8th C. Broa Vendel Sword from Gotland - SPQR.SE
Apr 5, 2023 15:34:55 GMT
Post by Barahir on Apr 5, 2023 15:34:55 GMT
Introduction
A 47-year-old Canadian, I have been collecting swords since 2003. I own all sorts of weapons… ranging from movie replicas, historical replicas, fantasy weapons and a mix of all of these at the same time! I am by no means a weapons expert, nor a historian, nor a time traveler who thinks I know everything (like some folks on internet). I'm just a fan who likes to add shiny steel items to his armory. I am not used to making very elaborate reviews, but I am launching here to present this magnificent sword which had piqued my curiosity. Here is the SPQR 8th Century Vendel Period Sword from Broa, Gotland.
Full Disclosure
This is one my first OTC / Erik Steelcrafts sword. In fact, I discover at the same time as you this new collection of swords which seems very promising to me. Knowing my great interest in swords in general, Shahzeb Ansari (owner of Erik Steelcrafts) sent me this sword so that I could also review it. We concluded that I would do an honest review. I was not asked anything specific. I therefore have no affiliation with them and I am in no way an expert in weapons, as mentioned in my introduction. So, let's start.
Erik Steelcrafts is the new project of the workshop of Shahzeb Ansari of Overseas Trading Corporation (OTC) in India. Shahzeb has been in the business of making swords for several years for several companies around the world based on the research and patterns made by his 3D developers. We particularly knew him as the first manufacturer of the Balaur Arms brand.
Shahzeb chose the name 'Erik' because it is an old Norse name referring to Vikings. It is from 1060 carbon steel that they will manufacture a whole new line of swords for collectors and HEMA fighters. The main focus of Erik Steelcrafts will be for the moment to produce swords of as good quality as Albion for example, but offered at a better price range (300-500$ USD). They have a vision to also produce military weapons for the future. These swords will soon be available at several online retailers or recognized stores around the world.
From the mouth of the owner …
''Erik Steelcrafts produce best quality swords in India and even competitors of our country cannot compete with our quality''
We're excited to see how far this line of swords goes.
Historical Overview
Owning several scandinavian type swords myself, Viking and migration period (or whatever name the Viking Sword Police give them), I don't know much about Broa's sword. But here's what I could find. This sword is loosely based on an artifact in the Swedish History Museum, Item 120525, SHM 10796. It was designed by the former owner of SPQR.se, mr. Niclas Rohr.
The original artifact is a gilded bronze sword handle with upper and lower hilt and triangular pommel. The pommel and the grip are equipped with tortuous animal ornamentation which encircles the grip which in turn has a geometric pattern with four fields, framed by coarse bead trim. It's a grave find from Broa, Gotland.
Initial Impressions
I received this sword along with 6 other models all wrapped up in a big box full of shredded paper which kept the swords safe. Yes, I needed the vacuum cleaner to pick it all up afterwards! Each sword was wrapped in very tight film paper. It is very tedious and difficult to remove all that. I have to use a knife being very careful not to damage the leather of the grip or scratch any other surface. So the swords are very well protected and well oiled in the package!
I am at first sight impressed with the quality of this sword. I was roughly expecting to find something similar to Windlass Steelcrafts, also from India. It seems to be, and maybe even a little more refined. Everything seems fine and no major flaws jump out at me at first glance (maybe except for the blade that was not 100% centered with the guard). I had concerns about some past problems with the gap between the guard and the blade but it's very good, no worse than other manufacturers. Over all, the craftmanship seems to live up to my expectations. So let's start the deserved analysis of this beautiful vendel period sword .
Actual Statistics
Blade Length : 29,5’’
Overall Length : 36’’
Grip Length : 4’’
Weight : 2 lb 15 oz
Edge : Factory Blunt
Pommel : Threaded
Width : 53mm
Distal Taper : (Thicker Side – back of the edge ) 4.5 mm – 4.2 mm – 3.8 mm
P.O.B.: 7’’ Below hilt
COMPONENTS
The Hilt
As mentioned before, the bronze hilt is very beautiful and refined. It is solid, well-aligned and without any scratches. Not so comfortable though since its made of metal instead of leather, but that's due to the design, not the craftsmanship. But since the grip is perfect at 4 '', the grip is safe.
The Blade
The blade on the sword is very wide, which is typical of Viking swords. The blade is a Type X, according to the Oakeshott Typology. The blade is made of 1065 carbon steel. 1065 carbon steel is good because when it is properly heat treated it becomes resilient. It is quite tough and can keep its edge fairly well. Since I'm not a metallurgy expert, I can't verify if this is really what Erik Steelcrafts used in the India forge but let’s trust them ! It sports a high level of resistance to fatigue, has high ductility, and has good spring qualities useful for applications where flexibility is desired. In order to lighten and help a blade perform, it is often said that there must be a distal taper. Distal tapering refers to a blade's cross-section thinning from its base to its tip. I measured using a caliper and indeed, there is indeed a distal taper on this blade, a small one but its there. The thickest part of the blade (the back of the single edge) is 4.5mm at the guard, reaches 4.2mm in the middle and ends at 3.8mm near the tip. The blade of this sword comes unsharpened from the manufacturer.
There is no visible wave in the blade, no forging mark, and it is fully straight. Maybe some minor traces of grinding but nothing more. The finish is on the satin side, not too mirrored. Just perfect like that. there is a fuller (mostly well centered everywhere) running from guard to 26 1/2’’ from the tip. On my sword, the fuller is not 100% well centered but its hardly noticeable. Really nice looking finish overall. The length of the blade is 29.5'', point of balance at 7'' below hilt and *center of percussion is 9'' from the tip.
* Center of Percussion: the point where a perpendicular impact to the blade will produce rotational and translational forces that will cancel out at some other point of interest, causing the blade to pivot about that point. Usually this other point of interest is taken to be the location of the hand on the sword
When you play with the sword a bit, you don't find the sword too heavy and the blade too sturdy. When hitting the blade on the flat against my knee, I don't hear any rattling at all. The sword is solidly built. There is also a relatively good flex to this blade, I bent it in both directions and it went back to true. The tip is perfect and pointy, nothing bent. The blade is about 53mm wide at the guard. I like wide blades but it's a personal taste and not necessarily always historically correct on all Scandinavian / Vikings models.
Since Erik Steelcrafts made this sword exclusively for SPQR.se, it is their mark that is found on only one side of the blade, 2 cm from the hilt. It is still discreet and very well done.
The Handle (Hilt/Pommel/Grip)
Obviously, when we see this sword for the first time, it is of course the hilt that we like. An all polished bronze hilt all well detailed and decorated with interlaced lines. The lines are well defined.
The grip is not rocket shaped (wider towards the guard and shorter towards the pommel) which usually gives a good grip. Butt the grip is rather flat, so the sword won't tend to roll in the hand because the grip is too round. The length of the grip is 4’’. The length is perfect and offers a secure grip.
So the hilt is made in three parts of bronze: pommel, hilt and guard.
The pommel is made from a single piece of bronze. Unfortunately it is not peened. The lower guard is threaded and then tightened up. It looks very solid to me.
The Scabbard
As of this writing (april 2023), there has yet to be an official Erik Steelcrafts scabbard that comes with this sword. It's a prototype for now. Rest assured that Erik Steelcrafts and SPQR will come to decorate this beautiful sword with the scabbard it deserves. To be continued.
Handling
Honestly, I did not do any cutting or strength test with this sword. I know that many collectors like to see water bottles waltzing into pieces in the air, but it is often only the sharpening of the blade that we analyze in these cases in my opinion, which can be very different from blade to blade for the same model. Also, I treat my swords like oeuvre d’art, and I don't see the point in testing for destruction. There are other ways to analyze the handling of swords than trying to destroy them. That's my personal opinion.
Now concerning the Broa Sword, as we saw earlier in the review, despite the relatively light weight, I find it does handle very well. The way the handle is made, it is not 100% comfortable mostly because it’s a metal grip and not leather. Nevertheless, the handle offers a good and secure grip. The blade is sturdy and not whippy.
A sword with an all-bronze hilt could be heavy and unbalanced, but the designers chose to make a hollow hilt to avoid this problem.
Conclusions
Overall, I love this sword. The Quality/Control is better than I would have imagined with this Indian Foundry. Even if the blade is little bit off with the guard (not centered). There are not many different replicas of the Broa sword on the market. I like the one that SPQR have chosen to offer us. This interpretation of the sword is not perfectly accurate with the one from the book but this is not a issue. Im in love with this sword since the day I saw the first images of the prototype (late in 2022). I had high expectations and can't wait to receive it. Overall I'm not disappointed. Im sad because my sword feel naked without scabbard but when you will buy it, you will be lucky because you will get one.
You should see this sword available soon on SPQR.se website (owned by Battle Merchant) for 250 euros (300 including VAT). As we speak (april 2023), there is a little delay on listing because they are looking to upgrade the scabbard for a more accurate one before selling to collectors.
Do I recommend this sword? Yes, without any hesitation. For the quality of the craftsmanship, the materials, the relative historical representation, and above all the expected price. The 8th Century Vendel Period Sword from Gotland is extremely handsome and battle ready, somewhat unique with the polished bronze fittings and wide blade. I was also made aware by the maker that they had already started working on a Damascus version of this sword. It will surely be magnificent and I might well be tempted to buy one to upgrade my copy.
Because nothing is perfect in this world, including the craftmanship from Erik Steelcrafts foundry, I give a nice 4.5 stars out of 5 for the 8th Century Vendel Period Sword from Gotland.