Could be worse, could be better
"The sword was packaged nicely, it arrived in the scabbard and in a plastic bag. The item then was placed in along three foam holders. On at the tip of the scabbard and one at the handle which the sword layed on. Another in the middle to keep it from moving too much while in the box. The sword balance is definitely handle heavy. When swinging the sword it doesn't take a lot of force to recoil your blade mid swing. A piercing motion is great, I could thrust the blade quite fluidity. Which is great has this was a blade ment for piercing attacks. The blade is a nice length for the balance with is being 19 and a half inches being just under the longer average length. The blade has some minor twisting it is not really noticeable unless you are looking for it. The blade has a single beveled edge on both sides, which isn't very sharp but seeing as this is a display sword it is standard. The point really shows this sword to be a piercing weapon. Even though the sharpening isn't great that tip will do some damage. The shape of this gladius is that of the Mainz type. Which is the more stereotypical movie type you see. The handle is a casted metal that is then pressed together. Because of this manufacturing method there are noticeable gaps between components for the most part that would go widely unnoticed if you weren't examining it. However it is very noticeable between the guard and guard plate. Sure the sword is facing down while sheathed so it is not noticed but pull it out and have it angled anything of than 180° to the floor and someone will notice. The space between the guard plate and the blade is quiet big and allows one see the wood in the handle. And since the probably drilled then CNCed the guard plate. It makes the blade look crooked since it was CNCed at a slight angle. The handle is also just a tad too small for my hand but can easily be overlooked. The tip of the pommel is a nut so you can unscrew by handle and tighten the blade down if required. The scabbard is fairly well crafted. Again the metal accents are casted metal but seemed to be made in one piece then slipped onto the scabbard frame and glued. The pleather wrapping is also slipped on then potentially glued. There is some glued residue but mostly around the castings. The scabbard open is lined with a plastic spacer which keeps the blade from rattling around in the scabbard and keeps a tight fit so it doesn't just slide off the blade. The finish isn't completely uniform and the blade isn't made for function but all in all this isn't a bad sword as a decoration."
