Generation 2 Sword of the Third Crusade (IP-003ab) / 12th Century (IP-003a-2) / Knight�s Templar Sword (IP-003T-2) � all three of these are the same with the only difference being the design on the pommel. The sword actually used for the test is the Sword of the Third Crusade with a black cross on the pommel.

Reviewed and tested by Jason Ryan (Owner of AoV) and Jamie Thompson (War of the Roses Re-enactor UK)

Forward:
A test had been set up to test the durability of our new Darksword armory line. Since the armor was already in place we decided to add the Generation 2 Sword of the Third Crusade to our line up.
Over the last year or so I have seen many debates about how well historically swords held up in battle. How well did they handle the impact of inadvertent blows to a steel-rimmed shields or a blow against plate armor? The Crusader sword would have seen limited use against plate armor, but during the 12th century steel helms and chainmail were the prevalent protection on the battlefield.

The Test:
The purpose of the test is to see how well the Generation 2 Crusader would survive a solid cut against plate armor and chainmail and secondly how much damage would it do to the armor. The armor used for the test was a 17-gauge chest and back plate. After the plate armor test a chainmail cut was also accomplished.

The Results:
Jamie Thompson, a historical re-enactor from the UK, performed the first cut. It was a solid blow across the chest of the armor. It creased the armor deeply and did not mark the blade at all.

The second cut was the chainmail cut performed by Jamie. The sword cut through the chainmail with ease and imbedded it deep into the tree (can be clearly seen on the video) without a scratch on the blade.

I performed the final cut to the rolled edge of the armor. This is a very durable spot in the armor. The Sword dented the armor deeply and only suffered minor edge damage.

I was amazed at how well this sword performed. The blade was hardly scratched by some very difficult cuts and the cutting power was brilliant. I was very pleased to say the least with the results of this test and would feel confident going back in time with this sword and using it in battles where my life depended on it.

Click the image above to watch a Field Test Video of the Gen 2 Sword of the Third Crusade
by Jamie Thompson; War of the Roses re-enactor from the UK

The Results: Jamie Thompson, a historical re-enactor from the UK, performed the first cut. It was a solid blow across the chest of the armor. It creased the armor deeply and did not mark the blade at all.

The second cut was the chainmail cut performed by Jamie. The sword cut through the chainmail with ease and imbedded it deep into the tree (can be clearly seen on the video) without a scratch on the blade.

I performed the final cut to the rolled edge of the armor. This is a very durable spot in the armor. The Sword dented the armor deeply and only suffered minor edge damage.

The Results:
Jamie Thompson, a historical re-enactor from the UK, performed the first cut. It was a solid blow across the chest of the armor. It creased the armor deeply and did not mark the blade at all.