First Look: SHARP HUSSAR SABRE by Szabla Polska [HEMA]

Disclaimer: This is a sharp sword and not a toy. Do NOT attempt to train or test cut with sharp swords if you have had no prior training in swordsmanship or other sword based activities. Always be careful with sharp blades for your own safety and that of others.
This is my first look / initial review of a reproduction Polish hussar sabre by a company by the fitting name Szabla Polska. I purchased this as a training tool for test cutting in the context of HEMA.
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Links to Szabla Polska:
- Website: www.szablapolska.com/
- Facebook: / szabla-polska-19193877...
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Timestamps:
- Detail Shots: 0:00
- Introduction: 0:38
- 1. Background & Expectations: 1:01
- 2. Features: 3:11
- 3. Communication: 4:02
- 4. Stats: 5:30
- 5. Distal Taper: 8:32
- 6. Price: 10:03
- 7. Scabbard: 10:26
- Conclusion: 12:20
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- Instagram: / historyandsabre
- My HEMA club: indes.at/

[@kevinklein6882]

I just hat a conversation with them. The price went up noticable. The charge around 1200€ for the typ 4 and 1400€ for the typ 5. Would you consider it still woth it?

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks for letting me know, I had no idea they almost doubled their prices. They make some nice stuff but I wouldn't pay that price for it, definitely a no.

[@kevinklein6882]

Thank you.Too Bad... i hoped i had found my sword... they looked the best of what ive seen. Could you recommend any other smiths? Or do you have experience with the windlass 1796 saber?

[@historyandsabre]

@@kevinklein6882 Check out Silkfencing from Poland, if you're looking for something similar. Regarding Windlass, I've got no first hand experience with those yet.

[@poland_stronk3044]

@@historyandsabre Price of EVERYTHING doubled in Poland through last 2 years thx to rtarded goverment. Inflation is skyrocketing. If nothing change those sabers will cost even more in close future...

[@wlochataSwinka]

Damn inflation!!!

[@umarmars47]

GLORIOUS MOUSTACHE

[@Corvusdotensis]

For a while I thought Pilsudski was talking.

[@jakubfabisiak9810]

Great to see someone talking about a Polish saber that isn't the Cold Steel monstrosity. I recently picked up a hungarian saber from Janusz Sieniawski (the man behind Born for the Saber) - 740 grams, and I love it.

[@historyandsabre]

Cool, I bet it's really cool! I myself was told only recently told that you can get sabres from him. Does he make them? Do you have any more info on this?

[@jakubfabisiak9810]

@@historyandsabre m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2641583959223017&id=514051045309663&sfnsn=mo You can contact them directly on facebook.

[@jakubfabisiak9810]

@MrX XXX you'd have to get in touch with them - i ordered mine in december and it was around $1000 with scabbard

[@romans883]

question was it not true that polish winged hussar war sabers were over 1 kg because you needed more weight against armoured oponents where civilian ones like karabela were lighter for duelling people that wear only street clothes ? As well wouldnt stronger person prefere heavier blade vs smaller person ?

[@jakubfabisiak9810]

@@romans883 against armoured opponents you had specialised weapons. And a bit of extra weight does precious little to increase the power of the cuts when you are slicing, not chopping.

[@dreadsleeper]

Ironically, I was just looking at their sabers today! Good to hear they’re good quality, now I have another sword to add to my wishlist.

[@historyandsabre]

Nice! Yup, they're good quality with a few caveats regarding historical accuracy :)

[@FoardenotFord]

That is one of the most beautiful, stylish swords I’ve ever seen.

[@historyandsabre]

It sure is pretty!

[@punished_venom_snake]

I love the mustache, I'm jealous lol

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks, appreciate the compliment!

[@ivemesseditup6225]

Oh! Very nice! I've ordered mine as well, after waiting for 9 months (with at last 4-5 e-mails of communication between us and agreements about prolonged delivery agreements) - the contact from szablapolska was cut off. I've tried 2 more times and resigned. So now I know who took my place! Good Job :P

[@darkknight67584]

That's a beautiful sabre👌The wait was well worth it. Excellent review! Thank you for sharing.

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks a lot!

[@Erebus.666.]

That is a beautiful piece. Very nicely done. I'm jealous...

[@historyandsabre]

It is, thanks!

[@chikitabowow]

Great video! Very informative, interesting and to the point but still entertaining, thumbs up!

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks!

[@rickseffrin3160]

Just saw this video today. Great presentation! If I were to get into the HEMA world and needed an excellent saber, this would be one to get.

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks for the kind words! :)

[@umartdagnir]

Is it 700 euros for both the sabre and the scabbard? In this case it's quite a normal price for a sharp weapon.

[@historyandsabre]

Yes, the scabbard is included and of great quality. True, although people have to decide for themselves whether they can live with the lack of distal taper. For some, that's a big deal in a repro and might make this sabre not worth the price. It's not a problem for me personally as the handling is excellent regardless but it may be for some. Cheers!

[@micahcampa]

@@historyandsabre i have seen some originals with virtually no distal taper

[@micahcampa]

@MrX XXX not atm just look at a bunch of originals you will find them

[@Aszniko]

Looks cool :) I love it!

[@michaelvillasis1264]

What a beautiful sabre! Looking at getting my own Polish sabre for sparring, and 6cm of curve seems to be my liking :)

[@historyandsabre]

Yup, I also like strongly curved blades. Everything above 6cm is pretty extreme though!

[@michaelvillasis1264]

@@historyandsabre Yeah, though they look pretty fearsome, to be honest. 6cm seems to be just about right. Great vids, by the way!

[@historyandsabre]

@Michael Villasis Thanks, I'm glad you like my videos! Oh yeah, aesthetically speaking I am a total sucker for reeeally curved shamshir blades on westerm style hilts. Fighting with stong curves or that caliber in a western military fencing style is pretty shit, however, especially against straighter swords.

[@michaelvillasis1264]

@@historyandsabre I can imagine it would be weird or wonky. I shudder at imagining hitting my head with it because of the curve. Peinlich!

[@someginger6996]

I have a buddy that picked up one of these in Warsaw and did a video call with him as he reviewed and practice with the type 2. Definitely want to get one to start learning..........and definitely want to get into Napoleonic re-enactments.lol Great channel, subbed after your videos on military saber lessons. Keep it up dude!!!

[@historyandsabre]

Hi mate, super glad you like the channel, welcome! Looks like I will have to do an instructional video again. Haven't done one in a while. Cheers!

[@pbroque]

Interested in what was the napolelonic army equipement, so go and have a look at kzbin.info?search_query=manufacture+klingenthal

[@barto4686]

What a beauty!

[@ATITKD]

Fantastic!

[@bman6851]

Thats a nice sword, I only have one modern made saber I use for cutting. The majority of the cutting I do is with antiques currently.

[@historyandsabre]

Great, what do you use specifically?

[@bman6851]

@@historyandsabre I have quite a few I cut with, they include a Spanish model 1895 cavalry sword, a non regulation 1845 pattern English infantry officers sword, a non regulation Italian model 1860 cavalry officers sword, a Luzon sword, a south east Asian cutlass of unknown origin, a 1917 naval cutlass, a French briquet, 4 different tulwars, 2 takouba and an antique blade that I mounted as a shamshir. I recommend French briquets as I've never seen one that wasn't sharpened at some point in its lifespan and they're cheap usually and durable enough to let new practitioners cut targets with.

[@jimmy2494]

Love it great review.

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks, great you got something useful of it!

[@siarka3456]

Piękna

[@powerplay4real174]

Yes it a truly beauty,wise they was available in the USA.

[@tgillies101]

That sabre is flawless and the exact model I will get for my first polish szabla. I owned about 4 cold steel sabres in the past and sold them. Do they do the leather of the hilt and scabbard in a different colour? (interested in dark brown)

[@historyandsabre]

Good question, I don't know! Might be best to just ask them.

[@marcinwkurw3185]

Piękna szabelka.

[@romans883]

When eastern style saber start appearing in western armies of europe the saber developed half basket guard my question is why not full basket like rapier and were there any sabers that did have full basket like rapier ? Would a polish saber with thumb guard " paluch" and full basket for full hand protection be a good weapon capable of fighting western and eastern types of cutting ?

[@ernestolynch1926]

Sadly, I have a very similar experience with this Polish company. A few weeks ago, I sent a message to this Polish company. They responded to my first email message a week after I sent it, and did not answer my message with my request for some specific details and my request for the payment option. I re-sent my message but received no response as of yet. I guess they have so many customers that they can allow themselves to neglect some. Good for them. Oh, and kudos to Google: they responded in Polish :).

[@historyandsabre]

I hear you, good luck getting yours! :)

[@Corvusdotensis]

What is the difference between the Polish and the Hungarian saber?

[@jackalh1z117]

such a beautiful sword.

[@therealgamethyst]

Where can I get that

[@SamuelSantos-bx2rh]

You have amazing high quality videos. You deserve more subs and likes than you have👍

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks for the support, I'm working on more stuff and hopefully people will see it! :)

[@lebarondeminuit3580]

Sir, you have, Great and Beautiful Moustache

[@johndavid9973]

Drop dead gorgeous....❤

[@youraveragepotato9411]

Hello! I saw this video and recently tried to get into contact with them as well. No answer yet, but you gave inspired me to expand my meager sword collection with this video! Thanks!

[@historyandsabre]

Good luck! 🙃

[@youraveragepotato9411]

@@historyandsabre Thank you! Best of wishes in your training!

[@thijsrikkerink6333]

That's one hell of a nice sabre. I'm currently in the beginning of making a hussar sabre, with a very similair hilt to this one, but out of copper since I got loads of spare copper. I wanted to make a very slightly curved blade for it at first, but now, seeing this beautifully curved sabre, I totally want to make the blade more curved. I dont have alot of forging equipment. Got any tips? Cheers!

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks! Cool that you're making one but I really can't give you any tips - I'm not craftsman myself. Good luck, I hope it turns out nicely! :)

[@thijsrikkerink6333]

@@historyandsabre Ah understandable. Thanks for the reply! I might be able to send pictures when it's finished, if you're interested of course. Cheers!

[@althesmith]

Very good work. Worth the money. There's nothing more expensive than a cheap sword.

[@erichusayn]

Beautiful swords. Gotta get me a sword like that to add to my collection.

[@erichusayn]

Good call against the cols steel. I own one. Steel is garbage and handles like a crowbar.

[@erichusayn]

That is the nicest peen I've ever seen.

[@poteznygrubon3859]

0:43 thats some fine spelling my man

[@historyandsabre]

Cheers, I'm trying :)

[@ivansemenyk4417]

even my polish friends doesn't have that nice moustache

[@BS-bd5uq]

I've noticed that some Polish sabres of this style has its knuckle bowl not connected to the pommel. Do you know why is that? From the video it seems that your sabre has it connects to the pommel and I think it greatly increases durability.

[@historyandsabre]

Yes, that's correct. The one I have isn't actually connected either. The knucklebow terminates just a few millimeters away from the pommel. I am no craftsman but I'll guess that it's a gradual development from earlier cross-hilted Polish-Hungarian sabres and also maybe a traditional stylistic choice. I don't know for sure, though!

[@jellekastelein7316]

If you ever still feel you want a 1796, go for a real one. I love the antiques and they are not always more expensive than the replicas (I got mine for €500 last year; it's got a bit of speckling and the scabbard is a bit pitted and dented, but otherwise it's pretty solid). And from what I know (hearsay; I haven't handled the Cold Steel and I've only ever held my own antique one), they are not balanced in quite the same way. The antique ones tend to have more aggressive distal taper. Oh, and also, nice sword! I wish I could own an antique one of these but I think it might be a bit out of my price range.

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks, I got a great condition antique 1796 at the Rijksmuseum auction last year. True, that has very nice distal taper. Interestingly, though, original 17th c. hussar sabres sometimes don't have as much distal taper as you'd imagine from the examples I've seen in museums. Cheers!

[@jellekastelein7316]

@@historyandsabre Yeah, it varies a lot between models... For example I have a long, heavy Syrian shamshir that has almost no distal taper, no fullers, and little profile taper until the last few cm. That thing is very front heavy and using it like an infantry saber is probably a fool's errant. It really encourages the draw cut just by how the weight is distributed, so that you kind of drag the weight along the same curve your hand follows during the cut, and use the momentum that gives you, instead of having to fight it (and while I'm not sure, it seems like this would've likely been used as a cavalry sword... or at least, on foot you'd definitely need a shield for defense, because it is not nimble).

[@Grey23542xcv]

Beautiful Intro!! How do you plan to sharpen this Sabre?

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks very much! I have already managed to put a fairly nice edge on it by hand using a whetstone. I just need to finish it with a finer grit and it will be good to go! I sharpened 4 knives and an axe for practise before touching this sabre and it's not as hard as I thought!

[@greenfocus5236]

I have several polsih sabres. All originals. The best of them, by far! is wz 34.

[@dennisvillacorte4122]

Nice blade!

[@admiralgoodboy]

I've been trying to order one but I can't read polish. How much did that sabre cost its beautiful im going for the same

[@historyandsabre]

Oh I had the same issue, just copy-paste the website URL into Google Translate and it will generate a clickable link with a competely translated webpage. That's how I always do it!

[@0ee63]

i think its just me that sees a green bar at the top of this vid and the colour shifted down like a vhs filter.. commenting to make sure

[@historyandsabre]

It's all normal at my end, thanks for checking!

[@varuntripathi6230]

I want it plz

[@michaeledwards7101]

I've seen videos of Cossack style of fighting where they use a lot of speed and spinning techniques. Is that possible with the polish hussar sabre? Or is it a different sword with different styles?

[@oliwierbroda2575]

It wasn't uncommon for Cossacs to use Polish Sabers since from 30-50% of their land was under the PLC rule

[@claudiogombos5591]

kzbin.infovideos

[@Albu23]

Hi, they deliver the sabers in others countrys?

[@historyandsabre]

Hi, sure. I'm in Austria and the company is based in Poland. I've also seen online that they post their items overseas.

[@michakoakowski5768]

does it need oiling? In order not to get rusty?

[@historyandsabre]

Yes, you should wipe it down with an oily rag after you have touched it with your bare hands.

[@Sacaarson]

great pronounciation for szabla.

[@carlbrun.8877]

Dear Peter, congratulations on your video. May I ask how did you get in touch with the company that produces this saber? It is simply gorgeous.

[@historyandsabre]

Thank you Carl! I just sent an email to the address specified on their website! Cheers.

[@carlbrun.8877]

Dear Peter, I see. By no means do I intend to annoy you, but may I ask if they are responsive? I sent an email a couple of days ago, and so far, I got no reply. Cheers!

[@historyandsabre]

@@carlbrun.8877 Hey, no worries! They were not very responsive at all during the entire process. I think I talked about that in the video. Cheers!

[@carlbrun.8877]

@@historyandsabre , Dear Peter, Thank you very much for your reply. Indeed you commented on your video about the shop not being very responsive. My main concern is getting no response at all. Anyways, if you allow me one final question, how did the communication happen? Do they have support in English? Once again, thank you very much, and congratulations on your videos. You've just earned another subscriber. Best Regards, Carl.

[@zbigniewzagdanski9456]

👑👑👑

[@VanguardArmament]

I thought a lack of distal taper is what makes swords feel like crowbars. How is it to swing? I've got an antique Prussian saber with 8mm thickness at the base and a lot of distal taper, making it feel like I'm using a whip when I swing it. The acceleration and handling is crazy. Meanwhile, my Cold Steel Napoleonic saber has a decent amount of thickness even towards the end of the blade, and it feels like it wants to launch itself out of my hand when swinging with just the wrist.

[@historyandsabre]

Honestly, I'm a bit baffled aswell as to how good the Szabla Polska feels even without much (complex) distal taper. If I compare it to my antique 1796 trooper for instance, which has crazy complex distal taper and is "only" ~75g heavier, the Szabla Polska is quicker in the hand and way more manageable. Might be due to the slightly shorter blade and more slender build overall but it's likely due to a number of different factors. It seems as if distal taper alone isn't always the deciding factor.

[@MrPanos2000]

Distal taper is far from the only factor that determines a sabre's feel. Center of mass, fullers and geometry also play a role

[@historyandsabre]

@@MrPanos2000 Yup, this one also has two long fullers with the larger one going all the way to the tip.

[@MrPanos2000]

@@historyandsabre It looks very beautiful indeed, I like that feature on 18th century French and Italian sabres. Thanks a lot for your review, I was actually contemplating that maker for a while but the price made me uncertain if it was worth it, until now

[@45calibermedic]

@@historyandsabre I wonder if the depth of the fullers isn't varied along the length of the blade to keep a strong spine but lighten the piece and set its balance correctly.

[@dfjtobin]

Website seems to be down, is that the correct URL?

[@historyandsabre]

I just checked and yes it seems like it's down!

[@dergunter1237]

its down since about 3 days

[@July__Frost]

Very beatiful saber. But it is bit disappointing that it is not actually sharp from the box... I am not good even with sharpening knives so I definitely wouldn't try to do it by myself. And here we have new problems: you need to find a man who can do it for you or learning with your mistakes with chances to ruin blade geometry. BTW, is scabbard price included in your total sum?

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks! Yeah it is a bit of a bummer. I am currently learning how to sharpen stuff so hopefully I'll soon be good enough to sharpen up the sabre myself. Yes, the scabbard is always included. I think you'd have to specifically tell them if you don't want one.

[@blackwhite5078]

Would you be kind enough to post the link for this company where I can buy the same Saber from them? I tried to search the net and found only Polish language results 😇🙏

[@historyandsabre]

Hi, the link to their website is in the video description. It's in Polish but you can translate whole websites vis Google translate. Also, they speak English via Email. Cheers.

[@blackwhite5078]

@@historyandsabre Thank you for your kind reply 🙏

[@patstrzeszewski3240]

How much does it cost

[@historyandsabre]

Hi, it was around 700€ I believe!

[@hypnotourist]

The polish is amazing. Haha !

[@powerplay4real174]

Yes I would not like that poor messaging either ,but all in all after you wait the sword appear very well constructed and designed, combat ready blade.

[@kronos661]

7:30 It's POLISH saber. What did you expect?

[@historyandsabre]

lol, true.

[@christopherwhelan3886]

I want one but it will be over 1000 usd for the one I want

[@lindor6393]

I've found your channel and I'm glad I did... o and btw. nice spelling

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks Mateusz, appreciate it!

[@nameless535]

They won't even message me back about an order

[@historyandsabre]

Sorry to hear it and good luck!

[@TheKessel1993]

I don't think you are supposed to put your finger through the thumb ring. Just push on it with your thumb when making a cut.

[@swordpvnk]

him: Hi i'm peter what i hear: hi i'm pizza

[@historyandsabre]

Hi I'm Pizza

[@chudyolo1205]

Dobre bo Polskie!!!

[@elmonte5lim]

€700.00? Looks like a deal to me. I Imagine that it would be hard to find a piece of that kind of quality, back when they were being used in anger.

[@Soulhunter17]

Love that video, how to give you two upvotes?

[@historyandsabre]

Thanks! :)

[@user-ko1bm1jr8j]

Ciężka szabla husarska z piórem i paluchem, do rąbania (1670) raczej już lekkich pancerzy.

[@divinicus]

Could also be used as a butter knife

[@MrCr00wn]

or a spoon

[@Ciprian-IonutPanait]

7:32 I would have liked a full tang

[@MsBjorn21]

In Poland you can't sell or buy sharp blades (except kitchen knives, of course;) ) so they did what they could for you, I think.

[@historyandsabre]

Ah, that explains a lot. Thank you!

[@wlewisiii]

Thank you for this review. I am now certain that their product is not what I am looking for and will instead continue to search for an antique that is within the range of my budget.

[@historyandsabre]

Sure, no problem and good luck in your search!

[@MrPanos2000]

were you put off by the larger than antique hilt proportions?

[@45calibermedic]

Do tell us what put you off the Szabla Polska!

[@wlewisiii]

@@45calibermedic Dimensions and lack of distal taper. Perhaps it doesn't hurt the one he owns but I've handled more modern sabers and the crowbar effect is in full force. That' not what I can accept at the price of these sabers. I'd happily pay that much for a 100% accurate reproduction though.

[@45calibermedic]

@@wlewisiii yeah, that is off-putting. I guess that your research has indicated that the originals definitely had distal tapering that these blades lack? It's rather disappointing that they'd put all this work in just to leave such an important detail out. Even so, the weight and point of balance seem on for sabers of this period, no?

[@storm_kimchi]

Where can i buy your szabla?

[@historyandsabre]

The link is in the description box!

[@storm_kimchi]

@@historyandsabre thanks! I haven't see it

[@konradadamczyk5755]

The saber does not necessarily have to be sharpened like a razor, at some periods it was wrong and even not allowed

[@historyandsabre]

I use this sabre for test cutting, so it helps if it's sharp ;)

[@konradadamczyk5755]

@@historyandsabre I get it, she was probably as sharp as a bad comedian's jokes ;)

[@alexneudatchin2161]

not bad

[@shinobihiriyu-originalninj4634]

In Poland we drink a lot of vodka, maybe that is why it took them 2 extra months to make the szabla hahaha Anyway very nice szabla !

[@qxezwcs]

I’m looking at you seeing that you don’t have the body composition to be able to weild the sabre long enough but again the moustache is more than enough to compensate.

[@historyandsabre]

Oh, I know!

[@romanchomenko2912]

After the battle of Zhovty Vody in 1648 over 3000 of those sabres ended up in the hands of Zaporozhian Cossacks who sent them to the Sich as booty . Sabres, daggers,muskets, cannon were very sort after . Zaporozhian Cossack sword is called a Shabla .

[@user-gy1xh8mb6l]

Красиво! На русский бы перевести.

[@mwbright]

Seeing the wounds that thing would deliver would make me vomit within half a second.

[@historyandsabre]

Good thing we dont have to use these things for real nowadays!

[@stanleyromanowski9816]

Today, 700 euros would be 2800 złoty

[@asikmort2530]

Why don't you workout more? Genuinw question

[@historyandsabre]

Because the gains go straight to my moustache!

[@asikmort2530]

Which is uneven btw. I will take your not serious reply and move on. Nice videos btw. One thing about something you said about sabres not coming as close to the body as long swords in general stances or attacks (I mean the base of the sword) I assume you were talking about military type saber techniques and not in general. Correct?

[@historyandsabre]

@@asikmort2530 Yes correct, I mostly talk about military sabre. Earlier European sabre systems seem to have worked slightly differently using different guards and more passing footwork.

[@asikmort2530]

@@historyandsabre not earlier only. Up until 20th century there are saber schools with closer body moves and riskier techniques. Military saber, from my research like everything else military, has the best chances and less risk. It is created for mass teaching with a concept of "How do I make these 200men efficient in short amount of time".

[@historyandsabre]

@@asikmort2530 Cool, mind sharing more about these later sabre schools? I am not aware of those in a European context.

[@bukkuk5949]

Syreny .. Polonezzy ... no nie. .. jedyny chyba dobry polszy produkt to szalba -)

[@tims1415]

Is this a real functional sword or a junky ass wall hanger?

[@historyandsabre]

The former. It's properly forged and tempered from high carbon steel. This sabre is a fully functional sword, which is the reason I got it.

[@goshaletun8164]

It seems to me that this is a purely horseback weapon. The hilt is built for easy access and not for overall hand protection. The blade is too long for an easy on-foot fighting and has way too big of the curvature, which is a plus, though, when one does mostly of of the shoulder slashing while fighting from the horse back, but quite cumbersome for on-foot fighting even for on-foot cutting, and for thrusting it should be not very good too because of the excessive curvature. And then it is the way it is made: It seems to be done out of the single piece of steel, no tough and soft metals combo like it is done in blacksmithing a really good sword (either katana or Indo-European designs). Conclusion - this is a cheap replica of a cheep, mass produced weapon that really should not find any way into any private collection.

[@historyandsabre]

Well yes, it's a hussar sabre. Also, the blade isn't too long for fencing on foot at 79 cm. That's a very commong blade length for sabres on foot. Later service swords and fencing sabres of the 19th century have 85 cm blades.

[@3iggystheorem232]

Wasted all my money on a windlass brick

[@mikeyates7931]

All that talking , and you didn't do any cutting ? - DESPICABLE