| You'd think that the term "battle ready sword" | | | | blade. Rat tail tangs are a major cause of a |
| would be pretty much self explanatory wouldn't | | | | sword breaking when swung through the air, and |
| you? | | | | can be extremely dangerous, creating what |
| Unfortunately, many of the swords being | | | | sword enthusiasts refer to as a "helicopter". (very |
| described as "battle ready" are anything but. And | | | | scary stuff when this happens, trust me!) |
| to quote Adrian Ko from Sword Forum | | | | What you should be looking for is a sword that |
| International, "a lot of these swords I wouldn't | | | | has a "full tang", in other words a tang that has |
| want to take into battle even if they were | | | | been forged as part of the sword, not tacked on |
| strapped to a M-16. And even then I'd be | | | | afterwards... |
| worried!" | | | | Finally, it's also important to consider a swords |
| Don't let that put you off though. You'll find that | | | | overall weight and balance. |
| there are actually some pretty good swords to | | | | Contrary to popular belief, a heavy sword is NOT |
| be found in this broad category, IF you know | | | | a good sword. Historically, nearly all swords |
| what to look for. | | | | weighed under 3lbs, and this was because to |
| The first thing you need to look for in a truly | | | | reach maximum speed and deliver the most |
| "functional" sword is the type of steel it is made | | | | powerful blow, they needed to be relatively light |
| from. To keep it simple, 99% of all real battle | | | | and well balanced. So swords over 3lbs should be |
| ready swords are made from properly heat | | | | viewed with a very cautious and suspicious eye. |
| treated high carbon steel. | | | | Of course, it's not always possible to see |
| Stainless steel swords are a big no no. Why? Well | | | | immediately in a swords description if it has all |
| basically, stainless steel is great for making knives. | | | | these essential characteristics. So if you see a |
| But any stainless steel blade over 12" in length | | | | sword being described as "battle ready" or |
| tends to become brittle, which is clearly not the | | | | functional, but aren't sure if it really has all the |
| kind of thing you want for a "battle ready sword." | | | | above characteristics - either ASK the seller what |
| So steer well away from sales pitches that | | | | kind of steel the sword is made from, how it has |
| describe "fully functional stainless steel blade"! | | | | been heat treated, what kind of tang it has or |
| There really is no such thing... | | | | how much it weighs, or look for another listing |
| The second thing to look out for is the swords | | | | that does. |
| handle, or more specifically the tang (the bit of | | | | Otherwise, you'll probably end up with a sword |
| metal which attaches the sword to the handle). | | | | that snaps in half the first time you swing it really |
| Most cheap "wall hanger" swords have what is | | | | hard, or worse still, shatters into shards of steel |
| known as a rat tail tang, in other words the tang | | | | when you try and hack up a cardboard box... |
| is just a thin bit of metal welded to the sword | | | | |