Windlass Spartan Lakonian
Oct 26, 2008 1:23:56 GMT
Post by YlliwCir on Oct 26, 2008 1:23:56 GMT
Windlass Steelcrafts Spartan Lakonian Short Sword 401178 reviewed by RK Williams of Evansville Indiana USA.
On 10/18/08 Mr. Paul Southren offered to send me a Windlass Gladiator for review, I had already ordered that one myself
so he graciously agreed to let me review this Lakonian for the SBG review team in it's stead. Thank you, Paul! He sent
me a PM on 10/23/08 letting me know he ordered it from Museum Replicas Limited and was having them sharpen it. It arrived
10/25/08. Props to MRL for super fast service!
Vendors description; "This version of the Lakonian short sword was copied from the book The Spartan Army. The Spartan army was
one of the toughest on record. They devoted themselves to being the best of the best. The leaf shaped blade is high carbon
steel, grip is bronze. Scabbard is wood covered in leather.
Overall: 19-1/4" long
Blade: 14 1/2" long, 2-3/8" wide, 3/16" thick
Wt: 2 lbs $145.00"
I have considered getting this blade more than once in the past. I like the compact and efficient style of it. Dry handling
the blade I found it to feel more substantial than I had expected, a similar feeling I had with my recent Gladiator purchase.
Windlass is fast winning me over, to their shorties anyway.
The grip is 4 in. long and 3-3 1/2 in. around.
Guard is 3 1/2 in. wide, 1/2 in. tall and 5/8-3/8 in. thick.
Blade is 2 1/8 in. at it's widest and 1 11/16 in the waist.
Point of balance is 7/8 in. from the middle of the guard.
MRL sharpened it wicked papercutting sharp with a secondary bevel. (I'm quick losing my aversion to secondary bevels)
The scabbard is a woodcore leather covered affair with bronze like accents, stitched neatly up the back.
The scabbard fits loose so that the sword will drop out if turned upside down. It could be a bit tighter.
I'm also not fond of Windlass penchant for tucking the leather into the mouth of the scabbard thereby placing the leather
next to the blade.
Action:
The video speaks for itself, this is an awesome cutter. I was concerned that the round metal grip might be hard to keep a good
hold on. I noticed no such problem and was able to keep a good grip through out the cutting session. Also I had thought the
length of the blade might detract from the cutting, again a groundless concern as long as I heeded the Spartan mothers advice to step
closer to my adversary.
Report cart:
Historical accuracy - 4/5 I have no evidence to dispute the vendors claim of authenticity.
Fit and Finish - 4/5 Minus 1 for not coming from the factory sharp, a pet peeve of mine.
Handling - 5/5 Exceeded my expectations, by far.
Structural integrity - 5/5 Survived my test with no defects.
Value for money - 4/5 Worth the price.
To sum up, I say again, this one exceeded my expectations. If you are considering this one, don't hesitate.
On 10/18/08 Mr. Paul Southren offered to send me a Windlass Gladiator for review, I had already ordered that one myself
so he graciously agreed to let me review this Lakonian for the SBG review team in it's stead. Thank you, Paul! He sent
me a PM on 10/23/08 letting me know he ordered it from Museum Replicas Limited and was having them sharpen it. It arrived
10/25/08. Props to MRL for super fast service!
Vendors description; "This version of the Lakonian short sword was copied from the book The Spartan Army. The Spartan army was
one of the toughest on record. They devoted themselves to being the best of the best. The leaf shaped blade is high carbon
steel, grip is bronze. Scabbard is wood covered in leather.
Overall: 19-1/4" long
Blade: 14 1/2" long, 2-3/8" wide, 3/16" thick
Wt: 2 lbs $145.00"
I have considered getting this blade more than once in the past. I like the compact and efficient style of it. Dry handling
the blade I found it to feel more substantial than I had expected, a similar feeling I had with my recent Gladiator purchase.
Windlass is fast winning me over, to their shorties anyway.
The grip is 4 in. long and 3-3 1/2 in. around.
Guard is 3 1/2 in. wide, 1/2 in. tall and 5/8-3/8 in. thick.
Blade is 2 1/8 in. at it's widest and 1 11/16 in the waist.
Point of balance is 7/8 in. from the middle of the guard.
MRL sharpened it wicked papercutting sharp with a secondary bevel. (I'm quick losing my aversion to secondary bevels)
The scabbard is a woodcore leather covered affair with bronze like accents, stitched neatly up the back.
The scabbard fits loose so that the sword will drop out if turned upside down. It could be a bit tighter.
I'm also not fond of Windlass penchant for tucking the leather into the mouth of the scabbard thereby placing the leather
next to the blade.
Action:
The video speaks for itself, this is an awesome cutter. I was concerned that the round metal grip might be hard to keep a good
hold on. I noticed no such problem and was able to keep a good grip through out the cutting session. Also I had thought the
length of the blade might detract from the cutting, again a groundless concern as long as I heeded the Spartan mothers advice to step
closer to my adversary.
Report cart:
Historical accuracy - 4/5 I have no evidence to dispute the vendors claim of authenticity.
Fit and Finish - 4/5 Minus 1 for not coming from the factory sharp, a pet peeve of mine.
Handling - 5/5 Exceeded my expectations, by far.
Structural integrity - 5/5 Survived my test with no defects.
Value for money - 4/5 Worth the price.
To sum up, I say again, this one exceeded my expectations. If you are considering this one, don't hesitate.