Today we take a closer look at a fascinating and beautiful sword based on an original from around the year 1500. This broadsword exhibits a hexagonal cross-sectioned blade with a narrow fuller down the forte. The thickness of the blade dramatically tapers to the point to give an excellent balance for the cut; a detail often missed by many modern manufacturers. This style of sword was popular in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and again in the later part of the 15th century, when this sword was made. The hilt furniture illustrates the writhen or twisted branch like forms favored by the craftsmen of central Europe. The grip is hardwood covered in leather with a stitched seam and shrunk to fit the elegantly shaped handle.
As always, the blade is 6150 carbon steel, hardened and tempered to 50-52 Rockwell. This sword is sharp and designed to be as beautiful, functional, and durable as the historical original on which it is based. All of our products are handmade by us in our small workshop in Minneapolis, MN.
Check out the video below.
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is Vice President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985