In praise of the budget sword.

SimplyMinded

SimplyMinded

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Many people come here and want a "real sword". I'd like for this thread to list some reputable, reliable "budget swords" including some that would normally get overlooked or dismissed as "sword like objects" due to the company reputation even though they might be fine for an entry-level sword. Having personally bought some budget swords that have performed just fine I'll start this off. Please feel free to add recommendations/ insights/experiences/reviews.

1. Kingfisher Machete/Sword. Full tang/hilt. No scabbard.- NEEDS ONE. Razor Sharp, under $50 last I checked. OMG fast. If you don't have this you're missing out. It's as functional and deadly a piece of dangerously sharp steel as you could ever ask for plus the design kicks serious a$$. The "poor mans El' Capitan" and I say that lightly as they're not really that close in appearance. No idea on the steel but whatever it is it's awesome. Do NOT buy this unless you're ready to make a scabbard or leave it on a hook in the shed until you need it- when I say this thing can seriously f#ck you or anybody on the sharp side up with a vengeance I am NOT kidding. Easily customizable.

2. Musha Hand Forged Katana. Traditional peg/tang. I was surprised by this, cheap but handled bottles and pool noodles with ease. Came decently sharp. Good starter "Samurai" sword. Fittings are cast, nothing great overall but it is cheap and for under $60 it's good . Hight carbon steel, probably 1045, sturdy, no rattles, not "whippy. There are a bunch of companies making comparably passable swords at this level. I was going to gift it until I got it, liked it enough to get one just for me. My only complaint is where are the budget swords with "battle wrap"- I like the look of it. Saya was okay, basic, does the job.

3. Physical Chess Fencing Epee. Under $50. I sharpened the tip but it comes blunt. Rubber handle, cup guard, an actual beginner sport fencing sword . No edge, it's all about the thrust. You wanna be Errol Flynn then this is the one. Light, fast, everything you've been led to believe a movie rapier is until you handle an actual rapier and realize it's a lot more sword than you thought. Great flex but not "too" flexy. "Whips" through the air just like the movies, satisfying sound. Handle isn't weird/ergo like some for pros are. Fun sharpened and going through melons/ soft targets/ annoying salesmen. No scabbard. Buy a glove to slap people and duel with it in defense of your honor.

$. Cold Steel Machete Line. Under $60, mostly. I've owned several, the one I have currently is the cutlass. Ahoy, matey. This line is so cheap that I've given many to friends and family. Comes with scabbard that should really be updated to at least cheap TPU, the canvas scabbards are crummy, thin and dangerous. Ask my leg, it knows from experience. Hopefully the "new" CS ones are just as good and the sheaths are better.

APOC line. Worth every penny, designed by a legend. The survival longsword is everything you wanted in a two handed sword except the magical glow and fru-fru fittings. Quench it in the fires of your Mother-in-Laws complaints to add evil red runes. Awesome for showing off at family functions by doing the "Conan Figure Eight" maneuver until it flies off and almost hits somebody due to your drunkenness. Impress your nephews and horrify every woman present. Be "oh him? No way is he invited!" and enjoy relaxing, stress free weekends at home.






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That said, I picked up a Cold Steel Cutlass a few years ago for funsies.
Wife thought I was crazy, but when a hurricane blew our roofing off and we had to poke holes in the ceiling sheetrock to let the water out of the attic so the roof wouldn't collapse it came in handy.
 
I guess a budget sword depends on your budget. I personally don't consider machetes to be swords. The blade geometry and balance is all wrong. Great for backyard bashing? Sure. A sword? No.

I would suggest that the minimum offerings are from Museum Replicas limited and Cold Steel. They have offerings in the 300 to 400 dollar range. They aren't Excalibur but they aren't flea market wonders either.
 
I have five medieval swords presently. I love the arming swords, a full war sword but a little lighter and a 28" blade as opposed to something with 31" or over. I tried one from Deepeeka, very low prices but a 50/50 chance with quality. I sent it back- I buy only good 1075 spring steel or better, full tang, steel guard and pommel with wood wrapped in leather grip-
I have two from CAS Hanwei, one from Baluar[ $250 range], an Arbedo Alexanderia style broadsword and my favorite, the Squire from Darksword armories, $650 . They are all hanging on the wall of my computer room.-
I really don't think of Museum Replicas / Windlass Steelcrafts, as beginner level swords at all. I've had a number of them that surpassed much more expensive swords for quality and fit and finish- My Arbedo is a Windlass Steelcrafts and I can find no flaw on it or the great scabbard that comes with it.. The Hanwei's are ok, sometimes very good, the Balaur is unbelievable for the price point and the Squire is just a beautiful sword.
From my own experience, good starters go for around $250, the midline swords are in the $500 and up range and the deep pocket collectors buy the Abions and Lockwoods for over a thousand per -
Anyone interested in decent swords should start with Kult of Athena and go from there - John
 
John Hildebrandt said:
I really don't think of Museum Replicas / Windlass Steelcrafts, as beginner level swords at all. I've had a number of them that surpassed much more expensive swords for quality and fit and finish
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I've had good luck with them too, I didn't include any because the cheapest one I own was $300.
 
Yes, the prices have gone up. Did you know they have the museum line or something like that, another level up that starts to compare to the midline swords in quality. A little higher priced, but really very well made. Plus, their overall quality has come up to compete with the other makers who pretty much get it right most of the time. As you know, there seems to be many of us on the forum that own Museum Replicas or Windlass swords.
Another that blew me away was the Baluar XIV 13th century arming sword, [ Kult of Athena's} house brand, also made in India. I am very picky and there is not a single issue on this sword or scabbard. This rates clear up with some of the best I've ever owned. It even has a perfect liner of some kind in the blade to guard slot, first I've ever seen-
I really wish I could figure out how to attach photos to this forum, but it seems a little complicated --

hugofeynman, forgive me buddy, but if it isn't double edged, I just can't buy it. Did I say I was also narrow minded? -- John
 
John Hildebrandt said:
Yes, the prices have gone up. Did you know they have the museum line or something like that, another level up that starts to compare to the midline swords in quality. A little higher priced, but really very well made. Plus, their overall quality has come up to compete with the other makers who pretty much get it right most of the time. As you know, there seems to be many of us on the forum that own Museum Replicas or Windlass swords.
Another that blew me away was the Baluar XIV 13th century arming sword, [ Kult of Athena's} house brand, also made in India. I am very picky and there is not a single issue on this sword or scabbard. This rates clear up with some of the best I've ever owned. It even has a perfect liner of some kind in the blade to guard slot, first I've ever seen-
I really wish I could figure out how to attach photos to this forum, but it seems a little complicated --

hugofeynman, forgive me buddy, but if it isn't double edged, I just can't buy it. Did I say I was also narrow minded? -- John
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The Hanwei Tinkers can be cheap but currently there's not many companies making parts . There used to be a few. I've been eyeing the Baluar Arms stuff, it's good to hear it's well done.
 
I've read a few articles about the Hanwei line because they sounded pretty good, had some great choices, and that Tinker was involved. One of the issues however was the substituting of a much poorer grade of steel than they advertised. According to the various reports, this was the biggest issue and then after that it was just fit and finish. Right now, I have one that is a beauty and another I'm not going to keep.
I had seen many in the Baluar line but sort of saw it at the same level as Hanwei and Cold Steel. All of these above Deepeeka. I do not remember the name of the maker that became Kult of Athena's own manufacturer, but the concept was to raise the quality to offer a very well-made sword at a very fair price. In my opinion, it worked out real well. I thought at least get one and check it out. I was amazed at the quality -It compares to my Darksword Armory sword but for half the price.
 
I'm 80 years old with a slow wasting terminal disease, I have no idea if I have another year or three, before I can't even hold a sword, but I'm really wanting that Guardian -
I called and spoke with Shawn, the owner. I explained that I had no use for a fencing sword but wanted that sword with a 28" blade and that I'll pay them another hundred. He said fine, that's fair. Their wait time is 8 to 12 months. That's the part that has stopped me from ordering it So I'm trying to convince myself I can handle that kind of a delay.

Go back and look at it and imagine a normal sword point about 6 to 7" from the end of that cool flat fuller -- A sword made in heaven. I like round pommels and I love the polished curved guard. It'll fit right in with the rest of my collection --
 
John Hildebrandt said:
I'm 80 years old with a slow wasting terminal disease, I have no idea if I have another year or three, before I can't even hold a sword, but I'm really wanting that Guardian -
I called and spoke with Shawn, the owner. I explained that I had no use for a fencing sword but wanted that sword with a 28" blade and that I'll pay them another hundred. He said fine, that's fair. Their wait time is 8 to 12 months. That's the part that has stopped me from ordering it So I'm trying to convince myself I can handle that kind of a delay.

Go back and look at it and imagine a normal sword point about 6 to 7" from the end of that cool flat fuller -- A sword made in heaven. I like round pommels and I love the polished curved guard. It'll fit right in with the rest of my collection --
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Really sorry to hear that John. May you be able to hold a sword for many years to come!
 
John Hildebrandt said:
I'm 80 years old with a slow wasting terminal disease, I have no idea if I have another year or three, before I can't even hold a sword, but I'm really wanting that Guardian -
I called and spoke with Shawn, the owner. I explained that I had no use for a fencing sword but wanted that sword with a 28" blade and that I'll pay them another hundred. He said fine, that's fair. Their wait time is 8 to 12 months. That's the part that has stopped me from ordering it So I'm trying to convince myself I can handle that kind of a delay.

Go back and look at it and imagine a normal sword point about 6 to 7" from the end of that cool flat fuller -- A sword made in heaven. I like round pommels and I love the polished curved guard. It'll fit right in with the rest of my collection --
Click to expand...
I hope to see a picture if you decide to get it and my sympathies for your health problems.
 
I only mentioned my situation to help explain the interest in smaller lighter swords. I have to admit though that the typical proportions of the different arming swords are almost always some of the most attractive. I'm not a real stickler about how close to the museum piece it is, as much as the overall shape. Anything over say 2 1/2 pounds starts to get heavy for me. I have a number of photos of my collection, but I'm not certain of the procedure to upload onto this forum -- John
 
I'm happy to throw some appreciation at junky mall ninja stuff. I don't think people give it the credit it deserves. Is it junk? Yes, but it's also where 90% of us started. I think it's pretty rare to find someone that completely skipped that phase of collecting. It plays a big part of building up a passion for the hobby. I regularly laugh at the gold plated master ninja assassin swords you see in the Bud K catalogs, but I'd be lying if the child deep down inside me I wasn't saying "I could totally kill some zombies with that".
 
Ozmose said:
I'm happy to throw some appreciation at junky mall ninja stuff. I don't think people give it the credit it deserves. Is it junk? Yes, but it's also where 90% of us started. I think it's pretty rare to find someone that completely skipped that phase of collecting. It plays a big part of building up a passion for the hobby. I regularly laugh at the gold plated master ninja assassin swords you see in the Bud K catalogs, but I'd be lying if the child deep down inside me I wasn't saying "I could totally kill some zombies with that".
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Yup! That’s how I started, and I still have good memories of those times. Some were wall-hangers from India, Pakistan, Philippines, and Toledo Spain. A few were old dress swords from various American fraternal orders. I don’t currently own any swords, but love browsing Faganarms. Their prices always seem very reasonable to me. I also enjoy restoring old rusty axes. If I was way more badass than I am, it’s hard to imagine a better budget offensive weapon than a little roofing or lathing hatchet.
 
I’ve had a musha katana. Cut decent but the Ha (Blade edge) was too rounded for my liking. My favorite katana is the practical plus 2. Cuts good, good steel and well balanced. I paid $350 for that but it was well over 10 years ago. Now double that. I do also have the cold steel katana machete. Fun to play around with at camp. Cuts good but wear light gloves. The poly handle will tear your hands up. I do admit to having the Highlander marto collection too. All are signed and just wall hangers. Fun to look at.
 
While the Cold Steel Jungle machete may not qualify technically as a sword, it is certainly a tough and well made piece of steel.

Lots of fun to bash on media with, and surprisingly takes abuse with aplomb.

I use one to de-limb and chop wood, and the steel hold up very well.
 
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