Since I'm in the States for about a month on business I took advantage of my "River Prime" account to order this. It didn't fall under "free international shipping". The total price was about $33 USD. I had seen it a few times and wondered how much "real sword" you could get for that little money.
Pros:
It's real. By real, I mean carbon steel. Seems to have some flex which I tested by putting it point down and pressing down some, returned to true. Comes "sort of" sharp. I unwrapped the hilt and it is full tang with an actual welded on pommel. Hilt wood is pinned to the full tang in two places. Fixing it up would make a great winter project.
Cons:
Grip is too fat and just a bit short to be a hand and a half sword, making it unwieldy. I'll likely thin the hilt and possibly shorten the blade some when I get home where my tools are. Blade finish is ugly. Black paint on pommel and guard is ugly. No sheath but beggars cannot be choosers. Cannot do any cutting at all due to hotel policies.
All in all I feel that this was amazing for just $33. If you want to see the item just go to the river site and type in the thread title.
In my experience you usually get what you pay for and this is probably the lowest end carbon steel available, but in this case I'm pleased.
Pros:
It's real. By real, I mean carbon steel. Seems to have some flex which I tested by putting it point down and pressing down some, returned to true. Comes "sort of" sharp. I unwrapped the hilt and it is full tang with an actual welded on pommel. Hilt wood is pinned to the full tang in two places. Fixing it up would make a great winter project.
Cons:
Grip is too fat and just a bit short to be a hand and a half sword, making it unwieldy. I'll likely thin the hilt and possibly shorten the blade some when I get home where my tools are. Blade finish is ugly. Black paint on pommel and guard is ugly. No sheath but beggars cannot be choosers. Cannot do any cutting at all due to hotel policies.
All in all I feel that this was amazing for just $33. If you want to see the item just go to the river site and type in the thread title.
In my experience you usually get what you pay for and this is probably the lowest end carbon steel available, but in this case I'm pleased.
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