The Angelo Broadsword

∴ A Martial Standard∴

“One. Five. Three. Four. Six. Two.”

The sergeant barks his orders down the line as blades whorl and return in unison.

Ten days, they said. Ten lessons to make a solider of you. You can’t say you feel much different to when you started, but tomorrow you’ll be off to fight all the same. Grimly, you wonder whether it matters much. You’ll die a soldier’s death either way.

Consumed by gloom, you barely notice the chanted numbers as they fade into rhythm. You look on as if abstracted, your body leading the way. Steel meets steel in synchronicity before snapping back to safety, speed increasing to match your master’s calls. You catch your opponent’s eye and see him grinning in disbelief as the commands come faster and faster.

Despite everything, sweat streaming down your face, you find yourself smiling back as you lean into another lunge.

∴ Specs ∴

The Angelo Broadsword was our first standard model, created in conjunction with Heiko Große of the Cateran Society. Heiko’s priorities were balance and sturdiness, and as such we created a simple basket with maximum coverage, based on extant originals from the 1750s-1770s.

An example of extant inspiration

With an “arsenal” aesthetic and hardiness to match, the hardened steel basket offers solid plate protection to the front, with durable bars to the rear. The blade takes its inspiration from regimental swords: light, quick and simple. This combination makes it a trustworthy partner for new practitioners and dedicated disciples of Highland broadsword.

While the Angelo enjoyed two years of production runs, we have since dropped it from our line as part of our endeavour to refocus on one-of-a-kind pieces.

 

  • Weight: 1270g (+/-30g)
  • Total length: 101cm
  • Blade length: 34″
  • Blade width: 2.8cm at base
  • Grip length: 12.5cm
  • Basket diameter: 11cm
  • Basket length: 13cm
  • Basket depth:12cm
  • Point of Balance: 6-7cm
  • Sparring-safe edges, flex and swollen tip

 

 

∴ Notes ∴

The hardened steel basket is oil blackened to a matte finish, and the hardwood grip is wrapped in brown linen twine. A leather spacer sits between the pommel and basket, reducing stress on the tang. A matching spacer dampens vibration between the basket and the blade.

 

∴ Gallery ∴

Looking for a custom basket hilt? Contact us to discuss your ideas.

6 thoughts on “The Angelo Broadsword

  1. Hello and thank you,
    I type to express my intention to purchase an Angelo Broadsword. This may not happen soon but certainly within the next 2 years.

    I’m a HEMA practitioner for 10yr with a local club, here in the interior of British Columbia, Canada. Our instructor, Mike Panian, a formidable 70yr old martial artists. In his playful wisdom he ordered an Angelo when first introduced. Since then, it is his weapon of choice because of it’s terrifying speed, agility and protection.

    f’n ideal. for him. we hate it… but smile broadly upon it 😉

    In my opinion, I cannot think of a better weapon to keep safe by and can see it can be effectively used against many different weapons. If this is so, I should start to learn more about the safe side of the sword.

    As far as your craftsmanship, its bomb proof, in Mr. Panian’s hands and, as we say in Canada, “Its a beaut.” Ultimately, after handling it, its an easy choice. So there it is: Intention and motive.

    My trade as a Heavy Timber Carpenter (log homes, European timber frames, joinery etc…), is eternally gratifying it doesn’t pay well enough for, well, a third sword. I mention this for 2 reasons, 1. I fully appreciate a trades/craft folk who take their trades seriously and uphold their eminent standards and 2. that that is why the duration of purchasing one. A limitations on awesome things.
    /or that luck may have it that over the next year or so, a marred, used… Angelo Broadsword may cross your path again and may need a re-homing.

    I’m interested to know of the potential modifications that are available, the price of the sword and extras, and whether I can pay incrementally. Lastly, I plan to travel across Scotland and over to Holland next year and wonder if you receive visitors to your Armory. Taking a train from Edinburgh into the English countryside again, could only add to the trip.

    Thanks in advance for you help, I do look forward to your response.

    Sincerely,
    Michael Larner

    P.S. I know I’ve entered a video into the Website section but who doesn’t like a good sword fight? I’m the one with the yellow armband and the red sash around my waist. 🙂

  2. Pingback: The Angelo Broadsword by Balefire Blades | The Cateran Society

  3. Pingback: On New Years Light, Long Before Prime – Balefire Blades

  4. Pingback: Of Swords and Sea Forts – Balefire Blades

  5. Pingback: Baskethilt Scottish Broadsword VB Stryker Hybrid from Purpleheart Armory – Historical European Martial Arts Enthusiast

  6. Pingback: The Angelo Broadsword | The Cateran Society

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *