Great deal for the current last chance price. The hilt parts are cast of some type of light weight metal, but is solidly constructed. I took mine apart because I wanted the blade for a custom project that I had in mind. The tang is a good thickness and is bolted over a steel plate at the end of the handle, the pommel is actually glued on with epoxy but was difficult to remove. If someone wanted to sharpen one themself to do some cutting I would think it should hold up fine. I would have preferred more weight at the pommel end to give a more balanced feel, but others might like it as is. I replaced the hilt with a cast brass one and like the balance much better now.