Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Back in 2018 I reviewed the "Town Guard" by Arms & Armor, and now it's time to examine LK Chen's take on it. This is a reproduction based on a group of swept-hilt cut & thrust swords / sideswords / military rapiers (depending on how you like to define the terms) from around 1600.
As usual I've put it to the test and am giving you a detailed look at how well it's made and how it performs functionally. Including comparisons to historical originals and the A&A replica I used to have.
Is it worth adding to your collection? Let's see!
*** Specifications ***
Overall length: 102 cm (40.15 in)
Blade length: 87 cm (34.25 in)
Blade width: 4.5 cm (1.77 in) - 0.5 cm (0.2 in)
Weight: 1.4 kg (3 lbs 1.5 oz)
Point of balance: 8 cm (3.14 in) from quillons
Blade material: GB 60Si2MnA (comparable to 5160 spring steel)
Guard & pommel: Stainless steel
Hilt assembly: Threaded & glued pommel
*** Pros / Cons ***
+ Outstanding balance with great tip control
+ Strong, durable blade (except the tip)
+ Low price for the quality
+ Excellent performance in the thrust
+ High historical accuracy overall
- Threaded pommel construction
- Part of the leather wrap on the scabbard peeled off
- Tip bent (with hard use)
° Unappealing guard finish (fixed in newer version)
° No hilt bluing (nitpick)
*** Where to get it ***
kultofathena.com/product/lk-chen-munich-town-guard-sword/?koa=259
lkchensword.com/shop-1/ols/products/munich-town-guard-sword
*** Sources / credits ***
https://wallacelive.wallacecollection.org:443/eMP/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=61105&viewType=detailView
https://digitaltmuseum.se/011024417432/varja
worcester.emuseum.com/objects/47880/swepthilt-sword-for-the-munich-town-guard?ctx=ba9436458e6b3fc1298ee30dea74e8221bf0a7a6&idx=1
royalarmouries.org/collection/object/object-78
the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/ahermann-historica-ohg/catalogue-id-srher10069/lot-0c3ba8ba-94d4-4806-a170-ac4c00b696fe
christies.com/en/lot/lot-4711647
*** Merch ***
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #sword #review
Back in 2018 I reviewed the "Town Guard" by Arms & Armor, and now it's time to examine LK Chen's take on it. This is a reproduction based on a group of swept-hilt cut & thrust swords / sideswords / military rapiers (depending on how you like to define the terms) from around 1600.
As usual I've put it to the test and am giving you a detailed look at how well it's made and how it performs functionally. Including comparisons to historical originals and the A&A replica I used to have.
Is it worth adding to your collection? Let's see!
*** Specifications ***
Overall length: 102 cm (40.15 in)
Blade length: 87 cm (34.25 in)
Blade width: 4.5 cm (1.77 in) - 0.5 cm (0.2 in)
Weight: 1.4 kg (3 lbs 1.5 oz)
Point of balance: 8 cm (3.14 in) from quillons
Blade material: GB 60Si2MnA (comparable to 5160 spring steel)
Guard & pommel: Stainless steel
Hilt assembly: Threaded & glued pommel
*** Pros / Cons ***
+ Outstanding balance with great tip control
+ Strong, durable blade (except the tip)
+ Low price for the quality
+ Excellent performance in the thrust
+ High historical accuracy overall
- Threaded pommel construction
- Part of the leather wrap on the scabbard peeled off
- Tip bent (with hard use)
° Unappealing guard finish (fixed in newer version)
° No hilt bluing (nitpick)
*** Where to get it ***
kultofathena.com/product/lk-chen-munich-town-guard-sword/?koa=259
lkchensword.com/shop-1/ols/products/munich-town-guard-sword
*** Sources / credits ***
https://wallacelive.wallacecollection.org:443/eMP/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=collection&objectId=61105&viewType=detailView
https://digitaltmuseum.se/011024417432/varja
worcester.emuseum.com/objects/47880/swepthilt-sword-for-the-munich-town-guard?ctx=ba9436458e6b3fc1298ee30dea74e8221bf0a7a6&idx=1
royalarmouries.org/collection/object/object-78
the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/ahermann-historica-ohg/catalogue-id-srher10069/lot-0c3ba8ba-94d4-4806-a170-ac4c00b696fe
christies.com/en/lot/lot-4711647
*** Merch ***
bonfire.com/store/skallswag
If you want to join Bonfire to start selling your own merch: bonfire.com/welcome/07bb14169c804
*** Support the channel ***
Help fund future videos, get bonus content and access to an exclusive Discord server:
patreon.com/skallagrim
youtube.com/channel/UC3WIohkLkH4GFoMrrWVZZFA/join
Other ways to support the channel by shopping through affiliate links:
Kult of Athena, my favorite online store for reproductions of historical arms and armor, fantasy swords, etc:
kultofathena.com/?koa=259
Where to get HEMA gear and practice swords:
woodenswords.com/?Click=1799
GamerSupps powdered energy drinks and other stuff (I particularly like the SUS snack bars):
gamersupps.gg/Skall
I highly recommend the balms and oils from Beard Sorcery:
beardsorcery.com/?ref=0UEFtHWvZEmtD
Books about history, martial arts, swords, knives, video/audio equipment, and other stuff I recommend:
US - amazon.com/shop/skallagrimnilsson
Canada - amzn.to/2HeOCMA
*** Other social media ***
https://bsky.app/profile/skallagrim.bsky.social
facebook.com/SkallagrimYT
instagram.com/skallagrim_yt
#skallagrim #sword #review
