Replica swords

[Urselius]

I think that sharp edges are not really an issue. I have two swords with sharp edges, a Polish sabre and an Indian tulwar - yes Indians could produce sharp and handy swords 150 years ago! The others I own do not have particularly sharp edges - some like a "Charge of the Light Brigade" 1821 light cavalry sabre obviously were never sharpened in all their existence - but even with dull edges they are real swords. They have well-executed distal taper to their blades, which means they are quick and responsive - I have a German basket-hilt broadsword dating to c. 1600, it is a beast topping 3lbs in weight, but it is still for its size well balanced and responsive. The problem with most repros is not that they are not sharp, it is that their forging and grinding (if any) are crude, leaving far too much metal in the faible of the blade.