Godfred Viking-Good Idea Poor Quality

by Harry Fletcher
(Flower Mound, Texas, US)

I looked at the Godfred in the Hanwei catalog and thought, wow that's great! I know that this sword is a bit more than a $300 beater sword but what the hell from the catalog picture and specifications it was just what I wanted. The handle grip was supposed to be woven leather and the scabbord was said to be leather covered with bronze fittings. The blade was patterned as in the 9th century fashion.

When the package arrived the day before my birthday I fairly drooled as I opened it. It was just plain Jane wrapping with no frills. One look at the sword scabbard and grip left me with an empty feeling of disappointment. The crossguard and the pommel were beautiful. The bade's looks were so so, very crude and rough, not at all like the picture in the catalog. In fairness the sword flexed well and had incredible balance and agility in handling. But...After reading about the beauty of patterned welded swords of the early middle ages the looks of this blade were crude. Although sharpened the edge was still very rough and should have been smoothed and polished. There was a big ding at the tip which should have been taken off at the factory. I could have fixed the edge and the ding with no trouble but what am I paying for? The ugliest aspect of the sword was the horrible sauede on the handle grip and the scabbard. The appearance of Godfred as a whole was CHEAP!

I purchased it from SWORDS OF HONOR and am returing it after receiving permission. They are good people to buy from in my opinion.