Russian Saber Kizlyar Shashka TKV-2 Brass Handle.

This shashka was bought for Flanking (Russian saber dancing) practice and it didn't disappoint. This is a Russian made fully modernized saber, it's not trying to be a reproduction of Soviet era swords, instead of soviet symbolism the design has a leaf motif that can (mostly) stand on it's own. The Good: The 0.5% carbon/14% chromium blade is bendy, durable, and really shiny due to stainless steel properties. No durability testing, but cutting was done and the item took a few drops during flaking and doesn't look any worse for wear. Weight about 1.5lbs, which is a good 0.5lbs shaved off of the weight of soviet era swords, very light an easy on the grip. The Meh: Swords only need to be sharpened about 2/3rds down the length of the blade. The 1/3rd closest to the handle needs to be dulled as it's mostly for parrying and a good cut that far down that blade isn't feasible. Kizlyar, in their infinite wisdom, sharpened that sucker all the way down the blade. I had to dull a portion the blade myself to make it safer to handle. Mold lines is some of the brass construction. It's kind of par for the course with modern manufacturers but it's still sad to see such an otherwise excellent product not go the extra step for presentation. I'm not removing stars because this sword is still as good as it gets short of custom order.