choosing equipment

[brennivs - tony drake]

I agree it is a marketing ploy. To me all swords sharp or blunt can still seriously injure or at worst kill. Unless the material is EN45 ( In Britian)spec. And you were to do blade on blade fighting.Which in a Roman contex to me would not happen, except gladiator displays.Of the sword in the picture it has a slight taper and is rounded to the point, you could put this down to years of sharpening. The scabbard, the chape is wrong, and the engraved Pompeii locket without the cut outs also wrong. If it is made from cardboard make a new scabbard although the locket could be used if you want to do the cut outs.But if its your first sword and you know its faults and cheap,then go with it and improve later,they are just cosmetic.
Regards Brennivs