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We understand that the main basis of combat and fighting swords is to gather specific characteristics such as full tang , a carbon steel of guaranteed quality and a minimum Rockwell hardness and balanced so that the sword is flexible enough that makes it a safe, reliable and durable piece. We have expanded our catalog with a more extensive range of functional fighting swords that meet these requirements so that they can be used safely for all types of sporting and recreational events.
Gothic sword 1 hand for fighting (Czech manufacturer, Jiri Krondak)
Within the list of Fighting Swords you can see recognized brands such as Hanwei and others made by Toledo artisans such as José Moreno, from La Espada Artesana, one of the most recognized Sword manufacturers in Spain. In the functional fighting swords that are usually manufactured today we can find models such as pre-Iberian falcatas, through the Roman gladius to the typical medieval ones and the Renaissance cup or bowl ones...
One-handed Archer Sword (Czech manufacturer, Jiri Krondak)
Previously we have talked about the hardness of the sword's steel blade. This is measured using the Rockwell scale. We can distinguish between several types of hardness of the swords…
- Rockwell 30-40: It is the minimum for a sword, and if it is used against another sword also 40 on the scale, the behavior will be good. Against other harder swords, it will chip, just like if you fight “edge against edge”.
- Rockwell 40-45: It is a level of hardness very appropriate for the spine or counter edge of a sword. It is normally used in katanas as it is still flexible, as to prevent the sword from being too rigid.
- Rockwell 45-52: It is the hardness that the medieval European swords had. These swords had great strength at the edge, and were still sufficiently flexible.
- Rockwell 58-60: It is the ideal hardness for the edge of a sword, only professional cutting katanas that have been subjected to heat hardening processes reach this level of hardness. Their edges would easily cut other softer materials, such as wood, plastic, and even other metals.
Functional combat falcata made by José Moreno (the Artisan Sword)
One-handed Templar combat sword (made by Czech gunsmith, Jiri Krondak)
There is no doubt that, when buying, we have to be clear about the use that we are going to give to the sword. There is little reason to buy a functional sword to not use it and have it as a decorative piece. Firstly, because they are swords that require maintenance and depending on where they are stored and, due to humidity conditions or other weather agents, they will suffer wear, especially on their blades, which will become rusty in a short period of time. Likewise, we cannot use, under any circumstances, a decorative sword as a functional sword, not even for marking, since the risk of it breaking is very high and misuse can be too dangerous even without having a sharp blade.
Hanwei Celtic Sword (ref. SH2370)
Once we are clear about the use that we are going to give to the sword, we can now begin to settle the quality, the manufacturer, the materials and, of course, the final cost of it. However, in combat or functional swords, we advise not to skimp on expenses, and decide on something that really inspires confidence, that we really know about its quality, following the advice of people who have already had them in their hands and have tried them for some time.
Gladius fighting sword (made by Czech gunsmith, Jiri Krondak)
Viking combat sword (made by Czech gunsmith, Jiri Krondak)
Let's not fool ourselves, functional swords, fighting swords or for hand-to-hand combat are always susceptible to real wear, which will reduce their original capabilities over time. Even the best carbon steel suffers gradual wear, so the life of the sword is limited in time, due to the use and maintenance we make of it.
It is something natural, that a blade ends up chipped over the years does not have to worry us. We will simply have to assume that with use there will come a time when we will have to replace it with another but always with the security that we will know that we have used a quality sword until the end of its days, truly fulfilling its purpose.
Practical katana from Hanwei's practical XL series with traditionally hardened 1566 carbon differential tempered steel blades with a hardness of HRC60 and spine of HRC40.
