Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2004 3:29 am
Swords Review
For some basic information about Sword steels, go here.
Medieval Combat Sword
Made by: Darksword Armory
Retail Price: $175 US
Blade: none-sharp 1050 carbon steel Tempered to a Rockwell of 50, full tang
Meant for: Battle Re-enactment
Historically, this highly maneuverable sword was used between 1000 until 1250. Slight variations were also used by the Vikings during the late 900's and variations to the pommel were also found during the late 1200's. The original sword can be found on p. 63 of David Edge's "Medieval Knight".
As armor became more and more complex these swords emerged to counter the protective plating of the Armored knight. Given the sword's ability to penetrate plated armor, sword makers began producing similar narrow bladed weapons. As time progressed, this model was recognized as one of the most damaging European sword. The bulk of the weight of this combat sword is placed at the pommel, which provides a superbly fine balance. The sword is made with a 3/4 length fuller and graceful, downward curved steel cross-guard.
Total length: 41"
Blade length: 33.5"
Blade width at base: 1.8"
Weight: 2 lbs 10 oz.
This is a fairly good combat sword which I got for a good deal with shealth for $120 US. The blade has been forged fairly well being shock resistant, and its historically accurate in its look. The blade is not sharp since its meant for live steel battle.(Oddly enough the tip is still pointy.) The company Darksword Armoury took the measurement and look from actual museum pieces. The company also produces swords for museums (before and after thing) and some TV series and movies aswell.
Being a one handed sword, it is expected to be quick, but with a 33 inch blade, its still astounding. One of the downside of the sword is the fact that it has to polished now and then to avoid stain build up. This sword is ideal for battle contests in Renaissance fairs because of its nice balance, maneuverability and historical accuracy.
Conan Barbarian Atlantean sword
Made by: Darksword Armory
Retail Price: Was $250 US, but no longer made
Blade: none-sharp 1060 carbon steel tempered Rockwell of 53, full tang
Meant for: Battle re-enactment
This sword being a fantasy sword, it has no scientifically historical background. But according to the people who designed the sword for the Conan movie, they mixed history with fantasy. Same like the writers did when creating the script. Historically elements in the Conan movie would be the Germanic elements of Conan’s tribe. The swords have runes inscriptions and the term Valhalla was mentioned by Arnold. Also there are elements of the Huns, when Conan traveled to the eastern steppes to learn new things as a gladiator. Also, the snake religion of Seth and its cannibal custom was also taken from some historical sources according to the director. But I’m not so sure about that, since Seth was an Egyptian god. And Egyptians didn’t do cannibalism. Unless there were 2 Seths. Other than that, the story is fantasy. The movie has 2 main swords. The shape of the father’s master sword is celtic, but it has been modified and made longer. The Conan Atlantean sword has handle elements from a Viking sword. Also, it has a middle handle for close combat, which is an element from the Scottish Wallace sword. But both elements have been modified and extremely elaborated with an incredible ornate decoration.
The Time frame of Conan the barbarian is somewhere around 500 B.C to 600 A.D. It seems to fit most with the Celtic and Germanic cultural elements. Even though it mentions that it plays around the time where the ocean drank Atlantis, according to Plato Atlantis sank 10000 years before plate, which is defiantly not the iron age.
Now having said that, in actual history swords in Europe were not longer than 30”. Even Celtic swords were roman gladius size. Also, only important members in a tribe were able to own a sword. The rest would use an axe or a spear for battle. Long swords turned up generally around 400 A.D by some north german tribes, while before that it was only special swords for horse ride or chariot swords that were longer than the gladius in length. That’s includes Rome, Greece and western Europe.
So yeah, while the Conan Atlatean sword has some historical features, its for the most part fantasy. But that uncanny fantasy element is something I like about the fictional barbarian world.
Total length: 41”
Handle Length: 10”
Blade width at base: 2.5”
Weight: around 7 lbs
I really like this sword. I bought it second hand from a costumer of darksword armory for $170. I don’t remember if this sword was a custom build sword, or if it was a discontinued series. But not just even is the blade wider than the official Marto(Inox steel) or Albion Conan Replica, the blade is also not as hard and more shock resistant than the 1075 steel version of the Albion replica. On the other hand, while the Albion version is more fancier, and about $500 more expensive, its to precious for combat, while the dark sword Armory version was purely meant for live steel action. And that’s the most surprising. With 7 pounds, its still fairly good balanced. Most of the weight is the elaborate brass decoration, and not the blade. Also, the middle handle makes the blade very quick and maneuverable in close combat. But don’t be mistaken, its still heavy. While the weight has an element of crushing ability, you will strain your muscles if you are not used swinging it. The only problem is, that the blade stains if not polished now and then, and it does not have the artistic runic inscription of the movie version. But still, this blade is extremely durable and forged well. It can easily damage a softer or harder blade with its 2.5 wide blade. If you go to a Renaissance fair that is not very picky about historical flaws, this words is a very good choice. There are many barbarian battle swords out there, but next to the 5160 Barbarian swords at barbarianswords.com, this sword is the best barbarian battle sword to buy. If darksword armory would still sell it.
Sword of Light
Made By:?
Retail Price: $49.99
Blade: semi-sharp 440c or 420c stainless steel Rockwell? , rat tail tang
Meant for: Wall hanger
It’s a fantasy sword, so its similar to my Barbarian history rant above. Its just not the Conan universe, but some other Barbarian fantasy universe.
Total length: 39”
Handle Length: 6”
Blade width: 2.1
Weight: 5.1 pounds
First off, this is not the $150 wall hanger from United Cuttlery, but a cheaper version from Pakistan. Nevertheless, the design is still very nice. The barbarian fantasy shape reminds me of the 80s He-Man cartoon. Also, it makes a very nice wall hanger. I payed $20 for it on eBay. So it was still a alright deal. Unfortunately it does not have the runic inscriptions on the blade like the United Cutlery version. Balance whise, while you can still swing it around, its very blade heavy, and heavy party of the sword is the blade. The sword is 440c or 420c stainless steel and rat tail tan, so don’t even think about clashing it with another sword. Either the sword will snap at the handle or at the blade. Either way, you can get hurt. But obviously, if someone is clashing a semi-sharp sword against another sword, he/she doesn’t care about someone getting hurt.
Anyways, this sword is still a nice decoration piece.
Roman Gladius
Made By: ?
Retail Price: $124.99 US
Blade: non-sharp 1050 or 1060 carbon steel Rockwell?, Full tang
Meant for: Battle Re-enactment
This type of Roman Gladius is the “Mainz Gladius”, which was mainly used around 100-10 BCE. Around 75 CE the Pompey Gladius was comon, which had a shorter point and was non-bee wasted. The Romans being pragmatic and engineers, the Mainz Gladius was designed very well, to have an edge over other sword styles. It was fairly light, good in cutting and very good in piercing thick armor. This was the sword that conquered most of the ancient known world.
Total length: 27”
Handle Length: 6”
Blade width: 2.1
Weight: 1.5 pounds
Of all the swords I have, this is the one I like to swing around the most. With only 1.5 pounds, it has a very nice balance. The blade seems extremely durable and shock resistant. The design seems like a Legionary sword, since Generals or cavalry were on horse back and their swords are a few inches longer and sometimes more elaborate. The blade is fairly wide, and for someone who understands “closing the gap” stepping concepts, one could successfully face a longer sword in a battle re-enactment. I was able to get this sword for $64 US. So this was a fairly nice deal.
Edited By The dark ANNIHILATOR on 1093164125
For some basic information about Sword steels, go here.
Medieval Combat Sword
Made by: Darksword Armory
Retail Price: $175 US
Blade: none-sharp 1050 carbon steel Tempered to a Rockwell of 50, full tang
Meant for: Battle Re-enactment
Historically, this highly maneuverable sword was used between 1000 until 1250. Slight variations were also used by the Vikings during the late 900's and variations to the pommel were also found during the late 1200's. The original sword can be found on p. 63 of David Edge's "Medieval Knight".
As armor became more and more complex these swords emerged to counter the protective plating of the Armored knight. Given the sword's ability to penetrate plated armor, sword makers began producing similar narrow bladed weapons. As time progressed, this model was recognized as one of the most damaging European sword. The bulk of the weight of this combat sword is placed at the pommel, which provides a superbly fine balance. The sword is made with a 3/4 length fuller and graceful, downward curved steel cross-guard.
Total length: 41"
Blade length: 33.5"
Blade width at base: 1.8"
Weight: 2 lbs 10 oz.
This is a fairly good combat sword which I got for a good deal with shealth for $120 US. The blade has been forged fairly well being shock resistant, and its historically accurate in its look. The blade is not sharp since its meant for live steel battle.(Oddly enough the tip is still pointy.) The company Darksword Armoury took the measurement and look from actual museum pieces. The company also produces swords for museums (before and after thing) and some TV series and movies aswell.
Being a one handed sword, it is expected to be quick, but with a 33 inch blade, its still astounding. One of the downside of the sword is the fact that it has to polished now and then to avoid stain build up. This sword is ideal for battle contests in Renaissance fairs because of its nice balance, maneuverability and historical accuracy.
Conan Barbarian Atlantean sword
Made by: Darksword Armory
Retail Price: Was $250 US, but no longer made
Blade: none-sharp 1060 carbon steel tempered Rockwell of 53, full tang
Meant for: Battle re-enactment
This sword being a fantasy sword, it has no scientifically historical background. But according to the people who designed the sword for the Conan movie, they mixed history with fantasy. Same like the writers did when creating the script. Historically elements in the Conan movie would be the Germanic elements of Conan’s tribe. The swords have runes inscriptions and the term Valhalla was mentioned by Arnold. Also there are elements of the Huns, when Conan traveled to the eastern steppes to learn new things as a gladiator. Also, the snake religion of Seth and its cannibal custom was also taken from some historical sources according to the director. But I’m not so sure about that, since Seth was an Egyptian god. And Egyptians didn’t do cannibalism. Unless there were 2 Seths. Other than that, the story is fantasy. The movie has 2 main swords. The shape of the father’s master sword is celtic, but it has been modified and made longer. The Conan Atlantean sword has handle elements from a Viking sword. Also, it has a middle handle for close combat, which is an element from the Scottish Wallace sword. But both elements have been modified and extremely elaborated with an incredible ornate decoration.
The Time frame of Conan the barbarian is somewhere around 500 B.C to 600 A.D. It seems to fit most with the Celtic and Germanic cultural elements. Even though it mentions that it plays around the time where the ocean drank Atlantis, according to Plato Atlantis sank 10000 years before plate, which is defiantly not the iron age.
Now having said that, in actual history swords in Europe were not longer than 30”. Even Celtic swords were roman gladius size. Also, only important members in a tribe were able to own a sword. The rest would use an axe or a spear for battle. Long swords turned up generally around 400 A.D by some north german tribes, while before that it was only special swords for horse ride or chariot swords that were longer than the gladius in length. That’s includes Rome, Greece and western Europe.
So yeah, while the Conan Atlatean sword has some historical features, its for the most part fantasy. But that uncanny fantasy element is something I like about the fictional barbarian world.
Total length: 41”
Handle Length: 10”
Blade width at base: 2.5”
Weight: around 7 lbs
I really like this sword. I bought it second hand from a costumer of darksword armory for $170. I don’t remember if this sword was a custom build sword, or if it was a discontinued series. But not just even is the blade wider than the official Marto(Inox steel) or Albion Conan Replica, the blade is also not as hard and more shock resistant than the 1075 steel version of the Albion replica. On the other hand, while the Albion version is more fancier, and about $500 more expensive, its to precious for combat, while the dark sword Armory version was purely meant for live steel action. And that’s the most surprising. With 7 pounds, its still fairly good balanced. Most of the weight is the elaborate brass decoration, and not the blade. Also, the middle handle makes the blade very quick and maneuverable in close combat. But don’t be mistaken, its still heavy. While the weight has an element of crushing ability, you will strain your muscles if you are not used swinging it. The only problem is, that the blade stains if not polished now and then, and it does not have the artistic runic inscription of the movie version. But still, this blade is extremely durable and forged well. It can easily damage a softer or harder blade with its 2.5 wide blade. If you go to a Renaissance fair that is not very picky about historical flaws, this words is a very good choice. There are many barbarian battle swords out there, but next to the 5160 Barbarian swords at barbarianswords.com, this sword is the best barbarian battle sword to buy. If darksword armory would still sell it.
Sword of Light
Made By:?
Retail Price: $49.99
Blade: semi-sharp 440c or 420c stainless steel Rockwell? , rat tail tang
Meant for: Wall hanger
It’s a fantasy sword, so its similar to my Barbarian history rant above. Its just not the Conan universe, but some other Barbarian fantasy universe.
Total length: 39”
Handle Length: 6”
Blade width: 2.1
Weight: 5.1 pounds
First off, this is not the $150 wall hanger from United Cuttlery, but a cheaper version from Pakistan. Nevertheless, the design is still very nice. The barbarian fantasy shape reminds me of the 80s He-Man cartoon. Also, it makes a very nice wall hanger. I payed $20 for it on eBay. So it was still a alright deal. Unfortunately it does not have the runic inscriptions on the blade like the United Cutlery version. Balance whise, while you can still swing it around, its very blade heavy, and heavy party of the sword is the blade. The sword is 440c or 420c stainless steel and rat tail tan, so don’t even think about clashing it with another sword. Either the sword will snap at the handle or at the blade. Either way, you can get hurt. But obviously, if someone is clashing a semi-sharp sword against another sword, he/she doesn’t care about someone getting hurt.
Anyways, this sword is still a nice decoration piece.
Roman Gladius
Made By: ?
Retail Price: $124.99 US
Blade: non-sharp 1050 or 1060 carbon steel Rockwell?, Full tang
Meant for: Battle Re-enactment
This type of Roman Gladius is the “Mainz Gladius”, which was mainly used around 100-10 BCE. Around 75 CE the Pompey Gladius was comon, which had a shorter point and was non-bee wasted. The Romans being pragmatic and engineers, the Mainz Gladius was designed very well, to have an edge over other sword styles. It was fairly light, good in cutting and very good in piercing thick armor. This was the sword that conquered most of the ancient known world.
Total length: 27”
Handle Length: 6”
Blade width: 2.1
Weight: 1.5 pounds
Of all the swords I have, this is the one I like to swing around the most. With only 1.5 pounds, it has a very nice balance. The blade seems extremely durable and shock resistant. The design seems like a Legionary sword, since Generals or cavalry were on horse back and their swords are a few inches longer and sometimes more elaborate. The blade is fairly wide, and for someone who understands “closing the gap” stepping concepts, one could successfully face a longer sword in a battle re-enactment. I was able to get this sword for $64 US. So this was a fairly nice deal.
Edited By The dark ANNIHILATOR on 1093164125