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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2008 11:16:08 GMT
Right, so after being stuck in medieval reenactment for far too long and because of watching and reading too much Sharpe I've decided to move forward a bit. After deciding that the 1803 pattern light company officer's sword wasn't my cup of tea I decided to buy a baskethilt at the end of the month. I found Kult of Athena which some of you are probably familiar with and saw that they had very good prices both and Hanwei's and Cold Steel's baskethilt. Now it's down to either Hanwei's Baskethilted Backsword (I just love the face on the basket) or CS Scottish Broadsword (die evil tatami mats!) What I'm wondering about is which one is the "best" when it comes to moneys' worth, handling and historical accuracy. CS seems to have some damn good cutting qualities, but they are also on the heavy side AND they have a screwed tang. Hanwei doesn't have the same kick-ass rep as CS but their swords seems a bit more maneuverable and from what I can see the tang is peened, can anyone confirm this? So, what do you suggest Cold Steel or Hanwei? The weapon will be mainly be used for cutting (mats, waterb bottles, melons) and perhaps for the occassional walk in the park: community.livejournal.com/steamfashion/747509.html |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2008 14:56:27 GMT
I personally would go with the Hanwei.
I have a CS Scotish basket hilt from a few years back and it is a heavy beast ( this may have changed in the couple of years since I bought mine I dont know) and while I love the sword it really feels like you're swinging a crow bar after a couple of swings.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2008 17:40:00 GMT
I agree with harpersgrace...between the two...go for the Hanwei.
I've handled several of the CS basket-hilt over the years and they all seemed to have that tire iron grace after a few swings.
cheers,
Bill
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2008 17:55:16 GMT
I've been wondering about these two swords for some time as well. If I had the money i probably would have bought one already.
I've never handled the CS offering but I recently handled the Hanwei sword and i thought I'd share some observations.
It did seem to handle pretty nicely but I'm no expert.
I think it had a threaded pommel, which was a little loose. I think this would be easily fixed though.
Really the only problem was the size of the basket. Now I believe it's a replica so that's probably why the basket is kinda small. I handled both Hanwei's broadsword and backsword and the backsword had a slightly larger basket. It only rubbed my had a little but i could hardly fit my hand in the basket on the broadsword.
I do have big hands but I would definitely recommend holding the sword before you buy it.
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Post by 293master293 on Sept 10, 2008 19:58:30 GMT
If I remember right, two from here reviewed CS's horseman's broad sword. They said that the blades were whippy and had poor hilt construction.
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Post by hotspur on Sept 10, 2008 20:45:05 GMT
I'm suprised by two things I read here. One that that the Hanwei basket seems small. That because those familiar with period swords used to forever go on about how oversize reproduction baskets were/are. Maybe that is another plus in the Hanwei column. At the same time, I appreciate the heads up because I am a 2xl glove size myself. Second, is that folk are disliking the Cold Steel. This because a couple of certified basket cases like Thomas MacDonald, Vince Evans and Dale Saego had some glowing remarks early on. I'm going to link some old reviews from SFI below. Some info. on the Hanwei GT-1048 Stirling Backsword forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=30Review: Cold Steel Baskethilt Broadsword forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=1817Cold Steel Baskethilt review by Vince Evans forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t=1944Now, bear in mind they are old reviews and things do change. Also that some images are long gone. Bill, I am wondering how much your handling of both your Hanwei and Armour Calss Mortuaries have influenced your take on these other baskets? Not in a bad or critical analysis of your thoughts, just curious what you see as some real differences, as I am quite tempted to get a Hanwei mortuary to play around with at some point. As to the Cold Steel Horseman's sword. Even though quite anachronistic anyway, I have to wonder quite a bit about the whippy comments from many (quite often simply being repeated without first hand experience of comparable examples). As to the Windlass and Cold Steel connection, yes absolutely. Also look at the Military Heritage baskethilt offerings and compare to the Cold Steel baskethilt broadsword and backsword. My next would be my first, so I am just posting some information I'm familiar with and wondering if the difference between the way the mortuary and backsword baskethilt handle is like the difference between night and day. Several serious Silver guys are mentioning the Hanwei mortuary as a bit short and fragile for serious backsword work but suiting some. Cheers Hotspur; sorry to drag Hanwei mortuary vs baskethilt comparison into this but Bill is familiar with both |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2008 0:37:46 GMT
Hotspur, I guess to some point my handling of the Hanwei mortuary's (#2004 & the Cromwell) along with my Armour Class mortuary does have an effect on my perception. Many,many times have I expressed the near perfect handling quality of the A-C. My reviews of the Hanwei #2004 on myArmoury and the Cromwell here, should shed some light. The C-S basket-hilts , again have handled not well. Cutting I'm sure is no real prob. but the way a sword feels in hand is a major factor in my book. I managed to pick up a couple of the Hanwei Scottish basket-hilts as well and they do "feel" a little more lively than the C-S offereings. Basket size does vary greatly between the mortuary's and the Scottish hilts. The Hanwei broad-sword & back-sword do have "roomy" baskets. Compared to originals, they are big. A friend and member of the Roanoke Valley Sword Guilde has a pant load of antique Scottish baskets ( 2 that came for the battlefield of Culloden - yes...he's got some major money invested in his collection). Most baskets on the originals are smaller because the people then were generally not as big ( as goes one noted assumption). The Hanwei mortuary #2004 is a tad bit small compared to the other mortuary's and the Scottish style reproduction basket-hilts. And from what I can remember the baskets on the C-S were a bit more snug than the Hanwei's broad & backsword. more later, Bill Hotspur....you know me & mortuary's....I could go all night  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2008 2:42:04 GMT
The review you mention by Mr Seago is the primary reason I purchase the CS (I was a member of SFI at the time) and at the time I believe that the CS baskethilt was one of the best production options at the time those reviews were written, 2002, but I will still stand by my statement that the CS offering is heavy and not as lively as it should be...That being said it is a nice looking sword and very well put together..
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2008 18:17:22 GMT
Hi there , i have both the cold steel and the hanwei scottish basket broad swords . They are both nice pieces in their own rights . Personally i prefer the hanwei , it seems better balanced and more comfortable , a warning though if you have big hands the basket might be a little tight . I have the antiquated version , i prefer the brown to the red , once again my preference as i think it just looks better than the bright red . The basket on the hanwei seems alot more detailed in my opinion . The cold steel has a more flexible blade , but not too whippy . The thing that really looks great to me is the engraving on the hanwei blade , that together with the antiquated look really just gives the sword a nice look to it . The scabbards are pretty much alike , nothing to write home about but nothing bad either . I display mine without the scabbard . I cant comment on the cutting qualities as i have not really gotten around to that as yet , someday soon though . Ultimately they are both good pieces , it all depends on what your preference is , personally i prefer the hanwei .
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2008 15:34:57 GMT
Thanks for the input guys.
I've finally decided on the Hanwei Backsword. Only one problem though,. I've emailed KoA with some questions and the haven't answered my email even though it's been three days. Now I know this isn't a long time but I emailed them a few weeks ago as well and then they ansered me after less than 24 hours.
Does anyone know if there might be a reason (company trouble or soemthing) why they haven't answered?
Cheers!
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Sept 18, 2008 16:40:05 GMT
KoA is being very fast in delivering my Atrim Tuned Arming sword so I'd try talking to them again. I did one of the reviews on the CS horseman's basket and what I didn't like was the blade (it wasn't terrible just a little too whippy) the hilt was actually very nice. I read the other review and I must say the reviewer missed something: the hilt is held on by more than that tiny little nut-cap. there's a nut that sits right on top of the grip and then the nut-cap is only left to hold on the pommel. I peened mine over anyway.
sorry I know this isn't about that sword, but while I was looking at that sword I also considered both the Hanwei and CS scottish baskets. it was my impression that on the scottish side Hanwei far out-did Cold Steel. I think you have made a good choice.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2008 17:12:37 GMT
Hi there,Know KOA are usually very fast with both shipping and replying to e mails.I know they had a problem with there e mail of late ,try this e mail addy :"Of Athena, Kult" <kultofathena@sbcglobal.net>.Its what Ryan gave me to use and iv had no problems since.Oh and good choice on the hanwei ,I also prefer it.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2008 20:33:47 GMT
Thanks again for all the help.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2008 21:23:34 GMT
Right, so I ordered the Hanwei Basket-hilt Backsword and I just got the shipping confirmed (So now I update the tracking site every half hour to see where it is:D).
I'm still curious though, does anyone know if Hanwei actually puts threaded tangs on their sharp swords. I have one of their practicals and the tang on that is peened, it's seems a waste if they wouldn't peen their sharp swords as well.
Also, if it turns out that the tang is threaded, is there anything I can do to strengthen it? I wouldn't want it to break when fighting those evil milk jugs...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2008 12:55:08 GMT
Hello all,
While I have no experience with basket hilt swords whatsoever, I do have a Cold Steel sabre. While C.S. makes excellent products that you can chop through a car hood with, I agree with others here, they are heavy. I have a CS U.S. Cavalry sabre and it is a beautiful, well made, sharp, well balanced sabre, it is too heavy for my liking. I bought me some of those 1860 Lt Cav sabres from MRL for like $90.00 and they are light, well made, good steel and temper. An excellent sword for the money.
Freebooter
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