Possibly the Best Single-Handed Cutting Sword I've Tested!
19,092If 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: â 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 ***
https://www.kultofathena.com/product/lk-chen-persian-shamshir/?koa=259 (affiliate link)
https://lkchensword.com/shop-1/ols/products/shamshir/v/SHM-SHR
*** Sources ***
The original
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/30905
Very similar design
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/30903
18th century
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/32739
18thC
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sabel,_shamshir,_1800-talet,_Livrustkammaren_-_354.tiff
18th-19thC
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/30970
19thC
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/30975
Richly ornamented
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/31128
Almost identical weight
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sabel_-_shamshir_-_Livrustkammaren_-_77113.tif
Fath Ali Shah
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Swords_of_Fath_Ali_Shah.jpg
Subtly but beautifully decorated
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sv%C3%A4rd_med_Balja_-_Hallwylska_museet_-_86870.tif
Review of a similar saber (not as good): https://youtu.be/nd7L1GJ1GeE
A shield to go with this: https://youtu.be/6vd6o1twMCk
*** Music credits ***
"Mektaba" by Elerya
https://opengameart.org/content/mektaba
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0)
Outro:
"Highland Storm" by The Slanted Room Records
https://theslantedroom.github.io/steve.yee/
Used with artist's permission
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