SwordCrafts practice blades

[Sir Brian]

One of my fellow MASHS members has an earlier SwordCrafts blade that had its rivets which secured the cross guard become loose and asked if I could repair it for him. I was able to repair it with some solid copper rivets plus rethread the pommel screw. While testing it out I was impressed with how it felt and handled so I decided to order one.
http://www.swordcrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Swordcrafts-2008.pdf

They are able to accomplish quite a few customizations at reasonable prices but I can see where those customizations could easily add up to the price of an Albion practice blade! Still I did allow for a a couple of perks since at MASHS we predominately use aluminum wasters. 

My new aluminum waster will be:
*   Munitions grade long sword, narrow blade, and ovoid scent stopper pommel - $165
*   1” Longer grip - $15
*   2 ring guards - $60
*   Shipping - $58
*   Paypal fees - $9
Comes to $307.00

Here is a review done awhile back by Das Bill at myarmoury.com
http://www.myarmoury.com/review_sc_wast.html

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, I think these are really the guys to go to if you want aluminum trainers. They aren't bad. The only real downside is that you have to be careful about thrusting, since aluminum trainers don't flex the way steel does. It forces you to really pull your thrusts.

But SwordCrafts does a nice job with these.

[Sir William]

Nice, Sir Brian...a good deal cheaper than an Albion Skirmish line or trainer.  Worth looking into if I ever decide to pursue swordsmanship further.

[Sir Edward]

When looking to get started in swordsmanship, I'd recommending joining a group before investing a lot in trainers, and see what they're using (unless you don't mind buying one of everything). The reason is that it's a really bad idea to mix materials. Steel will ruin aluminum, and either metal will ruin wood or plastic (though the latter two are OK to use together usually).

[Sir Brian]

Absolutely agree Sir Edward! I waited a couple weeks before purchasing my first steel blunt and waited about a month before buying one of Paul Wiedorn’s wasters. Now that I’m sure that WMA will be a big part of my life for the next decade or so I think it is worth investing in some higher quality blades. 

[Sir Wolf]

oh yeah well, scissors beats paper but rock beats scissors

[Sir William]

LOL @ Wolf

I thought the same thing when I first read Ed's post.

[Sir James A]

Congratulations, Sir Brian.

[Sir Brian]

Well here are some pictures of the completed sword. It is a beauty and good things come to those who wait or at least can reign in their impatience! 
Charles from Swordcrafts missed the delivery date twice by a couple of days each time. His way of rewarding me for being patient and cordial about it,
...{*see previous paragraph* }
was to upgrade the finish to standard as opposed to munitions grade = $30.00 value. The second delay was after he was informed by a friend who is a member of a local ARMA group who informed him of how his ring guards were not holding up well so he decided to reinforce my ring guards by welding some inner "C" style rings.

This blade handles like a dream and is very lively. The only change I did to it was add the leather grip which I did this afternoon. 

[Sir James A]

I rarely see the side-ring-guard swords. I love it! Congratulations again, Sir Brian.

[Sir Edward]

It's nice and lively, I thought. Very cool.

[Sir Brian]

Well I christened the new practice blade as pfeifen (german for "whistle") at MASHS last night and does it ever live up to the name! It is so much faster than my old aluminum practice blade! A real joy to handle! 

[Joshua Santana]

Sir Brian, your trainer is an excellent piece!

I am all the more encouraged by your review to create on myself with proper resources.

The difference is that I am a 5'2 swordsman (in training) and I would model my trainer after any 16th Century Hand and a Half Sword, but I thank you again for showing to us another resource in which we can use to learn the Knightly Arts! 

[Sir Brian]

Glad you found it useful Joshua! It's always good to have a less expensive alternative to steel trainers if your class mates have both steel and aluminum. MASHS has a preponderance of aluminum trainers because one of the assistant instructors actually makes some rudimentary aluminum wasters for around $100. The blades aren't tempered so the edges require regular maintenance to reduce the number of burrs but they are serviceable for the beginner and intermediate students. Yet I think those of us that have steel trainers in the class are getting the aluminum only crowd more interested in the characteristics of using the steel by freely loaning our steel blades during our free play sessions. 

[Joshua Santana]

My thanks as always Sir Brian!

I should not that at SIGMA we do use steel and wooden trainers along with two synthetic wasters as well.

I may digress a bit but I own a CAS Hanwei Hand and a Half trainer which is not bad for my height (I stand at 5'2, my trainer stands at 43") but it can be a bit troublesome when it comes to the Albion Maestro and Arms and Armor trainers.  I intend to raise enough monies to order a custom made Arms and Armor Fechterspiel that stands at 45" which is tall enough for me.  I conclude that it is important to know what type of specifications of sword is good for you when you train (example: height, weight, and aesthetics).