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Post by bjoker on Aug 21, 2022 23:52:56 GMT
Hi everyone, I report here the problem that recently happened to a friend who is not registered in the forum, hoping maybe I can help. This friend of mine bought a Hanwei Practical Viking Sword second-hand, the conditions were like new, in fact the previous owner had bought it only for the collection on display. No lines and no signs of beating received, no rust, in short, perfect condition. The model is exactly the same as reviewed here no less than by Brendan Olszowy: www.sword-buyers-guide.com/practical-viking-sword.htmlIn summary, this friend of mine does historical reenactment, took it to the field for the first time and tried to use it in combat, facing a shields wall. Only two hits, according to him, and...this is the result:   Of course, he didn't expect that from a sword with an impeccable and robust reputation like this one. I ask you experts: what could have happened? Did you hit too hard? Is this perhaps a manufacturing error? We noticed that inside the two broken pieces there is a dark speck, visible in the photo... could it be caused by this? Do you think it would be possible to repair it? Maybe by welding it? Or maybe I could try to contact Hanwei directly and explain the problem? Honestly I have owned several Hanwei blades and never had any problems, I almost didn't believe it when he showed me the sword...  |
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Aug 22, 2022 2:33:25 GMT
Usually such a breaking is the result of a heat treatment mistake.
I can't judge the grain in the broken parts from the pictures but usually it's too coarse then.
Hanwei sells many blades and isn't known for many failures but sometimes semprini happens.
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Post by bjoker on Aug 22, 2022 12:56:59 GMT
Thank you so much for your answer. I also think it is some internal structural damage that occurred during the heat treatment.
Do you think it can be repaired?
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Aug 22, 2022 14:32:43 GMT
No repair possible afaik. Theoretically it's not impossible to weld it together but only for a decorative use any more, in the end it makes no real sense. Display it as "Narsil"!  |
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Post by blackprince on Aug 23, 2022 2:04:18 GMT
The dark spot indicates a crack formed during forging. The crack usually isn’t visible before the sword breaks. It causes a weak spot in the blade. So this is a manufacturing error. I think it’s worth contacting Hanwei and seeing what they say.
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Post by bjoker on Aug 23, 2022 10:57:46 GMT
Thank you very much for your your comments guys! In fact I am very very sorry for what happened and frankly also very worried about my other Hanwei blades...  Maybe I'm stupid but I can't find Hanwei's direct contact...only distributors and importers... Could you help me please? |
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 23, 2022 17:56:44 GMT
I don't know if they'll help with second-hand product, but you can contact them here: casiberia.com/contactI believe one of their reps, Blake Pogue, checks in here from time to time. bpogue maybe? |
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Post by bjoker on Aug 23, 2022 23:04:03 GMT
I don't know if they'll help with second-hand product, but you can contact them here: casiberia.com/contactI believe one of their reps, Blake Pogue, checks in here from time to time. bpogue maybe? Thank you very much for your help, but I forgot to specify that I am in the EU, maybe CAS Iberia deals only with the USA? |
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Post by randomnobody on Aug 23, 2022 23:40:47 GMT
I don't know if they'll help with second-hand product, but you can contact them here: casiberia.com/contactI believe one of their reps, Blake Pogue, checks in here from time to time. bpogue maybe? Thank you very much for your help, but I forgot to specify that I am in the EU, maybe CAS Iberia deals only with the USA? That may complicate things. Perhaps these folks, then?
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Post by blackprince on Aug 24, 2022 0:58:16 GMT
Thank you very much for your your comments guys! In fact I am very very sorry for what happened and frankly also very worried about my other Hanwei blades... To offer my opinion: I wouldn’t worry about it that much. I have 3 or 4 Hanwei blades and they do not have this issue. This type of manufacturing defect is incredibly rare for a commercial forge, especially one with such a good reputation. Something to consider: Is it possible to use the broken sword for reenactment as is or does it pose some sort of safety risk? Swords broke in battle. What does a warrior do? Keep using the weapon until you can repair or replace. If its missing pretty much the tip like this one, a warrior might use it for a few years before he can raise the funds or acquire a new one. |
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Post by bjoker on Aug 24, 2022 13:32:26 GMT
Thank you very much for your your comments guys! In fact I am very very sorry for what happened and frankly also very worried about my other Hanwei blades... To offer my opinion: I wouldn’t worry about it that much. I have 3 or 4 Hanwei blades and they do not have this issue. This type of manufacturing defect is incredibly rare for a commercial forge, especially one with such a good reputation. Something to consider: Is it possible to use the broken sword for reenactment as is or does it pose some sort of safety risk? Swords broke in battle. What does a warrior do? Keep using the weapon until you can repair or replace. If its missing pretty much the tip like this one, a warrior might use it for a few years before he can raise the funds or acquire a new one. Thanks, this already comforts me a little. In fact, the other question I wanted to ask is this: if Hanwei does not replace the blade, could we file and shape the tip of the blade to make it not dangerous during fighting and then continue to use it? or is it almost certain that there are other dark spots inside the blade and will it continue to break with use? The shortened blade would not be a problem, as long as it does not become dangerous to use it... |
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Post by paulmuaddib on Aug 24, 2022 14:45:25 GMT
You could reprofile the blade. But because of the thinness of the fuller portion it would be kind of sharipish at the point. Could accidentally cut someone. Good luck.
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Post by Mark Millman on Aug 24, 2022 19:57:26 GMT
Dear bjoker, . . . could we file and shape the tip of the blade to make it not dangerous during fighting and then continue to use it? It is certainly possible to reshape the blade's broken end, as paulmuaddib notes. But see below. As blackprince suggests, that is in fact very unlikely. Flaws such as this are almost always isolated ones. Before you and your friend put a lot of work into the blade, check with the safety officer of his re-enactment group. Although you can reshape and smooth the new end, the thinness of the fuller means that the new tip may not meet requirements for minimum edge thickness that many re-enactment groups observe. You will not be able to make the tip thicker without reforging the blade, which may also disqualify it for re-enactment use (because the blade will have to be quenched and tempered again), and (if it is allowed) in any case should be done only by someone whose work the safety officer will accept. Also, because the blade is now shorter it is almost certainly stiffer, and thus may not meet any flexibility requirements that may be in effect. I hope this proves helpful. Best, Mark Millman |
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Post by paulmuaddib on Aug 24, 2022 20:51:59 GMT
Mark Millman said what I was trying to convey but he did it so much better than I did.
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Things have changed!