Swift in the hand and a ferocious cutter, the legendary Persian Shamshir is now made available by LK Chen in a form eminently practical and suitable for routine and regular cutting practice and demonstration and takes its inspiration from a 19th century historic original which is now housed with the collection of the New York MET Museum and is a famous example bequeathed by George C. Stone in 1935. The sharpened blade is crafted from well tempered GB 60Si2MnA High Carbon Manganese Spring Steel and it is securely pinned and mounted into a hilt with steel fittings and a smoothly polished wooden grip. The long tang is pinned directly to the grip halves for a secure mounting and melding of blade and hilt furniture. The sword is matched with a wood core scabbard which is bound in black leather and completed with fittings of steel and stainless steel.
Although “Shamshir” in Persian culture became a byword for swords in general, the name originally meant “curved like a lion’s claw” – a self evident reference to its blade shape and the vicious “bite” of its slash. The sharp curve of the blade slices deeply into and through the target as the sword blade “pivots” around its impact point as the cutting arm goes through its plane of movement. Persian swords before the 9th century were originally straight-bladed, but after influence from both the Seljuk Turks and the Mongols the Shamshir took on its familiar form in Persia. Although optimized for cutting, particularly from atop a swift and light-footed horse, the Shamshir is also capable of powerful thrusts. Although the angle from which a thrust can be executed is not as straightforward as a straight sword, the sharp curvature of the blade allows for a skilled swordsman to strike home that thrust from unpredictable angles which can be difficult to anticipate or defend from.
Eric Vigen (verified owner) –
Just got this one. Definitely 5 stars! Of course KOA packaging and shipping first rate! This one is way better than I had even expected. LK Chen does an awesome job of replicating original swords. The detail is eye popping! The fit in the scabbard is excellent. Haven’t had an opportunity to try it out on anything yet,, soon hopefully. Sure it will cut very well. Great edge on the blade. While this one copies an original from the 19th century, have seen a pic with this one next to a 400 year old original and it is so close. Well worth the $. Can see why these sold out so quickly and glad I got one,,
Ray Blundell (verified owner) –
I receive mine to day,great job on getting sword out by koa and shipping by ups.The stats. on mine are what koa list on there sight,except for the weight mine weighs 1/8oz.The seath is very nice looking.Really like the leather,everthing about it is striking-great job.I ordered the mun.grade and the only blem I found is a bend in the blade about 12 inches from the point.The blade has great distal taper and isn’t wobble at all.It came sharp enough to cut grocery add. papper,also cut various typs of water bottles.Also my distal taper is little different than listed on koa sight mine is 5mm-3/1/2-2/1/2 mm.I have to admitt the extream curve takes little getting used to when cutting.Haven’t cut any mats yet do just got it today.The guard desigs has pices on both sides of the blade at guard but they arn’t supposed to be flush with the blade although where the blade meets the guard there is absolute no gap-great job-lk chen.Really like the look of the guard,end cap and handle,feel,s great in the hand.Also the sword is very light feeling and fast.I have the windless shamshur and it weighs about 2 oz more but the lk chen shamshur feels alot more than 2oz lighter.aLL I the lk chen,s medeviel swords,there prefprmance which is great is the reason I brought a nother lk chen sword.Rember to only cut water bottles,mats and bamboo,safe cutting Ray Blundell
Ray Blundell (verified owner) –
I receive mind today ,Great job on getting sword out by koa and shipping by ups. The stats. on mine are what koa list on their sight, except for the weight mine weighs 1/8oz.The seath is very nice looking. Really like the leather, everything about it is striking-great job. I ordered the mun.grade and the only blemish I found is a bend in the blade about 12 inches from the point. The blade has great distal taper and isn’t wobble at all. It came sharp enough to cut grocery add. papper ,also cut various types of water bottles. Also my distal taper is little different than listed on koa sight mine is 5mm-3/1/2-2/1/2 mm. I have to admit the extream curve takes little getting used to when cutting. Haven’t cut any mats yet do just got it today .The guard designs has pices on both sides of the blade at guard but they aren’t supposed to be flush with the blade although where the blade meets the guard there is absolute no gap-great job-lk chen. Really like the look of the guard, end cap and handle ,feels great in the hand. Also the sword is very light feeling and fast. I have the windless shamshur and it weighs about 2 oz more but the lk chen shamshur feels a lot more than 2oz lighter. all I the lk chen,s medeviel swords,their performance which is great is the reason I brought another lk chen sword. Remember to only cut water bottles, mats and bamboo, Ray Blundell
Ray Blundell (verified owner) –
sorry for thr repeat had little trouble when submitting the review-Ray Blundell
Todd –
Excellent shamshir! One of the best ones available, especially at the price! Very nicely balanced & quick (my specs are almost identical to KOA’s here, but mine is 30″ long instead). My most balanced & nimble sword. Excellent craftsmanship & quality. Stainless steel guard, pommel, and probably scabbard accents. Slotted scabbard to accommodate heavily curved sword. Mine’s relatively rigid (not floppy at all) – which I like, even with aggressive distal taper. Not a beater sword; more of a courtly weapon.