Now THIS just isn't fair!

[Sir Ulrich]

Yeah I think they redesigned the practical series to be more resistant to blade on blade contact, I did take a look at the tinker blunts and they easily chipped and whatnot during blade to blade contact. Personally I don't think swords were meant for blade to blade contact, they were meant to cut flesh and cut through gambesons and whatnot. Just shows you how inaccurate films are with depicting medieval combat.

[Sir William]

I happen to own 2 of the new Hanwei/Tinkerline swords, the Bastard (unfullered) and the GreatSword of War- I have to say, I like these head and shoulders above Hanwei's Practical line (had the Hand and Half and Singlehand swords; sold the H&H and kept the SH for the wife).  The H/T Bastard is one of the best handling swords I've ever wielded- which may not be saying much as I've only handled maybe 100 swords in my lifetime, but from all types and backgrounds- Windlass, Gen2, DSA, VA/Atrim, H/Tinker and Albion and I've found something to like in each of their respective offerings but few of them have I ever loved.  The H/T Bastard is one of the few...as is my Albion Arn.  I think the H/T Bastard as a blunt would be very serviceable.

Conall, I agree with you- swords were not made for edge-to-edge contact which makes sense; I can tell you from personal experience that even light sparring edge to edge will ruin a sword rather quickly, I've done that to at least half a dozen of mine.  Since they were all Windlass, no real harm done, but still...that's 6 swords that are basically useless, except as lesson enhancers if you will.

[Sir Ulrich]

$70.00 gambeson? - That's a pretty reasonable price for a gambeson.
Details my good Sir! Details! How thick is it? What kind of material is it made of?
Is it linen, cotton, or polyester from the rare Persian polyester trees of Iran? 

Sorry I didn't see this post sooner, It's 100% cotton with cotton batting, it's a little thin which would make it useless as a stand alone armor but under mail or plate it would work out. Also has open armpits and removable arms for hotter weather. It's thicker around the neck and has a neck guard. Not a bad buy for 70 bucks, just wish it went down to my knees.

[Sir Brian]

Thank you kindly! I will definitely have to consider that one...although experience has taught me to go with a larger size with anything made of cotton! 

Oh btw did you post a link to the vendor or did I miss it?

[Sir Ulrich]

http://www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-5478-warriors-medieval-gambeson.aspx

That's the vendor I got it from, it's similar to the GDFB one but it's smaller size so it would fit me. Only complaint is it doesn't cover my thighs.... Maybe I should buy a different one?