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looking for a gladius.

Is it bad that I kinda like that one? Cold Steel's cheap stuff is pretty good value, IMO. I still have a tough time buying it rather than just making my own, but you know. Maybe it's my inner mall ninja trying to escape.
 
I've always been a cold steel fan. I beat the crappie out of them then grind away the damage until I have nothing left. I have to take a pic of an older cold steel machete I have in my shed which now looks like a tooth pick.
 
Here's one I did a while back using an Albion blade. Came out to just a little north of your price range (including the leather sheath) so it can be done.





 
Those two gladius by Mr O'Neil and Mr Crawford are very good looking renditions. I asked about the Cold Steel one used to be beat on by the two gladius made by the contestants, and thought it was interesting the tester looked at the CS one and said something like "A few scratches". A very good friend of mine surprised me and sent me a CS gladius and he is of the opinion that the steel CS used (1055) is probably better than the steel used by the Romans. I wonder if anyone has ever read anything about the quality of the Roman gladius? To me it would seem that with legions from England to Bulgaria on to Palestine, that the quality would vary from place to place as I doubt a legion could put in a requisition back to Rome for X number of gladius to be shipped to location XXXX. Has anyone any information about the steel and quality of the Roman gladius. Thanks. John
 
John, if you haven't already seen it, check out this video from PBS' Nova. It addresses some of those very questions.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/secrets-viking-sword.html

I agree that the 1055 is probably far superior to the original Roman forgings. Even if the Romans
could get .55% carbon it was probably "hit and miss" & surely the steel was more prone to impurities not found in todays stock.
 
Albion really know their stuff.
If your not really into swords too much you might pick up one of their blades and think that its crap, because they are light and thin and flexible. Compared to most mass produced "Swords" that people today are exposed to they will feel like a toy.
They arent though. They are very very well made and heat treated, and they function the way a sword is supposed to. If you want a wall hanger, or just a beater, dont go Albion. If you want a legit sword, then Albion is hard to beat, especially in their price range. Just my 2 pennies.
 
D.Crawford said:
Here's one I did a while back using an Albion blade. Came out to just a little north of your price range (including the leather sheath) so it can be done.





Click to expand...

That's the one I have! I got it from the forumite who got it from you, I think. It's a beautiful sword!
 
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