SZCO Supplies 40.5” Hand Forged Carbon Steel Rustic Broad Sword with Leather Wrapped Handle, Black/Brown (901132)

In my quest for a training longsword, I happened upon this sword. For HEMA practitioners, and students learning the European Martial Arms Arts, particularly the Western European Longsword: consider this humble, inexpensive, high-carbon, full-tang longsword. If you are seeking a decent practical practice-longsword and are discouraged by the high costs of wooden, polypropylene, and high carbon steel federshwert practice swords; then check this rustic broadsword out. Under $40.00 (less than most poly-pro, or wooden practice swords), and certainly less than expensive HEMA -qualified federschwerts (at usually over $225.00), this baby rocks! It is durable: actual high carbon steel, basically unsharpened upon arrival (you can further blunt or hone it if need be), and heavy at around 4 pounds. You'll locate the POB (point of balance) about 6-inches north of the cross guard. Yes, it is a bit blade-heavy, and yes, it is heavy in general for a longsword: however, this is all perfect for training! The extra weight will help you greatly in stamina and strength, as, after training with this sword an actual longsword (around 3-pounds+) feels like a feather! The high carbon steel blade is 32-inches long. From pommel to cross guard is a tad under 8-inches. The pommel and cross guard are steel (not a wooden pommel, as one reviewer commented): and the wooden over-steel handle is wrapped in strip-leather, which is actual bovine-leather (not faux-leather, as another reviewer commented). In many of the historical MS. (manuscripts) left to posterity by the likes of Fiore dei Liberi, Hans Tolhoffer, Johannes Liechtenauer, and others; there is advocacy for training with real swords. Some even advocate training with actual sharpened swords. I can see the wisdom in that; as you're not likely to make the same mistakes twice (perchance because you've lost a finger or an eye). Since I don't actually want to kill my training partner, I won't train with sharpened swords, but actual swords, yes! There is a vast selection of real steel training swords, dulled, and combat ready. However, you will find these swords cost every bit as much as their actual real sword counterparts, if not more! This rugged broadsword is my solution, and I believe I chose well. Even though I take the advice of many old school fight book master's as per training with actual swords: I also strongly advocate all the safety-equipment needed. HEMA gloves: or padded, thick leather gauntlets; as well as a fencing helmet, chest, and arm protection, too. Motto: Real Training-Real Safety! For those who would say to NEVER train with actual swords for safety fears; I suggest enrolling in Badminton, or Crocheting, rather than fencing. This is a martial art form, and in my opinion, this sword is a perfect trainer. Buyers: please note that this is a high carbon sword, and as such it requires maintenance like all good real swords. This entails keeping the sword dry and moisture free. When not in use a light coating of oil should be applied. Even motor oil will work, but there are many oil products made especially for swords, knives, and plate armor. For the more experienced swordsman and swordswoman; this inexpensive sword has a high potential for customization! If you want a sword to customize, and are terrified of destroying a $250.00 mid-line sword: this baby has a lot of potential in that area! So fence on, warriors! Get the feel of real steel!

It's a full tang sword. That means the sword is a solid piece through guard, handle and into the pommel where it's peened. The grip covering is a cheap piece of leather helded by 4 push pins. You can pry the pins out with a blade and some pliers. The grip is too round and thick to be comfortable, so I removed it. The grip itself is just rounded pieces of wood held by two pins that are hammered into rivets. There are probably better tools to remove the pins, but I made do with some flush cutters. Just remove the wood bit by bit around the pin. Then use flush cutters to trim the pins down slowly. The pins are aluminum, softer than steel, so its doable if you nibble tiny bits at a time. Once the bulge is removed, you can tap the pin out with a 3/16 punch. It took a few passes and some patience. Both the guard and pommel are welded poorly. Matters more for the guard since mine got loose after some light use. You can weld it yourself, fill it with solder, JB weld or shim it. Since it's $30 sword. JB Weld worked nicely. Very solid after filling the gaps. If you're good with wood, it should be easy to fashion a simple grip. I'm better with CAD, so I just designed a set of grips to print. #8x1 inch screws work. Needs to be a millimeter shorter, but a file made quick work. #10 screws would probably be better if you drilled and tapped the holes. Need to test for a bit before adding loctite or clear nail polish. I plan to reuse the leather and push pins since it's a $30 sword. But you could always get a nice tennis leather grip wrap. Although very sloppily put together, it's a real sword, not fake junk. Note, very blunt. Its like 45 degree edge (total 90) or more, so safe for handling, but will cave in anything with a heavy blow. If you want a sharp edge, a Fiskars Axe sharpener will give it 30 degrees which is sharp but sturdy. Better to leave it as is, unless you need the edge. Very heavy for one handed, but even two handed, will tax grip strength if you use full strength. I recommend watching "Strong Wrists + Grip Workout for Swords" first. There is no reason to get a sword, but you get to live your childhood fantasies. Plus, it's more fun than regular exercise.

I'm always dubious of "cheap" or shall I say "low priced swords", and I always approach such purchases cautiously. I've seen this sword many places on the web, but few reviews. So, I went out on a limb and purchased one to check it out myself, and report my findings. The sword is intended (obviously) to look old, and it certainly does. It's appearance is rough, but intentionally so. But: it's very well put together for something so inexpensive. Not only is this sword full tang, but the tang is what is referred to as a "scale tang". Meaning: the tang is as wide as the handle. The handle is two slabs of wood (unsure of type, but it's a hardwood, maybe even oak), and there are indeed steel pins attaching the handle slabs to the tang. The cross-guard and pommel are solid steel, and are attached quite solidly. The handle is wrapped with suede leather, tacked at each end (upholstery nail/tack). I will be ditching this wrapping and sanding the handle down a bit (as it is a bit too "round"). Then I will re-wrap it with better quality leather. I will also be cleaning the sword up, removing the artificial aging (which it indeed does appear to be rusted...the fittings appear to be rough cast and then blackened). Cleaned up, this sword will make a great costume piece, and I would daresay that it is solid enough for practice. Probably wouldn't stand up to a pell, but I'd be willing to test it based on the low (LOW) price. Very pleased.

Lots of character for a low price. Seems pretty solid, and the blade is clearly hand forged and has a lovely natural and bonafide patina. Comes semi-sharp, but it's quite easy to put a better edge on it, if needed. The wooden knob at the end of the handle is flat sided on both sides, so it's easy to add a pin or crest or whatever. I've got a couple of old tarnished coins that I'll epoxy on, and I think it will look great. It's a nose-heavy sword and would be tiring to swing around all day, but its heft means it isn't a toy. It comes wrapped in a plastic bag inside a cheap cardboard box, without any styrofoam to keep it from banging around, so if this is a gift, you'll want to package it better. Anyway, lots of fun and I'm very happy with it.

Ordered this for a costume party for my husband and didn’t read the materials.. it’s actually a heavy metal sword! It’s really nicely made and even a bit sharp, he absolutely loved it. It would be nice if it came with a scabbard but for the price it’s a great buy.

Full Tang, hardened steel, good weight, semi-sharp. Spent $60 CAD and couldn't be happier. This is a perfect training sword (might want to dull it down tho) Good weight, handle is hand and a half sized. Only problem is how rusty is was, but I spent 10 mins with some WD40, paper towels, and a bit of elbow grease then this thing was looking nice, for a $60 sword. I've spent more money on much worse swords that have a tacked on tang and can't be swung safely. I'd say just for the durability and fact that it's full Tang would make this worth at least $100. Good buy, just wish they didn't ship them separately when I ordered 2 together.

Not bad. Not bad at all. Having bought the great medieval sword a little while ago and being disappointed, I thought I'd give this one a try. I am rather please with it, particularly when it comes to solo, drill practice. There is a good weight to it and the blade doesn't flex and wobble if you do a windmill strike with it. From the bottom of the guard to the pommel is only 8inches in length, only about 1 inch shorter than Cold Steel's Hand-and-a-half training sword. If it had been the same, this sword would be a bit more comfortable to use. But it's okay and for the price, it's great. The overall look of the sword is fine, rustic and worn. Some of the other reviews have been a bit to hard on this sword for bad workmanship. Yes, the sword is a bit rough and things may not line up and the blade my not be perfectly straight, but it is also a $40 sword that is meant to look worn and used and battle weary. That is exactly what it looks like, old and rustic. The handle is wrapped in faux leather but I don't think it's going to hold up to continual use, pretty light fabric to say the least. As a wall hanger it's fine, but if you're planning on actually using the sword then you'll need to figure something else out when the time comes. Overall, I'm happy with it and it will be a great addition to the workout.

After browsing around a lot and reading the reviews for this sword, I finally puschased one. It came to my door very quickly. This sword is full tang, rock solid, and has just the right amount of weight to it for proper swings. It's also quite attractive in person. The handle is long enough for one and a half of my hands for a precise swing. II highly reccomend this item to anyone that is interested and was reading reviews like I was before I purchased this.