Hanwei

[Sea Monster]

Does anyone have any experience with Hanwei swords? (specifically their ultra budget, unsharpened "practical swords"?)

I recently moved to a state with slightly more lax stabby laws, and I want to get a sword to celebrate, but I have no money, a local shop sells Hanwei and Windlass swords and I was wondering if anyone knew anything about them?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

It's been about 5-6 years since I saw one, but the qualities alright if your not planning on any serious duelling

Get a Kukri instead

[Sea Monster]

Define serious duelling 

Not planning to defend my honour at any particular point in time, but there's a certain psychological edge to owning a sword, instead of a sword-shaped-object.

I'd like to think I could paint myself in woad and invade england if the need arises.

[2xTap]

Nomad,

Can't say as I have ever handled one, but over the years I've heard more good than bad about the Hanwei line. A good place to go to check out such swords is here: http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/authentic-japanese-swords.html

2xTap

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'd like to think I could paint myself in woad and invade england if the need arises.

You'd definetly need a Kukri or that

[Chako]

Here are some of my favorite sword web sites. I think you will find it beneficial to spend a few hours reading these before buying.

http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/index.html

and....

http://www.myarmoury.com/reviews.html

and...

http://www.sword-manufacturers-guide.com/index.html

 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Gotta be done....

What's a Hanwei?

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Gotta be done....

What's a Hanwei?

Def

There a cutlery company

They make some bloody good reproductions of knives too

[Grant Lamontagne]

And the award for leavin' me hanging goes to.....

 

Def

[Sea Monster]

What's a Hanwei?

218 lbs!

http://www.todaysseniors.com/pages/height_weight_chart.html

[Gareth]

I've got a couple of their European style swords and, for the money, they are perfectly well made and they can actually take a good but of duelling abuse.   They do keep "refining" the designs every year or two and the only big criticism I have is that at one point the hand-and-a-half sword became too light, not that these swords should ever be heavy but they went too far and the blade was much too flexible.  Oh, and the hand-and-a-half is about 10-15cm to short IMO.

What sword were you looking at?

[Sea Monster]

I was thinking Practical Viking to start with. (The shop appeared to have a Viking, a single handed broadsword, and a hand-and-a-half)

Their website says they are built for combat and stage, which suits me fine.

I'd also consider a Danish Axe (i'd have to ask the shop if they can order in for me)

The Windlass steels swords are a bit more expensive, but they seem to be getting decent reviews on the interwebs (ie. Not fantastic, but you get what you pay for)


If I had the money I'd get one of those Conan reproduction swords, but that's out of the question.

[Gareth]

Is it the basket-hilted broadsword?  That's the only Hanwei I've ever see fail, the tang was to thin and broke.   The Medieval/Viking style swords are tough as old boots though, you wouldn't go wrong with any of them.

[Grant Lamontagne]

What's a Hanwei?

218 lbs!

http://www.todaysseniors.com/pages/height_weight_chart.html

Thank you. 

Def

[Chako]

Windlass, I would stay away from. They tend to have a bad characteristic in many of their blades, that of being too springy and whippy.

I have the Hanwai Taza Spanish cup hilt rapier and Main Gauche. It is definitely very nice quality wise.

EDIT: Might as well give you this nice link.

http://bellsouthpwp.net/d/e/deodand23/Weapon-List/Blade-List.htm