Who makes a good, low-cost cutter?

C.G. Hagy · (#1)

I want a cutting sword, preferably western- like a viking sword or a katzbalger. Who makes a good one for a decent price?

Dave M · (#2)

Originally posted by C.G. Hagy
I want a cutting sword, preferably western- like a viking sword or a katzbalger. Who makes a good one for a decent price?

Scout the classifieds on this forum, seems like a lot of good deals there from some well known makers.

Andreas Barten · (#3)

Originally posted by C.G. Hagy
I want a cutting sword, preferably western- like a viking sword or a katzbalger. Who makes a good one for a decent price?

Mainly because of Nathan Robinson's praise of it here

http://forums.swordforum.com/showthr...5&pagenumber=1

, I have ordered the backsword discussed in this thread from MRL. Mine has not arrived yet, but his has, and you can read about it on his website.

Perhaps you might want to have a look at it, the price seems fine and the hilt does have elements of the classical katzbalger hilt, together with an S-guard.

Nathan Robinson · (#4)

What would you want to use your sword for?

I have an old katzbalger that would make a great project. It's been used in re-enactment for many years and has an older appearance to it. I'd sell it cheap :)

C.G. Hagy · (#5)

Originally posted by Nathan Robinson
What would you want to use your sword for?

I have an old katzbalger that would make a great project. It's been used in re-enactment for many years and has an older appearance to it. I'd sell it cheap

You've piqued my interest.

I like the aged stuff

I want to do a little of everything, cutting, martial arts, stage combat. Naturally, I will need different blades for these tasks.

Do you have a picture?

Jay Barron · (#6)

IMO Kris Cutlery's Viking sword is one of the best values in the sword business. Their stuff is always consistently of good quality and their Viking sword, one of the most attractive production Viking swords for sale by any company, can be had for under $300.00.

C.G. Hagy · (#7)

I like the blueing on that. Very attractive piece.

Jay Barron · (#8)

Forumite B Sweet has a KC Viking and has sung it's praises here several times.

Shane Smith · (#9)

DElTin is the cheapest cutter I can recommend.Atrim is better yet as a cutter though they tend to be a little lacking in finish if the examples I have seen and/or own are representative of all of Gus's products.

Jay Barron · (#10)

Originally posted by Shane Smith
DElTin is the cheapest cutter I can recommend.Atrim is better yet as a cutter though they tend to be a little lacking in finish if the examples I have seen and/or own are representative of all of Gus's products.

I like and own Del Tin swords buit have to say that Kris Cutlery offers a bit better performance at (often) a lower price. From a historically accurate standpoint, however, Del Tin leaves Kric Cutlery in the dust.

Nathan Robinson · (#11)

Originally posted by C.G. Hagy
You've piqued my interest.
I like the aged stuff
I want to do a little of everything, cutting, martial arts, stage combat. Naturally, I will need different blades for these tasks.
Do you have a picture?

Uhm, okay. But remember, you asked for it!

Click image for more photos and stats

I suppose I coulda cleaned it up before taking pics, but this sword was used for re-enactment and was kept dirty and aged. The patina would polish off the blade, but I rather like it like that, given what it is.

C.G. Hagy · (#12)

Like I said, I have a special place in my heart for the 'beat to hell' look.

I think it has a certain utilitarian appeal.

I doubt a gritty german mercenary would spen a lot of time polishing his cat gutter anyhow!

Jay Barron · (#13)

Originally posted by C.G. Hagy
Like I said, I have a special place in my heart for the 'beat to hell' look. I think it has a certain utilitarian appeal.

I doubt a gritty german mercenary would spen a lot of time polishing his cat gutter anyhow!

I don't know...it seems to me a person would take very good care of the instrument that could save his life. Throughout history, soldiers tend to keep their weapons in good shape.

C.G. Hagy · (#14)

Originally posted by Jay Barron

I don't know...it seems to me a person would take very good care of the instrument that could save his life. Throughout history, soldiers tend to keep their weapons in good shape.

This is true, but I don't think the average warrior, particularly while campaigning, kept his sword gleaming clean. I think stains and minor aesthetic flaws were common, considering the constant torture and abuse these insturments took. Tho shine and polish a sword that would see combat right away is rather silly. I think there is a major difference between 'good shape' and 'pristine condition'.

Jay Barron · (#15)

Originally posted by C.G. Hagy

This is true, but I don't think the average warrior, particularly while campaigning, kept his sword gleaming clean. I think stains and minor aesthetic flaws were common, considering the constant torture and abuse these insturments took. Tho shine and polish a sword that would see combat right away is rather silly. I think there is a major difference between 'good shape' and 'pristine condition'.

Good point! Ya get it...point...sword...good point?!?! Ha ha!

It's really late. I gotta get some sleep...

Nathan Robinson · (#16)

Originally posted by Jay Barron
I don't know...it seems to me a person would take very good care of the instrument that could save his life. Throughout history, soldiers tend to keep their weapons in good shape.

Yep. I totally agree with you here. I also have to say that I believe the typical person cared for his sword over its life as if it was an expensive implement on which he depended his life (it was!). But there would be times during campaign that he would only be able to do general maintainence. At these times, the sword may show more patina or damage than it would once he got done with his particular travel.

Of course, the sword I photographed above really is aged because it "reads" well to the crowd and shows that the person weilding it is a lower-class, working player. I't not necessarily historically accurate, but just know it has its justified reason for being that way in the reenactment world.

Nathan Robinson · (#17)

Well, I just spent about 10 minutes polishing out the blade on the katzbalger, above. Sure is purdy now. It went right up to a mirrow polish. Nify.

Just a little elbow greese, some polishing compound (MAAS- Like Metal Glo) and some SuperFine Steel Wool.

For fun, I'll post before and after shots by Thursday.

Nathan Robinson · (#18)

Just a few minutes of polishing can do wonders:

Before

After

C.G. Hagy · (#19)

Slick.

Nathan Robinson · (#20)

Alright. Now I did it. I ripped the handle off that katzbalger and replaced it with something else. Not bad. I'll rip this one apart now and replace it again just for fun! This is actually quite a nice sword, performance and balance-wise. Fun stuff.

C.G. Hagy · (#21)

Originally posted by Nathan Robinson
Alright. Now I did it. I ripped the handle off that katzbalger and replaced it with something else. Not bad. I'll rip this one apart now and replace it again just for fun! This is actually quite a nice sword, performance and balance-wise. Fun stuff.

Sounds like me with my zweihander...

Earl E. Blackmore · (#22)

Im in the process of forging a Viking sword. E mail me with your schedule, and Ill set up a time for you to come by the shop if you want. I just started drawing the tang out and have already profiled and tapered the blade. with my work schedule it will probably take me a couple of weeks to get it finished. I dont mind showing you a few pointers if you would like, so let me know. Bring that crossguard from your zweihander with you with you.

Earl E. Blackmore · (#23)

Great, Im repeating myself. Where the hell did I learn to type? I hope alzheimers isnt setting in.

C.G. Hagy · (#24)

Well, now I've gone and done it... One of the quillions busted clear off. I then busted the other off with my hands... Looks like crappy construction. On the upside, my sword just lost 4 pounds... The downside is it has no guard and looks really weird.

Earl E. Blackmore · (#25)

Does the blade have a decent tang, or a thin piece of round stock welded to the blade?