A Hand and a Half - Practical or Out Dated?

[Harkon72]

I was gifted a Medieval Sword last week, a Hand and a Half, or B*stard Sword. The measure in the title refers to the length of the handle, and it is a hybrid of a one handed sword and a two handed broadsword. I know there are Medieval Re-enactors in my area, does anyone know if I can learn to use this Weapon? It would be very physically demanding, it's big and heavy. It has a beautiful etched blade and a crussiform decorated with dragons. I'm very lucky to have it but want to do more with it than just admire it. I would like to meet a contemporary Medieval Sword master, but I suspect this will only happen in my dreams. I have to realize I suppose that teachers of western historical martial arts are very rare, and authentic ones rarer still.

[MasterPain]

A blog from our friend Dr. Steve.

http://qwillery.blogspot.com/2012/09/guest-blog-by-steve-bein-why-swords.html

And remember, a sword is obsolete until someone comes at you with one. They are then become Death, destroyer of flesh.

[Liver Punch]

It would be very physically demanding, it's big and heavy.

There's a guy on here who's a much bigger expert in this stuff than am I...although his user name completely escapes me and I'm too lazy to look it up. Anyhow, while swinging anything about for a long amount of time is physically demanding, as is any variety of combat. However, I've got some literature that all points to something such as this sword, historically speaking, as only weighing 2 lbs. or so.

[MasterPain]

More importantly, are you sure it's made to be swung? Many of the cool looking swords have a rat tail tang, making them a deathtrap to anyone within 100 ft.

[Harkon72]

It's designed to be "Thrown", never to leave you hands but to be cast towards the target. Only the first foot or so of the blade was sharpened, it was common to hold the sword one hand either side of the guard and use it as a short spear. Spanish Steel was harder than the native blades in Britain, they learnt to forge it from the Moors. Crushing weapons were popular with the trend for plate armor but B*astard swords were used until the mid sixteenth century.

[Zoodles]

Your sword sounds like a wall hanger, and I would not use it for anything. A proper longsword would weigh 2.5 to 3.5 pounds on average and has very fine balance. It will be made from carbon steel and have a level of flexibility.

You can learn how to use such a sword. Just google your city and the words HEMA. there are now hundreds of groups that study these weapons.

If you do train get yourself a proper trainer from a company like albion swords or arms&armour. Learn how to use it, then buy a proper replica sword.

[Harkon72]

Thank you that is a very interesting video, I will try and get in touch with some people that do this kind of MA. I too think that my sword was meant to be admired.

[JohnnyB]

The game ''Mount and Blade'' that is built upon very realistic medieval weapon properties and features, has the B'stard Sword swing slower than a one handed blade but can be dual wielded anytime giving out substantially more damage making it one of the favoring dueling swords among swordmasters.

Especially a well balanced B'stard Sword its the best of both worlds when comparing one handed vs two handed blades.

[Zoodles]

In reality, two handed blades are faster than one handed blades, and you can't duel wield em

For that you need a sword and a dagger.

[JohnnyB]

hmmm yeah excuse my engrish that's what i meant (2 handed use).