Armour Class Schavonia
May 26, 2018 18:15:57 GMT
Post by Dalin Caulder on May 26, 2018 18:15:57 GMT
Introduction
So here is the story all about how my sword buying life got flipped upside down......So I ordered a Early Basket Hilt from Armour Class back in October of 2017. Was supposed to be 19-21 week wait. They had great contact with me though, and assured me it was in processing. Week 32 I finally get confirmation it is done and will be shipped. It gets shipped last monday and I receive it from across the pond (AC is in Scotland I am in Central Canada). I get home and unbox the sword I have been salivating over for 6 months......its the wrong sword. So after mulling it over for 24 hours I've decided to do a review of this sword while I wait the weekend to hear back from Armour Class about what the hell happened...and what the next step is.
Historical overview
The Schavona was a Renaissance sword that became popular in Italy during the 16th and 17th centuries. Stemming from the 16th-century sword of the Balkan mercenaries who formed the bodyguard of the Doge of Venice, the name came from the fact that the guard consisted largely of the Schiavoni, Istrian and Dalmatian Slavs. It was widely recognizable for its "cat's-head pommel" and distinctive hand guard made up of many leaf-shaped brass or iron bars that was attached to the cross-bar and knuckle-bow rather than the pommel.
Full Disclosure
I got the wrong sword...I am a little pissed about this after waiting 6 months, but am trying to do a fair review of the sword I have in hand currently while things get straightened out. Also the Schavonia is a blunt blade intended for histotical Re-enactment/SCA usage, not cutting. This is my first time purchasing a sword for re-enactment that was more then $200, go easy on me.
Initial Impressions
Statistics
Give some hard data on the sword's specifications:
Blade/Nagasa Length: 30"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 4" (Grip)
Overall Length: 36"
Guard/Tsuba Width: 6"
POB (Point of Balance): 3.5"
COP (Center of Percussion):
Weight: 3.38lbs/1.534 KG based on weight of shipping documents (I don't have a scale)
Components
The Blade/Nagasa:
The Handle/Tsuka: Wire wrapped Ray skin. Conical grip.
The Guard/Tsuba: The schavonia style basket allows me to wrap my first finger around the cross guard without fear of losing my finger, it is essentially several flattened bars that are bent back to form the basket. There is an obviously large hole infront of the hand that is susceptible to thrusts
The Scabbard/Saya: None
Handling Characteristics
I'm 5'3" tall, stocky, balding..and enjoy long walks on the beach and quiet evenings at home.....The sword handles fairly descent. I am not used to cutting blades as I typically play with rapiers this is a bit heavier then what I am used to. It swings well and I can get a good return to guard after a cut.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
Conclusions
Overall I think it is a good sword. I could see myself using this for historical re-enactment/SCA Cut & Thrust fighting.
Next, to sum up you can list the:
Pros
- I like the wire wrap- ray skin grip
- Sword seems well put together...solid.
- I Like the guard and ability to put my forefinger over the cross.
Cons
- This is not the sword I was expecting
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this sword for anyone looking to do re-enactment Cut & Thrust. The blade is solid and the guard seems like it would hold up to some descent punishment. On the other hand, based on the experience with Armour Class. (the wait, the wrong sword being shipped, whatever comes up from me contacting them) I would likely not buy another sword from them due to the issues I have experienced.
So here is the story all about how my sword buying life got flipped upside down......So I ordered a Early Basket Hilt from Armour Class back in October of 2017. Was supposed to be 19-21 week wait. They had great contact with me though, and assured me it was in processing. Week 32 I finally get confirmation it is done and will be shipped. It gets shipped last monday and I receive it from across the pond (AC is in Scotland I am in Central Canada). I get home and unbox the sword I have been salivating over for 6 months......its the wrong sword. So after mulling it over for 24 hours I've decided to do a review of this sword while I wait the weekend to hear back from Armour Class about what the hell happened...and what the next step is.
Historical overview
The Schavona was a Renaissance sword that became popular in Italy during the 16th and 17th centuries. Stemming from the 16th-century sword of the Balkan mercenaries who formed the bodyguard of the Doge of Venice, the name came from the fact that the guard consisted largely of the Schiavoni, Istrian and Dalmatian Slavs. It was widely recognizable for its "cat's-head pommel" and distinctive hand guard made up of many leaf-shaped brass or iron bars that was attached to the cross-bar and knuckle-bow rather than the pommel.
Full Disclosure
I got the wrong sword...I am a little pissed about this after waiting 6 months, but am trying to do a fair review of the sword I have in hand currently while things get straightened out. Also the Schavonia is a blunt blade intended for histotical Re-enactment/SCA usage, not cutting. This is my first time purchasing a sword for re-enactment that was more then $200, go easy on me.
Initial Impressions
Looks great. The blade is nice, not too heavy although the blade seems short to me; it does meet the specs I was expecting for what was promised me. The guard is blackened and seems to loosely fit the early schavonia descriptors from historical replicas I have seen.
Give some hard data on the sword's specifications:
Blade/Nagasa Length: 30"
Handle/Tsuka Length: 4" (Grip)
Overall Length: 36"
Guard/Tsuba Width: 6"
POB (Point of Balance): 3.5"
COP (Center of Percussion):
Weight: 3.38lbs/1.534 KG based on weight of shipping documents (I don't have a scale)
Components
The Blade/Nagasa:
Nice thick blade. double fuller for about 3/4 the blade ends in a larger single fuller.
The Guard/Tsuba: The schavonia style basket allows me to wrap my first finger around the cross guard without fear of losing my finger, it is essentially several flattened bars that are bent back to form the basket. There is an obviously large hole infront of the hand that is susceptible to thrusts
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira: Cats head pommel, about 2.5 inches long, 2 inches wide and about 0.5 inch deep. brass I believe. also has a small ball at the end of the cats head - 1/2 inch all around.
Handling Characteristics
I'm 5'3" tall, stocky, balding..and enjoy long walks on the beach and quiet evenings at home.....The sword handles fairly descent. I am not used to cutting blades as I typically play with rapiers this is a bit heavier then what I am used to. It swings well and I can get a good return to guard after a cut.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
Conclusions
Overall I think it is a good sword. I could see myself using this for historical re-enactment/SCA Cut & Thrust fighting.
Next, to sum up you can list the:
Pros
- I like the wire wrap- ray skin grip
- Sword seems well put together...solid.
- I Like the guard and ability to put my forefinger over the cross.
Cons
- This is not the sword I was expecting
- some obvious marks on the underside of the guard showing welds/bends
- very susceptible to thrusts through the giant holes in the front of the guard.
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this sword for anyone looking to do re-enactment Cut & Thrust. The blade is solid and the guard seems like it would hold up to some descent punishment. On the other hand, based on the experience with Armour Class. (the wait, the wrong sword being shipped, whatever comes up from me contacting them) I would likely not buy another sword from them due to the issues I have experienced.