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Post by astyanaz on Jan 31, 2021 23:52:04 GMT
I am looking for a saber that can be used on foot, not a huge cavalry saber. Based totally on looks I have been considering the Thompson Saber, the Cold Steel 1796 Light Cavalry Saber, The Universal Napoleonic Infantry Officer saber, the Universal British Georgian Style Horse head saber, Universal Imperial Guard Marine Officers Sword, and Neilo Sinclair hilt saber. Looking at reviews I have read something bad an all of these. In fact, based on reviews I sometimes wonder if anyone has ever made a good reproduction saber. Does anyone have any ideas on these or anything similar?
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Post by 28shadow on Feb 1, 2021 0:01:50 GMT
The Thomspon saber is supposed to be...OK. Avoid the 1796, it can and has really messed up the wrist (mine in particular).
It looks dainty but give the CS Dueling saber a try. The blade is identical to several they have produced in the past and it can handle many cuttings tasks perfectly well.
To sum up, no there have been very little to no decent handling replicas in the decade I've been collecting and before. Some come close but they all have a short coming somewhere.
Good luck!
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 1, 2021 1:34:28 GMT
You don’t say for what purpose, so I assume some cutting will be involved. You listed several Universal models. I’ve found their EN9 blades a bit soft. Their 10xx blades are better. Also their sabres are generally not noted for their handling, as eye pleasing as they are. I have several of theirs and from what I gather their M1902 sabre should come close to your wants. It is fast, nimble, and a delight to handle. A heavier cavalry sabre will out cut it, of course. If you can find an out of production CS USMC NCO sabre that will be about the best you will do. They had some navy swords, now out of production, that I hear were good. I bring these up in case you find a second hand model. Windlass has a M1840 NCO sword that handles great, about like the M1902. Then there is CS Dueling Sabre. They should cut and handle about like the Universal’s M1902 but at a higher price with better steel. You might consider a hanger. They have the same drill as a sabre but are easier to manage.
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Post by pellius on Feb 1, 2021 1:49:03 GMT
Universal’s Princess of Wales seems to be generally well-thought of. I had one and thought it was quite handy. It is EN9 steel, which pgandy has found to be a bit soft. Still, may be worth a look: kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=USS157They sell out, but get replenished regularly. They also seem to be pretty easy to sell if it turns out not to be your thing. KoA appears to have a discounted “munitions” example in stock, which may or may not meet your needs: kultofathena.com/product-mg.asp?item=USS157Fwiw
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 1, 2021 12:29:06 GMT
I have the Princes of Wales. It's beautifully put together sword and has to be one of the better swords Universal offerings. KoA is sold out of those more often than not. I didn’t suggest that one as it’s a cavalry sabre. It has a wood core scabbard which is easier on a keen edge. I’ve never bothered to sharpen mine. When I say that I find EN9 soft I mean that I have to sharpen frequently. I have never rolled or dented an edge. I believe it’s due to their tempering process. Their M1902 is made of 1065 and is more durable but is softer than Windlass’ 1065. I get reasonably mileage out of the M1902. One thing to note; steel scabbards are hard on a keen edge, even those with a brass throat. I get around this by applying 2 layers of masking tape over the edge when returning after a cutting session. When I used 1 layer in time I’d cut through the tape dry handling the sword.
PS To expand on the softer EN9 a bit more. Although it is on the soft side I have never damaged an edge, but I stick to the normal soft back yard target. I wouldn’t think of using it on bamboo. While soft and needs a more frequent sharpening it sharpens quickly. One of my favourite machetes is the softest one I have and gets all of the crappy jobs such as ground strikes and cleaning out a cement lined drainage line I have. As a comparison I used a CS machete on the drainage line once. It takes me about 10 minutes to restore the edge on the soft one after that task and a short hour with the CS. Needless to say I didn’t use the CS for that job again.
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Post by vmivol on Feb 12, 2021 19:03:27 GMT
I would echo PGandy in recommending the 32in version of the M1902 or even better a second hand Marine NCO. The Marine will likely cut better. My own officially purchased M1902 was worn 3 times for commissioning and a couple weddings. I found it far more useful for rehab after a nasty tennis elbow injury. It turned out to be extremely light and nimble. The only thing besides an old cut down rake handle I could physically swing.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 12, 2021 21:46:54 GMT
I messed up on the CS USMC sabre. I put off ordering until after Thompson got caught using the Corps’ logo without authorization and those swords quickly disappeared to be replaced by a model with different etching. I lucked out getting mine. It’s great, my best sabre considering all. However I did not buy it for beater. After receiving it I touched up the edge and gave it its one and only cutting session which I think consisted of no more than about three targets. If I had known the sabre for what it is I’d bought the new model as well, removed that decoration and extended the cutting edge closer to the guard. I missed the boat on that one.
I’ll go with vmivol’s comments regarding the M1902’s handling. I don’t think you’ll find a sabre that’s faster, easier to handle, nor more nimble. It is not a strong cutter but for point work and light cutting it will be hard to beat. And he’s right the USMC NCO sword will out cut it. But you’ll be hard pressed to find one of those. I’m still looking for Windlass’s copy of the M1906 but I wasn’t interested in sabres when they were available.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Feb 13, 2021 15:58:11 GMT
And depending on your budget, some antiques are either the same price or cheaper...but that is a WHOLE DIFFERENT discussion.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2021 17:01:35 GMT
And depending on your budget, some antiques are either the same price or cheaper...but that is a WHOLE DIFFERENT discussion. Yes, why bother? Purpose, appeal and even responding to feedback on the swords listed in the first post are largely set aside to start listing alternatives. Why bother to mention one can find a genuine US m1902 for less than $200. It is certainly not a sword in the calibre of a larger sword or even close to the Universal Napoleonic Infantry Officer saber. Of note though is that there have been reviews regarding a lot of these swords. The OP is apparently somewhat interested in appearances, when listing the Imperial Marines sword and the Universal British Georgian Style Horse head saber. Budget as well not mentioned but considering the Neilo is a mid three figure sword, there sure are a lot of opportunities out there. I'm seeing someone window shopping and generally not quite sure where their priorities are. "In fact, based on reviews I sometimes wonder if anyone has ever made a good reproduction saber. Does anyone have any ideas on these or anything similar?" That kind of rules out suggesting antiques but it may answer the question fairly clearly. For what it is, the one India made reproduction sabre I bought for cutting and handling is, imo, stellar but likely not what someone else might want. Most reproductions are going to pale in comparisons to their historical counterparts. Few expect the Universal swords to be performance swords, where Cold Steel markets their wares just for the purposes they tout. $600 for a Napoleonic antique, or antique p 1796 lc is not impossible but look past the 1840s and there are a wealth of genuine articles to consider. $200-$300 can buy most any reproduction from the 18th century on and a great many of them sturdy enough for use as a sword. Few will be "great" but that brings in a lot of subjectivity to consider. Cheers GC
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 13, 2021 17:18:43 GMT
As to the argument of why buy a repro when you can buy an original for about the same price or very little more? In my country the government makes a distinction between the two classifying an original as a weapon. While not classifying a reproduction as such there is still red tape to go through and that in itself is a turn off. I will say that I’ve done this enough that is more routine now but still a hassle and costs me extra.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2021 17:30:34 GMT
As to the argument of why buy a repro when you can buy an original for about the same price or very little more? In my country the government makes a distinction between the two classifying an original as a weapon. While not classifying a reproduction as such there is still red tape to go through and that in itself is a turn off. I will say that I’ve done this enough that is more routine now but still a hassle and costs me extra. Right, but we are supposedly regarding the OP's inquiry and not that switchblades are OK in my US State but that folding blades are limited to blades of 3 1/2".
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Post by warriorsoc on Mar 21, 2021 21:35:10 GMT
*Cough*
FYI: I just listed my new/unused Castille Armory custom SHARP British 1896/1889 sabre in the marketplace.
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Post by viece on Mar 22, 2021 0:28:47 GMT
Interesting points from pgandy and edelweiss, as always. I was about to post my standard "just get an antique original FFS" but I hadn't considered how those might be viewed differently by international customs.
Still: just get a GD antique with some warts (i.e., not perfect, so you won't be precious about it) and stop worrying about all these garbage reproductions.
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Post by warriorsoc on Mar 22, 2021 12:27:19 GMT
I'm guessing you're referring to other makers, because I don't think anyone who's actually seen/used a Castille custom shop sword or sabre would call them "garbage repros." Small American shop, good materials, and friendly and accessible people.
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Post by viece on Mar 23, 2021 1:12:13 GMT
You're right, that's not fair to Castille at all and I apologize. I just got a blade and some hilt parts from them for a custom project, in fact. I was thinking of others.
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Post by warriorsoc on Mar 23, 2021 3:19:48 GMT
<hat tip> to you, viece.
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Post by astyanaz on Mar 23, 2021 22:33:45 GMT
An addition to my earlier question: Are there any opinions on the Dynasty forge French Lancer Saber. Also, I am not opposed to buying an antique sword. I have been Looking at a French model 1821 Infantry officers saber with a 29.4 inch blade. Any opinions on how that is as a weapon. I acquired a French model 1829 MOUNTED GUNNER TROOP saber with a 32-inch blade, which seems to me too large and heavy to use as an infantry sword, although I would appreciate other's opinions.
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Post by notthesharpest on May 1, 2021 10:41:47 GMT
And depending on your budget, some antiques are either the same price or cheaper...but that is a WHOLE DIFFERENT discussion. For what it is, the one India made reproduction sabre I bought for cutting and handling is, imo, stellar but likely not what someone else might want. Hi, GC
I have been meaning to follow-up on your statement. May I ask what that repro might be?
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2021 12:47:38 GMT
For what it is, the one India made reproduction sabre I bought for cutting and handling is, imo, stellar but likely not what someone else might want. Hi, GC
I have been meaning to follow-up on your statement. May I ask what that repro might be? An India made sword from Blockade Runner www.blockaderunner.com/Catalog/catpg8.htmThe foible filed down a bit to reduce thickness and further sharpening. Listed as a College Hill sabre and I had bought it to work on spadroon technique but it is heavier. Still fun though. Not long after that, finding a sound period sabre for cutting. The sabre in this shot just below the eagle pommel sabres, or fith up from the bottom. The College Hill on the bottom. An m1902 third up from the bottom. Cheers GC
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