I almost hate to admit it... (because I'm a hanwei fanboy now) This sword has potential! Sharp, light, stiff, loud sword wind,good thruster and cutter, unique looking blade. Not bad, not bad at all. It can be really awkward cutting on a stand that low, so I think you're right that it could do better. Nice cut on the milk carton BTW 🤘💀 they can be tricky to get a good cut on. I've been left scratched my head a few times cause of a milk carton. Lol. Usually that's when the sharpener comes out.
Of the RK Euro swords I've owned - #1, 2 (scratch & dent), 10, and 15 - I think this is my favorite. Still has some areas that could be improved, but a really solid sword for the price.
Thanks for this! (And I certainly understand the limits imposed by heat and wrist injuries.) I was wondering about these new ones, as I have several of the older models and, while tough, are pretty beefy, convex, and lack significant distal taper. And I've redone all the grips. Good video, even with the limitations!
Seems kinda standard for Ronin Euro models. The blade outshines everything else by a significant margin. I own the number 7 which I bought about 3 years ago, and the same gripes about the handle apply. If they were to make a more ergonomic handle, either rectangular or more of an oval to prevent the sword from turning in your hand, this would probably be one of the best swords under 500 bucks. On the sharpness, if you take it to a leather strop with some polishing compound to refine the edge, that should fix it. The edge geometry on these is really good, just needs a bit of touching up. Good review 👍
@alientude or anybody. With these shorter bastard swords, are you supposed to put both hands close together? Or is it acceptable to put one hand on the wheel pommel?
Keeping in mind that I do not have any HEMA training available to me, I believe different fighting styles have different ideas about where to place the hands. I think having one hand partially gripping the pommel works very well with this sword. I would not want to fully grip it, however - with the hilt percussion node near the crossguard/where the upper hand grips, there will be vibrations at the pommel, and steel does not help mute those nearly as well as the grip does.
@alientude thank you. I come from a hema mostly German style background but "bastard" sword technique isn't really mentioned as I have mostly been taught to have some space in between my hands for different techniques. I have a bastard sword trainer that I have been messing around with and i will straight up say I don't like having my hands close together to fit on the handle
Just speculation, but as longswords were developed and schools of fencing were practising two handed fencing, there were thousands of existing arming swords rendered obselete for these new techniques. An easy fix was to swap the existing pommel for an extended pommel, allowing for that hand-and-a-half look. This way, existing high quality blades could be used with contemporary techniques. Bastard swords would therefore be altered arming swords, and a modification, rather than a specific invention.
Just took a look and it seems interesting. First thing I always look for with Windlass is distal taper - 3/16" to 1/16" is what MRL has for that model. 3/16" might be a bit thin for a saber-like blade, but I'm not familiar enough with kilij to say that with any degree of authority. It's good to see that they're listing it getting down to 1/16" though.
I almost hate to admit it... (because I'm a hanwei fanboy now)
This sword has potential! Sharp, light, stiff, loud sword wind,good thruster and cutter, unique looking blade.
Not bad, not bad at all.
It can be really awkward cutting on a stand that low, so I think you're right that it could do better. Nice cut on the milk carton BTW 🤘💀 they can be tricky to get a good cut on. I've been left scratched my head a few times cause of a milk carton. Lol. Usually that's when the sharpener comes out.
Of the RK Euro swords I've owned - #1, 2 (scratch & dent), 10, and 15 - I think this is my favorite. Still has some areas that could be improved, but a really solid sword for the price.
That looks like an awesome sword ESPECIALLY for the price : D
I just got this Bastage. It is my 3rd sword from Ronin Katana and it is definitely the best balanced and I can already tell it will be my favorite.
Yesssss!!!! I've been waiting for a while!!❤
Thanks for this! (And I certainly understand the limits imposed by heat and wrist injuries.) I was wondering about these new ones, as I have several of the older models and, while tough, are pretty beefy, convex, and lack significant distal taper. And I've redone all the grips. Good video, even with the limitations!
Thanks!
This was a fantastic review and pushed me to order it for myself. I can't wait for it to arrive.
Hope you enjoy it!
Seems kinda standard for Ronin Euro models. The blade outshines everything else by a significant margin. I own the number 7 which I bought about 3 years ago, and the same gripes about the handle apply.
If they were to make a more ergonomic handle, either rectangular or more of an oval to prevent the sword from turning in your hand, this would probably be one of the best swords under 500 bucks.
On the sharpness, if you take it to a leather strop with some polishing compound to refine the edge, that should fix it. The edge geometry on these is really good, just needs a bit of touching up.
Good review 👍
Yeah, I mentioned stropping w/ compound would likely do a lot of good on the edge. That's true of most sharp swords you can buy!
Love your videos
Thanks!
That's a really nice-looking sword for the money!
Agreed!
@alientude or anybody. With these shorter bastard swords, are you supposed to put both hands close together? Or is it acceptable to put one hand on the wheel pommel?
Keeping in mind that I do not have any HEMA training available to me, I believe different fighting styles have different ideas about where to place the hands. I think having one hand partially gripping the pommel works very well with this sword. I would not want to fully grip it, however - with the hilt percussion node near the crossguard/where the upper hand grips, there will be vibrations at the pommel, and steel does not help mute those nearly as well as the grip does.
@alientude thank you.
I come from a hema mostly German style background but "bastard" sword technique isn't really mentioned as I have mostly been taught to have some space in between my hands for different techniques. I have a bastard sword trainer that I have been messing around with and i will straight up say I don't like having my hands close together to fit on the handle
Just speculation, but as longswords were developed and schools of fencing were practising two handed fencing, there were thousands of existing arming swords rendered obselete for these new techniques. An easy fix was to swap the existing pommel for an extended pommel, allowing for that hand-and-a-half look. This way, existing high quality blades could be used with contemporary techniques. Bastard swords would therefore be altered arming swords, and a modification, rather than a specific invention.
Alien!
nice video
i regret sellong my ronin german longsword such is life
have you seen windlass Kilij? i just saw it curious your thoughts
Just took a look and it seems interesting. First thing I always look for with Windlass is distal taper - 3/16" to 1/16" is what MRL has for that model. 3/16" might be a bit thin for a saber-like blade, but I'm not familiar enough with kilij to say that with any degree of authority. It's good to see that they're listing it getting down to 1/16" though.