Karabela by James Curry
Nov 17, 2018 0:01:45 GMT
Post by elbrittania39 on Nov 17, 2018 0:01:45 GMT
Introductions
Sometimes, the sword market just doesn't have it all. That's what I found out when I began looking for a Polish Karabela sabre. With the exception of some pricey overseas forges, I could find no vendors in the state that sold even a basic representation of this kind of sword. So, I decided to improvise and a few months ago I commissioned James (Jimbo) Curry to help make my Karabela (or as I like to call it, my "Currybela") a reality. Jimbo used the Cold Steel Shamshir as a base, modifying the guard and completely replacing the grip. The process took about 4 months and $350 not including the retail price of the Cold Steel Shamshir.
Disclaimer
In no way was I payed or offered a discount to write this review. This was my first time working with Mr. Curry.
Historical Overview
The karabela is a 16th-17th century sabre mainly defined by the distinctive eagle like profile of the grip. The blades come in all shapes and sizes, from European style sabres, to Ottoman Kilijs, and Arabic Shamshirs. In fact, the Karabela style hilt pops up in all of these regions even though most texts will tell you that it was specific to the Polish Nobility (it wasn't). In all of these regions karabela tend to be a bit more decorative than the common soldiers szabla or scimitar. These decorations can vary wildly, from simple carvings to precious metals and stones. The grip is typically sandwiched wood like a messer, but you can find examples made from bone, ivory, and jade as well. All karabela share simple cross guards that tend to be pretty short in length. I've researched Polish Sabre fairly extensively, but can find no mention of unique applications of karabela compared to other sabres. In fact, I don't think their use varied at all, and instead they were a fashion statement with all the same uses as other curved swords of the day.
Stats
Weight: About 2 pounds
Overall Length: 36 Inches
Thickness: 3.5-2.5 mm
POB: 7 Inches
Components
Blade
The blade is dead straight until the last third before it takes on a dramatic curve. It has a very very mild distal tape that holds it back from being a screamer, although it somewhat compensates by being relatively thin and therefore, light weight. I have not, and will not, abusively test this blade, although several others have done so with this model and been pleasantly surprised. James Curry did not have a big hand in reworking this blade, although he did bring the mirror polish down to a satin and re sharped it. The edge when it arrived was able to cut paper with minimal tearing, especially in the last third.
Guard
The original guard was longer with decorative brass ferules on either end in a classic middle east fashion. I wanted the guard cut down to make it more in like with typical karabela. Curry clipped these, then flattened the new ends and cut them into florets. The florets were 100% his idea, and I really like them. The face of the guard features Middle Eastern scroll work, although this doesnt appear to say anything, and instead just emulates the spirit of their calligraphy. I find it very attractive in person, with the dark background bringing out the engravings nicely. The guard is a little chunkier than I think would have been historic, but not to an absurd extent.
Scabbard
Pretty disappointing to be honest. No wooden core, some how is both too loose for the first third of the draw and too tight in the last third, and the brass fittings lack the darkened background that the guard has causing them to look cheaper. At least it's there? Curry didn't do any work on the scabbard for me.
Grip
All right, here's what it's all about, the main reason I commissioned this. The base Shamshir came with a, er, "faux buffalo horn grip"......so plastic? Anyway, for the new karabela grip, Curry hand carved a piece of poplar wood, before staining, lacquering, and pinning it back onto the tang. The grip is highly ornate and intricate, featuring three sets of chevron grooves, a portrait outline neat the langets,an eagle head pommel, and three decorative brass pins set between the chevrons. The grip is smooth without being slippery, and the raised pins help lock a secure grip. I do not find them uncomfortable in the least as they are very low and very smoothed. The black wood and brass pins perfectly match the fittings and scabbard the sword came with.
Handling
As I've alluded, its good, but lacks grace and deftness. The sword handles well mostly due to its overall low weight and comfortable handle, with the lack of meaningful distal taper holding it back from true greatness. If you've only handled low-mid range repro swords, this will probably feel great, but if you've tried the high end or antique stuff, you'll know better.
Closing Thoughts
In my opinion, this is the most aesthetically pleasing sword I've owned to date. Curry did an awesome job in realizing the type of decorative noblemans sabre I was going for without sacrificing anything practical about the sword in the process. I'd give the Cold Steel elements of this sword a 7/10 (Pros: light weight, good looking guard, affordable price. Cons: bad scabbard, little distal taper). The James Curry elements I'd give a solid 9/10. Thanks for reading, and as always, feel free to drop any questions you have below and I'll do my best to answer them.
Sometimes, the sword market just doesn't have it all. That's what I found out when I began looking for a Polish Karabela sabre. With the exception of some pricey overseas forges, I could find no vendors in the state that sold even a basic representation of this kind of sword. So, I decided to improvise and a few months ago I commissioned James (Jimbo) Curry to help make my Karabela (or as I like to call it, my "Currybela") a reality. Jimbo used the Cold Steel Shamshir as a base, modifying the guard and completely replacing the grip. The process took about 4 months and $350 not including the retail price of the Cold Steel Shamshir.
Disclaimer
In no way was I payed or offered a discount to write this review. This was my first time working with Mr. Curry.
Historical Overview
The karabela is a 16th-17th century sabre mainly defined by the distinctive eagle like profile of the grip. The blades come in all shapes and sizes, from European style sabres, to Ottoman Kilijs, and Arabic Shamshirs. In fact, the Karabela style hilt pops up in all of these regions even though most texts will tell you that it was specific to the Polish Nobility (it wasn't). In all of these regions karabela tend to be a bit more decorative than the common soldiers szabla or scimitar. These decorations can vary wildly, from simple carvings to precious metals and stones. The grip is typically sandwiched wood like a messer, but you can find examples made from bone, ivory, and jade as well. All karabela share simple cross guards that tend to be pretty short in length. I've researched Polish Sabre fairly extensively, but can find no mention of unique applications of karabela compared to other sabres. In fact, I don't think their use varied at all, and instead they were a fashion statement with all the same uses as other curved swords of the day.
Stats
Weight: About 2 pounds
Overall Length: 36 Inches
Thickness: 3.5-2.5 mm
POB: 7 Inches
Components
Blade
The blade is dead straight until the last third before it takes on a dramatic curve. It has a very very mild distal tape that holds it back from being a screamer, although it somewhat compensates by being relatively thin and therefore, light weight. I have not, and will not, abusively test this blade, although several others have done so with this model and been pleasantly surprised. James Curry did not have a big hand in reworking this blade, although he did bring the mirror polish down to a satin and re sharped it. The edge when it arrived was able to cut paper with minimal tearing, especially in the last third.
Guard
The original guard was longer with decorative brass ferules on either end in a classic middle east fashion. I wanted the guard cut down to make it more in like with typical karabela. Curry clipped these, then flattened the new ends and cut them into florets. The florets were 100% his idea, and I really like them. The face of the guard features Middle Eastern scroll work, although this doesnt appear to say anything, and instead just emulates the spirit of their calligraphy. I find it very attractive in person, with the dark background bringing out the engravings nicely. The guard is a little chunkier than I think would have been historic, but not to an absurd extent.
Scabbard
Pretty disappointing to be honest. No wooden core, some how is both too loose for the first third of the draw and too tight in the last third, and the brass fittings lack the darkened background that the guard has causing them to look cheaper. At least it's there? Curry didn't do any work on the scabbard for me.
Grip
All right, here's what it's all about, the main reason I commissioned this. The base Shamshir came with a, er, "faux buffalo horn grip"......so plastic? Anyway, for the new karabela grip, Curry hand carved a piece of poplar wood, before staining, lacquering, and pinning it back onto the tang. The grip is highly ornate and intricate, featuring three sets of chevron grooves, a portrait outline neat the langets,an eagle head pommel, and three decorative brass pins set between the chevrons. The grip is smooth without being slippery, and the raised pins help lock a secure grip. I do not find them uncomfortable in the least as they are very low and very smoothed. The black wood and brass pins perfectly match the fittings and scabbard the sword came with.
Handling
As I've alluded, its good, but lacks grace and deftness. The sword handles well mostly due to its overall low weight and comfortable handle, with the lack of meaningful distal taper holding it back from true greatness. If you've only handled low-mid range repro swords, this will probably feel great, but if you've tried the high end or antique stuff, you'll know better.
Closing Thoughts
In my opinion, this is the most aesthetically pleasing sword I've owned to date. Curry did an awesome job in realizing the type of decorative noblemans sabre I was going for without sacrificing anything practical about the sword in the process. I'd give the Cold Steel elements of this sword a 7/10 (Pros: light weight, good looking guard, affordable price. Cons: bad scabbard, little distal taper). The James Curry elements I'd give a solid 9/10. Thanks for reading, and as always, feel free to drop any questions you have below and I'll do my best to answer them.