r/Hema • u/pushdose • 4d ago
Broken Kvetun Easton saber blade!
I’ve already reached out to Kvetun, so this isn’t a customer service post but I’ve never seen an Easton blade break before and we have many of them at our club and have for a couple years. The saber is only about 6 months old, used maybe weekly and only in a few tournament bouts. It broke during light drills against an identical blade. The grain structure looks a tiny bit coarse to my untrained eye. Was pretty crazy as we’ve never seen one of these break!
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u/Iamalittledrunk 4d ago
That's a fatigue or brittle fracture. Most likely brittle based on what you described and the lack of beach marks.
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u/phoenix_e419 4d ago
My Easton sabre exploded into three pieces on a thrust. I've also seen two other Eastons break and three Kvetun arming swords.
I'm no metallurgist but my theory is that their heat treatment is generally too hard as personally I've never seen them take a set or edge damage, they just snap with little provocation.
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u/transaltalt 3d ago
what does it mean to take a set?
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u/phoenix_e419 3d ago
To become bent and not be able to bend back fully. Sometimes a blade bends and you try to bend it back to straight but it wont. Often this happens and it is not a huge issue if it is just a gentle curve over a long distance however if it is a severe or acute bend it can render a blade unusable.
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u/ScintillatingSilver 3d ago
As a HEMA instructor I can never recommend Kvetun. Unfortunately I've seen two swords of theirs break on the first day of use, and it could have been disastrous if it wasn't for student's control. I haven't seen this issue with any other brand.
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u/pushdose 3d ago
I’ve never really heard that before. We’re not a small club and we have many of their swords including arming swords, sabers, and sideswords. I haven’t been fencing that long but my instructors have, and this is the first Easton blade that we’ve had break. I’m likely not gonna buy another if they don’t replace it. Thankfully, I have a Sigi saber coming hopefully by next month but it’s a light blade and won’t really replace my cavalry style saber.
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u/Investedbutbored 4d ago
I've not found their customer service to be very helpful myself, but hopefully they take care of you
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u/duplierenstudieren 4d ago
Actually I'd say the customer service is Kvetuns saving grace.
I've broken a few Kvetuns at this point and if it wasn't for their great customer service I would downright discourage people from them. Quality control seems to be lacking.
I have broken 2 Kevtun blades, a handle in the first month and one of my replacements takes a set after every little thrust.
But I got two swords for the prize of one xd
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u/Investedbutbored 4d ago
Oh really? My guard for a polish sabre broke, they would only send me a new one if I paid for it, plus shipping. About half the price of a new sword.
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u/duplierenstudieren 4d ago
Huh, my experience is 3 years old at this point and I don't buy from them anymore, so maybe it changed.
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u/NinpoSteev 4d ago
Oh that sucks, especially when it's as pricey as a kvetun.
If you're looking for a cheap replacement, you could ask nova fencing. He's my club's primary supplier. He doesn't use the most flexible steel, but it's hard to break.
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u/cmasonw0070 3d ago
Are you at McDonald’s?
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u/pushdose 3d ago
Hah! That would be something. It’s a small sitting area in our fencing club. We have some couches, tables and chairs for people waiting, eating, hanging out or whatever.
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u/Box_o_Rats 4d ago
Keep us updated!