Blackfencer
Steel 1796 Saber
The steel 1796 saber by Blackfencer is made to replicate the original antique models as closely as possible. With the same construction method, weight, balance, and feel- many collectors of antiques have told us that they are shocked by just how well these handle and resemble the real thing! With a thick, durable edge and strong knucklebow design, these sabers are made to take a beating for years to come.
SoCal Swordfight has used these sabers for their saber tournament for the last 5 years with very positive feedback from competitors (often re-using the same sabers from year to year and in between tournaments)! Don't get us wrong, all steel swords can break, but we have been thrilled with how well these swords have held up, given just how much abuse sabers take in tournaments.
We have a few sabers with less clearance in the guard, so they are unable to fit the large heavy shelled HEMA gloves such as our CHFG Michael/Raphael or HF Armory Black Knight, and some with larger guards to facilitate fitting your glove, make sure you order accordingly!
37” Overall Length (Including Curve)
32” Blade (Including Curve)
4.5” Handle Length
2.25" (small) or 2.5" (large) guard width at narrowest point
3.25" (small) or 3.5" (large) guard width at widest point
5” Point of Balance from guard
~1 lb 13 oz
7.5 kg flex
1/4" Tip thickness
Customer Reviews
So I will start with the thing you should know if you want this sabre, which is that you truly want to ideally have an articulated hard shell glove like the Gabriel with it to use it effectively. I found regular clamshells to knock into the knucklebow and throw the blade way off alignment, tried another type of less typical clamshell that did fit through the guard more fully, but I still wasn't able to use it as well as the VB D-Guard sabre with clamshell gloves....
That said, if you have that right glove, which is a big thing in sabre and broadsword fencing where I'm really focused, then this is a truly great sabre, and if you're interested in the closest possible replica you can spar safely with of one of the most classic sabre designs of the Napoleonic Wars, this is it right down to every detail far as width, weight, balance, and handling of the sword (which yet has great flex for sparring), and all the little details, this is it.
Much safer to thrust with also than the VB sabres, and if you have money for this, and for hardshell articulated gloves, and you want a late 18th century military sabre that handles like one, this is it.
I love my 1796 Light Cavalry Sabre in addition to my two broadswords also made by Black Fencer. Favorite sword make for sparring swords, especially accurate, early modern cut-and-thrust swords.
