Reaver Basket Hilt blunt from Alchem

[tsafa]

I have been looking for a reasonably priced basket hilt blunt for some time. I was considering some of Hanwai's options but after hearing many reports of inconsistent quality I decided to turn to Alchem. Alchem makes all their swords to order so I was able have a sword constructed to my exact specifications. Imagine that... a costum built sword for $180.

I specified that that I wanted the sword to be 1.5 inches at the base and tapering to 1/4 inch. I also stated that the sword have a point of balance between 3 and 4 inches below the hilt and weigh in at about 2 lb 14 oz. I left the overall length open as the adjustable variable to meet my other specifications. I expected the length to come in at about 29".

The final numbers turned out as follows:
total length......... 40"
blade length........ 32"
point of Balance... 2"
weight.................. 2lb 13 oz

The sword turned out even better then I imagined in terms of its agility. Its low POB gives it near rapier level point control. I normally would be worried that such a low POB might not allow for good cutting actions, however, the long blade and light weight allows for very rapid tip acceleration and strikes with authority.

I did make some immediate modifications to the basket hilt. The sword comes standard with both quillions straight. After some pell work and striking myself on the wrist a few times, I decided to bend the top quillion up to allow for better wrist mobility. I also streched the basket hilt open a bit more. I probably gained quarter inch more room on each side. You will only feel the need to do this if you fight against shields and make high horizontal snaps.

The basket hilt is based on one found on the Mary Rose which sank in the English Channel in 1545.

Here is my Reaver with my new Revival Gambeson:

http://mysite.verizon.net/tsafa1/armor/Gambeson2.JPG

Thick sandwich tang:

http://mysite.verizon.net/tsafa1/rapier/reaver14.JPG

This view should never be neglected where basket hilts are concerned:

http://mysite.verizon.net/tsafa1/rapier/reaver20.JPG

It looks good on my new couch ;D

http://mysite.verizon.net/tsafa1/rapier/reaver13.JPG

The blade is a high carbon steel but tempered to safely flex as a practice blade. The sword also comes with a rubber safety tip.

Here is a link to Alchem's site:

http://www.alcheminc.com/reaver.html

[goose710]

Very cool dude!
da goose710

[Taygrd]

Great review. This is the first time I have seen this sword and I am impressed with it's construction. My first sword was a Scottish basket hilt and they remain my favorite European weapon, so this was a treat for me to see this style. Thanks for sharing.

[tsafa]

Glade you guys like. I am finding this basket hilt of be very practical for sparring because of the hand protection. I have wrapped the outside of the basket with leather for additional protection from thrusts. Depending on what period I am practicing, I can decide before hand with my partner if hits to the basket count as a strike to the hands.

[bobO]

I've only held this type of sword briefly at the ren fair ( going again this year). And that was a claymore. I imagine all that metal at the hilt makes for a lively blade. But isn't that hilt a little constricting. Nice review.

[tsafa]

Hand restriction is what I expected before I started fighting in the SCA. Basket hilts are pretty standard there for the hand protection. People there not only use the basket hilts comfortably, but are able to achieve some pretty amazing angled shots. The only time I feel the basket at all is if I make a very low wrap behind someones calf in non-SCA fighting. Its a rare shot and it is the only time my hand twists up enough so that the basket makes contact with my wrist. The contact is minimal. I would have to preform the shot numerous times before the basket starts getting annoying. I know this from testing on my pell, but in sparring, it would not happen with enough frequency.

[Torawashi]

tsafa; very nice sword my friend....but is it a basket hilt or a mortuary hilt? the basket hilts i've seen have a bit different structure to the basket........it does look like a mortuary hilt though.......anyway, nice sword and nice review

[Taygrd]

tsafa; very nice sword my friend....but is it a basket hilt or a mortuary hilt? the basket hilts i've seen have a bit different structure to the basket........it does look like a mortuary hilt though.......anyway, nice sword and nice review
You bring up a good point Tora. It is not what I would consider a traditional Scottish Basket hilt, however I think the basket is too heavy to be a mortuary. I think this may be Reavers interiptation of a basket hilt since there is a thistle at the quillions. Since it is a full basket and not a half or three quarter also make me think that of a basket hilt. I have to BH in my collection and wish I had spent the money 12 years ago to purchase a Jacobite era claymore:-<. Now they are outragious in price=(

[Torawashi]

Taygrd; I will defer to your knowledge of the basket hilts. I am not as well versed in the subject as I would like to be. You may very well be correct my friend.

[Taygrd]

Taygrd; I will defer to your knowledge of the basket hilts. I am not as well versed in the subject as I would like to be. You may very well be correct my friend.
I was not porporting to be an expert, so I hope I did not rub you the wrong way-was not my intention. There is a good book about the basket hilts of the battle of Culloden that I read a few years ago if you wanted a reference. There are so many various baskethilts out there that is is hard to distinguish them apart.

[Torawashi]

I was not porporting to be an expert, so I hope I did not rub you the wrong way-was not my intention. There is a good book about the basket hilts of the battle of Culloden that I read a few years ago if you wanted a reference. There are so many various baskethilts out there that is is hard to distinguish them apart.

Taygrd; wasn't rubbed wrong way my friend, and thanks for the reference. I don't know a whole lot about the swords of that period other than the pictures of them that I have seen. any info is appreciated, thanks.

[Mako]

I was not porporting to be an expert, so I hope I did not rub you the wrong way-was not my intention. There is a good book about the basket hilts of the battle of Culloden that I read a few years ago if you wanted a reference. There are so many various baskethilts out there that is is hard to distinguish them apart.
The basket hilt is based on one found on the Mary Rose which sank in the English Channel in 1545.
I know very little about the basket hilt styles but as the Battle of Culloden took place in 1746 and the Mary Rose sank in 1545,I'm not surprised that the style of the hilts differ after 200 years,possibly more because nobody knows how old the sword was when she went down.

Better make that...I know nothing about basket hilt styles. :)