Sigh! So much snobbery in the previous post - although he does admit it, at least. I have 4 CS swords - both flavors of MAA Messers (long and short), a long discontinued Horsemans sword (kind of a schiavona/basket hilt broadsword pattern sword) and an Indian/Patton cavalry saber. None have loose hilts. The short messer is very agile and lively with one hand, the long messer can be used one handed if I wish but naturally handles much better with two hands. Both came sharp and easily cut bottles cleanly if I do my part (technique and angle) - I don't use any any sword to try and chop down trees, so I can't say if the edge will roll or chip. But then again, that's not what swords were designed for - they are meant to cut flesh and bone and if you've ever seen a Proof video, there is little doubt about their ability there. The Horseman is pretty blade heavy and therefore no fencer but again, that's not it's designed purpose. It's a hack and slash battle blade and it seems to me for that you want blade forward weight bias. The Indian saber is lousy at cutting but is designed to pierce (from horseback, yet) so you can't fairly hold that against it.
I always laugh about the far from historically accurate comments - on these or any other mass produced sword. First of all, what is historically accurate? There is much more range in weight, balance, material, construction in antique swords than in modern swords - especially in museum examples. Most of the well preserved (as opposed the the rust deposits that are all that's left of many finds) swords were hand made at great expense to fit this or that particular rich guy. Most people never ever get to handle any of these but I bet if we were allowed to handle all of the extant examples, we'd find that some would feel magical in hand and others (the majority) not so much - even shading onto the sharpened crowbar category. From what I understand, most common soldiers carried the equivalent of mass produced weapons (unless they were lucky enough to loot something from the dead body of a rich guy or rich prisoner and didn't sell it for an immediate profit) and little of that survived as most of it ended up back in a furnace to be recycled. I bet they would be amazed by CS products. By the way, I don't ever remember seeing a CS ad claiming historical authenticity - just toughness and cutting ability. It's rather ironic for someone to say that they can cut through a hard oak 2x4 in one slash but that the quality just isn't there LOL!
The final point - price. That kinda depends. If you have oodles of cash and just don't care, it doesn't matter where you buy. On the other hand, if like most of us you have to count your pennies and/or are a compulsive bargain hunter, never go to the CS or Special Project site - you'll only be disappointed. The regular site is going to show you an MSRP usually 50 to 100% higher than street prices and Special Projects (the discount site) 20 or 30% higher. The exception is the occasional discontinued sale where you can get a real bargain - that's how I acquired the Horseman many years ago. Otherwise, definitely shop around for the best bargains.
As for the CS hate, I've always believed it based on two things - the advertising and personal hatred of LT because of it. CS has always emphasized the weapon side of cutlery and all the pantywaists out there hate that - as if saying tool instead of weapon and never talking about fighting with them will totally disarm the hoplophones and they will leave knives alone. There may be a more ridiculous assumption out there but I've yet to hear it.
So the other day i was looking up the cold steel hand and half sword however i stumbled upon a lot of hate against cold steel swords? i know there is a lot of hate from the knife community as well so i just wanted to ask and see if anyone had any experience with them and could give me an idea if they are good or bad??? 
