Customer Rating: Summary: Poor Quality Wood Comment: I was very disappointed in the quality and workmanship of this item. I definitely would not recommend it. Customer Rating: Summary: Great Alternative Comment: My 10 year old wanted a sword for Christmas. Because I believed a real metal sword was just too much responsibility for his age I looked into something wooden. This broadsword is a great alternative. He loves the look and feel and I am more comfortable with him playing with it than something made of metal. Customer Rating: Summary: Nice quality oak saber Comment: I don't have a lot of exposure to what's all available in the marketplace but this appears to be a pretty solid practice piece. I've been studying taji for almost 4 years now and recently took a saber class. Based on the other wooden sabers in that class and in our studio, this is among the better ones. For under 20 bucks it seems to be pretty good.