Showing posts with label Hanwei. Show all posts

Tuesday, 6 May 2014

Hanwei Austrian Albreicht Hand and a Half

length: 45"
blade: 35"

blade width: 2" at base
blade width: 7/8" at 2" from point
balance point: 5 1/2" from guard
grip and pommel: 10"
guard: 7 1/4"
weight: 3 lb 1.6 oz

This longsword (commonly called a hand-and-a-half or bastard sword) is replicated from an original attributed to King Albrecht II of Austria. Classically simple in design with a flattened diamond-section blade and cruciform hilt, the original dates from the early part of the 15th century. The "Lion Rampant" emblem of the Habsburg dynasty is engraved in the pommel. The forged blade of the Paul Chen/Hanwei Austrian longsword is fully tempered high-carbon steel with the legendary Passau, Germany "running wolf" swordsmith's mark reproduced in the fullers. The grip is leather over cord-wrapped wood, and the scabbard is leather over wood with steel fittings. Sharp, well balanced blade. An extremely nice, functional longsword.

Review

Sunday, 4 May 2014

Sword Manufactures and Vendors

Guides:

http://www.sword-manufacturers-guide.com/index.html
http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/
http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/swords-online.html

Manufacturers:

Albion Armory
USA http://www.albion-swords.com/
EU http://www.albion-europe.com/

Armor Class
http://www.armourclass.co.uk/

Armory Marek
http://www.armorymarek.com/

Baltimore Knife and Sword
http://imakeswords.com/index.htm

Bugei
http://www.bugei.com/

Cold Steel
http://www.coldsteel.com/

Darksword Armoury
http://darksword-armory.com/

Deepeeka
http://www.deepeeka.in/
http://www.deepeekausa.com/
http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/deepeeka-swords.html
http://www.sword-manufacturers-guide.com/deepeeka.html

Privateer Armory
http://www.seekyee.com/privateerarmoury/

Valiant Armoury
http://www.valiant-armoury.com/

Windlass Steel Crafts
http://windlass.com/
US distributor (owned by Windlass Steelcrafts) - Museum Replicas Limited (MRL) - or their Candian one - Reliks.com (who actually often have lower prices, even when shipping is included, than their US counterpart!)
http://www.windlasssword.com/ (not confirmed if official Windlass)

Vendors:

Arms & Armoury
http://www.armor.com/

CASiberia
http://casiberia.com/
Distributor for Gen2/LegacyArms and Hanwei

Knights Shop
http://www.theknightshop.co.uk/

Museum Replicas
Museumreplicas.com
owned by Windlass Steelcrafts

Swords of Might
http://www.swordsofmight.com/

Sword Index
http://www.swordindex.com/

Sword combo for sparring and for cutting

Sword combo for sparring and for cutting

You cant cut properly with a blunt edge blade, and sparring with a sharpened blade is not an option. Therefore you would need two separate swords that handle similarly and is weighted and balanced the same.

For training and sparring you need a blade that is blunt and safe that is intended to take heavy wear.

For cutting you want a quality blade that will keep a good edge, especially if you want cut more than just plastic bottles or kitami mats.

Bastard Sword High-end Combo

I have long been a fan of the European Bastard Sword because of its versatility and functionality. The Bastard Sword is a fantastic example of martial arts evolution. A history of form follows function while still keeping the utility of its predecessors.

If price is not a problem, then the best option would be the combination of Albion Armorers Next Generation Mercenary Sword and the Albion Armorers Squire Line 15th Century Bastard Sword.

The Albion Mercenary for cutting and the Squire Line Bastard Sword for training and sparring.

Specifications and Comparison:

Mercenary:
Total length: 42.25" (108 cm)
Blade length: 33.75" (86 cm)
Blade width: 2.375" (6 cm)
CoB: 4" (10.8 cm)
CoP: 19.8" (49.5 cm)
Weight: 2 lbs 14.2 oz (1.35 kilos)

Blade Type: Oakeshott Type XVa

Edge: Sharp
Price: EUR 535
Links: Albion EU, Albion USA, Kult of Athena

Squire Bastard Sword:
Total length: 42.25" (108 cm)
Blade length: 33.125" (86 cm)
Blade width: 2.375" (6 cm)
CoB: 3.875" (10.8 cm)
CoP: 19.5" (49.5 cm)
Weight: 2 lbs 15.6 oz (1.35 kilos)

Blade Type: Oakeshott Type XVa

Edge: Blunt
Price: EUR 845
Links: Albion EU, Albion USA

Albion Mercenary Specifications EU:

Alternative to Albion Mercenary:
The Albion Fiore (limited edition) Albion EU, Kult of Athena

Blade Type: Oakeshott Type XVa

Edge: Sharp

Standard specification
Total length:	118 cm (46,26")
Blade length:	93 cm (36,5")
CoG:	10 cm (3,86")
CoP:	56 cm (22,01")
Weight:	1500 g (3,307 lbs)
Grip length:	19,2 cm (7,559")