This 15th Century Bastard sword takes it design cues from the famed “Castillon Hoard” of swords; a true Type XV bastard sword, it can be ably used in a one or two-handed grip. A capable cutting sword its own right, the sword tapers substantially in both the profile and distal taper to make it an exceptional thrusting sword for piercing into the weaker points of an opponent’s defense, as befits the level of substantial plate and brigandine armor that was common to the battlefields of the Hundred Years War.
The blade is quite thick at its base at about 7 mm to give it a very strong point for both stiffening the blade and allowing for it to be used as a lever once a point of purchase is found in a foe’s harness to create the opening needed to drive it home. The sword is of a type that would be ideal for a knight, trained man-at-arms or a hired professional mercenary and is just the right length to be useful in almost any situation. Versatility is key with this sword; with a choked up grip that provides maximum contact between the hand and the guard, it can be ably wielded one-handed. It’s waisted grip coupled melds with the fishtail pommel to form a natural groove that neatly allows a second hand for substantially greater force, leverage and control. With a half-sword grip on the blade the sword excels in the tumult and scrum of an armored melee and gives its bearer what they need to fell even supremely well armored foes.
The sharp blade is forged from 9260 high carbon steel which was well tempered to a 50-52 HRc hardness and it is robustly mounted into the hilt with a peen over the pommel. The guard and pommel are crafted from stainless steel and the hardwood grip is bound in fitted leather for a secure handhold. The sword is matched with a hard-core companion scabbard of wood which is bound in matching leather and completed with a stainless steel chape.
jshroyer12 (verified owner) –
Fit and finish is spot on, the blade is light and springy with a good edge. Pommel shape fits well in the hand. Review will be updated after cutting but I’m optimistic with the blade shape.
Ashton (verified owner) –
Very lovely sword for the price. Good sharpening out of the box, but I have yet to cut with it. The fittings are well fitted, the gap in the crossguard is extremely well done considering it’s cost. Better than some swords that are double its price. The leather grip is done somewhat well, not the greatest leather to use for a grip wrap. I like wrapping my own grips so I’ll probably take it off at some point anyway. The scabbard is great, it holds the blade well. The leather covering it is the same as the grip leather. Whatever leather they used is definitely better suited for the scabbard rather than the grip. The chape of the scabbard is smaller than I anticipated but I like it more. The handling is very nice, usable with one hand and fits 2 hands.
Obviously with a price point like this, there’s minor issues like the peen on the pommel being a little rough, small dings that weren’t polished out. None of them effect handling at all and are barely noticeable unless you’re up close.
Definitely a solid purchase.
APC (verified owner) –
Update, I got to do some cutting with it. It’s a good blade for cutting. It has a center of percussion a little closer to the middle area of the blade since it is designed for excellent thrust as well. All in all, great sword for the price.