Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2009 9:39:11 GMT
Hello, I am currently looking for a nice sparring sword. I've done some research and found a local shop (Gavelin's Swords) which sells two swords which atleast seem to have the qualities I am looking for , withing my pricerange. The first one is Practical Viking. As far as I've understood it's a blunt sword which can safely be used for sparring ( as safe as that can be ). The second is Practical Hand-and-a-Half Sword. A bit more expensive . but it can be wielded with both hands, and I do like using both hands. So now my question is, which one do you think is best? And what more can you tell me about these swords, and what safe measures should I take when sparring? Thank you =)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2009 15:02:37 GMT
I would say their quality is pretty much the same as they are the same company, same line, just different design. If you like two handed use, buy Hand and a half. I handled it and it can be wielded with one hand only also quite good.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2009 15:43:40 GMT
Thanks Luka =) I also noticed that the practicial Norman and Practicial knighly seemed rather good too. Anyone have any experience sparring with these? How do they handle parrying another blunt blade?
|
|
SlayerofDarkness
Member
Review Points: 65
"Always give everyone the benefit of the doubt."
Posts: 3,067
|
Post by SlayerofDarkness on Feb 17, 2009 18:21:45 GMT
These ARE Hanweis, right? I don't have any personal experience with these, but I just wanted to clarify...
-Slayer
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2009 20:37:04 GMT
These ARE Hanweis, right? I don't have any personal experience with these, but I just wanted to clarify... -Slayer Yes, yes indeed they are =) I probably should have mentioned that...do forgive my newbily lack of skills =O
|
|
SlayerofDarkness
Member
Review Points: 65
"Always give everyone the benefit of the doubt."
Posts: 3,067
|
Post by SlayerofDarkness on Feb 17, 2009 22:30:33 GMT
No big, mate. Just wanted to clarify, lol. I'll ask Brenno to come over to this thread. He has both of those swords, and is a VERY knowledgeable guy. Check out his site: www.fableblades.comYeah, I know. He rocks. ;D -Slayer
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2009 22:58:14 GMT
|
|
SlayerofDarkness
Member
Review Points: 65
"Always give everyone the benefit of the doubt."
Posts: 3,067
|
Post by SlayerofDarkness on Feb 17, 2009 23:04:55 GMT
Tsafa, I think he's interested in the hanweis because a local place has them. Shipping fees to Sweden would probably be really high... Great looking blunts, though! -Slayer
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2009 3:56:39 GMT
The hanwei practical lines are pretty good value for the money...assuming you get one that is done correctly. Their QC can be spotty at times. However if your buying locally and they have a good CS policy, then you should be fine.
As for how they act in sparring, they work REALLY nicely. Even the ones that are HT correctly are softer then the higher end sparring swords however so if you spar against somebody who has those, your sword will get chewed up pretty quickly.
As for what you need...fencing mask, gorget, cup, leather gloves, padded jacket at least. I recommend also getting some knee and elbow protection.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2009 5:48:39 GMT
Sweet, so many replies over night ^^ I think I will go for the Norman, as my brother will also buy one (so it'll be a Hanwei Practicial Norman vs a Hanwei Practicial Norman). So new question: How should I treat my sword after sparring rounds?
(And yes, I mean to buy my first real sword at a local shop, as I do not feel comfortable with buying online yet)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 18, 2009 7:07:03 GMT
How should I treat my sword after sparring rounds? The only time I bother to even oil them is after a camping trip where they will always get exposed to moisture. My Alchem seems to be a harder steel and is more susceptible to rust, it is more of a surface discoloration. My Hanweis don't rust much, the mettle is a little softer and more susceptible to some damage along its edge in hard blade to blade contact. You will want to keep an eye in case any sharp nicks develop and grind them down. The risk is that if you practice a drawcut and the edge is not smooth you may cut your partner. I don't find this to be an issue at all with the alchems, but something to watch on the Hanwei. This is still way better then then the cold steel machetes my WMA group bought for Messer training. We grinded those down to make them safe. After one practice the edge looked like a steak knife.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2009 2:35:31 GMT
File out any burrs you may have made during the match...keep em lightly oiled if you care. If the blade starts to develop surface rust, don't bother polishing it out...just seal it in with some oil. Unless of course you care and want a shint blade. Some people do...I personally don't care for my practice swords since I'm gonna use em till they are of no use other then as scrap metal anyways. But I'm much more finiky about my real swords .
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2009 5:56:56 GMT
Thanks for all the advice lads (and possibly lasses, can't rule that out, now can we?), I think I'm good to go now! Just gotta wait for my darn birthday..*Sits in a corner, throwing a hatefull glance at his wallhanger swords every now and then*.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2009 6:23:33 GMT
Unless it really grabs you I wouldn't suggest the norman because out of the swords you mentioned I find it the most clunky. I used to be with a re-enactment group who used all the swords you mentioned, I also did WMA where we exclusively used hand and a halfs. The hand and a half is more dangerous to your opponent in that you have more leverage and thus more ability to injure your opponent. We had one guy at the re-enactment who was so large he had to use a hand and a half as a single handed sword. I personally would suggest the practical knightly or whatever the hell they are calling it, but I prefer the old single fuller rather than the hollow ground ones. For balance and durability I haven't seen anything in the hanwei line that stacks up against the practical knightly.
Having said that, if you have the capacity save up and get an albion squire line or look at baltimore knife and sword slayer range.
|
|