I have mixed feelings about this sword, mostly because it is the first sword I have ever owned and as a starter it was great, but as a real sword it's a mockery. However, just because it's not real doesn't mean it doesn't have it's share of good qualities. Let's get into it then, shall we?
First of all, one thing I can truly respect about this sword is its beautiful design. It's why I got it in the first place. In my youth and ignorance of sword buying, I wanted something nice but dirt cheap, and I also wanted it to have some personality. And that is exactly what this sword has- a bit of personality; it's unique although not over the top. One of the first things that attracted me to this sword was its slight leaf blade style and unique pointed pommel. I also really liked the cross guard on it, however, the handle itself does not feel very grippy at all.
Now on to the problems. Though I have never taken it apart, I can tell that it is a rat tail tang. It clinks around inside the handle every time you move the sword. This makes it a very unstable blade, so don't whack it against anything. That being said, I have practiced some basic movements and have accidentally hit it against many things and it's still in good shape. The scabbard, which looks and feels very nice at first, is actually not very good quality. It didn't take long for the scabbard to not have a strong hold of the blade and moved around a lot inside of it. Also, the top piece of my scabbard became loose after a while and came of completely. An easy fix with some super glue, but I shouldn't have to do that- and of course if you are using super glue on a sword, it's not real. The blade is a mock edge but the point, like on most swords, is quite sharp.
If you are just getting started on sword collecting, you don't take collecting too seriously and aren't looking for something practical, this is for you. It's got a great look and makes an absolutely beautiful display. For a modest price of about $30, you really can't go wrong, just don't expect to ride into battle with this at your hip.
