Honshu Gladiator Sword - First Impressions
Jan 26, 2024 1:24:35 GMT
Post by twiggy on Jan 26, 2024 1:24:35 GMT
As a total sword newbie, this was the first sword I ever bought, before I even knew what I know now about swords, and before I even thought about buying the other two swords I already own, which somehow came to me quicker.
I purchased it on sale for $139.99CAD, regular was $238CAD. It is the "special" midnight forge edition.
It came in earlier today.
When I unpacked it, I was actually very impressed, I mean the sheath is very good for a "throw in" and is the only sheath or scabbard I own with a way to easily attach to a belt. It holds the sword in very well, but also allows a very quick draw of the sword as well. Obviously doesn't come off or rattle when shaken, even with the snaps undone. Feels like a real hard leather to me as well.
It is claimed to have a full tang, which I will believe, though I have no way to confirm that without running the hilt.
I do like the curve in the blade, and the tip of this thing looks very sharp and dangerous, I would definitely not want to be on the receiving end of a thrust. This is probably something that differs with each unit, but the blade on mine is quite sharp by thee looks of it, I mean it feels sharp, and even just very gently running my hand down it, gave me a "paper cut" like cut on my lefthand ring finger, which is deep enough to have stung when I got my sweat on it.
I have seem with some other Honshu swords that the pommel has come loose, or broke off. However those are metal pommels, which are their own piece. I think a large part of the quality and strong feeling of this sword comes from the supposedly full-tang, and the injection-molded TPR hilt, that is all once piece.
Over all, I am very happy with this, and from reviews I have seen else where, many other people are as well, at least for the price.
One thing, this is the regular 7CR13 stainless steel version, so probably not good to use on wood, or anything harder, but if you are using your brain (like my father likes to say) and sticking to regular backyard targets such as matts, bottles, pool noodles, fruits and vegetables, meat, etc it should be fine. There's also VG-10 and D2 tool steel versions, but they are more costly and priced accordingly.
It's like $79.98USD so for Americans it literally a sub hundred dollar sword, the value for money is phenomenal.
Edit: Yes, I did go out and cut some bottles with it, the results were the same as my other two swords, the bottles were cut and also knocked over.
I purchased it on sale for $139.99CAD, regular was $238CAD. It is the "special" midnight forge edition.
It came in earlier today.
When I unpacked it, I was actually very impressed, I mean the sheath is very good for a "throw in" and is the only sheath or scabbard I own with a way to easily attach to a belt. It holds the sword in very well, but also allows a very quick draw of the sword as well. Obviously doesn't come off or rattle when shaken, even with the snaps undone. Feels like a real hard leather to me as well.
It is claimed to have a full tang, which I will believe, though I have no way to confirm that without running the hilt.
I do like the curve in the blade, and the tip of this thing looks very sharp and dangerous, I would definitely not want to be on the receiving end of a thrust. This is probably something that differs with each unit, but the blade on mine is quite sharp by thee looks of it, I mean it feels sharp, and even just very gently running my hand down it, gave me a "paper cut" like cut on my lefthand ring finger, which is deep enough to have stung when I got my sweat on it.
I have seem with some other Honshu swords that the pommel has come loose, or broke off. However those are metal pommels, which are their own piece. I think a large part of the quality and strong feeling of this sword comes from the supposedly full-tang, and the injection-molded TPR hilt, that is all once piece.
Over all, I am very happy with this, and from reviews I have seen else where, many other people are as well, at least for the price.
One thing, this is the regular 7CR13 stainless steel version, so probably not good to use on wood, or anything harder, but if you are using your brain (like my father likes to say) and sticking to regular backyard targets such as matts, bottles, pool noodles, fruits and vegetables, meat, etc it should be fine. There's also VG-10 and D2 tool steel versions, but they are more costly and priced accordingly.
It's like $79.98USD so for Americans it literally a sub hundred dollar sword, the value for money is phenomenal.
Edit: Yes, I did go out and cut some bottles with it, the results were the same as my other two swords, the bottles were cut and also knocked over.
