Filling an under-served niche in available swords today, the Agincourt hand-and-half sword from Windlass Steelcrafts Battlecry collection is a slender, light, quick weapon well-suited to facing armored or unarmored adversaries. This is an agile weapon whose length and weight make it highly effective on its own in either one or two-handed fighting. But it’s equally dangerous when paired with a buckler or even a larger shield. Combining versatility with utility, the dexterity and lightness of the Agincourt betray a dangerous fighting blade of respected martial utility.

The 1065 high carbon steel has darkened, battle-hardened finish, so it’s well protected from the frequent rust spots and stains that occur so often from everyday practice and exposure to the elements. The blade has an extra-wide tang and is tempering to a low 50s RC. This pre-sharpened blade has gone through rigorous testing. The hands-on nature of the manufacturing by master smiths makes this line unique.

Includes a leather belt frog and scabbard with belt stop, and certificate of authenticity signed by each smith that touched your blade through every step of the forging process. One could easily envision English long-bowmen and knights alike wielding this blackened blade on the fields of the famous and disastrous battle honored in the naming of this sword.

The term hand-and-a-half is more of a modern designation for a range of sword types that featured tapered blades longer than the common shorter arming swords of the time but without the double-hand grips of larger heavier war swords. Many different swords fall into this category and many of them are as maneuverable as they are surprisingly sturdy. In full armor, a heavy sword is no advantage and a narrow point on a slimmer blade is ideal for getting into the vulnerable spots on another armored combatant. At the same time, the advantage of having a faster weapon with an extended grip that could still be adroitly handled with both hands provided knights and men-at-arms alike with a resourceful option. A sword like this also deftly employs the blade-gripping techniques called half-swording that make up such a large part of the authentic fighting methods.

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