| Written by Jean-Loup Rebours-Smith,
on 21-09-2007 00:51
|
Views : 707  |
Favoured : 31 |
Published in : The News, Reviews |
On Saturday I got myself a new sword. I'd been looking for a decent looking weapon to use for sabre sparring (i.e. not the Hanwei Practical Sabre) for quite some time now, and so far had only been able to find nice but expensive antiques.
This time I got myself the following:
 John Barnett English Short Sword
Essentially, I've been to this shop several times before and to be frank the majority of their weapons would look good on a wall but not everything is combat-friendly. I had a chat with the guy at the counter who trains with Paul apparently so as I was looking more closely to the section where they have rapiers (including some horrible looking papperheimers, which manufacturer I couldn't make out but they're certainly not meant to be handled, hugh!  ) and noticed this sword.
It's a John Barnett Late 17th century English Short Sword. This version is the "Museum Quality", that is to say, it's semi-sharp and has a definite point, which I will need to take out somehow if I want to use it. The blade is a little "heavy" in that the balance point is perhaps 6 fingers away from the hilt. However at 900 grams, it wouldn't make much of a difference.
The blade itself is very nice and clean (for now  ), it measures just under 84cm (33 inches). The hilt is well made though the pommel is pinned in place rather than screwed. The top of the hilt could perhaps have used a little more work. It looks as if the polishing wasn't finished and some etchings are a little bit asymetrical. I'm generally not a huge fan of wire-wrapped handles but this one feels nice in the hand and when wearing a glove the size is just right. I particularly like the little hook by the thumb, which allows you to either hand it in your belt or somewhere where you can keep it with the point down.
I have not tried it yet in combat as it is not safe to use just yet but I hope it withstands it well enough. Medieval Weaponry claims it is usable so we shall see...
Last update : 21-09-2007 01:21
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