LK Chen Ribaldo
Jan 31, 2024 19:14:04 GMT
Post by blackjack on Jan 31, 2024 19:14:04 GMT
Introduction
I bought this sword after the excellent reviews from Matt Easton and Kane Shen. I was very much attracted to the look of the piece. The long broad blade, the (to me) small elegant guard with an early era finger ring gave the sword an unique look that I found very attractive.
Historical overview
This sword is a faithful reproduction of an historical weapon originally found in the Alexandria Arsenal. The original was probably a tribute sword, made in Italy and given in partial payment of Taxes/Extortion to the Mamluk Sultan by Cyprus in the early 1400s.
Full Disclosure
I am an idiot. I have nowhere near the experience of Matt Easton or Kane Shen when it comes to sword handling experience. I have owned and cut with less than 20 sharp swords in my life, compared to the hundreds or even thousands of weapons Matt and Kane have owned and handled.
That said I have had some experience in SCA weapon training (i am old and where I lived SCA was what passed for HEMA back in the day). And I have owned swords from the mid 2k to under 300 USD range. These days I am strictly a back yard cutter.
Initial Impressions
The sword came largely as I expected it. Everything was tight and well fit. For a 400ish dollar sword I was well pleased with one exception. There was considerable surface rust on the pommel. A quick cleaning with a scouring pad resolved the issue. The first thing I noticed in terms of handling was how heavy a 2lb sword can feel when it has an eight inch point of balance.
Statistics
Total length: 109.8 cm (43.23")
Blade length: 93.4 cm (36.77")
Hilt length (handle only) : 10.5 cm (4.13")
Pommel length: 5.3 cm (2")
Total Weight: 970 grams (2 lb 2.2 oz)
Point of Balance (from hand guard): 20 cm (8.0")
Point of Percussion (from hand guard): 62 cm (24.4")
Blade width:
At hand guard: 3.95 cm (1.56")
At Point of Percussion: 3.3 cm (1.30")
Blade thickness:
At hand guard: 5.25 mm
At Point of Percussion: 3.0 mm
Width of hand guard: 13.65 (5.34")
Handle width: 3.36 cm (1.32")
Handle thickness: 1.75 cm (0.7")
Pommel:
Length: 5.3 cm
Width: 5.1 cm
Thickness: 1.4 cm
Components
One of the biggest complaints about this sword is the harsh edges on the cross guard and ricasso. Matt Easton also pointed this out. The finger ring is supposed to allow you to put a finger over the cross guard, but the harsh edges dig into your finger if you do so and striking any object, even soft water bottles, really hurts your finger. Some sanding or a leather glove is mandatory if you want to use this sword the way it was intended.
The grip has some very small imperfections near the pommel and the guard, nothing major and totally acceptable for a 400 sword.
The blade looks good and comes very sharp. The hand ground fullers do not exactly match on each side of the blade, but I find this actually makes the sword look more like a hand made object than a modern machine made object and I like that.
The scabbard very basic. The core is not wood, but some sort of plastic. The leather is thin an cheap. Not terrible for the price, but really not something to show off as part of the package. At 400$ your money is going into the sword not the scabbard.
Handling Characteristics
Ok this is where I don't like this sword personally at all. An Eight inch Point of Balance makes this sword VERY blade heavy. Swings need to be followed thru in order to bring the blade back to a guard. It is very difficult to stop the sword once you begin a swing. I can only imagine it would be nearly impossible to fence with a sword with these handling characteristics without a shield to do the blocking and defensive work, as the blade is not capable of fast blocks and ripostes. Once you get this sword in motion, you need to let is keep its momentum and redirect it with flowing arcs.
Given the very long blade I personally think this might have historically been a cavalry sword. It gives whopping hard cuts and most cavalry weapons are not meant for fine fencing maneuvers.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
This sword cuts amazingly well. I cut water bottles and pool noodle's and it sliced both like a laser. Just be careful of the follow thru as this sword does not like to stop once it starts a swing.
Conclusions
This is a well made, well executed sword, well worth the price tag. All the issues I had with the swords fit and finish fall well into the acceptable range for a sub $500 sword.
However the historically accurate point of balance of the weapon was a deal breaker for me. I found it unpleasant to wield due to its extreme blade presence. It was however a great learning experience. I now know how heavy a 2lb sword can feel, and I got a chance to handle an unusual but accurately reproduced historical weapon. I let it go here on the SBG forum.
I bought this sword after the excellent reviews from Matt Easton and Kane Shen. I was very much attracted to the look of the piece. The long broad blade, the (to me) small elegant guard with an early era finger ring gave the sword an unique look that I found very attractive.
Historical overview
This sword is a faithful reproduction of an historical weapon originally found in the Alexandria Arsenal. The original was probably a tribute sword, made in Italy and given in partial payment of Taxes/Extortion to the Mamluk Sultan by Cyprus in the early 1400s.
Full Disclosure
I am an idiot. I have nowhere near the experience of Matt Easton or Kane Shen when it comes to sword handling experience. I have owned and cut with less than 20 sharp swords in my life, compared to the hundreds or even thousands of weapons Matt and Kane have owned and handled.
That said I have had some experience in SCA weapon training (i am old and where I lived SCA was what passed for HEMA back in the day). And I have owned swords from the mid 2k to under 300 USD range. These days I am strictly a back yard cutter.
Initial Impressions
The sword came largely as I expected it. Everything was tight and well fit. For a 400ish dollar sword I was well pleased with one exception. There was considerable surface rust on the pommel. A quick cleaning with a scouring pad resolved the issue. The first thing I noticed in terms of handling was how heavy a 2lb sword can feel when it has an eight inch point of balance.
Statistics
Total length: 109.8 cm (43.23")
Blade length: 93.4 cm (36.77")
Hilt length (handle only) : 10.5 cm (4.13")
Pommel length: 5.3 cm (2")
Total Weight: 970 grams (2 lb 2.2 oz)
Point of Balance (from hand guard): 20 cm (8.0")
Point of Percussion (from hand guard): 62 cm (24.4")
Blade width:
At hand guard: 3.95 cm (1.56")
At Point of Percussion: 3.3 cm (1.30")
Blade thickness:
At hand guard: 5.25 mm
At Point of Percussion: 3.0 mm
Width of hand guard: 13.65 (5.34")
Handle width: 3.36 cm (1.32")
Handle thickness: 1.75 cm (0.7")
Pommel:
Length: 5.3 cm
Width: 5.1 cm
Thickness: 1.4 cm
Components
One of the biggest complaints about this sword is the harsh edges on the cross guard and ricasso. Matt Easton also pointed this out. The finger ring is supposed to allow you to put a finger over the cross guard, but the harsh edges dig into your finger if you do so and striking any object, even soft water bottles, really hurts your finger. Some sanding or a leather glove is mandatory if you want to use this sword the way it was intended.
The grip has some very small imperfections near the pommel and the guard, nothing major and totally acceptable for a 400 sword.
The blade looks good and comes very sharp. The hand ground fullers do not exactly match on each side of the blade, but I find this actually makes the sword look more like a hand made object than a modern machine made object and I like that.
The scabbard very basic. The core is not wood, but some sort of plastic. The leather is thin an cheap. Not terrible for the price, but really not something to show off as part of the package. At 400$ your money is going into the sword not the scabbard.
Handling Characteristics
Ok this is where I don't like this sword personally at all. An Eight inch Point of Balance makes this sword VERY blade heavy. Swings need to be followed thru in order to bring the blade back to a guard. It is very difficult to stop the sword once you begin a swing. I can only imagine it would be nearly impossible to fence with a sword with these handling characteristics without a shield to do the blocking and defensive work, as the blade is not capable of fast blocks and ripostes. Once you get this sword in motion, you need to let is keep its momentum and redirect it with flowing arcs.
Given the very long blade I personally think this might have historically been a cavalry sword. It gives whopping hard cuts and most cavalry weapons are not meant for fine fencing maneuvers.
Test Cutting (if applicable)
This sword cuts amazingly well. I cut water bottles and pool noodle's and it sliced both like a laser. Just be careful of the follow thru as this sword does not like to stop once it starts a swing.
Conclusions
This is a well made, well executed sword, well worth the price tag. All the issues I had with the swords fit and finish fall well into the acceptable range for a sub $500 sword.
However the historically accurate point of balance of the weapon was a deal breaker for me. I found it unpleasant to wield due to its extreme blade presence. It was however a great learning experience. I now know how heavy a 2lb sword can feel, and I got a chance to handle an unusual but accurately reproduced historical weapon. I let it go here on the SBG forum.