Hey Mon, You know Dee is ordering 4 more in a month from a trusted supplier? Why dont you just save yourself the drama and hassle and just take dibs on one of the next four. It will end up costing the same as you have said in your original post.. And youll get it sooner.
On the note of what the cas is like to handle As Dee said they are sharp and have a nasty tip. But when the swords are blunted and notched they work and handle very well especially if you like a heavy kick arse looking sword. A word of warning though and I think Iam reiterating a comment from Dee, they are not a beginner or dabbler sword. They are an experienced dancers sword and you need to really work with the sword daily and get to know it. They are too heavy and hardcore for beginners and those who dont dance with swords often. I cant remember the actual weight but they are heavier than the Moorish Scimitar - and thats a heavy baby too. But for those advanced sword dancers who love a heavy sword that looks more like a weapon not a pretty little "butter knife" as Dee refers to a pair of my old swords - the cas is a good investment and is stronger and will last a life time,
On shipment. - I bought a Moorish sword awhile ago from the states. From reading these posts I was abit silly and didnt check customs or anything, The seller however did note of the packageing that there was a sword inside and it was opened by customs - re packaged and resent on its merry way to me. Like the cas it was sharp, so probably lucky by the sounds that I got it at all.