Tiberius Cornelius Brutus 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2005 I'm new to reenactment, and I'm trying to find a classic gladius (not the waisted style) that at least can be swung around. Does anyone know where I can find a high quality sword for between 250-300 dollars? Thanks a lot! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Primus Pilus 10 Report post Posted August 26, 2005 Deepeeka is quite popular even if they sometimes get knocked for quality. (Depends on who you ask) But I know their stuff is used rather frequently in the re-enacting world and is widely available through various distributors world-wide. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spurius 0 Report post Posted August 26, 2005 I take it you aren't going to do combat demonstrations, just march and display right? Windless/Atlanta Cutlery makes some good looking stuff, but it can take forever to get if it isn't a popular item. Also Del Tin makes good stuff, and used to be good prices even with overseas shipping. Haven't order from them in years so I don't know how they are now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tiberius Cornelius Brutus 0 Report post Posted August 27, 2005 From what I've talked about with the group I'm joining, we will do a bit of everything. I wouldn't want to use a gladius for more than a swing or a thrust, however - They've given me a few reccomendations for where to get a quality gladius (including Windlass, which I also came upon), as well as other equipment, but I just wanted to see what the UNRV community had to say Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maximus 0 Report post Posted August 28, 2005 Well I would recommend Len Morgan. The only problem with Depeeka gladii is that we were told that they would be too sharp for battle reenactment also that they would snap if hit with another gladius. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lost_Warrior 0 Report post Posted August 28, 2005 Too sharp? ::grins:: I guess for reinactment that's a bad thing Snapping is definitely a bad thing. Mean's they aren't tempered right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M. Demetrius 0 Report post Posted February 19, 2008 Too sharp? ::grins:: I guess for reinactment that's a bad thing Snapping is definitely a bad thing. Mean's they aren't tempered right. The trouble with them is they're not made for contact drill. The tang is welded to the blade, right behind the brass at the guard. The originals were made from a single piece of metal. It's more work for the factory to do it the "old way", so they don't. Most of the reenactors use a special variety of gladius if they're going to contact mock combat. They typically have a large, blunt point, so nobody gets pierced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northern Neil 3 Report post Posted February 20, 2008 Whatever type you use, the tang and blade MUST be of one piece - otherwise it cannot be considered a proper weapon. Even if the weapon is only for display, this should still be the case. Thus speaks an old campaigner from the Regia Anglorum (Saxon, Viking and Norman) re-enactment group. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Melvadius 4 Report post Posted February 20, 2008 Whatever type you use, the tang and blade MUST be of one piece - otherwise it cannot be considered a proper weapon. Even if the weapon is only for display, this should still be the case. Thus speaks an old campaigner from the Regia Anglorum (Saxon, Viking and Norman) re-enactment group. Having done both "combat" and "drill" re-enactment in the past I would agree that it really does depend on what it is going to be used for as to what type of weapon should be bought. If a group is long established it should have built up a recommendation list that works for their style of re-enactment and that should generally be any potential re-enactors guiding principle about who to go to for their equipment. My own knowledge is out of date but Deepa used to have a reputation for reasonable prices but variable quality and authenticity of equipment they produced. Irrespective of how sourced a display quality "sharp" will be totally unsuitable for "contact" re-enactment combat and vice-versa, while there are also variation in design depending on the precise period that is being represented - although to a great extent more so with armour than weapons. Once you know what "type" and "style" of weapon is needed the main problem will probably tend to be down to your own group's recommendations on suppliers, the length of a particular armourers order book and whether their price ranges are within reach of your pocket. I suspect that the last two may be the final arbiter of which source you end up using rather than any supplier that we may recommend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lost_Warrior 0 Report post Posted February 23, 2008 The trouble with them is they're not made for contact drill. The tang is welded to the blade, right behind the brass at the guard. The originals were made from a single piece of metal. It's more work for the factory to do it the "old way", so they don't. Tang...welded...to...blade???? My brain is melting. That is SO wrong. I can't even figure out why they would do that. There's no reason to do that. It's really NOT hard to make it all one piece. ESPECIALLY if you're not actually forging the blade but cutting/grinding it (which most mass production makers do anymore.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites