Hanwei Early 14th Century Hand-and-a Half Sword
32.5" High Carbon Forged Steel Blade, 40.5" Overall - Sharp!
Premium Leather Wrapped Wood Scabbard, Stainless Throat & Chape
Historically Accurate
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2/22/22 Added $1,000 to price until I can get them back in stock so that eBay won’t delete my listing and watchers ⚔️
MSRP: $290.00 You save 20% off! Made In China by Paul Chen/Hanwei Forge. December 2020 back in stock. Unfortunately tariffs on Chinese imports have resulted in about a 10% increase in wholesale costs which will be phased in over time and passed on to Buyers, so if this is the sword you want I recommend you order sooner rather than later.
The War Sword by Paul Chen and Hanwei Forge is a hand-and-a-half design from the early 14th century. The hardwood grip and elongated scent-stopper pommel make the 32” blade surprisingly versatile and easy to handle.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Key Features:
Made In China by Hanwei Forge
SPECIFICATIONS
Overall: 40 1/2"
Blade Length: 32 1/2"
Handle Length: 8"
Weight: 2lb, 12oz
Blade Steel: 1566*
* 1566 is a high-carbon and manganese spring steel used by Hanwei in many of their differentially hardened Japanese swords and through-hardened Medieval swords. This deep hardening steel provides a consistent microstructure ensuring a long life and excellent edge holding in demanding applications.
Hanwei | Paul Chen swords are crafted in much the same way as swords were made centuries ago, except now the blades are forged from high-carbon spring steel. The blade finish is far from being polished, more closely replicating what the medieval swordsmith was able to achieve. The grips are leather wrapped hardwood. Fittings are stainless steel. These swords will appeal to the re-enactor who wants a sword with the same appearance as the originals.
Comments: A beautiful sword that is a joy to handle! Fully functional, great construction and materials, as well as a work of art. Historically accurate in every detail. I'm a collector and a weekend warrior, active in my local HEMA group and Renaissance Fairs. I only list what I own and can personally recommend. Item guaranteed authentic, new in box and direct from manufacturer. Please see this note from Sword Manufacturer Guide online; ...it is especially important when buying Paul Chen Hanwei swords online to avoid shopping based on price alone, as many of the sellers who stock them at close to wholesale prices are selling seconds or defective items that should have been inspected and sent back to the factory as per Hanwei’s usual policy with their wholesalers. See my seller ratings and buy with confidence, plus super fast shipping. Any questions please ask, I'm happy to help.
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Most hand-and-a-half swords featured a cruciform hilt (see close-up photos above) and a straight, double-edged blade spanning 32 to 42 inches (85 to 110 cm). In terms of weight, a typical hand-and-a-half sword weighed roughly 2.4 to 4 pounds (1.1 to 1.8 kg). This balance made the hand-and-a-half sword a formidable weapon, as it was light enough to easily maneuver yet still heavy enough to inflict serious damage when wielded by a skilled swordsman.
There were several key advantages to using a hand-and-a-half sword. First, they could be easily unsheathed and drawn, allowing the warrior to engage enemies more quickly than using a two-handed sword. Second, hand-and-a-half were more versatile due to their inherit design. Warriors could hold the sword with one hand and hold a shield with the other. Or if the situation presented itself, they could hold the sword with two hands for additional stopping power.