Like all of TFWs weapons, this Sansibar style sword was crafted in the Phillipines; it has a sinuous and sharp blade of 5160/D2 high carbon steel. The bolster is steel and the elaborately carved grip is wood with a blackened steel domed pommel plate.
The sword is paired with a carved wood scabbard decorated with bands of rattan and finished with a steel belt loop and retaining clip for securing the sword into place in sheathed.
Many Filipino knives and swords have a dual purpose for both work and war, but many of the Sansibar style swords are strictly weapons of war. You can see that on this Sansibar with a long false edge that runs half the length of the sword. Most weapons that double as tools have thick spines for extra durability and a degree of chopping power, but this sword with its double edge thins out considerably in its top half.
This thin profile aids greatly in reducing drag as the blade slices through the target in its main cutting portion and the false edge doubles as another edge by which the foe can be struck from another (and perhaps unexpected) angle of attack.
The forward sloping profile of the blade ensures that its slices with considerable chopping and hacking power and the grip contours nicely to the hand to make full contact with the hand, allowing even the back edge of the hand to be used to subtly power the sword.
Please Note: It is common for the tropical hardwood used to craft the grip and scabbard of these weapons to develop small cracks as the wood adjusts to our temperate environment. We inspect these items for major cracks and will not send such items to you. We will however send items that may have small, light cracks. These are light cosmetic blemishes and we will not send you an item with a crack that impacts the structural integrity and usefulness of the weapon. These small and light cracks are common to the type of wood used.
By routinely applying a light coating of protective oil you can protect the wood from drying out in your own home.
Andrew Villegas –
This sword is possibly one of the most beautiful shapes I’ve seen. The blade comes very sharp and is well suited to cutting practice. after buying two I can certainly see the variability between the different blacksmiths and their forging styles. For example one scabbard was crafted extremely simply and was far more dull and bland than the pictured scabbard, whereas the other had a picture perfect and elegant scabbard matching that above. The peen job on the simple sword was far more expertly hidden, the others peen sticks out and though it does not detract from the blade it is quite visible. For the budget range sword collector this sword is more than can be asked for. Top grade quality