any experience with these?

I've had two experiences with this company - one good and the other turned out good. I purchased a replica WWI Welsh Trench Sword, made in India, which I was very happy with. It was a very close copy - even had the Welsh inscription that appeared on the original.

My second purchase was advertised by ima-usa as a " British P1908 Cavalry Sword" which had been put together from parts found in India. Not being very sword savvy at the time, the "put together from parts found in India" didn't set off any alarms with me. When the sword arrived, I found that it was actually the Indian Army copy of the British weapon. But, all turned out great. The sword is of excellent quality and has been the reason for many hours of enjoyment as I chose it for a customization project. I am very pleased with what I got.

I had no problems with either purchase, everything went smooth, the prices were reasonable and both items arrived quickly and in great condition. Other than not getting the P1908 that I thought was coming , I ended up being very pleased with the sword I did receive . I would not hesitate in making another purchase from them if something would catch my eye - and I had the funds.

Regarding?

The company has been around a good long time. IIRC, a decade ago there was a mixture of praise and damnation for the reproduction products from them. It was some years after that I had conversed with someone that related the broken plastic grip and the short tang.

I'll maybe track down that old thread to share but it won't say much that I haven't mentioned before. Look carefully at pictures retailers are offering for their product. Study pictures of the original swords. Compare offerings from one reproductin source to another. All I can say is the current reproductions listed at IMA ceratainly have some of the earmarks of the less expensive pieces. This was some of the mixed feedback long ago. They once even had stated on their site that certain swords were not as nice as what they had once been getting.

They sell original swords as well, so the thread starter might be more specific in what they are looking at they find attractive.

Hardness and handling? Again, knowing what is attractive to the original poster might better help answer the questions. Probably harder than mild steel and softer than premium cutlery. Handling? Well, I would hope they put a handle on it. Gee whiz. Unless you have handled a broad range or have been cataloging specifics from a great many collections of data, you'll not know the difference. I realize you are looking for first hand impressions of the product, hence my not replying to the thread in the first place. Still it is so subjective that an expectation may be entirely crushed once actually handling just about any object. In general, reproduction sabres are ill shaped and nose heavier (in feeling) than originals. An exception are the two Patton reproductions because the extra weight is mostly in the hilt, which makes them just heavier overall (yes, more than one Patton reproduction out there. Sarco Inc).

Hopefuly that is less sarcastic than the reply I started last night. I hate playing twenty questions, another reason I had not replied.
Not having first hand dealings with the company, I am left repeating what I have posted before. A bit redundant and time consuming. Again, more reason not to have replied.

Cheers

Hotspur; I'll see if I can find the broken grip thread but it may have nothing in common with IMA's current product offerings. Consider that

Regarding whether they were the source of the aformentioned plastic-gripped sabers. I think you pretty well covered that with your reply. ;D Thanks.