Windlass Schiavona Type 2 dis-continued & antiqued
Jul 13, 2008 12:49:56 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2008 12:49:56 GMT
Windlass Schiavona Type 2 (dis-continued & antiqued)
Review by Bill Goodwin - Roanoke, Va
I've owned this sword for a couple of years now, but Paul asked for a review and can't let the man down.
I bought this off Ebay as it was disappearing from the MRL catalog for the grand price of $169.00. Can't remember the seller . Had always loved and wanted a Schiavona represented in my collection so opportunity knocked and I answered. It makes a nice addition and presentation piece along side my Mortuary hilts from the same time period.
Design:
Based on 17th century examples of the sword known in some circles as the most handsome of all basket-hilts. Fame and fortune story tells of it being used by Slavic mercenaries who were hired by the Doge of Venice as special troops and body guards.
Windlass did a decent job of capturing the essence of the Schiavona style sword with this offering.
The double edge, triple fullered blade does not fall into the debated whippiness of Windlass blades. It is nice and stout but still has an OK amount of flex to it. Received un-sharpened, I've worked on it a bit to put a servicable edge to the first half of the blade. Not razor sharp but enough for the average pumpkin lopping. The tip was rather thick so it took a bit more work. It's peened into the hilt so I've not attempted to dis-assemble. It had the infamous Windlass stamp, lacquer and super shine but that quick disappeared....details ahead.
You've pobably noticed that the blade looks a bit odd. I antiqued the blade by using the salt and vinegar spray method ala Sean Flynt tutorial from the myArmoury article. I did several treatings of this, sanding off and re-applying each time to really work the patina to it.
Grip:
It's pretty much a standard leather wrap over what I imagine is grooved wood core. Alot of the originals I've seen in photos usually have a wire wrapping as well, don't know why Windlass chose to not do this feature. It is a comfortable grip and my hand fits well around it.
Pommel:
One of the definitive features of the Schiavona style sword are the "cat's head" pommels. I've seen both brass and steel, but this Windlass has the brass. Nicely done, not too over the top with design...plain..simple...just the way I like it. Several ways of antiquing brass, but with this, I just used a piece of "0" steel wool, roughed it up just a wee bit, then rubbed a burnt candle wick over it again and again to work it into the grooves left by the steel wool. Not a drastic change, just a little hint of shading.
Guard:
Also the ribbon / bar pattern of the basket defines the style or type. Edwart Oakshott in his book "European Weapons and Armour - From the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution" has a excellent section on the differences.
Windlass had two versions of Schiavona at one point, a blackened hilt / blade Type 1 and this Type 2 model.
The ribbons/ bars on originals were welded together, but Windlass riveted theirs as a cost and production factor I'm sure. It's a solid hilt all the same. It has loosened a small bit over the years at the blade but no real problem. When I first got this sword it was super shiny and bright, almost too much, so it became a project piece for me.
Antiquing of the basket I used a different method. It was done by using Birchwood Casey's "Perma Blue" liguid gun blue. This can be found in most any sporting goods store / dept. or gun shop. Again a good scrubbing to get any oil residue off the basket to start. Take small 1/2" art set paint brush and begin gently applying to surfaces. You'll notice the change almost instantly and at this point, start lightly scrubbing it onto the surface with the brush. With this sword, I did about 4 or 5 treatments to get the desired affect I wanted. Some metals react to the chemical differently (use in well ventilated area / shop- safety folks), as you see, the basket came out with a brownish hue instead of a total blued affect. Which was perfect for this as it looks more aged in a natural way.
Scabbard:
Typical no-frills Windlass scabbard but I will say that it's the best fitting scabbard of my Windlass pieces. I normally have to end up glueing in a piece of felt or leather to make blade fit snug, not with this one.
Stats:
Overall length: 39 1/4"
Blade length: 33 1/2"
Grip: 4"
Basket width (at widest point) : 5 7/16"
Blade width" 1 3/4" - 3/16 thickness
Weight: 3 lbs. (MRL had it listed @ 2lbs 12 oz.)
P.O.B.: 5 1/4"
C.O.P. : 20 1/2"
Handling:
If your not use to a basket-hilt sword this is a monster. It's not very forgiving or lively in hand. Tip heavy is all respects and the somewhat stiffer blade adds to the deadness. The normal "ring" of a blade is absent as well with this Schiavona, more of a dull "clunk" when struck with a knuckle.
If you looking for something to just whack the crap out of pumpkins, this is the baby. I like to use this at demos / presentations our group does for dispatching pumkins without mercy. Due to the weight and major blade presence, the "great pumpkin Charlie Brown" doesn't stand a chance. Thrusting is not this swords forte either, it's a definite hacker.
(my first attempt at video cutting, so please forgive the quality and quickness, me lovely British born wife (Jeanie) is behind the camera, so thank you lovey for putting up with me during this)
Conclusion:
From a strictly collectors view point the Windlass Type 2 Schiavona is a nice addition for those wanting to have this style represented in the collection. For the practitioner, it's an OK sword but falls gravely short of being overall performer.
SBG Rating:
Historical Accuracy: 4 of 5
Fit & Finish: 3 of 5 (due to the overly brightness of hilt & blade)
Handling: 3 of 5 (due to the overbearing deadness in hand feeling)
Structural Integrity: 4 of 5 (good and sound, a little hilt rattle, but what it's been through, no real quams)
Value for the Money: 4 of 5 (consider it a smoking deal price wise).
Overall : 3 of 5 (poor handling did it in which is a shame for such a beautiful looking sword)
Review by Bill Goodwin - Roanoke, Va
I've owned this sword for a couple of years now, but Paul asked for a review and can't let the man down.
I bought this off Ebay as it was disappearing from the MRL catalog for the grand price of $169.00. Can't remember the seller . Had always loved and wanted a Schiavona represented in my collection so opportunity knocked and I answered. It makes a nice addition and presentation piece along side my Mortuary hilts from the same time period.
Design:
Based on 17th century examples of the sword known in some circles as the most handsome of all basket-hilts. Fame and fortune story tells of it being used by Slavic mercenaries who were hired by the Doge of Venice as special troops and body guards.
Windlass did a decent job of capturing the essence of the Schiavona style sword with this offering.
The double edge, triple fullered blade does not fall into the debated whippiness of Windlass blades. It is nice and stout but still has an OK amount of flex to it. Received un-sharpened, I've worked on it a bit to put a servicable edge to the first half of the blade. Not razor sharp but enough for the average pumpkin lopping. The tip was rather thick so it took a bit more work. It's peened into the hilt so I've not attempted to dis-assemble. It had the infamous Windlass stamp, lacquer and super shine but that quick disappeared....details ahead.
You've pobably noticed that the blade looks a bit odd. I antiqued the blade by using the salt and vinegar spray method ala Sean Flynt tutorial from the myArmoury article. I did several treatings of this, sanding off and re-applying each time to really work the patina to it.
Grip:
It's pretty much a standard leather wrap over what I imagine is grooved wood core. Alot of the originals I've seen in photos usually have a wire wrapping as well, don't know why Windlass chose to not do this feature. It is a comfortable grip and my hand fits well around it.
Pommel:
One of the definitive features of the Schiavona style sword are the "cat's head" pommels. I've seen both brass and steel, but this Windlass has the brass. Nicely done, not too over the top with design...plain..simple...just the way I like it. Several ways of antiquing brass, but with this, I just used a piece of "0" steel wool, roughed it up just a wee bit, then rubbed a burnt candle wick over it again and again to work it into the grooves left by the steel wool. Not a drastic change, just a little hint of shading.
Guard:
Also the ribbon / bar pattern of the basket defines the style or type. Edwart Oakshott in his book "European Weapons and Armour - From the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution" has a excellent section on the differences.
Windlass had two versions of Schiavona at one point, a blackened hilt / blade Type 1 and this Type 2 model.
The ribbons/ bars on originals were welded together, but Windlass riveted theirs as a cost and production factor I'm sure. It's a solid hilt all the same. It has loosened a small bit over the years at the blade but no real problem. When I first got this sword it was super shiny and bright, almost too much, so it became a project piece for me.
Antiquing of the basket I used a different method. It was done by using Birchwood Casey's "Perma Blue" liguid gun blue. This can be found in most any sporting goods store / dept. or gun shop. Again a good scrubbing to get any oil residue off the basket to start. Take small 1/2" art set paint brush and begin gently applying to surfaces. You'll notice the change almost instantly and at this point, start lightly scrubbing it onto the surface with the brush. With this sword, I did about 4 or 5 treatments to get the desired affect I wanted. Some metals react to the chemical differently (use in well ventilated area / shop- safety folks), as you see, the basket came out with a brownish hue instead of a total blued affect. Which was perfect for this as it looks more aged in a natural way.
Scabbard:
Typical no-frills Windlass scabbard but I will say that it's the best fitting scabbard of my Windlass pieces. I normally have to end up glueing in a piece of felt or leather to make blade fit snug, not with this one.
Stats:
Overall length: 39 1/4"
Blade length: 33 1/2"
Grip: 4"
Basket width (at widest point) : 5 7/16"
Blade width" 1 3/4" - 3/16 thickness
Weight: 3 lbs. (MRL had it listed @ 2lbs 12 oz.)
P.O.B.: 5 1/4"
C.O.P. : 20 1/2"
Handling:
If your not use to a basket-hilt sword this is a monster. It's not very forgiving or lively in hand. Tip heavy is all respects and the somewhat stiffer blade adds to the deadness. The normal "ring" of a blade is absent as well with this Schiavona, more of a dull "clunk" when struck with a knuckle.
If you looking for something to just whack the crap out of pumpkins, this is the baby. I like to use this at demos / presentations our group does for dispatching pumkins without mercy. Due to the weight and major blade presence, the "great pumpkin Charlie Brown" doesn't stand a chance. Thrusting is not this swords forte either, it's a definite hacker.
(my first attempt at video cutting, so please forgive the quality and quickness, me lovely British born wife (Jeanie) is behind the camera, so thank you lovey for putting up with me during this)
Conclusion:
From a strictly collectors view point the Windlass Type 2 Schiavona is a nice addition for those wanting to have this style represented in the collection. For the practitioner, it's an OK sword but falls gravely short of being overall performer.
SBG Rating:
Historical Accuracy: 4 of 5
Fit & Finish: 3 of 5 (due to the overly brightness of hilt & blade)
Handling: 3 of 5 (due to the overbearing deadness in hand feeling)
Structural Integrity: 4 of 5 (good and sound, a little hilt rattle, but what it's been through, no real quams)
Value for the Money: 4 of 5 (consider it a smoking deal price wise).
Overall : 3 of 5 (poor handling did it in which is a shame for such a beautiful looking sword)