The Genoa vs. The World: Why This Italian Bastard Sword is the Professional's Choice

Introduction

When it comes to the Italian Hand-and-a-Half sword — often called the Bastard Sword — the market is split. On one side, you have museum-grade replicas that cost a small fortune and take years to arrive. On the other, you have mass-produced "wall-hangers" that can't handle a single day of training.

The Genoa Italian Bastard Sword by Kingdom of Arms was forged to bridge that gap. Here is how it stacks up against the competition.

1. Performance: 5160 Spring Steel vs. The Rest

Most Italian-style swords use 1075 or 6150 steel. While these are respectable, our Genoa is forged from 5160 High-Carbon Spring Steel.

The Advantage: 5160 is legendary for its toughness and "memory." It's designed to flex under pressure and return to true, making it the superior choice for HEMA competition cutting and rigorous backyard targets.

2. The "Hidden Cost" of Premium Brands

If you buy a high-end Italian longsword from a boutique forge, you are almost always buying a "naked" blade.

The Competitor Gap: A custom wood-core, leather-wrapped scabbard to protect that investment will cost you an additional $400 to $600 — and months of waiting for a scabbard maker.

The Kingdom of Arms Value: Every Genoa Italian Bastard Sword comes with a historically accurate, custom-fit wood-core scabbard included in the $795 price.

3. Handling: The Hand-and-a-Half Advantage

Italian dueling was about speed and versatility. The Genoa features a distal taper that brings the balance point closer to the hilt, allowing for lightning-fast transitions between one-handed and two-handed guards.

Unlike budget replicas that feel like "crowbars," the Genoa is lively, responsive, and ready for the salle.