Cold Steel 92BKGMZ Gladius Trainer

Well made, decent balance and as far as the cold steel trainer line goes I feel more comfortable sparring with these as opposed to the other larger cold steel items. This is due to its smaller size and less weight making it not quite as dangerous comparatively. Great item, good price my only complaint is I wish they made them more historically accurate, without the flared end, which would also assist with the POB of balance. Aside from that maybe making the blade more flexible so it’s a little safer to use but that’s it for negatives. Great item, do recommend.

Was perfect for my martial arts weapons training. Sturdy, well made, nicely weighted. My nunchaku movements and practice routines fit well into the use of this sword trainer. As a career soldier, I have always studied history and military history, weapons, tactics, training, etc., and the Roman era has fascinated me the most over the years. So I thought I would see how the various weapons techniques and movements would translate into other weapons or hand-to-hand warfare, such as the Roman "broadsword."

This Gladius is a "Training" sword.The sword is good looking, very thick and heavy.The size is just right as a representation of this type of weapon.For me it will mostly hang on a wall as a backdrop for videos related to my book Gladiator School; for that purpose this sword is perfect.I may actually take it with me to speaking engagements.No worrying that someone may accidentally cut themselves.Love this and based on the quality and heavy feel of this I am likely going to by more products from Cold Steel, like the shield and a dagger. Perhaps another sword and a spear too.It got here in a day and a a half!Yes, I'm pleased!!!

It has good weight, feel and toughness if you going to hit it against material it dents at metal hut stands it's own with wood. It's a very good trading sword.

Slightly larger than actual scale, at only a pound and a half... so not historically accurate... if what you want is a real and authentic gladius.But, it's also made of black polypro, so... be advised.Similarly, if you are looking for a whack away at each other sword, NONE of the black polypro swords meant for that. They will chip and break.They can also break bones and fracture headbones if used for violence, SO DO NOT. THESE ARE FOR TRAINING MUSCLES TO MAKE PRECISE MOVEMENTS WITH A SWORD. ONLY.Specifically, this gladius can be used to train several styles, including saber fighting and some fencing styles (not Olympic), medieval and Renaissance styles, all the gladiatorial and roman military styles that used it, and several Asian and South east Asian styles. Also replaces a viking sword and an Irish sword, for the purpose of training the style... imperfectly, but good enough to work out.It is NOT good for anything Katana, medieval long bladed hand and a half, and (as mentioned earlier) Olympic-scored fencing training. At all.To practice nearly every style of knife and sword work, a well-rounded blades person needs three practice swords: gladius, medieval hand and a half, and katana... and two practice karambit knives.Buying more style blades is AWESOME and an excellent idea, if you want specific honed skills at a particular style with a particular style blade... but these polypro knives are really only good at developing muscles for blade work, NOT for honing precise skills.To do that? You must eventually work with heavy wooden bokkens, to build skill, and then real steel to get precision.These replace light handweights and PVC tubes filled with H2O to build muscle.I cannot recommend enough for that purpose.

Very nice swords for working out on the pell and other drills, but I wouldn't actually spar with them. They are heavy, solid and would hurt. They mimic my gladius rather well (I so wish cold steel made a real gladius and not just their machete version). I love them.

It seems like it is more of a Spatha than a Gladius but either way it is a very cool sword. My students have been swinging it around for months and it has not broken.

This sword is amazing and as a twelve year old kid I really enjoyed using it. It is great for breaking sticks and smashing stuff. The ball on the end of the handle acts as a counter balance and provides controlled wielding. Overall, definitely a five star training gladius, I recommend to all fellow Legionnaires!