Towton Sword, Signature Series

Sharp Towton Bastard Sword Forged from 1075 High Carbon Steel

Bloody History: The Wars of the Roses and the Battle of Towton

In the winter of 1461, the yet uncrowned Edward IV marched a huge Yorkist army (symbolised by the white rose) northwards to attack the Lancastrian forces (the red rose) of the legitimate King Henry VI. Although the Yorkists attacked a strong Lancastrian position on an uphill slope at Towton, they were aided by a blinding snowstorm at their backs. The Yorkist archers were thus able to kill at a range that the Lancastrian arrows were unable to match. Twenty thousand royalists charged downhill into their tormentors. In the following six hours, thousands of men fell in one of the bloodiest battles ever to take place on English soil. This sword is a worthy tribute to the fallen of this fearsome clash.

Perfect Geometry and Lightning Agility

This weapon belongs to an upgraded signature series that boasts excellent dynamics. The blade tapers elegantly to a dangerous stabbing point and is lightened by a central fuller along most of its length, giving the sword lightning agility. The improved distal taper of the blade ensures that the sword is not overly forward-heavy. When fighting on foot, it can be wielded with both hands, allowing for devastating cuts and powerful thrusts. Thanks to its perfect balance and optimal weight, it still allowed for equally lethal one-handed blows from horseback. The long, gracefully shaped pommel and the elegant curves of the crossguard perfectly complement the overall appearance.

Historical Wet-Wrap Grip and Premium Scabbard

The grip is a masterpiece in itself. It is covered in leather that is textured using a historically authentic process known as wet-wrap. During this procedure, a fine cord is tightly wrapped around the wet leather on the grip. Once completely dry, the cord is removed, leaving an attractive indented pattern on the leather. This detail not only looks great but, more importantly, provides you with a much safer and grippier hold, ensuring the weapon will not slip from your hand in the heat of action. We supply the sword with an upgraded scabbard, which now features a solid wooden core beneath the leather exterior for maximum blade protection.

Safety Guidelines and Practical Use

Warning: The edge of this blade is as sharp as a knife! This is a fully functional weapon, not a theatrical prop or a toy. The sword is absolutely ideal for cutting tests (tameshigiri), for example, on filled PET bottles or traditional Tatami Omote mats. However, for safety reasons, we must strongly warn you: this weapon is absolutely not intended for contact fencing, historical reenactment battles, HEMA sparring, or man-to-man stage combat. Any edge-to-edge striking would lead to irreversible damage (chipping) of the blade and pose a severe risk of injury to you and your opponent. Always handle the weapon with the utmost caution and keep it well out of the reach of children.

Care for High Carbon Steel

The flexible and well-tempered blade is forged from 1075 high carbon steel. Remember that this steel is not stainless. To maintain its flawless appearance and prevent corrosion, regular care is required. After every use, or even after merely touching the blade with a bare hand, it is essential to clean the steel and preserve it with a thin layer of high-quality gun oil. We recommend occasionally treating the leather parts of the grip and scabbard with a suitable leather balsam.

Technical Specifications of the Towton Sword

To accompany this outstanding sword, we highly recommend purchasing a quality leather belt frog for comfortable carrying and Ballistol gun oil for the perfect maintenance of your blade.