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Post by psmith34 on Mar 24, 2014 21:55:30 GMT
Hello to everyone,
I am thinking of buying the Hanwei Cromwell Sword and I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this sword?
I am interested in the overall fit and finish and sturdiness of the sword.
I would really appreciate your opinions.
Phil.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Mar 24, 2014 22:52:47 GMT
I believe Razor had one at one point (I'm not sure if he still does) and I seem to recall him saying it was actually quite nice, but I could be misremembering it's been so long.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Mar 24, 2014 23:11:45 GMT
I've got one also. Used to be quite a bargain before the Great Hanwei fire. ![;)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) . Like a lot of Hanwei's euro live steel sword the backblade may be a tad to the light side. Does make for a quick sword. Backswords were relatively light given that 17th Cent cavalrymen still wore helms and cuiraiss as a minimum. So these tend to be thrusting weapons moreso than cutters. From that perspetcive, don't need to ge so heavy. I'm satisfied with it, still have both of my Hanwei's. If you feel compelled to go a bit deeper Amour Class of Edinburgh makes Cromwells and other mortuary swords. There's a waiting list of 6 mos or so, unless KoA has one in stock.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Mar 24, 2014 23:30:23 GMT
The basket is painted, rather than japanned like the original. Forgivable, given the price. The skin on the grip is rough, so it's a glove-friendly grip. Not so bad that you need gloves though; bare hands work (unless really tender). No complaints about fit and finish.
Sturdy enough to cut with, even with the factory edge (which is adequate, but not very sharp) causing some batting of water bottles.
As Dave says above, a bargain at its old price.
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Post by randomnobody on Mar 25, 2014 3:54:35 GMT
I had long wanted a Cromwell, and had heard such great reviews as alluded to already, but never got around to getting one and now, with Hanwei's prices, I'm not sure I could justify it still. $300 at Kult of Athena, which isn't bad, but really I think I'd rather up that 50% and get on the list for the Armour Class Dave mentioned. Here's both on KoA: kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SH1049kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=AC17C8PGranted, the biggest thing keeping me from Hanwei's was the antiqued finish. I just don't like antiqued finishes; if I want an old sword, I'll buy an old sword. If I'm buying a new sword, it should look new. Hanwei's standard "mortuary hilt" also had my interest for a time, but that doesn't seem to be a thing anymore. :? In fact, in looking for it on CAS' own website, I see their selling price for the Cromwell is higher than the Armour Class through KoA. I'd definitely wait for the Armour Class in that case, but still, for $300 at KoA the Hanwei is quite tempting. (Armour Class also makes another mortuary, which sells at KoA for $330, but is also on back-order.) If you go for one, let us know how it pans out for you.
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Post by psmith34 on Mar 25, 2014 4:46:29 GMT
Thanks guys, I thank you all for your great replies. You have given me plenty of food for thought and I think I will consider waiting to get an Armour Class Cromwell Sword since it is not that much more expensive.
further to that, I really want to buy a fairly cheap sword of some kind I can do plenty of cutting with. I don't really want to do a lot of cutting with my expensive Albion's. I was thinking of something like the Cold Steel 1796 Light Calvary Sabre but I would be very grateful for any suggestions of a sword for this type of use. I will post this new question of mine in a new thread however, so as not to get off topic.
Phil.
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Post by william m on Mar 25, 2014 9:48:55 GMT
I have handled both the armour class and hanwei, and preferred the hanwei version. The armour class for me had a strange blade that was a bit floppy. I preferred the overall look and blade of the hanwei.
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Mar 25, 2014 10:24:00 GMT
Ideal combination -> Hanwei blade and Armour Class baskethilt.
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Post by randomnobody on Mar 25, 2014 17:56:36 GMT
WIlliam raises a fair point, I'd forgotten that Armour Class tends to use somewhat thin stock, and has a reputation for being a bit bendy on some models. Not unlike Windlass, ultimately, but there it is.
Still, if Hanwei offered a non-antiqued model, and maybe cleaned up the basket a bit, I'd think the $300 KoA asks was reasonable. As it is, though...maybe $250. :?
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Post by William Swiger on Oct 3, 2014 17:51:11 GMT
My Cromwell Sword arrived today. I really like the look and feel and am very satisfied with it.
Only negatives was the scabbard is hard to get fully on the blade at the hilt due to the design and rubs a little of the paint off there. The back edge is pretty thick on mine and will not be sharpened. The blade was not sharp at all but was an easy 5-minute fix with a smooth file.
Overall a nice looking and handling sword.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Oct 3, 2014 22:19:09 GMT
Like others have mentioned, it is a pretty good sword for the money even though it's not sharp out of the box. I'm going to dissasemble one in the next couple of days and write a review on it as time permits. Also, if you're still looking for one, I can price match KOA's price on a new one.
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