Roman sword quality...

L

lasersailor184

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Sep 15, 2003
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I was just curious as to the quality of Roman swords around the height of their empire (-100 BC) when compared to the quality of metal we have today.

I'm not talking about a sword for the Caeser, but a sword for a general soldier.
 
I was just curious as to the quality of Roman swords around the height of their empire (-100 BC) when compared to the quality of metal we have today.

They were good enough to get the job done; which is more that can be said for most sword-like objects made today. In a society like ancient Rome, any manufacturer who supplied defective goods risked becoming lion chow. We may be good at classifying steel according to chemical composition, but they were probably better at using whatever steel composition was available and adopting their design to make the most of it.

n2s
 
Modern steel is superior to any historical steel, but I'm sure Roman swords were quite serviceable. They would have been standarized and produced in huge numbers, so they probably had a pretty developed system of quality control.
 
Which of the common Roman Gladius copies currently available is best?

Is the one from Museum Replicas (Windlass Steelcrafts) any good?
 
James Green Dragon said:
Which of the common Roman Gladius copies currently available is best?

Is the one from Museum Replicas (Windlass Steelcrafts) any good?
Click to expand...

My vote is for the ones from www.albionarmorers.com As for MRL... well in my experience you get what you pay for...
 
If you are interested in a reproduction gladius, may I suggest that you read the comments and advice given in this site:
http://whoa.femail.com/legioxx/index.html
Legio XX is quite good at what they do and the people who do thair website, including "Quintus", Matthew Amt, really do know their stuff.
 
A good sword is both a weapon and a work of art, and for the most part few buy them as practical weapons. They really can't be compared to regular firearms. If you want a practical weapon buy a firearm.

For inexpensive but good working swords, try www.kriscutlery.com . I don't have their gladius but I have several of their Filipino and Japanese style swords. They are not fancy but they work.
 
James, what are seeking out of that Roman sword? If you want a handy shorsword, then the Kris Cutlery Pompeii style gladius is a good buy. They are durable, light, quick, and not expensive. But if you want historical accuracy and aesthics along with your gladius, then you are going to pay more to buy one that is of acceptable quality. One simply does not stamp out swords, they take a skilled smith a goodly amount of time to make. If you want to see an example of what a true work of art in the form of a sword looks like, take a look at the reproduction that Patrick Barta made of the sword from the Sutton Hoo ship burial. That sword is $4000+ and it is reasonable when you look at the work and the artistic skill that went into it.
Here is the thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=334115
 
Thanks Fuller - and don't get me wrong, I understand the value of a piece like that. I just don't have the money for it - it'd be like putting an elevator in an out-house. When I think swords, I want function and aesthics. Probably alot to ask for in the price range... I'll check out the Kris Cutlery Pompeii gladius though.
 
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