighs 1125 grams and point of balance is 23 cm ( 9 inches ) from the guard, I personally feel that this is very tiresome to use, and the blade feels bit overbuilt. If this would be a bit lighter then this would be much more enjoyable to use.
Here is a comparison with the antique tulwar I have, it's the only sword I have that resembles this quite a bit. However it has a balance point at 16 cm (6,25") from the guard and it weighs 1055 grams. So even though the weight difference is quite small, the difference in balance point makes a huge difference in handling them. Yes these are quite different swords, and I don't know about proper handling & using of military sabers, I just wanted to point out the difference in handling.
Just my personal feel that the sword should be a bit lighter, or not necessarily lighter, just balanced bit more towards the guard.
Here is the part where I think this sword shines, overall appearance. I think the hilt is very well made for 200$ sword, and the scabbard was the most positive part of this sword. Hilt and scarbbard parts are brass, and thick black leather. The wire wrap on the handle is nicely made. I think the peen looks very nice for the price. I really like the knucklebow and how well it flows with rest of the hilt. You can see in the pic how well the langets fit to scabbard. The scabbard is wooden cored, with very large brass pieces and leather. It's very heavy scabbard, but the fit is just perfect. To be honest for this pricepoint I was expecting the sword to fall out very easily, but no. You can hold this upside down and rattle it, the fit is amazing as the scabbard sucks in the last centimeters of the sword.
Conclusion
I must admit, that without winning this sword I might not have given much thought to Universal Swords. But after having this sword I think it's sometimes good to get out from your comfort zone and try something completely new. I think this sword is great value for 210$'s. I don't know much about military swords but I know what I like. Most likely those that specialize in military swords will find many shortcomings on this sword. But I think this is great overall sword, I'm not perfectly happy with the blade weight and balance of the sword, but I'm still amazed of the overall quality that's offered by this sword.
This sword impressed me so much, that when I someday might look for another military sword, I will definately check out Universal Swords. Before seeing their swords in person I didn't think very highly of them without any real reason. This sword really changed my mind of the company, sure it's not perfect, but it's darn nice in the c.200$ range.
Cutting will be done later as I have to do it at my parents, but it will come, I just don't know the exact date when I can cut.