Cutlass

[superc]

Toying with getting a functional cutlass. I see Cold Steel offers a "clone" of the USN model. Does anyone else offer a functional cutlass?

 

[blindside]

Take a look at Albion's Trafalgar:

http://www.albionarmorers.com/swords/albion/late/trafalgar.htm

It is a step up in price, $400 with current sale, but it appeals to me way more than the CS ones do.

~B

 

[superc]

What I don't know about cutlasses would fill a book, but shouldn't the blade be more curved with a heavy point like that of a saber and offset at more of an angle from the handle for greater hacking power? Or is that just the US versions that were like that?

 

[blindside]

"Cutlass" is just a general term, and there is quite a variety of designs out there. Most cutlass' were curved but several were not, look up the 1841 US Naval Cutlass for an example of a straight design.

 

[superc]

I found it. The US 1841 looks like a Gladis knockoff with a handguard. The 1860 design is more what I was thinking of, but the 1917 looks functional too. I recognize the trade off of weight for speed, but the 18 gauge guard on the Albion seems a little light for protecting fingers from a hack with a sword. 18 Gauge is what was on the side of the lockers in the HS gym 30 years ago and I remember how easily we opened up one of those lockers with an old Mauser 98 bayonet one day. It cleaved and opened that sheet metal like a P38 can opener. For protecting fingers I would expect/want a cutlass finger shield to be a little thicker. Does anyone have an original and if so how thick was the guard metal?