Darksword Armory: Knights Templar Two Handed Sword

This review of Darksword Armories Knights Templar sword is a good example of what this Canadian based sword making company specializes in:

Very heavy (some might even say overbuilt) hand forged swords designed for the rigours of reenactment or steel on steel stageplay.

While their swords are naturally unsharpened, this one was retouched by a knife sharpener...

An as you will see in Jason Woodards review, despite its weight - this sword was well balanced enough to achieve the required velocity to cut a variety of lighter targets...

DSA Two Handed Medieval Sword

On the web site this sword is model 1340 in gallery 2, the 12th Century Medieval Sword, also known as the Two Handed Medieval Sword. But for reasons you will soon discover, I like to call it a Templar sword...

Total length, 46.5" with a 36" blade that is 2 wide inches at the base. Weight 4 Lbs 7 oz.. Regular Price $260.00 US + around $30 to $43 shipping (though it is available for significantly less, more on this shortly)...

Like all of Darksword Armory's swords, the Knights Templar sword is made from 1060 high carbon steel and tempered to a Rockwell Hardness factor of 53.

The sword is full tang, oil hardened and hand forged in Canada the old fashioned way - one at a time!!

This sword has quite an in depth history to it. On their website they note that it is:

"Classified as type Xa or XI , this is one of the most significant two handed weapons of the medieval period. Numerous two handed swords with slight variations were found through Europe, establishing a general conformity and a pattern of influence among smiths of the time."

The sword arrived at my door in good heavy packing and bubble wrap and came with a good heavy coat of oil to protect the blade. After wiping down the blade, you can really see how attractive this sword truly is!!

The sword is deeply etched across the blade on both sides and reads "MILITARIS TEMPLI" which is Latin for "KNIGHTS TEMPLAR".

The sword also has the Darksword Armory trade mark at the base of the blade "DSA" in a round stamp - like all the swords they make come with.

The handle is wrapped in black leather and very tightly wound.. The fittings of the guard has a high polish and stand out.

The sword also comes with a nice scabbard - done in the same black leather as the hilt, and fits nice and snug in the sheath..

This is a true two handed sword and feels very good in your hands.

It seems to have great balance and flows well with your swings. The balance point is about five inches from the cross guard.

"For a heavy sword it handles very well..."

I had my local Knife sharpener put a razor's edge on the blade. He said the swords' steel was of very high quality and the edge should last..

I was really looking forward to testing this bad boy Templar out.

So I set up some fun tests in the back yard... First I started with a pineapple.. My first swing was at the top of the green leaves that stick up... Result - a nice clean cut..

Then I cut it in the middle and I hardly even felt the contact at all!! Another nice clean cut!!

Test 2, A pool noodle, with a fast downward swing the noodle was cut very clean, as you can clearly see from the pictures below..

Test 3, I was able to cut 3 two litre bottles filled with water at once. I did feel the contact with these but the templar made the cut nicely..

Test 4 a 20lb watermelon: I put the melon up on a trash can and gave it a two handed powerful swing. It made a great sound going through it..The two pieces of the melon fell to the ground and split open a little from the impact with the ground, but the cut again was very clean..

What Can I say!??! This is a very nice sword!!

It's heavy and very well made. All the fittings are tight.. Even with out a sharp edge this sword would be ideal for sword practice or fairs.. I may not sharpen the next one I get just for that reason. But this Knights Templar sword is sharp, strong and means business!! A true Templar!!

Thank you all again for your time. Jason Woodard..

PROS

• Very well balanced

• Extremely strong and durable blade

• Attractive and unique templar lettering on the blade

• A bit too heavy for a sword of this particular type

• Comes unsharpened, but a sharpening option is available for an additional $25)

WHERE TO BUY

The Norman Sword Normally Sells at Darksword for $275 plus around $35 shipping) for a total amount of around $310.

However, you can get the latest model shipped FREE in the USA and Canada here at the SBG Sword Store for just $264.99