Sabersmith Hand and a Half Sword Review
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- čas přidán 6. 06. 2021
- Sabersmith Site:
sabersmith.com/
Specs of the sword in the review:
Hilt: 9.5”
Grip:7.5”
Blade:27.25
Total: 36.75”
Weight: 3lb 2.6oz
POB: 3” (from cross)
Width @ Cross: 1.69”
Thickness @ Cross: .19”
Width @ 10” from Cross: 1.59”
Thickness @ 10” from Cross: .18”
Width @ 20” from Cross: 1.50”
Thickness @ 20” from Cross: .18”
MSRP: approximately $675 (sword)+$100(scabbard)
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semi fantasy functional sword, is a nice idea . the pomel looks like a disco ball lol.
disco disco
@@Matthew_Jensen Anything goes on the battlefield, even stunning your enemy with your disco pommel light reflection I guess 💎
More like a 5e dice
Hey Matt ... thank you very much for the shout out ... I really appreciate it. I reviewed a katana, a fantasy sword (Elven Longsword), and a two-handed sword. This is an interesting brand. Contrary to some other comments ... I wouldn't call it junk. I also wouldn't call them historical builds either. The steel they use is the same 1075 that RK uses in their Euro models ... a very tough brand btw. They are really what I would call a novelty brand. They have a very gimmicky look (not meant as a negative term ... ITS A COOL LOOK!!) that sells really well at Ren Faires. That being said ... for those NOT buying this at a Ren Faire ... you should consider what are you going to use this for? Other than something fun during the Zombie Apocalypse ... which I could totally see especially with their katanas ... its not really going to appeal to those interested in the hobby because there ARE, in fact, some really good brands ... LIKE DSA (thank you Matt for mentioning them!) that make much more historical builds at increasingly more affordable price points especially when it comes to European swords. On another note ... the ones I got I got with what they called an EXTRA SHARP edge ... which looked like that made the secondary bevel (or the knife edge as I called it) much deeper. They also can do a single bevel flat grind especially on their katanas ... something to consider.
Funny you mentioned Conan. I was thinking the same thing. I’d probably wrap the scabbard in leather and go for a Barbarian-esque look with it .
Love your honesty about how you test before each review. Well done video!
I bought a two handed sword from these guys at the MN Ren fair and everything that is said in this video is my thoughts exactly. Pretty dang good build quality, interesting design, and they seem like good people. But it's just such an odd target market. For the normal retail price of the two handed sword of theirs I could buy a much nicer historically accurate sword that's (IMO) cooler. But I was able to haggle these guys down $150. So if you can do that and have extra money, eh it's really not a bad sword.
Thanks for doing a review on this. I'd always seen their shop at the Ren Faire and being a local business I'd been curious about supporting them, but their product always seemed more like a sword like object than a good sword. I really like the look and feel of the Scimitar (now just called saber) they do, but all their other blades are just way too heavy for the size. I'd be interested in what you think if you get your hands on some other product from them.
Yes it looks like it can take hard target cuts...glad to see it is built well, given the price range. although in that price range I would look elsewhere, should have had a sharper edge..but do like the company in general...great presentation Matt...thanks for sharing...
I have a hand and a half sword from them. I love it! 😀 I have a couple friends who do sword fighting, and they've both handled it and said it feels really good and very well balanced
I bought one of their Seax daggers last month and overall I think it's pretty good. I agree with what you said about their edge. It's not terrible, but it definitely leaves something to be desired. It could definitely do with some time with a wet stone or even a new edge. I'd say maybe 3.5 or 4 out of 5 stars
Being an owner of one of these swords I thought you were commentary was spot on. Well done informative not biased one way or the other just stating the facts pointing out the truth. Thank you
They are 40 minutes north of me. I just contacted them and asked if my family and maybe some other folks from school can get a tour.
I've been window shopping for a sword that would fit well for my body build. I'm a thinner person at 165lbs and 5'7". I want to find a sword that is of a decent length that isn't to long and easy for me to maneuver around. I was eyeing this sword as it seemed to not be overly long and decent weight. Any recommendations would be amazing too! Thanks!
Please review the katana as well I have been interested in it but don't know much about the company
How sharp are they?
You should try to buy a katana from true katana they have very affordable katanas but i wonder if their durable and worth it so can you review one. Please and thank you
I know it’s a bit off topic, but could you do a review of the cold steel competition cutting sword? I love the way you conduct your reviews and I am super curious to see if the sword would be worth it. Thank you for the binge watching videos!
I think that one is a CS version of a Windlass product that was discontinued some time ago. The hilt on this one looks a little longer and it has a sent stopper rather than a wheel pommel. For what it is, it looks fun but it is also on the shorter side. A 30" blade rather than a 36" blade makes a big difference when compared to some of the competition. I don't see getting one anytime soon but if you like it, then I bet it is a decent sword for the money.
@@Matthew_Jensen awesome thank you so much for the input!
@@Matthew_Jensen I’m thinking about getting the darksword armory one you destroyed.
800 bucks is getting into valiant armory territory. I just can't see paying that much for something like this when Ronin has pieces that are just as tough and more aesthetically pleasing and historically accurate for less than half the price
800 dollars is getting into Albion territory, bottom end. If you're capable of refining an Albion edge, it strikes me as strange that you'd be buying this. But, different markets.
@@DaelMorris yeah I agree. Different markets, but with the internet you'd think that people would do some research before dropping 800 dollars on a belt decoration. You can get something that would look better for 1/4 the price. And you can get something more functional AND better looking for around 300ish.
@@DaelMorris To be fair these are to be used for basically swing it at whatever you want so long as it’s not a solid block of stone or steel and you’re probably good if you try that with a sword from Albion you are going to break it
I've heard that Viking reenactment is big out there in Minnesota, is there any truth to that?
There is a team called the Vikings and they practice loosing battles a lot.
Hi I have a question Matthew, I have a blade made by 5160steel, which I never used for cuttings and never going to use for cuttings. Do I still need to oil the blade. How often do I need to oil the blade and how long do I need to keep it in oil
yes. 5160 will rust. If you don't touch it or use the blade, you can use a wax instead of an oil, because it will need rewaxing less often than reoiling. Look up renaissance wax, but you can also use any wax that has the right consistency.
it goes on like surfwax.
@@tsmspace thanks man
I also have a hand and a halfer from them, I have a bunch a stuff from them. I just wish, and will for any future purchases, if I do ever again, get the facted pommel. Best balance offered I think. Hex pommel is junk for anything g other then thier short sword/dagger.
That thing is neat. I really don't like it, but it's neat. To the right person, I could see them being very happy with it.
All those facets are there to reflect the zazz!
functionally a medieval sword but it has an industrial aesthetic overall
I've seen these at ren faires and have always said they are WILDLY overpriced for the, ehem, function and form of them... But an interesting review nonetheless Mathew!
your cutting might go better with a different technique. I don't want to say for sure, but I have some straight swords not terribly different, and I find that the tip speed is crucial, whereas with curved swords you lock your wrist into more of a slice. So, instead of getting a whoosh along the length of the blade, you want to rotate your wrists at the right time to get a fainter whip sound from the very tip. You still swing, but you cause the sword to rotate quite a bit faster right at the target with your wrists. My cuts using this technique and a somewhat similar sword shape are significantly cleaner than using the wrist lock style strikes that work best on a katana.
I have one if these, grabbed one on a sale on their website with scabbard for $430 shipped. Good deal for $430, but I wouldn’t pay $800
4:19 looks closer dude, that pommel is symmetrical.
semi-randomly came across your channel, you are doing good, keep it up, but i will say, with your beard grown out, you look like David Harbour. but again keep it up!
I have a way larger forehead, thankyouverymuch!
👍
Cerber sent me to check you out and he wasn’t wrong
Thanks for the sword brother.
Hope you enjoy it. I'll have it out in the not too distant future.
Very safe very human👍👍
Yeah for some reason Sabersmith shut down all custom ordering. They only have their already made inventory on their website. I bought a used two handed sword of theirs and it is extremely stout in its build. I am thinking of buying a katana from them as a beater shtf sword. Or i might pick up another Zombie tools sword i have a diphos from zombie tools that i love. Choices choices! Lmao!
There are many mid-range functional swords these days that are honestly pretty good. The overall quality has been on the upswing for a long time. That being said who is the market? For me purchasing a sword of +$500 requires a lot of research. Would I spend this money on a sword that looks cool? Well yes if it passed all the other criteria. What is the steel made of? Does the maker have a good rep? What am I going to use this for? If the sword is going to hang on your hip in a ren-faire I think you could find just as exotic looking swords for far less money since you really do not need a fully functional sword. Actually for a ren-faire you really just need a guard and hilt in a scabbard since you will not be drawing it the blade. If you are doing historic reenacting then you need a fully functional sword that is of the time period you are portraying. Unless you just like spending money on short, heavy, cool looking swords. Then okay then.
I wanna forge my own sword
I hate to sword shame but these seem like a bad deal. Nearly $800 for what amounts to a clunky fantasy sword for hitting logs in the backyard. You are better off with Cold Steel if that's your main goal...you could afford two. At that price you could get an entry level Albion. You could get a better fantasy sword from Baltimore Knife and Sword or a better log beater from Badger Blades at most Ren Faires. I feel like their target buyer is some uninformed impulsive Ren Faire shopper who can't be bothered to look two tents over for a better deal.
Agreed. It is overpriced as hell. I do not see anything that would justify how much this costs.
Cold Steel might offer something similar but that is a different situation. Those are not USA made, and quality control is spotty. While the design might not be for everyone, I can say that it is somewhat unique and probably caters to the desires of folks at a ren-fest. That said, I don't think people there are uninformed or lazy. They may not care about most aspects of the sword and just want it as functional art, or because of the experience they had while at the fest, or for whatever other reason. I have sneaking suspicion that the vast majority of sword buyers are not really sword enthusiasts. The comparison to BKS or Badger blades is a little more appropriate. Badger blades is a little less but also a little clunkier and less ornate (at least as I compare the average of what I see at a renfest..) BKS is very close and seems like they hit the same price point but have a different take on aesthetics. People also complain about them being ahistorical and too heavy.
Oddly at the MN renfest, people do not seem to care much about the history. At least as I look at the sword booths and hear what people say. The shoppers don't really seem to care about most of the features that a sword enthusiast would care about. Everyone has access to the internet on their phone and there are a bunch of companies within walking distance. Angel Sword, Arms and Armor, Badger Blades, Sabersmith, BKS, and I think Legacy Arms/Starfire are there too. All of them seem to get attention and similar questions. I suppose the point is, the customer has access to a lot of information. I think most just care about other factors and I don't really know what those are.
@@Matthew_Jensen Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I get where you are coming from. I'm just saying that if you want either A- souvenir fantasy sword or B- a backyard beater then there are options that are cheaper and better...probably within walking distance at an event. The customer does have access to a lot of information these days, but let’s be real most people aren’t going to bother looking into it.
Maybe you are willing to give the people who buy these the benefit of the doubt, and that perhaps they simply have different priorities. I believe that if they really did know what they were buying they would see a better deal two tents over even with a different set of values. I have a strong suspicion they are the same kind of people who would buy a bad car because the salesman talked them into it rather than researching and shopping around.
That’s not to say you can’t possibly know all these things and still like a sword like this. I just think that’s not the case for most ren faire shoppers.
As an enthusiast, I don't disagree. The properties I value in swords and the way I compare them colors that perspective. You and I are likely well in the weeds when it comes to swords and (speculating here) place less value in the experience of buying them as a life event. My argument here is that many of the folks at a renfest are making buying decisions that place zero value in the factors that I value. Frankly, most folks there are paying money to be surrounded by pricy novelty goods that offer a unique experience and ambiance. In the case of Sabersmith, people can go in and meet some of the folks that make the swords, learn about their process, dress up and walk around with them, touch them and hold them before buying... In the end they are supporting a hard working small business making goods in the USA, and the products (from what I can tell) seem to be durable and work as intended.
Could you get more for your money, yes but I suspect that is not the point for a number of buyers... You can buy a 24pack of Budweiser for what they charge for one at a renfest.. You can buy a whole turkey at a grocery store for the same price as a leg at the fest. You can buy all of the various goods sold there for less elsewhere with rare exception. I only have a small glimpse into what people do at the fest because of the limited time I am there and that my experience is limited to Minnesota, however, I would guess most people are happy with their purchases, most get the fun out of them they expected or wanted, and many probably do not care that it is cheaper somewhere else. For those folks that do care... Well, hopefully they walk to Arms and Armor or look online before forking over lots of money.
@@Matthew_Jensen Sure, having a fun souvenir from a life event is not to be underestimated. I’m just saying they could walk over to another tent and get that same experience for less money. They are on average $100-200 more than similar fantasy beaters. For that reason they seem to be targeted to customers who buy the first cool sword they see instead of looking around a bit. Whatever floats their boat I guess.
SWORDSSSSSSSSSSS
Good morning
Please tell me how to attached pulwar hilt with blade
Just a comment for the algorithm
I know two people who’ve bought swords from them, a hand and a half and a saber. We bought some tatami and tried some cutting, both swords were broken within a handful of cute. The hand and a hand broke at the cross, the grain tooled like the cross had been welded on. The saber lost its pommel. There are lots of really good swords that look cool and handle well for this price or even half as much. I don’t understand how they have such support in the market.
Lifetime warranty
So you returned them ,right no questions and they sent you New replacements?
You need to talk about their lifetime warranty if you say they broke .
I've been chopping trees down for years with my short sword and hand &half .
Done a fair few sword fights with them in armour they have been very abused and still look good .
@@richardlilley9716 neither of the swords were mine, I would assume they contacted them about the warranty considering how much they paid. I’ll have to ask them if they got refunds because they would have said something about replacement swords
Appreciate the review, but this sword looks like a piece of junk. They seem to have imitated the style of those cheap wallhangers you'll ocassionally see knocking around at some tourist trap store. At 3lbs 3oz that's a bit of a red flag for a 27" blade and your movements with it reflect that weight. Perhaps Sabersmith is dedicated to a particular type of person with particular demands but in my opinion there are better places to spend $775 these days.
Many sword collectors jump to this conclusion: lighter is better, and beginners only like heavy swords because they're inexperienced. --- however I challenge this norm. lighter swords are better,,, FOR a certain set of activities, however, this cutting example is the perfect example. That sword would likely NOT cut those bottles if it were super light unless Matt had more experience with the proper techniques. However, the weight gives it so much power. - therefore,, the experienced swordsman would know the strengths and weaknesses of a sword, know when and how to apply them,, and VERY CERTAINLY would employ heavier swords at certain times.
Definitely not junk, theyre well made, legit weapons, but they are geared more towards ren fair types who may not necessarily know what not to cut (2x4s, branches, etc) and hence, are overbuilt. I own one and its Definitely not a swordsmans sword, but at the end of the day, still a functional sword,
@@tsmspace
Complaints about heavy swords are usually specific to the sword type, this is relevant because while heavy swords may have some advantages, that doesn’t mean a beefed up version of every sword type is a good idea. Often it would be better to go with a different style altogether in order to get the desired cutting capability rather than making an overweight version of a less suitable design. As an extreme/silly/over the top example, a rapier which has been beefed up for cutting wood might be better at that task than a normal rapier, but it would also be a crappy rapier and still nowhere near as good at cutting as a more suitable design. An experienced swordsman might choose a heavy sword some of the time, but it won’t be this hypothetical overweight rapier.
Secondly, extra weight doesn’t necessarily translate to more cutting power because the distribution of it is also important. This particular sword has a point of balance quite near the crossguard, which tells us that a lot of the weight is in the hilt and not contributing to cutting ability. You could get more cutting power with a lighter blade with some distal (or profile, for that matter) taper, a lighter hilt and a point of balance which is further out, and since this would also probably mean a finer edge geometry in the cutting portion of the blade, this would give much better results against light targets like water bottles. I’m pretty sure there are clips of Mr Jensen cutting bottles with lighter swords, I know that when it comes to my own humble collection, the one which goes through a hard plastic bottle the easiest is also the lightest one I have.
Anyway, an experienced swordsman will understand the potential benefits of a heavy sword.....but there does have to be an applicable benefit which couldn’t be better achieved another way. In this case the extra weight isn’t being translated efficiently into cutting capability, isn’t being used to gain extra reach and isn’t being used to gain more comprehensive hand protection. What it does have is - presumably - a durable blade, and the hilt weight is probably there to keep it reasonably wieldable. I agree with others here that this is probably intended for hacking into wood (or similar activities) where durability is paramount, and being unnecessarily sluggish to move around isn’t so much of an issue because you don’t need to quickly recover from any of your strikes. Referring to my earlier point, however, this task would be better accomplished by an entirely different design such as an axe. (which, incidentally, would be a lighter weight for the same cutting capability)
I’d love to hear your recommendations on other brands. I’m always so torn with these saber smith swords. One one end, I can appreciate the idea of modernizing a historical design, but with the blades being machine forged v.s. Hand forged, I feel like I’m getting ripped off.
@@investlikeawarrior just search my name and review. Done a bunch of reviews on different swords.
Tig weld for a pommel? No thanks
And they look like sharpened slabs of metal but better than anything angle sword has ever made. Also, they use the same designs that many USA "sword like" makers do. Seen others that look the exact same save for the wrap on the handle. And all have atrocious weights...
uiu7
That thing looks hideous imo. To each his own.
18minutes really??
How long should it be?
@@Matthew_Jensen It should be expedient, informative, and cut to the chase. Include - quality, cutting performance, historical reference if applicable, walk through the 5 components, and compare to another example, reputation, and experience with company. Five minutes tops.
I appreciate the honest answer. I have tried 5 min reviews and they are uncomfortable to make for me. The disclaimers tend to take me into at least two mins. I am alright with not being the right reviewer for everyone.
i hate how every one of their swords has that stupid katana style handle wrap. i hate it