Sword Battle Reenactment Puts Forged in Time and it’s Handmade Swords to the Test
Reenacted sword fight with hand forged blades by Forged in Time
Here’s an example of Ben and Dan Rial testing two of Forged in Time’s handmade medieval swords. Forged in Time does medieval reenactments and here they are demonstrating a 15th century swordfight to fellow medieval reenactors at the White Oak Fur Post in Deer River MN.
This is live steel sword-fighting and should NOT be attempted by anyone unless they are extensively trained. By live steel, I mean that they are using REAL handmade swords, not blunted stage weapons, that they are swinging full speed, full force, and that they are sword fighting in-distance. Other than the fact that they are not actually trying to kill each other, (although it’s hard to tell), it’s as close to real as you can get. The fights are not rehearsed or choreographed. They are freestyle and typically last for about 15 minutes.
Forged in Time’s handmade swords will stand up to this type of use time and again.
“Frankly my brother and I have tried many different swords (and other weapons) by other makers and companies over the years and nothing has withstood the use we put them too. That’s me in the black and my bro in the red. He’s obviously in better shape than I am, but we do routinely practice for 3 or 4 hours straight. So the swords and other weapons (daggers, axes, maces, polearms, shields, etc.) are really put through their paces.” – Ben Rial (Bladesmith)
Many handmade medieval swords are often just show pieces or wall hangers, but Forged in Time’s swords and handmade knives are certain to stand up to actual use. Each blade is completely handmade in the traditional old world style of anvil, hammer, and coal fire. Although they sell swords and knives each based on a certain style, each blade is unique in that it is made to order. They’ll also be happy to do custom engraving to give your handmade sword a personal appeal. It’s in that sense that they also make terrific gifts.
Handmade Swords – The Medieval Longsword
The basic longsword certainly possess many attributes that make it an almost perfect weapon. Its over-all length is most commonly between 40 and 48 inches. This makes the longsword moderate in reach without being too tasking to carry for long periods of time. The average weight of the longsword is from 2.7 to 3.5 pounds. This again is a comfortable weight for most people. You can wield this type of sword with just a little practice and will find physics are on your side insofar as the design of the blade is weighted to serve you when swinging. The overall balance of most longswords is closer to the guard, usually within 3 inches. This too contributes to the general “handiness” of the weapon by providing a pleasing and fluid movement.
The grip is usually what can be termed as a hand-and-a-half or “bastard” length of between 5 and 8 inches. Bastard, meaning that the length is between that of a two-handed sword length and single hand sword length, thus it cannot be legitimately claimed to be either and is instead a “bastard” grip. This length of grip provides a solid balance for a single hand and yet has enough space to add a second hand for extra power or control.
The blade profile itself is usually tapered strongly to a fine point but still has enough width for decent cutting ability. Often it is forged with a flattened diamond or lenticular cross-section and a moderate distal taper with enough thickness to make a stiff blade for thrusting. If it is fullered, then it is usually only fullered for the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the length. Blade lengths seem to average between 30 and 38 inches with 34 to 36 inches being quite common. This makes this type of handmade sword versatile in its application. Cutting, chopping, thrusting, it will perform all very well.
The hilt design itself is usually fairly simplistic and straight forward. This is not to say that more complex hilts did not exist, for they most certainly did, especially in the later 15th century, but by and large longsword hilts lacked side rings and such. A simple guard rests flatter against the body when walking, sitting, riding a horse, etc. Pommels for longswords are often wheels, disks, scent-stoppers, or various truncated wedges and fish-tail designs. Moderate weight, flat and stream-lined design, excellent balance, bastard-length grip, and a flexible blade design make for a sword with wide appeal.
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