Cold Steel English Back Sword, Grey

It’s a beautifully made, beautifully balanced sword. However, mine did come with a slight warp towards the tip. It ain’t an awful warp, mind you, but it is noticeable enough.

Soooo! Freakin!! AWESoooommmmee!!! very nicely sharp but not "SHARP" sharp and they did bevel 6"-8" of the spine at the tip. its not 'cutting' sharp but does provide a better stabbing profile. the nice thick spine for the rest of the blade makes it all the more durable but ever so slightly heavy but is offset by how well its balanced inspite of it.

For the price, which was on sale at 30% off, I would score above average. I’ve seen of the reviews where they say the blade is a little whippy, I find that to be true on the last third of the blade. Looking down the blade, there’s a slight bend right where the fullers end at that last third. I would’ve definitely rated it higher. Had the blade been straight. This is the second sword I’ve received from cold steel that had a bend in the blade when I received it.

Great sword very sharp and great feel priced right

Best one I have yet. Solid blade, cuts well, seems durable. Use for work clearing cedar.

I finally found my Goldilocks sword, and of the three nice swords I own, all allegedly Cold Steel (not counting a hiltless mall store Katana, and a stainless Punisher beater that I use to limb saplings) this one fits me perfectly. It's a little heavy with me out of shape but it'll be just right if I start working out again. The ray skin is spectacular, though where the wire ends near the pommel it'sa bit prickly and will need some minimal careful work that I have not put in. The basket has two sidebraces that make it impossible to double hand comfortably, which is a shame because this is exactly a hand and a half for me. I might try loosening the side screws just to see where the tension goes and if I don't want to lop those off with boltcutters where they join the basket, but it worries me about putting undue stress on the center brace screw and eventually having to tap a bigger hole. I can grip the basket reasonably well but it's nowhere near as nimble that way. The side braces also make it hard to position my hand ideally once I start to tire (I slide up and down a lot on purpose), so if I persist then I need to rest that wrist for up to a week. Finally, I wish the back edge were sharpened up to the fuller and intend to grind an edge there eventually. Still, that list of small issues is not worth a whole star. This baby rings like a pitchfork and is my first singing sword. The navy officer saber probably would have sung without that dogleg pommel rig which needs about twice as many threads to fasten properly, but this baby is solid, and possibly overbuilt, which I do like! Almost wish I had gotten a second one when it was half price recently, because I don't think I would tire of dancing with two of these for at least a few years as a fun and unique workout, but maybe next year. I need to focus on what large pistol or small carbine I want in my left hand with this thing, I think. I am fortunate to shoot leftie and cut rightie, in this regard.

I found the English Backsword well put together with no gaps or noticeable welds in the hilt or handguard. Also, the blade has a good balance with it's POB roughly 5 1/2 inches from the hilt. The blade has an great temper with excellent lateral and distal tapers. And while it's ot a rapier, it is light and easy to use, and the construction of the handguard allows me to do a moulinet. It's also a great looking weapon, very practical and typical of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It's also reminiscent of the Palasch of European armies of the time. I highly recommend this sword to any body interested in HEMA fencing, in collecting, or just having a really well made sword to hang above the fireplace.

Just arrived. Basic stats are blade 31 and 31/32 inches long, balance 3 1/2 inches from the hilt, point of percussion 17 inches from the hilt. Decent distal taper 11/64 in forte to 7/64 two inches from the tip (multiply inches by 25.4 if you want millimeters). Image on the web page shows a leather washer between the blade and the hilt which is not present. The junction of the blade and hilt has a very slight reveal of the opening in the hilt the tang passes through. Solid, though less nimble than I expected. The grip is generous. I have big hands and it is quite comfortable. The grip is either ray or shark skin, or a nice synthetic, wire wrapped. Fit and finish are less impressive. Visible gas or electrical welds on the hilt. The first glance might lead you to think the piece is an Indian interpretation of a mortuary hilt back sword. Since the piece actually is made in India, that might even be correct. The decorative work has a distinct Indian air. One glitch is that the throat of the scabbard appears to backward, with the hook for the belt on the display side of the scabbard rather than on the seam side. The chape and leather work are all good.

Nice blade, well balanced, cuts and thrusts with great ease.

Nicely done. Beautiful fuller, nice distal taper. Weigted well to the wrist but effectively long. Sharp enough! 5 stars at this price.