Cold Steel English Back Sword, Grey

I own many Cold Steel swords, and I really like this Backsword. Despite what I have read in some reviews, mine has a perfectly straight blade, and the hilt and guard are perfectly aligned and well finished. The blade of my sword arrived very sharp, allowing me to immediately cut 3mm thick strips of paper from a normal A4 sheet. The sharpness is very well done, as I found in the Shamshir and Talwar models. The blade has a tag identifying the steel as AISI 1080. The sword is very well balanced, and the handle is comfortable and offers a firm and comfortable grip whether held with a bare hand or a glove. I found it very easy to handle, and its good balance makes it very fast and effectiv. The aged finish of the metal of the sword and scabbard is very beautiful. In short, a beautiful product that did not disappoint my expectations at all. I must say it is great value for money!

Poor reviews for this blade that do not have to do with an obvious manufacturing error are being written by those who do not understand the English Back Sword. It is not intended to be an easy cutter, but rather a trained cutter. The edge geometry has specific applications. It is an excellent sword for training your cut because it is intentionally unforgiving of bad form. Lean the history and use of this weapon, before making silly comments that it is "too floppy" or "hard to cut with" I just sliced clean through a 2 inch thick pine knuckle, a perfectly clean cut, with correct form. Don't just aimlessly swing this blade at stuff, it will bounce right off. Like it is supposed to. This is not a machete.

The metal plates on the scabbard began to rust shortly after I received it, despite being kept in a climate controlled environment. Also the scabbard is very flimsy. I bought this sword to use as part of a color guard at highland games because the slightly reduced basket made it easier to do the manual of arms versus the full basket on the Scottish broadsword. My Scottish broadsword was purchased many years before the backsword and has a full metal scabbard, with no signs of rust. I would recommend pairing this sword with a stainless steel full scabbard.

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.