Review of the Early Spanish sword (Windlass)
Nov 3, 2008 14:24:01 GMT
Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2008 14:24:01 GMT
[glow=red,2,300]Windlass Early Spanish Sword Review[/glow]
First of all, this is my first review I post, so any comment is welcome.
Windlass Steelcrafts are well known for making some of the most historically accurate budget swords on the market today.
For this sword they claim that it was the sword that the Knights of Castile and Aragon would have used in the almost constant warfare along the shifting border between Christianity and Islam. The Moors first invaded Spain in 1050 and by 1300 held about half of the Iberian Peninsula.
Now, in my opinion we can speak here of an Oakshott type XIV sword.
Illustrations of three Type XIV
swords by Peter Johnsson
As you can see, the second sword is our early Spanish sword.
From the Metropolitan Museum, New York
Perhaps the best known example of a Type XIV sword is housed in the Metropolitan Museum in New York. It is in excellent condition and is the first sword Oakeshott uses in Records of the Medieval Sword to illustrate the type. The inlay in the fuller of the broad blade is similar to other surviving swords (most notably the sword of Sancho IV of Castile), making the sword dateable to the second half of the 13th century. The tip portion of the blade has a pronounced diamond cross-section which is somewhat atypical of the type. The bronze pommel bears a latin inscription on silver band bands, Sunt hic etiam sua praecuna laudi, which translates as "Here also are the Heralds of His Praise." The guard, according to the museum, is of copper covered by silver wire; a technique seen commonly in the Viking era.
While many of their longer swords were previously regarded as being too ‘whippy’, it would seem that the trend is finally starting to reverse…
Windlass Early Spanish sword
Review by Winckelmans Serge, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
The first time I saw this sword, it was love at First sight. Sooner or later I would buy this sword. I loved the wide and large blade. But when I unpacked the sword I was very surprised. I didn’t thought it would be such an broad blade! I you’re looking for a beefy blade this is the one!
A comparison between the width of the Noble sword and the early spanish.
Specs:
Overall Length : 38 ¾”
Blade: 32''
Weight: 4 lb 4 oz
THE BLADE
Diamond cross section, double edged - the blade on this is near spot on in terms of tempering / flex. Not too stiff and certainly not whippy.
GRIP
The grip is wood with brown leather wrap. It feels very comfortable when I used this sword. After doing some cutting tests it was still solid and didn’t came loose.
GUARD
The guard is made of solid steel and fits very well in the blade as on the grip, no imperfections.
POMMEL
The pommel is also made of solid steel and doesn’t interrupt using this sword. All the parts are good and tight.
THE SCABBARD
Standard Windlass ill-fitting, cover, but the steel throat and drag make for a decent looking piece.
FIT AND FINISH
Overall, this is very nice looking sword. Windlass used very attractive and decent materials creating this sword.
CUTTING AND HANDLING
CHARGE!!!!!
Cutting a 2 liter bottle
Cutting a 3 liter bottle
Cutting Tatami mats
Nice clean cuts
The result of a little bit fun
It’s a small grip (or do I have large hands? ;D) and a beefy blade so what you expect is a heavy sword, and it is. To use it easily with one hand, in my opinion, it’s a little bit to heavy. For me it’s easier using it with two hand (to support my other hand). My cutting results in the previous movies would have told you the rest.
CONCLUSION
A very well done, truly beautiful sword from Windlass. It was love at first sight and now when I’m married this sword, I won’t cheat it.
I would recommend this sword for any collection as a functional and/or display sword.
It’s a little bit heavy, but when handling with two hands it’s an enjoyable, and also a beautiful sword.
THE VERDICT
Historical Accuracy: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 3/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
WHERE TO BUY
Normally this sword retails for $245 – however as usual for Windlass swords – you can pick it up for much less right here at Kult of Athena where it goes out the door for $189.95. But just because it is available right now, don’t sit on it too long – Windlass are somewhat notorious for discontinuing their swords regardless of how well received they are, so if you want one – you had better act quickly while they are still in production!
First of all, this is my first review I post, so any comment is welcome.
Windlass Steelcrafts are well known for making some of the most historically accurate budget swords on the market today.
For this sword they claim that it was the sword that the Knights of Castile and Aragon would have used in the almost constant warfare along the shifting border between Christianity and Islam. The Moors first invaded Spain in 1050 and by 1300 held about half of the Iberian Peninsula.
Now, in my opinion we can speak here of an Oakshott type XIV sword.
Illustrations of three Type XIV
swords by Peter Johnsson
As you can see, the second sword is our early Spanish sword.
From the Metropolitan Museum, New York
Perhaps the best known example of a Type XIV sword is housed in the Metropolitan Museum in New York. It is in excellent condition and is the first sword Oakeshott uses in Records of the Medieval Sword to illustrate the type. The inlay in the fuller of the broad blade is similar to other surviving swords (most notably the sword of Sancho IV of Castile), making the sword dateable to the second half of the 13th century. The tip portion of the blade has a pronounced diamond cross-section which is somewhat atypical of the type. The bronze pommel bears a latin inscription on silver band bands, Sunt hic etiam sua praecuna laudi, which translates as "Here also are the Heralds of His Praise." The guard, according to the museum, is of copper covered by silver wire; a technique seen commonly in the Viking era.
While many of their longer swords were previously regarded as being too ‘whippy’, it would seem that the trend is finally starting to reverse…
Windlass Early Spanish sword
Review by Winckelmans Serge, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium
The first time I saw this sword, it was love at First sight. Sooner or later I would buy this sword. I loved the wide and large blade. But when I unpacked the sword I was very surprised. I didn’t thought it would be such an broad blade! I you’re looking for a beefy blade this is the one!
A comparison between the width of the Noble sword and the early spanish.
Specs:
Overall Length : 38 ¾”
Blade: 32''
Weight: 4 lb 4 oz
THE BLADE
Diamond cross section, double edged - the blade on this is near spot on in terms of tempering / flex. Not too stiff and certainly not whippy.
GRIP
The grip is wood with brown leather wrap. It feels very comfortable when I used this sword. After doing some cutting tests it was still solid and didn’t came loose.
GUARD
The guard is made of solid steel and fits very well in the blade as on the grip, no imperfections.
POMMEL
The pommel is also made of solid steel and doesn’t interrupt using this sword. All the parts are good and tight.
THE SCABBARD
Standard Windlass ill-fitting, cover, but the steel throat and drag make for a decent looking piece.
FIT AND FINISH
Overall, this is very nice looking sword. Windlass used very attractive and decent materials creating this sword.
CUTTING AND HANDLING
CHARGE!!!!!
Cutting a 2 liter bottle
Cutting a 3 liter bottle
Cutting Tatami mats
Nice clean cuts
The result of a little bit fun
It’s a small grip (or do I have large hands? ;D) and a beefy blade so what you expect is a heavy sword, and it is. To use it easily with one hand, in my opinion, it’s a little bit to heavy. For me it’s easier using it with two hand (to support my other hand). My cutting results in the previous movies would have told you the rest.
CONCLUSION
A very well done, truly beautiful sword from Windlass. It was love at first sight and now when I’m married this sword, I won’t cheat it.
I would recommend this sword for any collection as a functional and/or display sword.
It’s a little bit heavy, but when handling with two hands it’s an enjoyable, and also a beautiful sword.
THE VERDICT
Historical Accuracy: 4/5
Fit and Finish: 4/5
Handling: 3/5
Structural Integrity: 5/5
Value for Money: 4/5
OVERALL: 4/5
WHERE TO BUY
Normally this sword retails for $245 – however as usual for Windlass swords – you can pick it up for much less right here at Kult of Athena where it goes out the door for $189.95. But just because it is available right now, don’t sit on it too long – Windlass are somewhat notorious for discontinuing their swords regardless of how well received they are, so if you want one – you had better act quickly while they are still in production!