Hanwei Mercenary Sword Review

It is easy to overlook the Hanwei Mercenary Sword.

It is, after all, not really marketed as well as it could be - and is lumped in with a series of relatively cheap completely unhsitorical swords such as the 'Lionheart' and 'Agincourt' which are really little more than tough semi-sharpened crowbars..

But as we shall see momentarily, whether by accident or design, this is actually - at least in terms of appearance - a very good replica of a sword that was once in the personal collection of the great sword historian and scholar, Ewart Oakeshott.

But how does it stack up overall? Read on and find out!

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Hanwei Mercenary Sword Review

Reviewed by David McCall, Idaho, USA

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So as I said here is the start of some overdue reviews of some swords I have had for quite awhile but never got around to reviewing. This sword I’m reviewing was a special gift from a member of the community (retired SBG forum global moderator: William Swiger) and a really fun sword to use that just came back on the market. I have customized mine a bit but I feel that most will still get a feel if this sword is for them from this review.

Historical Overview

This sword easily classifies as an Oakeshott Type XX as it is a near exact replica of one formerly owned by Oakeshott himself. The Type XX were a later period sword and one of the last hurrahs for the Longsword or Warsword on the battlefield as primary weapons.

These swords were prominently of the Warsword or Longsword categories with some single hand variants in the sub-type XXa. The Type XX defining features included a long two-handed grip between 8”-10” and a long triple fullered blade tapering to an acute point. They were very imposing battlefield weapons introduced in the late 14th century that saw prominent use well into the 16th century.

The Type XX also had another role in Medieval society outside the battle field. There were even larger non-functional Type XX swords used as bearing swords for ceremonies such as coronations and display. These swords tended to have more rounded tips as well as decorated blades and large gaudy hilt furniture. It could be speculated that the Type XX and its multiple uses were both the inspiration for the more dressy XXI and XXII Typologies as well as the large and even more imposing Zweihander and Langschwert Greatswords of the following century.

The Type XX saw use throughout Europe but seems to be favored in Italy and England according to most archeological digs. It may have been the last of the traditional blade profiles of the middle ages but few could argue that with the Type XX the Warsword definitely went out with a bang.

Initial Impressions

Initial impressions for this sword were probably the most fun I’ve had un-boxing a sword as to tell you the truth I didn’t know just what I was getting and William wasn’t giving any hints. The sword came in great packaging and you could tell William took some extra time when packing it. I knew what sword it was right out of the box from browsing all the seller sites. I liked the look and size and was actually quite surprised that I had acquired two Type XX swords one after the other as I had just purchased my Roven a little earlier.

Actually to tell the truth I originally thought this sword was a cheaper copy of the XVIIIc Svante Nilsson Sword. But a few of the guys set me straight about what type it was. None the less it was a welcome addition to my small collection at the time and I could happily add a Warsword to my collection. I never did get an answer from William why he chose this sword for me.

Statistics

• Blade Length: 35” (Width: 2” at base to 1/4” at the tip
• Handle Length: 9” (*Modified* 3 3/4” round at the guard to 2 3/4” at the pommel.)
• Overall Length: 47”
• Guard Width: 10”
• Point of Balance: 3 1/2”
• Center of Percussion: 20” from the guard
• Weight: A little above 4 lbs

The Blade

The blade is a pretty impressive stout piece of steel. It’s polish is of the standard semi-gloss Hanwei is known for in their medieval swords. The edge from what I’ve been told comes pretty dull stock and from what William told me the edge was pretty difficult to re-profile. The steel is pretty hard and makes me wonder just what steel it is as Hanwei’s only description is simply “Carbon Steel”. It could be the 5160 used on other medieval swords they offer or the 1095 they’ve said they use on their practical katana line but more than likely it’s 1065 (Editors Note: They are actually 1566 Carbon Steel)

The blade does have it’s “price point” faults, the most blatant being the ugly 1” riccasso at the base of the blade. Even tough historically Type XX were known to have riccassos, its pretty obvious that this is a factory thing as all the “budget medievals” or as they were called back before the re-intro, Cas Iberia models have the 1” riccasso. It would’ve been nice (especially at the “after fire” mark ups) if they at least removed those riccassos from the line. The fullers also stop at the riccasso and go down to about 3/4 of the blades length. Very accurate to the original there are three fullers following each other down the length of the blade. The fullers are done pretty well but don’t meet up and taper abruptly at both ends. Nothing too discerning especially at the old price point.

Overall this blade could be classified in the modern market as a “pretty beater” with some decent attention to historical detail. The blade definitely has some extra meat to the blade though it’s still comfortable to hold and swing thanks to the high point of balance and the long grip.

The Handle

My description will be different than the stock model as I never actually handled the stock handle as by the time I got it William had re-wrapped it. From what I got it was cheap black leather glued to the wood core. It seems that the original leather is the same or similar to what’s used on the scabbard in pics. The original handle was pretty fat and round and not very comfortable to someone smaller handed like me. Yea I’m that guy that prefers the thin Hanwei Tinker handles. Anyway before my handle work the grip was extra fat in the center and tapered down from about 4” at the base to right above 3” at the pommel. It sort of forced you to hold the sword with a spaced grip kinda like you would a katana tsuka. It actually feels really comfortable in the swing when gripped this way.

I decided I wanted a thinner profiled handle with more pronounced taper, as well to suit me better. As I don’t have any power or wood working tools I got to it with a lot of free time and some sandpaper. I also decided to add some risers for aesthetics and like William did with his re-wrap cover up the ringlets on both ends of the handle. Overall I think the sword handles much better with a slimmer handle and matches more to the original. This handle is nice and long for added power from a spaced two-handed grip, Allowing some pretty deadly wide arcing cuts and controlled thrusts.

The Guard

The guard is a Style 12 Type “S” Guard typically found on swords of the 15th century.

The S Style 12 guard was designed as an “S” to offer added protection to the hand from an opponents blade as well as a more refined tool for parrying and or trapping compared to the standard straight or curved crossguards found on earlier period swords. They also added some obvious flair to the sword’s appearance as that was also becoming more popular at the time.

The S-Guard on the Mercenary is pretty basic and lacks the finer details found on the historical originals featuring them. It’s made of steel and has a similar semi-gloss polish like the blade. It’s stout and strong with a rounded shape and makes me feel confident it would succeed if meeting another blade for it’s intended purpose. The middle of the guard widens to almost 3/4” and feels comfortable to the top of my hand. The top is lacking a recessed groove for the blade to enter like most guards but has a rectangular cutout for the tang. It’s not very pretty but you get what you pay for. Honestly at the new price point on re-intro, this is something Hanwei should have remedied.

The Pommel

The Pommel is a Type T Style “scent stopper” pommel, which were very popular in the 14th-16th centuries. They were large solid diamond shaped pommels which added extra counter balance as well as a formidable weapon when striking with the pommel. It’s literally a mini-mace on the end of the sword hence the term “scent stopper”, or pretty much nose breaker. Many of the 15th century variants had facets carved in to add aesthetic value as well as ( proven in the original sword) to hold little trinkets like holy relics or perhaps family mementos or heirlooms.

The pommel on the Mercenary is much like the rest of the sword a simple take on the original. The shape is accurate to historical pieces but still has that basic and plain appearance. Its made of the same steel as the guard and has the same polish. The pommel itself is cast well and is solid. It has a peened construction which is definitely a bonus and adds much to the structural integrity of the sword. Overall a well made pommel that does a pretty good job of representing it’s Typology.

The Scabbard

The scabbard is actually pretty impressive compared to most offerings at this sword’s price point. It’s has a wood core wrapped in leather with a steel mouth and chape with the same polish as the hilt furniture. The leather is glued at the seem and not butted but overlaps. Not very attractive but the leather is glued tight and the seem has never frayed or peeled. What’s really impressive is the fit of the scabbard to the blade. Its a little wide at the mouth so the blade shifts at the base but the rest of the blade fits snug with no rattle. Held upside down it takes a few shakes to get the blade to fall which is pretty impressive when up against such a heavy hilt. I’d chock it up to the riccasso, so ugly or not I guess it has a function after all.

Overall for the old and new price points these scabbards were a great addition to the overall package and completely outclass the simple leather of Windlass and the blade scratching mouth, cheap, loose fitting, plastic core Hanwei Tinker scabbards. I still to this day don’t understand why Hanwei didn’t go for these simply made but better quality scabbards for the Hanwei Tinker Line. Overall a pretty decent wood core scabbard.

Handling

This sword handles like a beast yet still is more agile and controllable than other beaters of its time like the Gen 2 or DSA of the “beater heyday” (we older forumites remember those days) quite a few years back. It can be used one handed but it’s power and authority comes with the two-handed grip. It’s definitely a slasher but can also make some pretty devastating thrusts. The rigid blade doesn’t have much flex but does have a little. It’s hard to calculate if the period originals were as rigid and thick as this Hanwei model or if they had a more thinner profile. My Roven which is a Type XXa is a little more flexible but then again its of a subtype offering a more thrust oriented blade. All in all it’s definitely a two-handed sword.

Test Cutting

I’ve cut quite a bit with this sword and as I mentioned above it offers a powerful and sturdy cut with its broad cutting surface. The tip is well shaped and offers a strong thrusting point as well. As I mentioned before these swords don’t come very sharp, hopefully that has been remedied with these new models. I had to do a lot of work to get it to my preferred sharpness even with all the work William done. Dull or sharp though when swung full force with two hands this sword is going to hurt. Even if you don’t cut through your target you will feel its pain as its batted across your yard.

Conclusion

Overall I’m pretty happy with my Mercenary Sword. It has a unique design based on a historical original where not many replicas or offered. It’s a beater but also a decently balanced weapon. It offers one of the longest handles I’ve seen in the production market for a Medieval Sword and is put together pretty well and build like a tank. After my modifications I feel I have a really interesting and powerful sword. Definitely a primary candidate for any late medieval infantry soldier.

Overall its a pretty decent sub-$300 sword, even if it’s original MSRP is over $300 now. Of the four or five Hanwei Beginner (Cas Iberia) medieval models the Mercenary is the best of the bunch with the River Witham earning a close second. If you’re in the market for a moderately attractive but tough as nails medieval sword or a Warsword type you can’t go wrong with with the Mercenary. Also if you’re a katana guy looking to get into medieval swords this sword should definitely be on your radar for a similar handling sword.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed,
D

PROS

• Extremely durable blade and construction.
• Attractive and unique blade type with a very accurate resemblance to the historical original.
• Surprisingly well made scabbard.
  

CONS

• Basic in detail with a few nitpicks to the fit and finish.
• Ugly riccasso.
• The new price from Hanwei is ridiculous, even the discounted pricing on KultofAthena is ridiculous (Editors note: back in the day they were priced at around $150 and were made in the Philippines, while the current models are made at the Hanwei facility in Dailan).
  

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I hope this review of the Hanwei Mercenary Sword was helpful. To return to Affordable Replicas of Medieval Swords from Hanwei Mercenary Sword Review, click here