Real (functional) swords

A

Anarkistic

Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
123
Hey all.

I've recently got into blades and learnt a fair bit about knives and blade steels.

I'm looking to buy my first sword. I'm not too fussed on the style, I'd go with a katana/ roman / spartan sword or any other designs which aren't too big and cumbersome.

Importantly it has to be able to take a lot of abuse - like a Busse or Esee knife for example.

I would have got the busse gladius if it were still in production as I love the strength / toughness.

I don't like 'bendy' blades, definitely want 1/4 inch thick blade at least. The cold steel swords are all around 0.2 inches in blade thickness and from the reviews I've read the finishing isn't great especially on their katana.

Would consider going to a custom maker or buying a well respected factory brand - but I don't know where to start looking.

Budget is $500. But would pay upto $3000 for a high end handmade katana which would hold its value.

Any recommendations ? Can you point me to makers / brands / websites.

Cheers
 
I would check out Gavkoo he can make anything you want! Tuffthumbz on youtube also. There are many makers out there that make outstanding large blades custom to order! Just be ready to wait a few months!! :)
 
Will look into those makers ctrees, I'm in the uk so would also consider Europeans smiths.

Any opinions on the zombie tools brand? Is the quality good, are they likely to break / chip / blade roll if I start hacking hard wood?
 
Busse did have a sword on show at Blade Show this year, and I have heard good things about Zombie Tools and these guys too millerbrosblades for indestructible sword style products.
 
Cool, if busse had a sword at the show, how long till it appears for Sale?
Anyone else vouch for millerbros, I like some of their stuff
 
MY suggestion would be a place called Dark Sword Armory. These are handmade by a Japanese sword smith who currently resides in China (Akio Hattori). Most fit with in your budget, though a few don't. You're looking at $400 to $700 for his katanas.
 
free man said:
Paul Chan? Worst knife off in China. For his comments.
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paul chen is made with quality in mind. they are doing very good for the amount of people that are buying them. from my understanding they have a line up that is made from hand only, do you know of another brand that is made like this in there price range?? please tell me.
 
Zombie tools xiphos is appealing. They don't seem to have any warranty though which is slightly disappointing considering the price.

Dark sword armoury katanas look pretty good, do they have a warranty?

Paul Chen does seem very knowledgable, it would be wrong for me to be prejudice against his swords just because they're made in china. He may have a very skilled workforce.
 
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Anarkistic said:
Paul Chen does seem very knowledgable, it would be wrong for me to be prejudice against his swords just because they're made in china. He may have a very skilled workforce.
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His work started out as a passion to bring reasonably priced, differentially heat treated Japanese STYLE swords to the masses. He single handedly paradigm-shifted the landscape of what was available to the mass market. You do know that historically speaking it is HIGHLY probable that the basic methods of this style originated in China, right?

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
On a side note I find it funny for the modern trend of asking for real and functional swords and follow it up to have attributes a real sword would never possess such as to chop wood.

I think the Busse offerings would be your best bet but a machete imo would stand ahead of the pack for both tool and weapon because the chopping swords are rather unlively in comparison for combat.
 
A fighting sword is not just a big knife. True swords are springy and relatively light for a good reason, they are engineered that way to provide fast and resistant impacts that can yield to help absorb blows. The same concept as your vehicle's shock absorbers.

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EW015-Sword_Pioneer_650.jpg


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From top to bottom: Swiss model 1875, Austrian 1853, Russian model 1827, Spanish model 1843

What you are describing sounds more like the traditional pioneer/engineer's sidearm. These were short swords which were primarily intended as tools for foraging or combat engineers. They would have been used to prepare locations for artillery positions, but would be better than bare hands if the position were overrun. These types of edged tools survive today as camp knives and machetes.

n2s
 
crossada said:
On a side note I find it funny for the modern trend of asking for real and functional swords and follow it up to have attributes a real sword would never possess such as to chop wood.

I think the Busse offerings would be your best bet but a machete imo would stand ahead of the pack for both tool and weapon because the chopping swords are rather unlively in comparison for combat.
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I don't intend to use my sword to chop wood. A real sword of old would have had to endure heavy strikes / thrusts against metal armour / chain mail. I mentioned the ability to chop wood just to emphasize the fact i want a durable, tough blade. If it makes you happy, I will reword my request - I'm looking for a functional sword which will hold up well ( ie withstand breakage / chipping / deformity ) if struck against bone / metal armour and has the ability to pierce chain mail using forward thrusts.
 
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