Possibly the Best Single-Handed Cutting Sword I've Tested!

If you like 'em curvy, it's hard to top this... The sliciest of swords (technical term). This is my test and review of the LK Chen shamshir, a remarkably light but powerful saber.
It's a reproduction of a 19th century Persian shamshir at the Metropolitan museum in New York city, and the historical accuracy is a lot higher than most of what you find on the market in this comparatively modest price range.
I went a little overboard with hardwood cores in the tatami mats I was testing several swords on, and while I struggled with most of them, the shamshir was like a cheat code that brought the difficulty way down. Quite impressive!
Hope you enjoy the epic scenery... Filming in this location was a little challenging.
** Specifications **
Overall length: 89 cm (35 in)
Blade length: 73.7 cm (29 in)
Blade width: 3cm (1-3/16 in)
Blade thickness: 5mm at guard, tapering to 2mm near tip (3/16 - 1/16 in)
Weight: 720 g (1 lb 9.4 oz)
Point of balance: ≈ 10 cm (4 in) from the guard
Blade material: GB 60Si2MnA spring steel (comparable to 5160, but higher silicon, lower chromium content)
Guard & fittings: stainless steel
** Pros / Cons **
+ Extremely light and nimble
+ Excellent blade geometry, very sharp edge
+ Strong and durable
- Some imperfections in the finish
** Where to get it **
www.kultofathena.com/product/... (affiliate link)
lkchensword.com/shop-1/ols/pr...
** Sources **
The original
www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
Very similar design
www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
18th century
www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
18thC
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
18th-19thC
www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
19thC
www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
Richly ornamented
www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
Almost identical weight
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Fath Ali Shah
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Subtly but beautifully decorated
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Review of a similar saber (not as good): • This $300 Reproduction...
A shield to go with this: • There is Only One "Pro...
** Music credits **
"Mektaba" by Elerya
opengameart.org/content/mektaba
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)
Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
theslantedroom.github.io/stev...
Used with artist's permission
** Merch **
www.bonfire.com/store/skallswag/
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: www.bonfire.com/welcome/07bb1...
** Support the channel **
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
/ skallagrim
/ @skallagrim
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
www.kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
www.woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
Want to treat your face fluff? I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHW...
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - www.amazon.com/shop/skallagri...
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
** Second channel / other social media **
/ @skallhalla
/ _skallagrim_
/ skallagrimyt
/ skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #sword #review

[@Biele98]

"You see those warriors from Hammerfell? They've got curved swords. Curved. Swords."

[@aquarius5264]

GAH beat me to it

[@VikingWolf745]

*Perfect Timing* 👏😅

[@Scout887]

do you work for bethesda ? When is ES6 coming ?

[@artikelservice796]

you beat me to it lol

[@Sableagle]

@@Scout887 About 5 years before the "Game of the Year" edition incorporating all the fan-made bugfixes.

[@SkullOfTheRaven]

Therepist: "Medieval goth Heisenberg isn't real he can't hurt you" Medieval Goth Heisenberg:

[@obnoxiouspriest]

But what if I want him to hurt me?

[@simonmagnum7821]

@@obnoxiouspriest Well that may be the reason there's a therapist in the story to begin with xD

[@WateredLark]

He’s real and he has a sword

[@apickleleaningonacomputerm8045]

"Jesse, we need to cut!"

[@SkullOfTheRaven]

@@apickleleaningonacomputerm8045 I was actually thinking of the RE Heisenberg but uh, no that one works too

[@HiddenEvilStudios]

I have been successfully guilt-tripped into leaving a like. Well done.

[@Pwnopolis]

As it and you should.

[@DGFTardin]

I wasn't. I left a like because I liked it!

[@Allstar-yl1ek]

Ditto. May it please the mighty Al-Goryth-Um.

[@steveroach3110]

Me too

[@magnusarvid4161]

And it only took being threatened with possibly the best single-handed cutting swords he's tested

[@AnotherBrownAjah]

SKALLS FOR THE SKALLTHRONE BLOOD FOR THE THE SKALLGORITHUM

[@krakenpots5693]

KHORNE CARES NOT FROM WHENCE THE BLOOD QUELLS!!! BLOOD FOR THE ALGORITHM, SKALLS FOR THE SKALL THRONE!!!

[@Trrip000]

I smell heresy 🤨

[@clothar23]

​@@Trrip000 Skall is an officially recognized Imperial Saint..So move along citizen.

[@D-1307]

The Emperor protects.

[@joranfokker7477]

SKALL RULES SKALL UNITES SKALL WILL CONQUER WE SKALL WE ARE SKALL

[@aglioolio3180]

As a teen I was visiting Switzerland and went to a historical war museum. There were different sabers behind an acrylic glass plate but open on the top and bottom. One 300+ year old parade saber was longer than all the others and the tip stuck out on the bottom. I touched the edge because I thought there's no way this thing is still sharp. Yeah I immediately cut my finger... Absolutely incredible

[@bendover9813]

And I know you were a teenager, but that whole idea about kids not having common sense is too true 😂 Of course a 300+ year old sword at the MUSEUM (the place that goes out of its way to keep historical artifacts in top condition) would still be sharp, and they’re really gonna be sharper than ancient swords ANYWHERE else 😂😂😂

[@jwnomad]

Still sharp?! But no more than a broken heirloom

[@wpjohn91]

That sword was broken

[@BeavisSaves]

Very cool and very stupid.

[@MattCaliber]

Out of all the sword designs, the shamshir has always been the perfect combo of function and beauty to me.

[@yurizanelli6538]

Turkish Kiliç are also great in my opinion.

[@wpjohn91]

Swiss sabre?

[@Drebolaskan]

Yup, one of my favourite sword designs. It's beautiful and very comfortable to grip

[@thekinghmimidou7001]

i especially like the sheathed look on the swords.

[@EternalKhann]

@@yurizanelli6538 Almost all known curved longswords evolved from Turkic kilij of Asia including shamshir, sabre etc. They are ideal for horsed warriors, not for footsoldiers.

[@maccaebus]

I watched entirely because of the joke in the thumbnail. IT WILL CUT. Thank you for the laughs and great analysis.

[@LordBrittish]

I’m pretty sure that sword was Forged in Fire!

[@simonmagnum7821]

But will it KYEAL ?

[@robertagu5533]

Yeah probably Skalls application to be the next great Forged In Fire Guest host or Judge should they decide to do another one those or something like that

[@MusMasi]

will it Keel though?

[@SAAMAverageman]

You stayed off the black rocks: You did the safe thing. Good job!

[@Masochnik.]

Blackpilled rockmaxxer 💀

[@Skallagrim]

Yeah, I may be a little reckless sometimes, but I'm not your average tourist at Peggy's Cove. :D

[@Sableagle]

@@Skallagrim ... or a below-average tourist in Iceland. The number of them that have been spotted on livestreams, walking on the still-warm lava flows while the eruption is ongoing ... 😟

[@halwakka504]

@@Skallagrim Saw a couple and (presumably) their 5 or 6 year old child there once walking around down on the black rocks. People yelling at them to get back up toward the shore but they either didn't hear, understand, or care. Absolutely terrifying to see.

[@reptiloidmitglied2930]

​@@halwakka504People who doesn't know always know better 🤷‍♂️

[@nttntjno1797]

6:10 Love how confused Skall is when the blade hit tatami roll on the ground.

[@dahken417]

"Oh, crap my le- wait, my leg is where it's supposed to be..." glance down "Oh, thank the gods there's a mat chunk there."

[@Skallagrim]

@@dahken417 It was "oh crap, I hit the grou... wait, did I?". My leg was nowhere near it. :)

[@dahken417]

@@Skallagrim I always assume I've hurt myself for a second when something unexpected happens and I'm using a saw or blade, so some projection is probably happening here. Loved the video!

[@nextcaesargaming5469]

I love how it's both beautiful AND functional. Always lovely when you get something that's just as effective as it is pretty.

[@chatter4427]

And affordable

[@QuantumRangerPower]

Wonderful glamor shot at the beginning.

[@angelsfallfirst7348]

I really appreciate the review, Skall. I've been watching since 2015 and these videos just get better and better :)

[@StallionStudios1234]

Yeah that is around the time I started watching him as well. That was back when I lived in Alberta.

[@FortuneFavoursTheBold]

I have tested over a dozen swords by LK Chen of different swordmaking cultures. Hands down it is one of the best reproduction sword maker in the world right now, in terms of faithfulness to the originals, the liveliness of the handling, and the cutting performance. Basically one par with Albion, except the fit and finish are slightly trailing behind some of the best makers that charges 3-5 times the prices of Lk Chen. Don't get me wrong, LK Chen swords' fit and finish are still better than 90% of the reproduction makers out there, even it's not necessarily on par with Albion. On some of the models, such as the Knight Templar arming sword they made for Balaur Arms, it's basically shoulder to shoulder with Albion. I'm very excited to try out this Persian shamshir based on two originals housed at Metropolitan Museum.

[@jamesm1]

It's been amazing seeing sword production quality from china really mature in the last decade. You can get decent stuff of any level/price now.

[@FortuneFavoursTheBold]

@@jamesm1 That's true. But I wouldn't describe this as merely "decent". It's top of the line in terms of faithfulness to the originals, handling and performance. You will need to get this close by spending 4000-5000 USD previously by going to renowned makers like Vince Evans for full custom commissions.

[@Skallagrim]

Yeah, LK Chen is great, but the fit & finish and quality control can't compete with Albion. Unsurprising, considering that those swords cost half as much, or in some cases even a quarter.

[@jamesm1]

@@FortuneFavoursTheBold Oh you misunderstood me, I should have used a better word. I meant you can now get good swords from china from 80-100 dollar level, to this, to custom multi thousand dollar blades of flawless fit and finish that would still be several times as much elsewhere.

[@FortuneFavoursTheBold]

@@jamesm1 Yeah I think you are bang-on. If one is willing to do the due diligence, he can pick up swords or sword components that's absolutely punching above their weight class from Chinese manufacturers.

[@TexasViking_INFP-t_5w4]

The sand bros really had some fine craftsmanship

[@yaqubebased1961]

You have no history. You knights and all your steel and arms are nothing but shameful rip offs of our glorious Pahlawans and their divine Karenian Steel and Armor.

[@johannestetzelivonrosador7317]

10:05 thats pretty cool. I always wondered how a sheath for such a strongly curved blade would work

[@edi9892]

The alternative is to have a much broader sheath than the blade. It's the only way for flamed blades, but was occasionally done with single-curved blades as well.

[@kk-nr6oh]

I can feel my persian ancestors smile Every time skall does a shamahir review ! Thanks :D

[@mattw7949]

My ancestors all grimace, as they were all slaughtered by Persians with curvy swords. Not really. My ancestors is all deadbeats, horse thieves, horsebeats, dead thieves and even a few alcoholics.

[@kk-nr6oh]

@mattw7949 sorry to hear that mate , were are you from ?

[@emotionalvideos6897]

that's an arabian sword, not persian, persians copied it from arabs

[@ParsTajicAfghan]

@@emotionalvideos6897 cry arab

[@kk-nr6oh]

@@emotionalvideos6897 suuure buddy , why so insecure and aggressive ?😂

[@boorroo6944]

I normally never comment but I love the energy in this video. Light, pleasant, positive. Keep it up :)

[@mx.notyourbusiness8693]

Standing on the edge of the cliff, having the sea behind you and threatening me with that sword actually made me leave a like. 😭👍

[@flowerofash4439]

goth hipster pirate

[@elgrandjefe4661]

Good review, Skallagrim. That sort of sword is seldom seen and surprising how good it is even compared to the other katanas you tested. Also very agile, surprising. Those old warriors knew what worked.

[@Memorixt]

A comment just for the sake of the algorithm: seems to be a really nice sword, and I am happy to see you in much better shape both physically as mentally!

[@martingonzalezferreyra9583]

A funny fact about the Shamshir, Jose de San Martin, Liberator of half of South America wielded one during his military campaigns against the Spanish, he acquired it from an antique shop in London before sailing to Buenos Aires.

[@ahmedelkhwaga2751]

Liberation from who

[@niklasw.1297]

that background was definitively worth it 👌

[@jackflash8218]

Dude... you looked like a badass in this vid! 👍🏼😎

[@flowerofash4439]

a pussy magnet for sure xD

[@Fuzzycat16]

Shamshirs are gorgeous swords. Happy to see you test one .

[@StallionStudios1234]

Is this what Aladdin used in those movies?

[@mistahanansi2264]

@@StallionStudios1234 No, those were more historically inaccurate/fantasy-based scimitars. However, that type of sword is still based off the real life Shamshir. As a matter of fact, the word "scimitar" is a corruption/mispronunciation of the word "shamshir".

[@manawa3832]

the most popular weapons in middle eastern history is actually the mace with a variety of styles and functions. swords often get over represented as historical weapons due to presentation in fantasy fictions. the mace is an incredible weapon. versatile against different types and layers of armor. easy to handle and doesn't require a professional degree of skill through training or experience. levies can use immediately coming out from the farm fields into the battlefields. extremely deadly and horrifying if wielded en masse. batter through anything. nothing scarier than a formation of heavy libyan infantry wielding maces. they make excellent secondary weapons as they require less maintenance, handling and care. even the mamluks who favored curved swords on saddle always had a secondary mace for armored problems.

[@Jrocc811]

These in depth reviews never get old 😄

[@GroundbreakGames]

Really glad Skall is still dropping these vids. One of the few creators I still get excited to see after all these years. Appreciate you buddy!

[@Skallagrim]

Thanks!

[@aleksamrkela831]

The Shamshir is my favorite curved sword. Glad you enjoyed using it!

[@Kaiyato_]

incredibly beautiful view!

[@johannestetzelivonrosador7317]

One of my favorite types of sword

[@user-fd5op7fg4j]

Skallagrim got the Skallagrins when it sliced that mat! Haha

[@IamZeus1100]

“We’re not getting into sword fights “. I do about that one , I swear every month I see something from Twitter of people having a sword and or knife fight in England . It’s wild out there

[@mknightmare4519]

Another great presentation. I appreciate your time and effort.

[@TheMorbidHobo]

Always love weapon reviews. Thanks for this.

[@Aminuts2009]

When you were talking about fit and finish I was reminded that medieval standards were wayyyyyyy below ours. What was acceptable to them wouldn't be acceptable today. Large gaps and uneven tapers were quite common. Good vid. Thanks!

[@brianmead7556]

Hey circle people did try to make the best swords they could and they were very good at it but they did not have unflinching unerring CNC machines that are accurate to the hundredth of degree and thousands of an inch and cut with a nanometer Perfect laser.

[@Aminuts2009]

@@brianmead7556 I know some of the best knife makers in the world and they don't use CNC. All hand tools so ya it is possible with care and time. The ancients made the Antakatheria mechanism using hand tools. Its an analog computer. So they very well did have the ability to do it.

[@Arthion]

I love the sheer surprise and joy on your face after that first cut and it got clean through. That testing session alone says everything about the blade itself at least.

[@EladarImm]

The balance of it is crazy nice, too - it's just so light and fast in the hand, it FEELS dangerous. And it is.

[@Roland3ld]

Thanks for the great review and epic background. That sword is very beautiful too.

[@TGWBALH]

Love a good sword review, please keep em coming! :)

[@krisoliveira9756]

You're awesome, mate! Your videos are just getting better, this is what comes to mind when i think about quality content. Bravo!

[@yeen.7209]

i must say, these are the most satisfying cuts i've ever seen

[@user-fd5op7fg4j]

Beautiful work!

[@juggernaught79]

Always happy to see a new Skall video! This one was fascinating to me as I’ve always been curious how effective this type of blade is. Glad for his presentation.

[@jebjeb7770]

Epic scenery! You effort is much appreciated sir!

[@angusmuir6180]

Not gonna lie, seeing you on those rocks was a little anxiety inducing. I'm sure you wouldn't fall, but I was just waiting for the sword to slip out of your hand or the scabbard to slide off. XD Great review, Skall! Good advice about the lead leg.

[@abcdefghijkl123454]

you could say that it single-handedly beats all other swords in her class

[@fhorst41]

I'm just so proud I said shamshir before you did... I feel like I'm actually learning.

[@wellman15able]

Thank you for the beautiful background shots. I'm just living in a barren wasteland of AZ so seeing such a different landscape is nice.

[@MrPlainsflyer]

Finally got a recomendation!! And its a review!! YEAH BUDDY

[@shaynecarter-murray3127]

Rarely do i see a reasonably priced sword that calls to me like this

[@Tayutaus]

Man that place is so pretty!

[@Michael-jx9bh]

That was a nice test and evaluation. Nice details with the comment on the smooth wooden scales and the "safety tip" .

[@jamesallred460]

Damn, I've never been this early to a Skal video! Let's go!!!

[@scottbrown411]

I'm always amused that it's the folks who are trying their best *not* to be biased that make sure to mention they got the product for free.

[@droolhd]

I love how the overhead swing basically makes the curve hug your form. Quite aesthetic, especially with the sea background!

[@papagalooleo559]

You’re right. Leaving a like is the least I could do. You have taught me so much about swords.

[@zethron1173]

Beautiful beast

[@Sableagle]

... and he has a sword!

[@effigytormented]

Oh, handsome.

[@bobocan17]

Skal or the sword? 😳😉

[@robertbishop530]

@@bobocan17 Both? Both. Both. Both is good.

[@daemonharper3928]

Great review - and always nice to see something far exceed expectations.

[@justicier10-7]

Both the Persian Shamshir and the British 1796 Light Cavalry Saber are definitely on my list... Excellent functionality and great looks.

[@jaffakeks4403]

Looking like Kuzan from One Piece, ice cold.

[@acooper11397]

I just started working at an Arabic restaurant today so this is fitting lol.

[@Sableagle]

Making sure everyone gets their _khubz bizubda_ and _finjaen shay_ while they wait?

[@Imortalcat]

How is that relate to Persian shamshir ?

[@Fx_Explains]

​@@Imortalcatthey also use similar blades.

[@RockingRavine]

Holy heck the quality on the camera game for this video is absolutely stellar

[@davidyoung745]

Great insights and a thorough review, as always.

[@warriorscholar546]

I have one of these. Beautiful, well made etc but came from the factory with a completely non apexed edge. LK Chen is my favorite sword company but this was a major oversight. Took a lot of power to cut a soft plastic water bottle before I realized what the problem was.

[@winsunwong5648]

you should send him a picture and ask him if theres anything he can do (like sending a replacement), Lk gets on top of this kind of thing usually.

[@jacobhatcher1223]

you're not sam hyde wielding a sword?

[@sasmixail]

Very cool sword, i been waiting for you to review it for quite a long time. Have my like and respect.

[@gussie88bunny]

Nice review Mr Skal. Your topics, scripting, pace and camera editing are good, making an easily digested video. Thank you, Gus

[@InquirerAshen]

You kinda look like Sam Hyde in the thumbnail😂

[@XD-385]

I’ve always been deeply fascinated by this sword after first seeing it ages ago in Soulcalibur II. Such an elegant yet powerful sword. Thank you for covering this, Skall. You truly are the GOAT.

[@KageRyu798]

As a lover of the FE Shamshir with its light weight, 35% base crit chance, and Myrmidon-type class exclusivity, it was nice to see such a positive review and practical demonstration of the real-life iteration of my favorite sword in all of Fire Emblem. Great video, Skall!

[@safuwanfauzi5014]

Arabian sword and script are influences muslim world. Mongolian and Turkish sword, Japanese sword, and Indian sword Khanda(not Delhi to Mughal influences sword in Muslim rule period of India)

[@sebastiansobke1643]

My man, this is a great video. Somehow feels like a classic skall video, your sword reviews were allways my favourite! All the best to you!

[@johnno4127]

Thank you for the slow sheathing at the end, it showed off how the scabbard is modified to account for the intense curvature.

[@ourkeving]

That blade in motion was pleasure to watch. And the cutting, very nice.

[@Skalld24]

Love seeing this kind of video from Skall again

[@boris1986]

Thanks for another great video! Scenery was really epic and beautiful =)

[@RuneChaosMarine]

@12:50 awesome back ground landscape, thank you for sharing.

[@user-hv7um4do3w]

7:50 fun fact : the shield used to counter the samsir was a "soft" leather shield, able to disperse the impact. It was also waaaay bigger than a lot of european shields, especially on the sides, because this sword is able to "flank" a small shield. Please apologise my awful english, but i hope it's obvious that a trust attack is not a straight one, the curve allows you to hit a target who parry too close to the guard. there is a big con, however : this sword is almost unable to deal with armored foes. The classic persian armor was a chain mail, with only one plate to protect the chest. This can explain the early succes of crusades. So, the european sword was also used, and were researched by wealthy peoples, because a) the blunt impact was more important and no chainmail can avoid the break of a limb b ) this sword was more able to dispose of the "soft" leather shield c ) the steel was a better quality one, (damascus steel was bad quality indian steel) and this added to the geometry of the blade allowed the european sword to broke samsirs this is true in medieval era, but later, during the war between ottoman empire and european ones, this samsir proved to be far better than the straight trusting sword in this context.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Hey dude, been watching your stuff for yrs, you’re the man….appreciate the knowledge and content etc, God bless you and your family

[@weonconpatasbreadcake6494]

Background never disappoints. Also, that blade looks pretty dope

[@vensheaalara]

It is quite a lovely background. The sound of the waves is quite relaxing

[@Leif3GHP]

The other day you posted a video about something i was specifically currently interested in and doing a lot of research on, and you just decided to follow up with that again today? Must be Providence. "What a timely video" ❤

[@PhotonFlamin]

Great vid skall as always 👍

[@aaronsmith4940]

Beautiful coastal area, thanks for risking life and limb to bring it to us.

[@jasondearborn2349]

Good to see sword review and cutting videos back on the channel skal! Also beautiful scenery. Please be safe tho.

[@BIONICforge_Studios]

I love everything about this video. Everything.

[@pauxgamer]

I really enjoyed this video it was super interesting and I was not expecting that sword to hold up that well!

[@jonathanbergeron5833]

The outfit looks amazing in this video, and I swear you've been working out hard. Looking good, bro!

[@shanelyon414]

Wow! Looks like an amazing blade to cut with, super fun! What a great price for that quality too. Thanks for another great video!

[@Kihen9]

Love the background! I love cutting swords, curved blades are the best!

[@Folkeregor]

Bruh, you did a god tier backdrop. The water and lighting is gorgeous

[@joaoricardo6903]

Damn. That background is amazing

[@JustGrowingUp84]

Beautiful blade and beautiful scenery!

[@husamal-dinbeybars3013]

Wow, what a beauty! I was drooling watching this video :D

[@emblemarms]

Thanks for the review it looks really nice. It’s on my wish list.

[@gosling4391]

Great video, Skall!

[@tonnywildweasel8138]

Great scenery, beautiful blade, honest review. Well done 👍 Greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱, TW.

[@leighmonty13]

Really enjoyed this video

[@Flamewolf14]

My mouth is watering over this sword looks really nice!

[@adamedison6831]

Love the background!

[@Bojan366]

Nice to see you doing a sword review again.