The all new Black Fencer V5 Sabre
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- A look at the prototype for the new generation V5 synthetic training sabre from Black Fencer. With a number of improvements, it is better than ever, and closer to the original swords than ever before.
Great review, it's very exciting to see a quality synthetic saber! I recently began learning saber and could not find a synthetic that I knew would handle properly. Also, I appreciate the depth and time you take on your videos, even when it gets rambly : )
this channel and history an sabre are making me get into sabre :)
This looks beautiful. Hopefully it sets a new trend for grips on both trainers, steel and synthetic, and sharp reproductions. How does it compare to the purpleheart fullered v4?
I can't compare to the Purpleheart sorry as we don't have one. Nobody really buys there stuff in Europe, as with the cost of shipping and import duties, they can work out close to double the price of Black Fencer. I would like to get one for comparative reviews at some stage though.
Could you suggest that they find a way to rubberize the edges of their swords to simulate binding?
Typically it is not impossible to rubberize plastic but nylon is hard to do so with.
But I'm sure there is a layer that can be added by heat as Nylon is great for heat fusion to different plastics.
I think that would really simulate binds more naturally and that's an advantage even steel trainers don't have.
Looking forward to a sparring video with you gents using the v5's. Looks great though will get 4 for our club as soon as they're available.
Oh I just realised that Blackfencer seemed to haved used the V5 hilt for my custom Szabla/Hussar Sabre aswell :) It feels beautiful in the hand. So thank you for providing the inspiration to BF :)
Yes it was made right at the time we were talking about all this, so has incorporated the latest design changes. Glad it is working out. I will be having that blade on a V5 sabre hilt to represent a 1796 Light cavalry sword very soon.
Academy of Historical Fencing like I said it's absolutely amazing :) and the blade is really good, an feels appropriate (at least in comparison to the one original Szabla I had the honour to handle) but I haven't tested it in sparring yet. And to be completely honest I'm a bit afraid to do so :D
Do you think gear which is used for longsword (steel and synthetic) will provide adequate protection?
Gear designed for high contact steel and longsword synthetic sparring would be right for it yes, but with such a hefty blade and forward balance point, you are still going to have to hold back a little, and it will be capable of delivering tremendous power.
Academy of Historical Fencing Thank you for the reply :) It's really fascinating to see how much balance affects the amount of force that is generated.
It is, though there is more to it than balance. Balance is a good rough gauge, but it is mass distribution which creates that balance. In general terms though, another over 15cm balance for a one handed sword tends to hit very hard.
Looks a lot like a French Napoleonic Hussar Saber. I think I will get one. 😀
thats a wonderfull training sword :D
Excellent stuff as always.
I know that BF does custom orders as well, so I'm curious if the V5 blade would be more appropriate than the V4 "slightly curved" sabre blade to be married to a three bar sabre guard to approximate an 1827 rifle officers sword?
Roughly yes, but I am working on options with them to create something more closely resembling the three bar and gothic hilt British infantry swords of the 1821 on period.
Academy of Historical Fencing That is really great. Looking forward to it.
I just received answer form Black Fencer that every sabre order from January 1st onwards will be sent the V5. Thanks for the review.
On another note you mentioned the balance shift towards the real thing. Just out of curiosity, did you ever try out a model or the original light cavalry sabre? Since the balance should be more towards the tip because of the longer blade, is it unwieldy? I ask because with historical sabres on auctions there seems to be a preponderance of cavalry swords. Due to taller average height I wonder whether nowadays they would be a good choice for fencing, wouldn't they?
I own an original 1796 light cavalry sabre and showed it in the video. yes the balance is at 18.5cm, partly due to its longer blade, and partly because oft he flare in profile shape towards the tip. Compared to an infantry sabre, yes they are unwieldy, but also they hit incredibly hard. I have a black fencer sword of these proportions not he way though, but great care will need to be taken with it.
As for the change in height, no I do not believe that is a good idea. The average height in the Napoleonic period for British soldiers was just 5'6", compared to 5'10" today. However, officers were on average a lot taller, due to a better diet, and at last of the typical averages of today. If you ready historical accounts it is actually really common to see mention of British officers of six foot and over. The infantry sabre was a universal size, and the stature of people today is roughly the same as the officers, and more well of troops who were training to use these swords historically. The common soldier didn't carry a sabre, so it of no concern, except for some short swords in some cases, which are a different category of weapon.
Thanks for sharing your expertise and experience. I happened to see a prussian hussar's sabre (1849, guards regiment) with a gothic hilt but a blade very similar to the 1796 (or M1811 Blucher), curvature and width almost identical, and a meter long overall which started my interest. Have not seen anything similar since, either the contemporary models tend to have thinner and straighter blades or tend to be of oriental/caucasian style with much simpler guards.
I plan to join the Newport branch of AHF, I got a Black Fencer montante and I've grown quite accustomed to it now, though I'm still trying to develop some interpretations for rules 8 to 16. I also have a few questions about AHF:
What's your dress code? I'm asking because Virtus Sword School, last I checked, had a dress code of sorts: jogging trousers and a long sleeved shirt.
Do you accept people more familiar with Fiore de'i Liberi's arts and allow the use of techniques by Fiore?
What are the common activities done in the Newport branch?
Are there other montante users in the Newport AHF branch?
Just comfortable sports clothing and non marking trainers are all that is required.
When sparring people can use any styles they have learned. In the club we commonly teach longsword (Liechtenauer), sabre (Roworth), and rapier from Capo Ferro and Meyer. We do occasionally work on other things to. We teach in blocks of one weapon type for about 10-12 sessions, but people can spar with anything that is safe enough to use.
There aren't really any Montante users no, Mike and I own them, but rarely use them, simply because they can't be used in sparring as intended without being very dangerous.
Could I order this yet? The V5's grip looks different in the BlackFencer website, but in the video is much more like I searching for...
They just haven't updated the photos yet. If you order the V5 sabre it will come with the new grip and pommel shape.
damn should wait for the v5 then to be released to the public, or keep my order of my first two v4? I wonder if this has less curvature than the v4 aside from the more realistic point of the blade.
Blackfencer usually ship the current model, and it is likely to be made the standard model any day now. Send them a message, if it is released, and they haven't made your swords yet, I am sure they will change your order to V4.
Academy of Historical Fencing you meant "change the order to *v5" right? because otherwise I am confused. Anyway thank you immensely, I will write them a message, the order is placed but because it has to be shipped in italy and I will be in england until the twelve I asked them to wait. Hope they don't rise the price for it. By the way, next Wednesday, will there be military sabre training lessons at your academy in Bristol? I wonder because have been in Kent lately and might be able to come, but it's just a dream.
Edit: sent a message to blackfencer and they said all the orders placed since January will receive the V5 model as it is already in production but there is a 8 weeks waiting time once the order is made. :-)
by the way, please review the light cavalry blade one also, once you get and test it.
UPGRADE! Want one,, gimme, gimme, gimme... WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!
Can I order these if I ive in the united states. I don't mind paying extra for shipping and all that? I just wasn't sure they will do that. South Coast swords doesn't respond to any contacts or restock.
I live in the US in New York do you happen to know if there's any sellers that sell the black fencer items?
Sacrosanct _
Not directly, but Purpleheart armory offers similar items.
US reseller linked below. Just bear in mind that you will often not get the latest models unless you go direct.
southcoastswords.com
Academy of Historical Fencing Thank you
I wish I lived near a hema club ;_;
Where are you located?
rural montana. the closest club to me is almost 100 miles away.
Oh, I guess I can't help you then. From your Profile pic I figured you were in NC. I could give you at least 3 solid clubs to check out if you were.
Plenty of people have started from scratch. Find a few people who want to do the same and start a study group.
south coast and the Canadian distributor don't seem to be carrying them. do you know if there is a way to order this direct and ship to the U.S.? or would i be better off searching for a like minded HEMA enthusiast in the UK/Europe to send money to to order one for me? thank you.
Order direct from their website below. It's well worth it.
www.blackfencer.com/en/
Academy of Historical Fencing one more question if you don't mind sir. I see they have a three bar Hilt saber and I was wondering if you knew if this is the same as the saber you reviewed in this video but with a different guard
I've always wondered: what was the point of the stirrup guard? Was it just fashion, or is there some utility to the shape that I'm not seeing?
A stirrup guard is simply a simple knucklebow, which is a simple way to provide protection without making the hilt bulky. Though sometimes people now refer to the type with the bulging section close to the pommel/back strap as the stirrup, and the ones without a D guard. As for why they have the bulge in the guard, I have seen loads of speculation, but nothing conclusive. At this stage I am inclined to think it was merely a fashion.
Yeah, I was referring to the bulge, rather than the entire guard. Thank you for the response!
is the 1796 infantry Sabre suitable for training just by myself?, im hoping to build up strength and work up a sweat..also what would you recommend as a target?, would my punchbag just burst after one hit?, thanks.
Yes you could to develop solo drills and conditioning. But you need an opponent asap. You have no context until then. Don't worry about a target for solo work. Cutting with a sabre is not about power like a punch, but speed, accuracy, edge alignment, reach, etc.
ok thanks very much :).
I ordered 2 weapons from Black Fencer last month, a Spadroon and a Dagger, typically, how long does it take for things from Black Fencer to be delivered?
About 12 weeks or so.
Nick, the stats you give does't compare to the one currently on Black Fencerns page:
BALANCE POINT: ~ 9 cm. [you said 12,5cm]
WEIGHT: ~ 800 gr. [uou said 695gr]
Sounds like you have found an older page. As that spec is roughly right for the V3 model.
Here is the model I am talking about in their shop, with stats that match mine. As a side note, BF weights and balances aren't always 100% accurate on their site. The scales they use don't seem very accurate and balance can change a little as models improve/change.
www.blackfencer.com/en/home/27-like-steel-waster-saber-v2.html
I sent them a mail and you were right. Thank you for answering.
Just out of curiosity, how big is your hand? The width across the knuckles I mean.
Width at the knuckles 9cm. I have typically medium hands, wearing medium in everything, except Red Dragon, where I use the larger 13" size glove.
Do u know if Black Fencer is planing to release a V5 P1796LC copy also? Thanks
I don't know if they will put it on the site as a standard model, but you can already order it now, as I have used on the recent cavalry vs infantry sabre sparring video. I will review it soon. To order, send them a message, or put the comments in your order. You want V5 1796 sabre, fitted with hussar blade.
Thanks
I got mine about 11.5 cm POB and 800 grams of weight.
Sounds like you have the V4, which had the old larger pommel, and straight grip.
Darn. Still, gotta practice saber with them ;)
Is Roworth's work suitable for this waster?
Nothing wrong with the V4, its still a perfectly good model. I have just worked with Black Fencer to develop this sabre model to be as perfect as possible, which I think the V5 now is that.
Yes they are ideal for the practice of Roworth.
would you sell one of your sabres?
I wouldn't, I love them all equally :-) Are you referring to the Black Fencer V5 as this video is about? Or antiques? If the BF, you can order direct from them, or resellers depending where in the world you are.
Haha fair enough. Yeah i meant the antiques. They are hard to find in new zealand. Its a very nice collection you have.
Ah yes I can imagine. Fortunately there are lots here, but its still hard to find good examples for a reasonable price for Napoleonic examples.
Hmmm i shall keep searching then. Do you think the black fencer bowl gymnasium sabre would be good to learn military fencing, and if so could you please do a review? Cheers for the great channel keep up the good work!
I don't have one, nor intend to buy one, simply because I am more interested in Napoleonic era sabres than the later period ones it represents. But for the practice of later period styles, yes I think it would be good.