Already have mine since June, and I love it. It really is the 'hybrid', looks good like a blunt, but safe as a feather. Interestingly BF uses the same steel as Albion to make these!
Bought one from SoCal Swords a few months ago. What attracted me was the price tag. $315 delivered. That was the low end of what I was seeing from a bunch of the other steel sword companies. AND they had one on hand for delivery, which was the deciding factor, honestly. And I have never been happier! When I got it, I was shocked by how light it was. It was a esthetically a VERY pleasing sword, fine lines, VERY well made. I was impressed with the balance as well. Moved nearly perfectly in the hand. The grip was awesome. Fits perfectly in my hands. Took it to ournlocal HEMA school and let my instructor break her in. I just couldn't force myself to spar with it first, to ding up the perfect surface with nicks and scratches. And my gods, I was blown out of the water! This thing left significant nicks in other steel swords, without taking anything close to what I would consider noticeable damage in return. So much so, we started calling it "Excalibur" because it just eats up the other swords of from of my co-students. Honestly, Blackfencer has convinced me they knlw their stuff. Even my instructors have said they will probably buy from them in the future as well, replace some of their older swords. Right now, I'm 100% satisfied with my purchase. Only thing that would change my opinion would be when I need customer support for repair. As long as the company stands behind their product, I'll still be sold. If it lasts a few years at the level we put ours through, I will be very happy indeed! 10/10, will definitely buy from them again at my next opportunity!
Hey, I'm currently looking into buying my first longsword for technique training and some sparring down the line. My instructos said I should stay away of Federschwerter as they are not suited for practicing technique. So I'm currently looking at Regenyei swords and this one. What would be your suggestion? Regenyei swords are a bit more expensive, but I rather pay a bit more then ending up needing two separate swords. The black armory seem like a good compromise.
I have been eagerly waiting a review on this! I'm a big fan of black fencer products and I have high hopes for the steel longswords. Seeing as it's a hybrid between feders and blunt type of swords, you probably couldn't use it against feders in competition, so do you see a new category emerging in competition? Like you I prefer a sword to look like a sword and I'm not a fan of feders. Until now feders were the only safer choice. My first impression without seeing one physically is it looks and sounds perfect but the crossguard looks too big for me. I would possibly chop a little off. Apart from that they look and sound great.
Yeh they are lovely. I can't see a new category of competition no. I think they'll simply be more interest in non-competition fencing. I got tired of tournaments a few years ago anyway. They still have a place and people have fun doing them, and thats fine.
Wow, looks really nice as well, I especially like the point, in contrast to the forte. Ill have to pick one of these up. Not quite as expensive as a regenyei either.
I have been reading that even recent BF swords have sort of buttery steel. Handles great, looks good, but gets chewed to bits in sparring until it is a 3' handsaw. Would you say they have improved recently? Or what happened to the sword in this vid? Still good? (4 years of wear)
It's not that the steel is soft, it's that BF like thin edges. They like their swords to be as close to the originals as possible, and that comes with the advantages and disadvantages of thin edges. This sword is still going strong and is in use all the time, has never had any edge maintanence and I can run a bare hand down it fine. It does take more damage than a thick edged feder or similar though. Overally we have found most BF models (Longsword, rapier sabres) absolutely fine durability wise, whilst some do take excessive damage (Broadsword, arming sword). With so many companies making feder and dumbell type blades, its no surprise this issue coming up, but for me, most of the BF range is absolutely fine. Only my broadsword and heavy cav I would say have taken excessive edge damage.
Dear Nick, I have two questions: 1. Have you seen anyone getting an injury due to a broken sword? 2. Will you make any longsword lessons videos like you did with a sabre? Your sabre lessons were FANTASTIC! I really want the same for longsword.
1 - I can only think of one occasion, though a dagger not a sword. A Hanwei Spanish dagger in a rapier and dagger tournament. Their opponent charged in and forced the blade to snap and penetrated their fencing jacket. These blades are notorious for breaking and being dangerous, and are now banned by most groups. 2 - That's down to Mike, the other instructor. Although I assist him with longsword, I don't research it like I do the other weapons we use. Frankly I'd be more interested in getting more and better lessons done for sabre,, rapier and associated weapons.
Any idea when these, and all the other Black Fencer products for the matter, are going to be available stateside? I've grown interested in their rapier (possibly a sabre & this longsword at some point as well), but practically all their products are out-of-stock/backordered at their US distributor.
Yeah, I've been keeping an eye on South Coast Swords as that's who Black Fencer links to for America, but I just double checked and practically all BF products are sold out or preorder. I'll continue to keep an eye out, but guess checking with Black Fencer directly wouldn't be a bad idea.
They have a US reseller yes, this model is not in stock but it is worth contacting them - socalswords.com/collections/two-handed-swords/products/blackfencer-steel-blunt-longsword
Great. I was just using the one in this video for sparring over the last few weeks and it is still rock solid, no sets. It has taken acceptable edge wear and remains a great training sword.
Already have mine since June, and I love it. It really is the 'hybrid', looks good like a blunt, but safe as a feather. Interestingly BF uses the same steel as Albion to make these!
How well does the edge hold up when sparring with this against regular feders (Regenyei etc)? Any nicks or chipping?
@@heirihunziker video addresses this at 10:07
Bought one from SoCal Swords a few months ago.
What attracted me was the price tag. $315 delivered. That was the low end of what I was seeing from a bunch of the other steel sword companies. AND they had one on hand for delivery, which was the deciding factor, honestly.
And I have never been happier!
When I got it, I was shocked by how light it was. It was a esthetically a VERY pleasing sword, fine lines, VERY well made. I was impressed with the balance as well. Moved nearly perfectly in the hand. The grip was awesome. Fits perfectly in my hands. Took it to ournlocal HEMA school and let my instructor break her in. I just couldn't force myself to spar with it first, to ding up the perfect surface with nicks and scratches.
And my gods, I was blown out of the water! This thing left significant nicks in other steel swords, without taking anything close to what I would consider noticeable damage in return. So much so, we started calling it "Excalibur" because it just eats up the other swords of from of my co-students.
Honestly, Blackfencer has convinced me they knlw their stuff. Even my instructors have said they will probably buy from them in the future as well, replace some of their older swords. Right now, I'm 100% satisfied with my purchase. Only thing that would change my opinion would be when I need customer support for repair. As long as the company stands behind their product, I'll still be sold. If it lasts a few years at the level we put ours through, I will be very happy indeed!
10/10, will definitely buy from them again at my next opportunity!
More love for flexible non-feder longswords!
This may end up being my first steel HEMA sword. Thanks for the review 👍🏻
Thank you for this video, I am getting one right now !!!
Looks like an excellent buy, I'll definitely keep it in mind next time I'm looking.
Great review definitely going to pick one up! You mentioned the rattling how long did it take for it start rattling if at all
Now I gotta get one. Great review, thanks so much.
I may have to get one of these... great review!
Hey, I'm currently looking into buying my first longsword for technique training and some sparring down the line. My instructos said I should stay away of Federschwerter as they are not suited for practicing technique.
So I'm currently looking at Regenyei swords and this one.
What would be your suggestion? Regenyei swords are a bit more expensive, but I rather pay a bit more then ending up needing two separate swords. The black armory seem like a good compromise.
I have been eagerly waiting a review on this! I'm a big fan of black fencer products and I have high hopes for the steel longswords.
Seeing as it's a hybrid between feders and blunt type of swords, you probably couldn't use it against feders in competition, so do you see a new category emerging in competition?
Like you I prefer a sword to look like a sword and I'm not a fan of feders. Until now feders were the only safer choice. My first impression without seeing one physically is it looks and sounds perfect but the crossguard looks too big for me. I would possibly chop a little off. Apart from that they look and sound great.
Yeh they are lovely. I can't see a new category of competition no. I think they'll simply be more interest in non-competition fencing. I got tired of tournaments a few years ago anyway. They still have a place and people have fun doing them, and thats fine.
Would these be fine in club use against feders? I'm still trying to pick my first steel Longsword.
Wow, looks really nice as well, I especially like the point, in contrast to the forte. Ill have to pick one of these up. Not quite as expensive as a regenyei either.
I have been reading that even recent BF swords have sort of buttery steel. Handles great, looks good, but gets chewed to bits in sparring until it is a 3' handsaw. Would you say they have improved recently? Or what happened to the sword in this vid? Still good? (4 years of wear)
It's not that the steel is soft, it's that BF like thin edges. They like their swords to be as close to the originals as possible, and that comes with the advantages and disadvantages of thin edges. This sword is still going strong and is in use all the time, has never had any edge maintanence and I can run a bare hand down it fine. It does take more damage than a thick edged feder or similar though. Overally we have found most BF models (Longsword, rapier sabres) absolutely fine durability wise, whilst some do take excessive damage (Broadsword, arming sword). With so many companies making feder and dumbell type blades, its no surprise this issue coming up, but for me, most of the BF range is absolutely fine. Only my broadsword and heavy cav I would say have taken excessive edge damage.
Dear Nick, I have two questions:
1. Have you seen anyone getting an injury due to a broken sword?
2. Will you make any longsword lessons videos like you did with a sabre? Your sabre lessons were FANTASTIC! I really want the same for longsword.
1 - I can only think of one occasion, though a dagger not a sword. A Hanwei Spanish dagger in a rapier and dagger tournament. Their opponent charged in and forced the blade to snap and penetrated their fencing jacket. These blades are notorious for breaking and being dangerous, and are now banned by most groups.
2 - That's down to Mike, the other instructor. Although I assist him with longsword, I don't research it like I do the other weapons we use. Frankly I'd be more interested in getting more and better lessons done for sabre,, rapier and associated weapons.
Just wanted you to know that your lessons improved my swordsmanship a lot.
Thank you so much!
A longsword?! Gasp! O.O
(Ancient drums start playing.) ^_^
I agree, I like the size of the one, shown in this vid.
Nice review guys.
Any idea when these, and all the other Black Fencer products for the matter, are going to be available stateside?
I've grown interested in their rapier (possibly a sabre & this longsword at some point as well), but practically all their products are out-of-stock/backordered at their US distributor.
I've no idea sorry. But I'd advise you just order direct. I have friends over there and in Canada that have gone direct and its worked perfectly.
Yeah, I've been keeping an eye on South Coast Swords as that's who Black Fencer links to for America, but I just double checked and practically all BF products are sold out or preorder.
I'll continue to keep an eye out, but guess checking with Black Fencer directly wouldn't be a bad idea.
Looking good!
What is the edge thickness?
Is this sword available in the US and who sell it ? Info would be greatly apreciated.
They have a US reseller yes, this model is not in stock but it is worth contacting them - socalswords.com/collections/two-handed-swords/products/blackfencer-steel-blunt-longsword
@@AcademyofHistoricalFencing, Thank you very much for your reply.
How have they held up over the years?
Great. I was just using the one in this video for sparring over the last few weeks and it is still rock solid, no sets. It has taken acceptable edge wear and remains a great training sword.
Not the cheapest training sword anymore. Now is around 320€... And its pretty good.
Are these tournament legal?
There are no widely held standards, you would have to check with the individual tournament.
How's it holding up?
Really well, still rock solid, edges are good, enjoying it.
@@AcademyofHistoricalFencing Thanks Nick. Seems a really good option
I do love a good blunt ;)
Does it have a distal taper or is it flat as a Neyman Diogenes?
It does have distal taper! On their website they state 5 mm at the base, tapering to 2 mm at the point.
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