Schlager Fencing Blade Hand-forged Steel with Beveled Edges for SCA Hema WMA

Upadated! Rating down a notch..I picked this up as I was looking for a cheap alternative for a Hanwei schlager style blade and Hanwei's blades keep going up in price and are harder to get a hold of. I'm normally a Darkwood Armory fan, but was looking for a cheap fast blade for a small sword setup... well, it is cheap... and it's quick!The good:It is cheap. It is 1/4 the price of a Darkwood blade and less than 1/2 the price of the Hanwei "Schlager". The blade is tapered rather than straight parallels like a classic schlager and that makes the blade feel better and looks more like a "blade" and less like sporting equipment. It is a fast blade that is (so far) quite robust. The edges have enough thickness to them and they are hard enough that they can take some aggressive parries without denting (unlike ZenWarrior blades). This blade can take a SERIOUS bend without taking a set! I was quite impressed with how much it could flex for such an outwardly rigid blade!The bad:Superficial: mine came with corrosion on it. That should NEVER happen with a brand new blade still in its packaging! I mean, seriously! A little wax or oil goes a long way people.Annoying: This has a 7" tang that is only threaded the last 1 to 1-1/2 inches or so, so it WON'T drop onto a smaller handle without serious work. It worked FINE on a "James the Just" "Pierced Small Sword" but it won't fit on anything with a short grip. Longer threads people! Or make it with two sizes!Icky Bad! Oh my word was this blade not straight! Not only did it not arrive without an inch bend off of the line, but it isn't even remotely straight down the spine! And when I say "bent" I'm not complaining about a smooth bend: I'm talking about an irregular bend! At least it wasn't twisted as well as bent. I mean this is a sword simulator people! We don't want a blade that meanders out to the end: we want a straight spine!! A slight smooth curve is forgivable and many might argue that it makes for a safer blade, but irregular bend and weird jogging down the length of the spine??Sum up: It is cheap. But it is light, fast, and can take a good amount of flex without taking a set. But it wasn't straight either with or along the blade. No bets on long term lifespan. I'll keep you posted!Update!!!!Okay after 6 weeks of use the plating is coming off in LOTS of places... that is darn annoying as the edges where the plating flakes off is VERY sharp and they all need a quick brush of sandpaper to knock the edges off so people aren't cut.The blade... (sigh) okay... the blade still flexes well, but it is now taken to several sets that don't quite ever bend back true. This is highly discouraging because it is usually at this point that a blade breaks... it hasn't yet, but I've now retired the blade.Am I a little rough on my toys? Maybe. (And no, this isn't SCA "cut and thrust") but even my Zen Warrior blades have held up better than this.This MIGHT be a good choice for theatrical work as it looks nice and is fast, but for WMA or SCA work, I'd look elsewhere...

It's very light, inexpensive, good flex. I love the taper, which adds to the lightness of the blade. It just hums around through the air effortlessly.The bad is that it looks like an ugly manufacturer process. There is major wobble up the length of the blade and their is scale on the metal of the tang. Pretty looking polish, looks like it was plated. I fear what it will look like if it starts to chip off.I have used it in 2 practices so far, giving it a good workout and have no complaints about performance at this time.

Very Pretty, but not for SCA rapier fighting. Bent during testing for approval. Really more of a double-wide epee than a schlager blade as well.Probably going to chop it up to use the remainder as a dagger blade as return shipping makes returning it non-economical.

Light but strong enough to fence with without the whip of S2000. A good fencing blade at a reasonable price.

While this blade has a spring to it the aesthetic value is lost due to the crookedness. The blade I received, when looked at on the flat side, has a pronounced curve in it close to the hilt. Also, the tang is not threaded as high as I'd like. I will use the blade but not for the purpose that caused me to buy it.

Ordered this for my brother who is a fencer....and he took one look at it and told me to return it. Not recommended if you are really into the sport.

Blades are a little light and show some grinding marks, but are a very good value

Light, strong and with a long tang. Works very well for WMA applications. Note: it is not as rigid, strong or heavy as a true rapier blade; but for fencers looking for a lighter blade (particularly smaller women) it is perfect.