Enough Slash for Your Cash? - 1796 & 1860 Light Cavalry Sabers (Full Review)
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- Опубліковано 13 вер 2024
- Even if you don't have a special interest in military sabers of the 18th and 19th century, these reproductions stand out for their high historical accuracy and craftsmanship.
As usual I've put them to the test, cutting tatami mats with and without hardwood core, as well as testing the structural integrity through blade on blade parries. Of course also giving you an up close look at the fit & finish, so you can get an eye of the quality for the price.
British 1796 Light cavalry saber by LK Chen
Overall length: 94 cm (37''), measured straight from tip to end of grip
Blade length: 82 cm (32-1/4''), tip to guard
Blade width: 3 - 3.5 cm (1 3/16'' - 1 3/8'')
Blade thickness: 7mm (1/4'') tapering to 2mm (1/16'')
Weight: 953 g (2 lbs 1.6 oz)
Point of balance: 15.25 cm (6'') from the guard
Blade material: GB 60Si2MnA, heat treated to 53-55 HRC
Hilt assembly: Full tang, peened
www.kultofathe... (affiliate link)
lkchensword.co...
American 1860 Light cavalry saber by LK Chen
Overall length: 104.5 cm (41-1/8''), straight from tip to end of grip
Blade length: 89.5cm (35-1/4''), tip to guard
Blade width: 2 - 2.5 cm (13/16'' - 1'')
Blade thickness: 8.5mm (5/16'') tapering to 3.2mm (1/8'')
Weight: 1.09 kg (2 lbs 6.7 oz)
Point of balance: 12 cm (4-3/4'') from the guard
Blade material: GB 60Si2MnA, heat treated to 53-55 HRC
Hilt assembly: Full tang, peened
www.kultofathe... (affiliate link)
lkchensword.co...
** Sources and credits **
Matt Easton's videos about the 1796 pattern:
• 1796 Light Cavalry Sab...
• SWORD DESIGN: Style ov...
/ 1796_light_calvary_sab...
www.flickr.com...
www.bladesmith...
www.antique-sw...
myarmoury.com/t...
www.ima-usa.co...
commons.wikime...
commons.wikime...
www.ancestrygu...
www.faganarms....
Music:
"March" by Spring Spring
opengameart.or...
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)
Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
theslantedroom...
Used with artist's permission
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#skallagrim #sword #saber #review #history
If you like sword tests and reviews, check out these other ones too if you haven't seen them yet:
Testing the Supreme Cutters: I was not Ready for This...
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This Sword is Beastly! (Two-Handed Katzbalger?)
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Possibly the Best Single-Handed Cutting Sword I've Tested!
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Vicious Weapon from Hawaii: The Leiomano
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Will This $250 Yatagan Make the Cut? (Sword Review)
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Is Kendo Experience Useful for Cutting with Sharp Swords?
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Also if you'd like to help cover cutting materials and others expenses while getting bonus content you can sign up as a member or patron.
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They got any accurate cutlasses as naval is more my interest the cavalry.
They got any accurate cutlasses as naval is more my interest the cavalry.
ua-cam.com/video/7dqweWPohyM/v-deo.htmlsi=KyK6cF0s-XvEVXIS
I commented on your last video about the sports tape for your forearm/elbow pain. You may not have seen it, however I am mentioning it again because I think it really helps. I linked a UA-cam video of how to tape your elbow/arm. I hope it helps.
any recommendations on budget military sabres that can actually be used?
Now if only LK Chen would send you the Mongol Saber... (If y'all are reading this please do)
As one trained with saber on horse. I can tell you that keeping your edge alignment is more important than edge sharpness.
Where does one get training for horse combat in the modern age?
@adamyoung6797 I honestly don't know anymore. I'm 70 and am a veteran that had more opportunities than others (I think). I got curious when j went through cavalry ceremony training. I pursued the subject.
:O thanks for your service!
Yeah probably edge alignment is like 90% of cutting, but I really think that keeping a ludicrously sharp and maintained edge is really underplayed. Like a dull edge with perfect alignment isn't gonna cut a coat even at full gallop, but a razor will.
@@tylerreed610 well it depends on the mass, and the angle of the edge, too thin and sharp is useless as a blunt sword, the goal is to cut more than once.
Finally, the light saber episode
Good one 😆
Duyuuknohow loooooong ahhbeen waitin’fodis?
Obi Skall has taught you well..
Take my upvote and get out!
good pun
0:42 the saber looks beautiful with that deep red reflection.
May you heal swiftly.
LK Chen produces such good swords. Glad he's so integrated at Kult of Athena now.
Also, KK is a complete gold mine of useful information and an excellent contact.
I'm actually a really big fan of military sabres, so this was right up my alley
Likewise, getting your hands on originals is like holding history in your hands. And you can perform some non-contact drills with them, it’s perfect.
@@Tax_Collector01 I just think they're neat, I like the idea of mass produced swords.
@@bookerdewitt4811 I see, I suppose we enjoy different aspects about them! That’s a cool take on military swords, especially if there is a serial/production number on them .
@@Tax_Collector01 everyone's got different tastes, but we all like swords! My favorite has to be the American Artillery short sword though.
my thing about military sabres is they have treatises designed to drill you on the very sabre you possess, if you do your research correctly
Really like this title.
Should make a whole series named as such.
Thanks for the review! I've sought a 1796 for like 10 years and now I got a good one.
Hey Skall, hope you heal up quickly! Great overview. These really are two very nice and as you put it 'representative' examples of their historical sabres. It's interesting that they struggled as much as they did with the tatami; I haven't tested mine on tatami yet, but they have made short work on almost any other target. Guess it's time to pony up...
Back to the classic practical product review. Great to see, great details as always 🙂
Wanted a 1796 for years. One of the few paterns working for a left handers. Ordered one after seeing your first video on those sabers from LK. After this closeup, I cannot wait to have it in my hands. Was very happy with the messer you also reviewed (Gustave). Keep up the good work! Always a pleasure to watch!
I was just chatting about sabers like this. They're not for me, but my brother likes them. I'll have him watch, too.
LK Chen makes fantastic blades.
I got interested in LK from a review video just like this! Since then I've had their Munich Town Guard and their Italian Longsword and would absolutely recommend them. The longsword especially feels so good in the hand.
Skal, thanks for the blade on blade tests/comments. I know it's a small thing, but so rarely so you get any information about that in reviews.
awesome review! LK chen raises the bar once again.
Welcome to the Slash for Cash Dojo! Can't even believe my memory somehow preserved that for 30 years without need. 🙄
I have read some interesting things about the 1796 Pattern Sabre and why the government issue ones were often heavier, because the government issue ones were made in batch order they tended to be cheaper where as privately made swords were more often made to a standard whereby an officer would go to a shop where the sword would be tailored to their hand with a wooden model to get them a precise fit. After 1815 many of the government issue sabres were sold off to various people; The East India Company bought up a lot as did local governments and they'd entre service with the police forces of various British cities and towns and so into even the later 19th century you could find a 1796 Pattern Sabre being carried by a local constable or bailiff (although in my town the bailiff back then didn't because he was "loathed to surrender his halberd" which would be given after his death to the Castle when it became a museum in 1899).
As for the 1860 Light Cavalry sabre I once read that there was a reason it needed a firm pull to get it out the scabbard, and that was an attempt on some models to get around a problem the "wrist breaker" had apparently encountered during the Mexican-American War, and that when riding over the bumpy terrain of the South-West and Mexico it was supposedly prone to falling out of its scabbard and being lost, although if it was unpopular to use some speculation exists that they might not have fallen off entirely on their own.
One thing I can say is that I've seen no sources indicating tatami mats were ever deployed against the US military during this time period.
That’s funny about the bailiff not wanting to surrender his halberd 😆. I don’t blame him! I’d rather have a halberd than a saber too! Halberds are badass and intimidating! You don’t want to be on the receiving end of one of those!
@@117rebel As controversial to his contemporaries as he was. I could definitely see how a someone thinking about shoplifting might want to think twice when seeing a man with a halberd walking round the high-street. Not to mention he is reported to have rescued a child from the river with it by using the point to hook their coat and fish them out with it, this story eventually swaying the corporation to not retiring his halberd.
@@edspace. You see! Halberds can double as rescue tools in a pinch! Lol.
@@117rebel Definitely a versatile tool.
Skall i think you earned the reputation of being honest and fair with your reviews, so if theres nothing wrong with it in your opinion then its a no brainer buy
Sword is already on back order. Beautiful.
LK Chen has really established themselves as one of if not the top reproduction maker on the market. I don't think they've made a bad blade yet, at reasonable prices. I wish I had the budget to get all of them.
0:08 I like your cheesy over used effect... I think the editor is always sick of effects before people actually consuming the video. Use it more, it's cool. 😉
WKC Solingen bought a lot of machines back in the day. Wilkinson Sword ones etc. They still produce sabres to "parade" with. Might be worth a look for collectors.
I loved Easton's videos on these swords, but this was the video I was waiting for.
I was just looking last night for this follow up to the saber video. Good timing!
I've been so excited for this video ever since you said you were planning it! That 1860 saber is absolutely gorgeous to me; I love that blade shape combined with that handle shape and guard. I've always loved sabers in general, and that one just looks so elegant. Also, I was wondering: do you have any plans on reviewing or talking about LK Chen's Yuan Mongolian Saber? I saw Matt Easton's video on it and fell in love with that sword. I had never really been exposed to swords from that part of the world in that time period before, and I immediately became enamored with it. Regardless, I loved this video, and all others you've put out! Keep on keeping on
Thanks for keeping it real, your authenticity is refreshing
I am quite satisfied with my LK Chen 1860. The blade is fantastic. Finish on the guard and scabbard could be better but the blade and dimensions are the real deal. After a lifetime of handling cheap m1860 repros I was impressed by the authority of this sword. They are long and made for cavalry, not fencing. I'll definitely be buying something else from LK Chen.
Victorian Fashion is awesome. I love it! The sabres are cool too.
I say, that 1796 saber looks quite handsome and stately.
Skallagrim said it himself: he's not a sabre guy. But complaining about the back-strap and the grip-wire is the biggest self-report that he don't get sabres. 😅😂
Great video! Do more like this whenever you can. 👍
Love a good saber review! Nice work Skall!
Appreciate the honesty in your videos, it's rare these days
They do pretty good work for the money, I haven't been disappointed yet
7:50 I actually mentioned to lk about this, my period antiques have the throat tinned or silversoldered so they dont dull the blade
Thanks for the new video ! 😊
Nice review, Skall. Definitely interesting.
I hope they sent these to Matt Easton as well. It would be nice to get a long-time sabreur's take as well.
1860 cavalry sabers are still awarded to soldiers in cavalry squadrons 🙂
I have an antique sabre collection. I also own a few repro sabres. The repro are usually larger and heavier than the originals. My first sabre was a COLD STEEL Napolionic repro. The length is insane, and the handle is large and uncomfortable. I have an antique Napolionic hussar sabre, and it is sooooo light and comfortable to hold. I think modern sword manufacturers are overcompensating something.
My Dad had an 1860 saber back in the 1960s. There was no liner in the scabbard, just steel. I have read that the scabbard would dull the blade as it bounced on horseback. Also remember it being a surprisingly tight fit. Was told it was to keep the sword in the sheath as cavalry bounced across the rough countryside.
I have the LK Chen 1796 LCS. It's a fantastic cutter, as well as being historically accurate.
For some us, thanks for the info specs on taper thickness in some parts of the blade... The easier to forge out accurate copies of our own for them is that watch channels like THIS then turn round an follow it up with old Forged in Fire reruns...
Least if one happens to ALSO have forging skills all at same time too
Happy to see more reviews.
I love original military swords and sabers, if there’s two things I really enjoy…it’s antiques and swords, combine the two interests and you have what I am trying to collect. However, at the moment I can only afford to purchase antique sword bayonets. College struggles, am I right?
Terrific review, as always.
I don't own any weapons but that 1796 is so cool I'm tempted to get one...
Just to note, in the way of 1v1 duels with swords, they could be very prolonged depending on the combatant. The infamous buccaneer Blackbeard, for instance, during his duel with Captain Maynard it was reported that he was stabbed 20 times before he finally succumbed to his injuries, it only ended once an English sailor caught the pirate down on the deck, his life fading then seizing that moment to finish him off!
I’ve being waiting for the review of these sabers since his first video on them
Scholagladiatora reports that apparently American cavalrymen regularly complained about being issued dull sabres without equipment to sharpen them. A sword striking but sharply bouncing off a target instead of passing partly through it might actually break someone's wrist. That's just speculation though; no sources to back it up.
@@TheWhiteDragon3 , Interesting angle on origin of the sobriquet!
I wonder if the idea was to issue the sharpening tools only on the eave of war, similar to how the British would only order soldiers to sharpen their blades when war was declared.
If the slash is trash save the cash buy potato mash
I can feel a tingling i have not fwlt in a wile. That 1796 is beautiful
Interestingly Matt Easton has a video on this apparently a large amount of the 1860s cavalry sabers came dull from the the factory, which is why the revolver was perfeered by most cavalry during the Civil War.
So glad that the onlyfans bots are enjoying 18-19th century sabre content
Why wouldn't they?
Their line of work also requires a nicely sized saber and good sheath fitment.
hope your elbow heals quickly skall!
Great Review! Get well soon!
I have several originals - The officer's models vary a lot but they tend to be a LOT lighter, like almost half the weight. The hilt on that is ok, some oeiginals do look exactly like that, but really good ones are sleeker (that cap is very stubby). Government originals had excellent fit and finish, so that one isnt better, its just pretty much the same.
Sabres of all kinds had metal backstraps for over a hundred years so that's not an unusual feature and I realy prefer it.
Its a myth that other reproductions of the 1796 has no distal taper- the most popular were the ones by Cold Steel (with their horrible ads) and Universal swords. The problem with them was that they had linear distal taper, whereas real versions have more complex taper. The only repro it know of that didnt have any was the Deepeka version but there may have been others. They were super cheap though.
I like this recent focus on sabres. I like them the most!
The LK Chen 1860 definitely cuts better than the originals considering that the originals weren’t really sharpened.
These are some nice looking blades.
Using the momentum of a horse while you follow through with a cut or cutting down from height while seated on a horse would very much compensate for some bad edge alignment. These days people are looking for the perfect cut. But just think if you where a solider and you had one of these hit your face or arm with the edge battle sharpened the night before do you real think the cavalry trooper cares if he made the perfect cut. More than likely he had just taken an enemy combatant out of the fight or has straight up ended you. Fun vid as always Skal
Worth remembering the original isn't in original condition - its been used, cleaned, polished, stored for a while and probably practised and simply played with for a very long time, so a smoother finish from all those hours of hands on it. That rivet at the pommel end probably looks great in the picture through the passage of time as much as anything - maybe they could have done more on the reproduction to make it better, but I highly doubt the originals were nearly as smooth as the image makes it look fresh out of the box..
Thank You!
I own that saber as part of my old unit's ceremonial dress (spurs, saber, stetson).
Wife was screaming one night, saber was the closest thing I could grab. Turned out we had a possum in the chicken coop with a dead chicken in it's mouth. I did not expect the saber to absolutely crucify that 20lb beast as easy as it did, but it did.
Very cool and interesting information
Video: hey check these repro cavalry sabres...
Me: nice, nice
Video: ...from LK Chen
Me: Now you really have my attention
But seriously, LK Chen seems to be on a roll with well-made, well-thought-out stuff. At least from what I see as a viewer who doesn't own any swords. ...yet
1796 is a fan favourite 🎉
1796 Light Sabres are still fairly widely available in Britain, where I am from. Napoleonic reenactors most often use the real thing!
Looks really good
In regards to the tightness of the scabbard, I actually inherited an 1840 "Wristbreaker" from my grandfather years ago. And the scabbard on that sucker is TIGHT. Granted it's also rusted and missing it's handle (just the tang and guard remains) so that may be a contributing factor.
Saber Vs Scimitar? They look somewhat alike. Also, Nice sorcery at the beginning of the video.
As an American veteran, I cracked up at the “doubt that”. 😂
I've got an original, officers 1797, with a spearpoint tip, made by Osbern before 1808 for junior officers, and that repo looks pretty good.
I'm an amateur/hobbyist knifemaker and I've *attempted* to make a couple swords.
Every extra inch doubles the difficulty when you're swinging the hammer.
My rotator cuff is worth about 10 inches of blade every week.
One of my family heirlooms is an 1840 pattern, have no idea why they call it a wrist breaker, it definitely feels fine in the hand.
That's Sharpes sword ae?
"What do you say? He said ae!"
Lol great show.
I LOVE ALL Skallagrim videos!
Same type of saber as seen in "The Duelists", the way these cut I can easily picture the real officers they were based upon duking it out with them. Eyes locked with lots of aggressive movements, the tension building as the bout picks up in speed and intensity. Compared to the film real duels could be terrifying sans the Hollywood glitz and glamour.
Nice I've been looking for a good calvary sabre.
For cavalry sword, i recommended the patton sword "M1913 Cavalry sword" of US cavalry 😀
I never understood the lack of pommel on swords from this period. The only way I could make it make sense in my mind is that these sabers were always just purely ornamental and were never actually meant to be used in combat, because without the counterbalance of a pommel, they're always incredibly blade-heavy and cumbersome to wield. That said, I'm no expert in post-Renaissance swords by any means.
I have one of the recent Cold Steel 1796 Light Cavalry Sabres and while the LK Chen _is_ more historically correct, the Cold Steel isn't a mile off--the "ears" on the handle aren't riveted, it doesn't have quite as much distal taper, and it has a nut instead of a peened pommel, but it really doesn't have any glaring problems. In addition, you can pick them up, with a leather instead of steel scabbard, for well under $200, less than half of what the LK Chen sells for. Something to think about.
ABOUT BLOODY TIME
LK chen with the infinity gauntlet of making swords from all over the world and making them decent builds 😂
These are the first sabers I think of when I think of sabers.
Apparently, the 1840 was also longer than then 1860, which could contribute to it feeling heavier than it was compared to the 1860.
I never really comment on videos but this stuck to me 'the sabres were overbuilt' it's got more to do with the mentality/purpose of how to use these, looking at Eisenhowers treatise on how to fight on horseback, he even designed a sabre for that purpose, the US cavalry was all about having a weighty sword to parry and stab at the same time during a clash. so that might explain why the sabres tend to be 'heavy' as they're more difficult to displace compared to european sabres that usually were a lot lighter. The US sabres often had the nickname 'wristbreaker' if I recall correctly.
Oh wow nice looking. Now I would love to see a Spanish cutlass.
Sabers are easily my number 1 favorite single handed weapon out there, rapiers are a close second
Gorgeous
A show on Victorian fashion would be great.
Make fashion great again.
Matt would be proud. Great job.
Spadroons anyone?
Skall in Victorian fashion is so fire, he looks the part very well.
ok those sabers are freakin sick
Good reviews. Yeah you holiding these with your left hand did throw me off a bit. I hope your elbow heals up soon.
Look at the tasteful thickness of that blade
Found a real historical one at a militarie faire for 140 bucks, should've bought it
I became interested in this sword after watching the patriot. Beautiful sabers.
Beautiful sword
I've always wanted to see Cold Steel's heavy cavalry saber tested. I've got one myself and it works well enough, but I have neither the space nor the time to properly truly test it.
11:05 i had the same issue(1875 USMC NCO saber, $80 cheapo i bought to have a beater on hand), but then i got gloves and it CLICKED
I can't help to noticed the 1796 reproduction saber nailed the two "nails" exactly like measurement on 2:57 where one side were slightly shorter than the other.
The attention to details ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
Also would like to see testing on riding cuts & thrusts, maybe simulate on a bouncy dirt bike?
I'm just happy that we get more decent saber reproductions.
Yes, you might be able to get an original for a similar price, but would you want to risk damaging it with cutting practice?
So many things on Kult of Athena seem to be on backorder all the time now.
Definitely one thing that sucks about weapon collecting becoming a bigger hobby.