Weaponedge Shasqua Review
Nov 19, 2008 3:41:28 GMT
Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2008 3:41:28 GMT
WeaponEdge Russian Shasqua (#WES-1018) Review - Larry
(a.k.a. Russian Imperial Pattern Dragoon Sabre - Military Heritage catalog)
The Shasqua got my attention when I was ‘window-shopping’ the Military Heritage website a couple of years back; However, I did not get this piece from Military Heritage because they did not respond to the numerous product & inquiry emails. A fellow forumite referred me to Weaponedge from which I made contact and placed my order subsequently. After some drama (see Here), it finally arrived at my doorsteps on 14 Nov 2008. The Shasqua caught my eyes because:
1. It is guardless, something which I cannot comprehend at that point of time;
2. It was worn with the cutting edge to the rear, opposite to the saber, evident of the mounting ring on the scabbard;
3. It has quite a variation to it’s name – Shashqa / Shashka / Shasqua – all of which refers to the same weapon
I understood fellow SBG forumite, Sebastian had already done a similar review of Windlass Shasqua here not too long ago, but this Weaponedge version bears a significant number of differences which I’d like to highlight in my review. As such, I constructed this review as closely to that of Sebastian’s as possible, in order to provide readers with a clear comparison between the 2 pieces vis-à-vis.
Brief History – Extracts from Wikipedia on “Shashka”
“The shashka originated among the mountain tribes of the Caucasus and then used by most of Russian and Ukrainian Cossacks…… the word shashka came from the Adyghe word “Sashkoa” (which) means “long knife”. It gradually replaced the saber in all cavalry units except hussars during the 19th century. Russian troops, having encountered it during the conquest of the Caucasus, preferred it to their issued sabers. It was adopted first by the Russian Caucasian Corps in the 1830s…. In 1882, when the cavalry was reorganized, the regular dragoons were armed with the shashka. Cossacks had received this type of sword earlier. Several forms of shashka were carried by Soviet cavalry into the Second World War.”
The Sword
Note differences #1 – The Weaponedge Shasqua is equipped with a mounting ring on the scabbard
Note differences #2 – The scabbard provides fixtures for mounting a Mosin Nagant bayonet
(Not much stats were mentioned @military Heritage, and certainly none @weaponedge, so I attempt to state mine here)
Overall Length (w/o scabbard): 37”
Overall Length (w/scabbard): 38”
Blade Length: 32” , Bayonet Length: 20 ¼” Overall
Ricasso: 1 ¼”
Thickness of Blade near Hilt: ¼”
Thickness of Blade near Tip: 1/16”
Point of Balance: 8 ¼” from Hilt
Weight (w/scabbard): ~1.7Kg
Weight (w/o scabbard): ~0.9Kg
The Blade
Note differences #3 – Simulated Russian Unit (?) markings on both sides of ricasso
Note differences #4 – The Weaponedge Shasqua sports a spear shaped tip, giving it a double-edge.
Like the Windlass version that Sebastian reviewed, this blade also possess a shallow but rather wide fuller on each side of the blade. The minor difference here being the fuller fades gradually about 7 ¾” away from the tip.
An impressive view of how the blade transits towards the tip in thickness, looking from the false-edge.
The Hilt
Note differences #5 – Both side of the hilt are engraved with some sort of Russian Unit’s markings
Note differences #6 – Thick piece of leather (or rubber?) glued to the hilt-end to cushion the impact when one sheaths the blade into the scabbard.
The grip, however, seems to be made of some sort of hard plastic, not wood, and is diagonally grooved to provide a firmer grip for the hand.
The pommel has the similar Soviet Union insignia & the words ‘CCCP’ as that of the Windlass version cast on it. Not a fantastic job here.
Note differences #7 – The pommel nut was preened after being tightened on by the manufacturer.
The manufacturer did an impressive job in flushing the nut finish over the rather tricky curved wedged-shaped brass pommel.
The Scabbard
As mentioned earlier, the scabbard possesses some major differences between the 2 version of Shasqua. However, I’d like to highlight that Weaponedge also has another version of the Shasqua without the bayonet (though the mountings for a bayonet may still be attached. I’m not sure, frankly). As the price differences is only about 10+ USD, I decided to pick the one that comes with the Mosin Nagant bayonet.
The scabbard is wooden core wrapped in black leather and then sewn on one side. I do not have the Windlass Shasqua scabbard here to compare, but Weaponedge did a good job in that the sewing is hardly noticeable!
The brass mouthpiece of the locket is made such that it curves inward, terminating just enough to conceal (and protect) the ends of the wooden scabbard core. This is a mark improvement from most Windlass scabbard, and I’m impressed Weaponedge are attentive to such minor details.
The brass chape of the scabbard looks much the same as the Windlass’ version.
Handling
(Sorry folks, this piece comes unsharpened and I’m satisfied to leave that as it is, so NO cutting test/video from me – Sorry to disappoint)
I would not say that the Weaponedge Shasqua is blade heavy per se, but it is definitely Not suited for wrist-flicking or fencing finesse sort of movements, as Sebastian had previously pointed out. This, perhaps, because the saber was primarily a slashing and thrusting weapon for the mountain tribes of Caucasus.
Having said that, Weaponedge Shasqua is rather manageable and can be recovered easily when doing the full-arm swings. Also, I would like to point out that this Shasqua emits a soft, pleasant ‘Tachi Kaze’ whenever I swung it right.
Though, I did not sharpen my Shasqua to perform any cutting test, I have no doubt this will be a deadly weapon in the hands of the skillful Cavalry Cossacks people, as seen on some documentary on the TV. On one of the documentary, I saw the wielder dissect a huge watermelon placed on a pedestal simulating a human, horizontally, on a single pass (on horseback). Very quick, very precise cuts!
Conclusion
Historical Accuracy: 4.99/5
Handling: 5/5
Fit & Finish: 5/5
Structural Integrity: 4.99/5 (yet to be tested on real cutting)
Value for Money: 5/5 (75USD from Weaponedge; 199USD from Military Heritage).
Overall: 4.99
While I actually like this Weaponedge version of the Shasqua more than the Windlass and, would highly recommend it to other sword enthusiasts, I also would like to caution any potential Weaponedge patrons of the probable long wait (this being a non-customized sword unlike some custom-made katana), and the rather slow, inconsistent email responses from them. You need to be patient, quite a lot of it, perhaps. I had feedback this concern to them and, if they are serious and act on it, we should be seeing some improvements in that area. And would I buy from Weaponedge again, you ask me.... a big ‘Yes’!
(a.k.a. Russian Imperial Pattern Dragoon Sabre - Military Heritage catalog)
The Shasqua got my attention when I was ‘window-shopping’ the Military Heritage website a couple of years back; However, I did not get this piece from Military Heritage because they did not respond to the numerous product & inquiry emails. A fellow forumite referred me to Weaponedge from which I made contact and placed my order subsequently. After some drama (see Here), it finally arrived at my doorsteps on 14 Nov 2008. The Shasqua caught my eyes because:
1. It is guardless, something which I cannot comprehend at that point of time;
2. It was worn with the cutting edge to the rear, opposite to the saber, evident of the mounting ring on the scabbard;
3. It has quite a variation to it’s name – Shashqa / Shashka / Shasqua – all of which refers to the same weapon
I understood fellow SBG forumite, Sebastian had already done a similar review of Windlass Shasqua here not too long ago, but this Weaponedge version bears a significant number of differences which I’d like to highlight in my review. As such, I constructed this review as closely to that of Sebastian’s as possible, in order to provide readers with a clear comparison between the 2 pieces vis-à-vis.
Brief History – Extracts from Wikipedia on “Shashka”
“The shashka originated among the mountain tribes of the Caucasus and then used by most of Russian and Ukrainian Cossacks…… the word shashka came from the Adyghe word “Sashkoa” (which) means “long knife”. It gradually replaced the saber in all cavalry units except hussars during the 19th century. Russian troops, having encountered it during the conquest of the Caucasus, preferred it to their issued sabers. It was adopted first by the Russian Caucasian Corps in the 1830s…. In 1882, when the cavalry was reorganized, the regular dragoons were armed with the shashka. Cossacks had received this type of sword earlier. Several forms of shashka were carried by Soviet cavalry into the Second World War.”
The Sword
Note differences #1 – The Weaponedge Shasqua is equipped with a mounting ring on the scabbard
Note differences #2 – The scabbard provides fixtures for mounting a Mosin Nagant bayonet
(Not much stats were mentioned @military Heritage, and certainly none @weaponedge, so I attempt to state mine here)
Overall Length (w/o scabbard): 37”
Overall Length (w/scabbard): 38”
Blade Length: 32” , Bayonet Length: 20 ¼” Overall
Ricasso: 1 ¼”
Thickness of Blade near Hilt: ¼”
Thickness of Blade near Tip: 1/16”
Point of Balance: 8 ¼” from Hilt
Weight (w/scabbard): ~1.7Kg
Weight (w/o scabbard): ~0.9Kg
The Blade
Note differences #3 – Simulated Russian Unit (?) markings on both sides of ricasso
Note differences #4 – The Weaponedge Shasqua sports a spear shaped tip, giving it a double-edge.
Like the Windlass version that Sebastian reviewed, this blade also possess a shallow but rather wide fuller on each side of the blade. The minor difference here being the fuller fades gradually about 7 ¾” away from the tip.
An impressive view of how the blade transits towards the tip in thickness, looking from the false-edge.
The Hilt
Note differences #5 – Both side of the hilt are engraved with some sort of Russian Unit’s markings
Note differences #6 – Thick piece of leather (or rubber?) glued to the hilt-end to cushion the impact when one sheaths the blade into the scabbard.
The grip, however, seems to be made of some sort of hard plastic, not wood, and is diagonally grooved to provide a firmer grip for the hand.
The pommel has the similar Soviet Union insignia & the words ‘CCCP’ as that of the Windlass version cast on it. Not a fantastic job here.
Note differences #7 – The pommel nut was preened after being tightened on by the manufacturer.
The manufacturer did an impressive job in flushing the nut finish over the rather tricky curved wedged-shaped brass pommel.
The Scabbard
As mentioned earlier, the scabbard possesses some major differences between the 2 version of Shasqua. However, I’d like to highlight that Weaponedge also has another version of the Shasqua without the bayonet (though the mountings for a bayonet may still be attached. I’m not sure, frankly). As the price differences is only about 10+ USD, I decided to pick the one that comes with the Mosin Nagant bayonet.
The scabbard is wooden core wrapped in black leather and then sewn on one side. I do not have the Windlass Shasqua scabbard here to compare, but Weaponedge did a good job in that the sewing is hardly noticeable!
The brass mouthpiece of the locket is made such that it curves inward, terminating just enough to conceal (and protect) the ends of the wooden scabbard core. This is a mark improvement from most Windlass scabbard, and I’m impressed Weaponedge are attentive to such minor details.
The brass chape of the scabbard looks much the same as the Windlass’ version.
Handling
(Sorry folks, this piece comes unsharpened and I’m satisfied to leave that as it is, so NO cutting test/video from me – Sorry to disappoint)
I would not say that the Weaponedge Shasqua is blade heavy per se, but it is definitely Not suited for wrist-flicking or fencing finesse sort of movements, as Sebastian had previously pointed out. This, perhaps, because the saber was primarily a slashing and thrusting weapon for the mountain tribes of Caucasus.
Having said that, Weaponedge Shasqua is rather manageable and can be recovered easily when doing the full-arm swings. Also, I would like to point out that this Shasqua emits a soft, pleasant ‘Tachi Kaze’ whenever I swung it right.
Though, I did not sharpen my Shasqua to perform any cutting test, I have no doubt this will be a deadly weapon in the hands of the skillful Cavalry Cossacks people, as seen on some documentary on the TV. On one of the documentary, I saw the wielder dissect a huge watermelon placed on a pedestal simulating a human, horizontally, on a single pass (on horseback). Very quick, very precise cuts!
Conclusion
Historical Accuracy: 4.99/5
Handling: 5/5
Fit & Finish: 5/5
Structural Integrity: 4.99/5 (yet to be tested on real cutting)
Value for Money: 5/5 (75USD from Weaponedge; 199USD from Military Heritage).
Overall: 4.99
While I actually like this Weaponedge version of the Shasqua more than the Windlass and, would highly recommend it to other sword enthusiasts, I also would like to caution any potential Weaponedge patrons of the probable long wait (this being a non-customized sword unlike some custom-made katana), and the rather slow, inconsistent email responses from them. You need to be patient, quite a lot of it, perhaps. I had feedback this concern to them and, if they are serious and act on it, we should be seeing some improvements in that area. And would I buy from Weaponedge again, you ask me.... a big ‘Yes’!