So who makes up the RW trolls here?

[spin]

149. A good Gladius is hard to find for a reasonable price ...

But some are available.

Windlass Pompeii Gladius Review

The Pompeii Gladius by Windlass Steelcrafts is easily the most historically accurate Roman Sword in their line up. While it is still far from a perfect replica, as far as handling and durability goes – as you will soon see – there isn’t much else out there that even comes close...



This is a very light, fast sword with good balance and a great feel in the hand. Mine is very solidly made, and took repeated swings against my shield target without any loosening at all.

The Blade: 20" long, a uniform 2" wide out to 16", then tapering to a point. Cutting edge starts 1 1/2" from the guard. pob approximately 4", cop approx. 11 1/2".

***snip***

I tested this against my greatly abused (and subsequently reinforced) shield target. As an unsharpened cutter, it did quite well, as you can tell from the photos above and below. In stabbing tests against the same target it consistently achieved 1/2" deep impacts. This is probably less that it could have done to be honest, as the shield was unanchored (intentionally, to try to simulate the give a person's arm would have).


http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/pompeii-gladius.html

I should note that I don't own this sword although I may buy own for my collection at some time in the future.

For anyone interested this Gladius is available at http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=500598