COLD STEEL HUNGARIAN SABRE
Apr 30, 2022 3:55:11 GMT
Post by abtomat on Apr 30, 2022 3:55:11 GMT
This is my first review of a sword on this forum despite being a member for some years. I have coauthored a couple of books on the Makarov Pistol, "The Makarov Pistol: Soviet Union & East Germany" and "The Makarov Pistol: China, Bulgaria & Khyber Pass Copies") by Brown, White & Lowe. Now I think it might be fun to tackle an "arme blanche."
The subject of this short review is the Cold Steel Hungarian Sabre. I purchased this sword out of pocket from Kult of Athena a week ago after waiting for this model to appear for sale for over a year. Here are the approximate specifications:
Blade length: 31 in
Blade width at hilt: 1.5in
Blade width near tip: 1.7 in
Hilt length: 5.7 in
Grip length: 4.8
Pommel length: .8 in
Cross guard length: 8.6 in
Length of langets: 2 in each
Weight 32.2 oz
Point of Balance from cross guard: 6.2 in
Thickness of blade spine @ guard: .119 in
@ midpoint: .092 in
@ point: .73 in
Finish: Bright steel with some sort of clear rust preventive coat
The overall look of the sword matches several original examples from 16th and 17th century Eastern Europe. The nation of Hungary did not exist after the 1568 partitioning between the Hapsburgs and Ottomans but this style of sword enjoyed wide spread popularity in the region be it with Austrian frontier troops, Cossacks or Moldavian light cavalry to name a few.
The unfullered, wedge section blade is moderately curved with a slight taper until a sudden widening near the point. The edge has two bevels and is aggressively sharp out of the box. Minimal etching appears on both side of the blade on the forte. The central theme, the disembodied head of a Turk, is well executed.
The hilt features a straight cross guard with two inch langets facing fore and aft with light decoration on each side. The grip is wood with inletting for the rear facing langets and covered with black leather. What appears to be a brass rosettes covering the end of each langet is actually a Chicago screw assembly with the female portion passing through the left langet and then the tang. The male portion passes through the end of the right langet and screws into the female portion. (I had to Xray the hilt to find this out.) The three quarters of an inch pommel generally matches the grip profile. The final touch is a what I believe to be a flush mounted female pommel screw mated with a threaded tang. Given this is a Cold Steel sword I would cheerfully bet the farm that a liberal amount of epoxy is also a feature of the hilt's construction.
The scabbard is thick, black leather with no less than six bright steel fittings featuring decorative piercings and ribbing. This weapon is meant to be carried more or less horizontally and for once here is a reproduction that actually has carry rings that let you do it.
In use the Hungarian sabre proved to be a joy to cut with. One and a quarter inch thick green bamboo easily gave way to clean cuts. The blade is point heavy but still feels fairly lively in the hand. The several cuts I made had no measurable effect on the straightness of the blade or the sharpness of the edge. No "shake, rattle or roll" anywhere on the sabre during the limited testing. The hilt provided a surprisingly comfortable grip.
Overall the Cold Steel Hungarian Sabre is, in my opinion at least, a handsome affair that is sturdy and functional. Is it perfect? There is potential for good and bad. If the balance is to forward for the user the wide point lends itself to being reduced with a file to adjust it. The hilt, with its 3 point cross guard attachment, full tang, cross bolt attachment and epoxy is likely never to get loose. However, any attempt to dismount the hilt will certainly damage or destroy portions of it so if you buy this sabre you are married to the hilt, (unless you want a particularly ugly divorce!)
For the money spent, $352.35 shipped, I believe the Cold Steel Hungarian Sabre is a good value. There you go. Make of this what you will but remember these are only my own humble opinions and not gospel Truth. Regards, ABTOMAT
