Basket hilted backsword?

**Kid Cossack** · 9th May 09, 07:10 PM

Ladies and gentlemen:

I have recently fallen back into the sword affliction. I started off simply enough, with a Windlass Steelcrafts Qama (very much like unto a Roman Gladius, but in actuality a Persian and/or Central Asian dagger/sword) and the madness has crept into me.

In honor of my Scots forefathers, Scots culture, and quite frankly "getting another sword" I am now in the market for a decent, functional basket hilted backsword. (A backsword is a single edged blade, whereas the broadsword is a double edged blade.) My interest is mostly in "light cutting" of two liter water bottles.

I know we're a mad rabble here, and mayhap someone amongst us fancies this type of blade, and can provide some guidance.

Paul Chen/Hanwei and Cold Steel each offer basket hilted broadswords, and Hanwei offers a basket hilted backsword . . . but I've heard some sketchy things about actually using the Hanwei European swords for, well, cutting.

I may be asking in entirely the wrong place, but they told us at boot camp that the only stupid question was the question you were too stupid to ask. So I ask!

**SoulFyre777** · 9th May 09, 07:19 PM

Honestly, I wouldn't be much use but to highly recommend the Sword Buyer's Guide. These guys know it ALL about every type of FUNCTIONAL sword on the market! Not sure if these guys offer anything in what you're in search of but I can also say that Darksword Armoury makes an awesome sword! I have a hand and a half sword of theirs and it is BEAUTIFUL! Hope this helps! Good luck with your search!

**Nerts** · 10th May 09, 12:55 AM

I agree, SBG is a good place to start. I have Cold Steel's broadsword and love the crap out of it! I know they used to make a backsword although I’ve never actually seen one before, but it might it be possible to hunt one down.

I haven't heard anything bad about Hanwei's European line recently, I know they've had some issues but I was under the impression they'd addressed them.

Also, www.swordforum.com is a great source of information. It's like Xmarks, but for swords!

Best of luck to you!

E.

**Highlander31** · 10th May 09, 03:23 AM

I would recommend Kirby Wise http://www.kirbywise.com/. He does some beautiful work. His swords are functional and fairly priced. Everything he does is hand forged. He will make a sword to your specifications, and it will do everything you expect a sword to do.

He holds a warrant from Lord Lovat, chief of the Clan Fraser in Scotland, and a warrant from the chief of the Irish Clan McMahon. He has pieces in various museums here in the States, and in Mexico, as-well-as with private collectors in the U.S. and abroad.

Here is a sample of his work.

**Woodsheal** · 10th May 09, 05:13 AM

Another outfit that offers back-edged as well as double-edged sword blades is Armour Class in Glasgow:
http://www.armourclass.co.uk/

**Kid Cossack** · 10th May 09, 05:14 AM

Nerts and SoulFyre777:

Actually, discovering the Sword Buyers Guide is what launched me spinning off into the world of swords again! I joined their forum, and have been learning a great deal about the modern sword world. Although I elided past it in my initial post, the Qama was only a start, and I have a fresh example of the Valiant Armoury Angus Trim line, the AT303S Arming Sword. It is a bottle cutting fiend, and I am thrilled at the efforts of Sonny Suttles to drive the market.

Until I get a non-gmail account, I am unable to register at Sword Forum International, but I do lurk there, albeit primarily at the military and antique blades sub-forum.

Highlander31:

Mr. Wise has been noted, his website saved for reference, and I am thinking that he will be a man I will turn to when I have done something deserving of a reward. For individually forged blades, his prices seem very reasonable indeed.

I thank you all for your responses.

**puffer** · 10th May 09, 06:21 AM

IMHO,
1. If you are looking for a "production sword" then Cold Steel ( even though it is a "Broad Sword") The blades are very good. ( Note,IMHO, the basket & hilt are a "little" large & the "pattern is "generic"but, if you are just "hacking away, it is a GREAT sword for the $$$)

2. If you can afford the extra $$ & the wait, Then I would choose Armour Class.
( "semi-Custom" )

Puffer

**Kid Cossack** · 10th May 09, 07:02 AM

Puffer and Woodsheal:

Thanks so much for the referral of Armour Class. Their basket hilts are simply lovely.

As a general matter, for those looking to purchase "off the rack" (so to speak) blades, I have had excellent luck purchasing from Kult of Athena. They offer a price matching guarantee, and their prices on Cold Steel swords are steeply discounted compared with direct purchases from Cold Steel. From my own experience, and that of SBG Forum members, they seem to be a reliable vendor.

**puffer** · 10th May 09, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Kid Cossack

Puffer and Woodsheal:

Thanks so much for the referral of Armour Class. Their basket hilts are simply lovely.

.

The GREAT thiing about AC, is that they will "customize". Blade, hilt basket ( "fire blued, polished etc.) Basket liner etc.

The only down side, is their scabbards etc. IMHO you will need to have a GOOD one made.

Puffer

**Kid Cossack** · 10th May 09, 03:54 PM

At the risk of going further afield . . . I do have one of the new Valiant Armoury AT303S's, and am quite enamored of it. It's got a threaded tang, which doesn't bother me in the slightest. Sometimes when I look at the threaded tang, I wonder . . . how would it look with a basket hilt?

Are there, do you know, aftermarket baskethilts available for purchase, which would be suitable for mounting to a VA sword?