Paul Chen/Hanwei Practical Longsword Review

[IronHills Dwarf]

I've put a short little review of the blunt Practical Longsword I just had delivered, up on my site. I'm pretty happy with it given what it cost. (be warned my photographic qualities rank pretty low! lol ) I'd recommended it as a good steel 'beater'.

http://me-warfare.atspace.com/hanwei-longsword-review.html

[Walderomir]

Good review I have to say. What is your opinion on the practical Viking sword they produced?

[IronHills Dwarf]

I haven't had a chance to actually use one (of any generation) but I've heard allot of good things about the 2nd gen models. 3rd gen should be better. So in general I think the Hanwei practical line is a pretty safe bet.

Glad you liked the review.

[Walderomir]

Thanks again, I've had my eye on one of those for some time just to use as pretty much a practice sword. Hope to see more reviews in the near future :)

[IronHills Dwarf]

Thanks again, I've had my eye on one of those for some time just to use as pretty much a practice sword. Hope to see more reviews in the near future :)

Glad I could help. More reviews will depend largly on cashflow.... lol

[Nilion Elentano]

Good review I have to say. What is your opinion on the practical Viking sword they produced?

I have one of those, and had to make an awful lot of weight reduction, mostly for one reason, it being a one handed sword you need to be able to perform without breaking your wrist and that sword with the very short handle it has (at least for my hand) tends to allow very little space to manouver with your wrist.

The balance is decent enough, you can make proper 8 swings using your shoulder mostly.

However again for that price you can't really moan a lot, and it does look nice, plus the wooden scabbard is really well made and the scabbard alone in some cases can cost you more than some swords (maybe not but can cost you quite a lot all the same)

*goes off to read IHD's review*

*a few minutes later*

Great review IHD, I see your understanding of sword dynamics is certainly vast, and most important of all, you don't fail to review according to your needs. After all we can only criticize or review according to our own needs or experience.

I'm sure the sword will deepen this understanding of its dynamics and also allow you to experiment and gain truly priceless insight when it comes to designing weaponry, and also it will waken up the warrior inside ;) :thumbs: :battle:

Only one thing, it's Oakeshott ;)

http://www.oakeshott.org/

[Nilion Elentano]

I would review my newly acquired Last Legend MK IV but I still have a fair bit of dance/cutting/kata to do with it before I can fully appreciate its qualities, however here's a few photos (hope you don't mind me posting them IHD)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/Eldayn/MK%20IV/MKIVandSaya.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/Eldayn/MK%20IV/MKIVHamon2.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y33/Eldayn/MK%20IV/UmeTsubaHinerimakidetailandMKIV.jpg

All I can say to this point is... it's a Shobu Zukuri geometry (Swept willow leaf sword which is my favourite style and most elven too). It's also one of 400 in the world, and it's been customized with green silk in the handle (tsukamaki) also the tsuba (Guard) is a custom iron tsuba and recently I sanded the pommel and band near the tsuba (fuchi and kashira) to reveal the brass dragonflies it brings :grin:

[IronHills Dwarf]

I see your understanding of sword dynamics is certainly vast
Well take that as a compliment, though it doesn't always (or even most of the time) feel that vast or even substantial! lol

You've got a 2nd gen. Practical Viking I assume? The 3rd gen is a touch longer and a tad heavier even (2 pounds - 6 ounces) I've heard complaints about the length of "every" grip on reproduction viking swords. ;)

I'm certainly looking forward to the spring/summer and getting back into regular sparring. This year with a bit more structure and discipline to it.

Very nice LL piece there Nilion. Is that from the new series of Japanese swords they just came out with? I hear they have a new Euro line in the works as well... I wish I could have reviewed my piece a bit better but I really don't have an indoor facility with enough space to use it properly. Ahh well it can wait I guess. BTW what news on the forge?

(oh thanks for pointing out the typo, dang 'e' key is getting sticky I guess ;))

[Nilion Elentano]

Well take that as a compliment, though it doesn't always (or even most of the time) feel that vast or even substantial! lol

You've got a 2nd gen. Practical Viking I assume? The 3rd gen is a touch longer and a tad heavier even (2 pounds - 6 ounces) I've heard complaints about the length of "every" grip on reproduction viking swords. ;)

I'm certainly looking forward to the spring/summer and getting back into regular sparring. This year with a bit more structure and discipline to it.

Very nice LL piece there Nilion. Is that from the new series of Japanese swords they just came out with? I hear they have a new Euro line in the works as well... I wish I could have reviewed my piece a bit better but I really don't have an indoor facility with enough space to use it properly. Ahh well it can wait I guess. BTW what news on the forge?

(oh thanks for pointing out the typo, dang 'e' key is getting sticky I guess ;))

Well allow me to say IHD, when the knowledge interferes with the practice, then it's not much use. if everytime you do something and the mind automatically switches to analog and starts to rationalize and analyze everything then you find yourself missing the things that build up the experience... of course a well trained mind can keep the balance and then you analyze/experience and that's the ideal situation, in my opinion that is.

Yeah I got a 2nd generation.

The L.L katana is an MK IV from the previous series, I wanted a Shobu Zukuri geometry because I consider it to be the most elven styled blade in existance, and my move seemed to be the right one, since that geometry has been retired for good, so it's no more. Also it's been customized, but I'm going to add some further modifitcations, a new paddle shape scabbard in bubinga burr perhaps, and a habaki (blade collar) in a multilayered mix of silver, certainly once it's all done I will show photos.

As for the forge, I have had a few delays this month, I'm no longer selling my wares through BUK and have been concentrating on trying to get a site up as soon as possible, but even so the guys from BUK have failed to deliver me the remaining stock, and some of it is meant to go to Iluvatar for reviewing and auctioning, etc, so I have Illuvatar waiting and all! disgraceful I know... so all these delays have delayed the cash flow which should enable the forge to be finished, however it is going to happen, one way or another.

[IronHills Dwarf]

I have to agree with you on the katana looking quite elvish, though if it were mind I'd probably change the grip to leather. ;) But I've never been very partial to Japanese fittings.

To bad to hear about BUK, I recall you telling me they were giving you troubles. Tell me if you need anyhelp with setting up a site, I'm no web wizard, but if I can help in anyway let me know. :)

[Nilion Elentano]

I have to agree with you on the katana looking quite elvish, though if it were mind I'd probably change the grip to leather. ;) But I've never been very partial to Japanese fittings.

To bad to hear about BUK, I recall you telling me they were giving you troubles. Tell me if you need anyhelp with setting up a site, I'm no web wizard, but if I can help in anyway let me know. :)

Cheers IHD I will certainly bear it in mind, since I'm not wizard at all in that field lol

I know what you mean, I will make a tsuka body with the leather wrapping, but still silk is far superior for the grip, however it's good to have all the possible looks don't you think?

So how is it going with your sword? I have done some cutting with mine already but I'm going to upgrade certain fittings with some made by myself, so the monster is still being reviewed :grin:

[IronHills Dwarf]

It's going pretty good. I've done some light, slow, sparring with it. It feels great one handed, but with two hands it feels a tad pommel heavy for my tastes. But since I expected to be a bit cruddy one handed I'm not going to complain to much. ;) I also took out a few very light scratches I hadn't noticed before. Very minor, hard to see them unless the light was exactly right.

[Nilion Elentano]

It's going pretty good. I've done some light, slow, sparring with it. It feels great one handed, but with two hands it feels a tad pommel heavy for my tastes. But since I expected to be a bit cruddy one handed I'm not going to complain to much. ;) I also took out a few very light scratches I hadn't noticed before. Very minor, hard to see them unless the light was exactly right.

Are you using a particular treaty? or are you going instinctively around?

If not and you feel like it allow me to recommend you talhoffer's medieval combat manual... not heavy, nor too simple, and allows you plenty of space to try stuff in drill if you feel creative.


Don't worry about the scratches, those are proud marks of proper usage.

[Illuvatar]

Wow....you two are really impressive with all this stuff!!

I've been watching and just reading along, trying to pick up a few things here and there, and I hope you don't mind me jumping in! :p hehe

I'd be very interested in finding out about this "Talhoffer's" manual. Where can I get one, etc. etc. etc. And any other advice you two could offer me would be great!

I recently got our "official sword" Ringil in the mail and have been having fun swinging it around in my backyard. hehe It's balanced real nice to where I can set it flat on my wrist about 6 inches above the cross-gaurd and hold it in front of me quite easily. I'm not knowlegable about weapons at all and am just now getting comfortable with my bows, but when Jason said that it was balanced, it was the only thing I could think of to test it. :p

I've had a go at pruning the pine tree with it and the edge is sharp enough for me to slice through some fairly decent sized branches! lol It's only that sharp (not even enough to cut your finger) from the tip to about a foot or so from the tip. The rest is dull, but he also said that I could sharpen the whole thing if I wanted to, but that's another thing that I'm unsure about.

I don't think that I'm going to get into this enough to join any re-enactment groups and go do battle, but I would like to learn more about the art and be able to practice attacking and defending at least in my own backyard. I've also got plans to be sharpening or polishing it the first time some young stud comes over to take my daughter out on a date. She's only 6 now, but I'm getting ready now! lol

Please.... if you would be so kind as to impart some of your wisdom in the art of swordplay to Ole Illu...I would be very appreciative! :grin:

[IronHills Dwarf]

Hi Illu,

Well first of all no more pruning trees! That's usually considered a :nono:. Besides the fact that the blade was not intended for it, if you move up to bigger branches you could bind the blade. The sword is a killing weapon, not a garden tool. ;) Cardboard boxes should work well for cutting tests for you right now, if you get it sharpened - dowels and maybe some pork legs. Secondly congrats on getting a nice blade! I like that design, and while its not Ringil for me (maybe a early second age sindarin blade) it's quite elegant.

But I guess my question is what do you primarily want to do with the sword? Learn cutting technique, or sparring? I'd be slightly leery of sparring with that particular sword if I wanted to keep it looking like a collectors piece. It's a beautiful design but if I'm not mistaken the guard and pommel are bronze (or brass?), I'd be hesitant to spare with it if you want to keep it looking nice - as you might start getting nicks in that lovely vine pattern, especially coming out of a bind. ;) On the other hand if I owned one (I wish!) I'd probably use it because I'm from the school of thought that says battle scares give the sword some personality. :cool:

I am actually using Talhoffer's fetchtbuch right now, along with selections from Meyer, Danzig, and Sutor. If you want these texts Illu I personally have found this website quite useful (see link below). The comments are useful and easy to understand. I've been using Talhoffer off and on for quite a while, but not very seriously, it's useful that way as it's easy to tailor to your needs. This summer will be different and more serious. :flamer:

http://www.schielhau.org/

Bare in mind that Talhoffer's illustrations sometimes show things that are not practical (don't even try them!) with a sharp blade. Murderstrikes and quillion wrenches in particular come to mind. But for basic stances the five basic strikes it's useful because it is illustrated quite well. Now I'm sure Nillion and myself could get into a long discussion on half-swording..... ;) But it's a good introduction overall.

On balance, six inches is acceptable, but sort of the upper end of the limit. Usually a longsword's POB will fall between 6-3 inches. Mine is 3. I've been experimenting with making a well balanced wooden waster (I don't think much of the all wood ones most places offer, there is no way you an get proper balance with wood pommels without making them huge) using a solid lead solder based pommel. I've found for myself at least the ideal balance point is between 4 1/2 - 5 inches. Less than about 4 and two handed use will become more awkward, more than 5 and one handed use gets much slower and harder. But mostly it's personal preference, you'll find your ideal POB after handling a few swords that differ. Oh and you did check the balance the right way, I usually use to fingers instead of the wrist but doesn't really matter, just remove those finger prints afterwards. ;)

I assume Jason gave you instructions on oilin, maintenance and such? (I was kind of surprised to see AoV advising the use of WD-40, it tends to evaporate more quickly than other types of oil)

Nillion,

The scratches I removed were those minor ones that it came with that I think I mentioned to you. I only took them out because I was interested in how hard it would be. I didn't even completely remove them but blended them in using the eraser technique. It will get it's share of sparring scuffs in time. ;)

I'm using the manuals but I'm also from the club that says, don't overly rely on them. It's still good to experiment and innovate on your own, lest you get predictable. ;)

[Nilion Elentano]

Sure thing Illu.

Just type 'Talhoffer Medieval Combat Manual' on Amazon.com and voila

There are several other books I could recommend you but I find talhoffer to be the most user friendly. At least you won't get tangled up in overly technical explanations.

I do have to say tho that I don't recommend any John Clemments material, I appreciate an individuals will to improve or come up with their own interpretation of Medieval Combat treaties, however there are issues which are paramount and cannot be forgotten when performing any fighting art, and these include not turning an effective technique into a mad swirling-fancy-dancing display for the ones who are easily pleased with visual yet non efficient drills.

The man even breaks blades when he could have saved himself the hassle by just bearing in mind that any straight blade geometry is not used as a slashing weapon, but as a cut and thrust sword.

Anyway Just bear in mind one thing Illu, always think you are in a battlefield, you might be there for hours, but only if you use your strenght wisely and distribute it properly in the targets you need to overcome... just like with bullets, if you fire too many rounds on a single target you might end up having to run away shortly.

In any event don't let us kill your enthusiasm with too much advice and stuff like that, just think logically, think effective and most of all enjoy safely ;) :grin:

I'm glad to hear IHD, I'm in the process of relacquering a part of my saya and I know how it feels when you think something could be wrong with any part of your blade.

Other than that I'm designing a set of Japanese fittings at the moment for the Sensei (and tameshigiri champion) of the White Heron Dojo, and I'm absolutely over the moon with it. Also this week should know exactly how many weeks away my forge is, and also this week *fingers crossed* I will be able to sort out something for Illu :whoohoo:

best regards for everyone

P.s I'm considering making a few vids of a series of sparring exercises I might end up doing with a friend, he fighting European style, I doing Japanese (and mixes ;) ) Also might record some test cutting eventually, so might have some material worth watching at some stage after May :grin:

Illu here's the link to the book in Amazon talhoffer (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1853675822/qid=1111361133/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/002-7605830-2317660?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

[IronHills Dwarf]

I do have to say tho that I don't recommend any John Clemments material, I appreciate an individuals will to improve or come up with their own interpretation of Medieval Combat treaties, however there are issues which are paramount and cannot be forgotten when performing any fighting art, and these include not turning an effective technique into a mad swirling-fancy-dancing display for the ones who are easily pleased with visual yet non efficient drills.

The man even breaks blades when he could have saved himself the hassle by just bearing in mind that any straight blade geometry is not used as a slashing weapon, but as a cut and thrust sword.


It's interesting you say that. I've not read the man's book, but I do find the ARMA a good resource. I certainly appreciate their attempt to make a more serious approach to western martial arts. I've found their articles on flat parrying particularly useful. As for the blade breaking, I never heard about this? Though it is true that most people don't get the difference between a "slash" and a "cut". The way in which the stroke is made and followed through on is quite different.