what do you think about this gladius

[TITVS PVLLO]

what do you think about this gladius

http://kriscutlery.com/medieval/roman.html

[Primvs Pavlvs]

My friend owns one of these swords. I must say it is an excellent deal if your willing to do some upgrades to make it more authentic. The blades is much better quality than your run of the mill reproductions on the market. With a little elbow grease and some sudy of period pieces you could have .an excellent sword.

[Matthew Amt]

Hey, that's improved since last time I saw it. Yeah, I'd swap the thick brass guard plate for a thinner one (probably inset) and add a crossband to the top of the chape. The way the top of the grip is cupped to match the pommel is odd--better to square off the grip and make a flat spot on the pommel to match.

One thing that Kris Kutlery likes is to use exotic woods, often New World, Asian, or Pacific. What is shown here isn't too obviously non-Roman (though it might be if you are a real wood expert!), I just think he's putting too much emphasis on the wrong aspect (and in the wrong way). Better if he had taken one more glance at a good scabbard and gotten all the brasswork in the right places.

Getting there!

Matthew