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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2009 6:39:17 GMT
I won't do a real review on the MRL German Bastard Sword, because there is an official review posted. I'll just touch on a couple points: I've been looking at this sword for about 3 years now, debating on if I wanted to add another sub-$300 to my collection. The looks of it finally got to me, and I went ahead with a purchase of one. Price and Shipping:Ordered early on 01/21/2008 from KoA, total with sharpening was $212. Arrived at my house 01/23/2008. I live near Atlanta, and KoA got this faster to my door almost just as quickly as if I would have driven the 60 miles to MRL's store in Conyers and picked it up. Packing: Packed well, no problems/damage on arrival. Quality:Good blade geometry, everything is on par. Very solid, no whip and has a nice clear bell-tone when struck. Close PoB allows for nimble handling. Sharpening job is fairly good; there is a noticable secondary bevel, but it grabs and slices though paper quite easily. The only problem I has was the ugly ass grip wrap with the overly zealous stitching down the side. So, I've re-wrapped the grip (in the pictures below) and buffed off a little of the laquer antiquing Windlass puts on to give it a more graceful and eye-catching look. I plan on putting it in a black Christian Fletcher Ranger belt with oxblood accents as soon as I get around to making the call. Function: This sword is FAST and has tremendous cutting potential; combining the blade form with a two-handed grip. The weight is well-balanced and recovery is quick. Thrusts are mediocre, but you can do them. Better results are achieved thrusting when using what I call the 'Chainsaw Grip'; where you grip the pommel in your right hand and wrap your left hand though the top ring. It gives you a great deal of blade control and power in a CQB setting - allowing for an effective half-swording method to be applied. All cutting is good thus far. Milkjugs, water bottles, and even thicker Powerade bottles all fell victim to my cutting attempts. I do wish that Windlass would with a slightly longer blade and added 2-3 inches - which would still be in the realm of a bastard sword. Overall:This is a great sword, a far cry above alot of other Windlass stuff I have tested in recent years. I second the original score of 5/5 and would say that you will be quite happy with this sword!
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Post by YlliwCir on Jan 24, 2009 10:23:51 GMT
Thanks for the review, Odingaard. I want one.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2009 11:33:22 GMT
Thanks for the review odingarrd.....I would agree about added 2 more inches to the blade length...all in all ......sounds like a good sword. Windlass quailty has seen a upsurge.
cheers,
Bill
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Post by Jeff K. ( Jak) on Jan 24, 2009 19:37:11 GMT
Great sword huh? I love mine....I antiqued the blade to make it a little less ....shiny. I like what you've done with the grip. As for a longer version, Ive always been interested in the discontinued Sword of Novara.....looks very similar but HUGE!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2009 3:01:18 GMT
Rather than buy something, I decided to experiment a little with some leather strap I had around the house. The result: I've got a pretty cool three point suspension mocked up on it right now. Gonna dye, stitch, and finish it tonight/early morning hopefully. I'll post some pictures once I complete it. Once done, it should not be a 'shin banger' at the faires and cons later this year, but will have a nice unique custom look.
I did a little more cutting and getting a much better feel for this outstanding weapon. I have decided that this is equal to my love for the discontinued Transitional Viking and Higgins Armory swords Windlass offered years ago (my other two Windlass favorites). This sword and my customized DSA Black Knight are gonna get alot of viewing time this year! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2009 3:05:25 GMT
i have always wanted this sword. it really is impressive. good stuff!
jason
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2009 6:33:49 GMT
Damnit, why do windlass have to discontinue their better swords?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2009 23:05:21 GMT
I could understand discontinuing models to increase collector value or desire, but on a budget level sword, it really does not matter. To the best of my knowledge, they have never brought back the same sword after retiring it - which is really counterproductive for good business.
They should do like Disney does. Discontinue a popular sword for six or seven years, then bring it back for a limited run with decent belt and scabbard. This way, customers that find out down the road that a sword is great (ie the Towton, Novara, or Higgins) but can't buy it because it was discontinued will be chomping at the bit when it comes back out; selling out in record time. Additionally, it seems like Windlass could end up with the customer-chosen best models while doing away with the junk. It would save money and streamline their product lines that people actually want to buy.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jan 25, 2009 23:10:22 GMT
They should do like Disney does. Discontinue a popular sword for six or seven years, then bring it back for a limited run with decent belt and scabbard. This way, customers that find out down the road that a sword is great (ie the Towton, Novara, or Higgins) but can't buy it because it was discontinued will be chomping at the bit when it comes back out; selling out in record time. Additionally, it seems like Windlass could end up with the customer-chosen best models while doing away with the junk. It would save money and streamline their product lines that people actually want to buy. That makes a hell of a lot of sense... a shame you don't have the ear of their execs... ...or do you?
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Marc Ridgeway
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"The best cost less when you buy it the first time." - Papabear
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on Jan 26, 2009 0:56:14 GMT
Damn You !!! I just bought one.... got a great deal though...
Now if I can figure out how to sharpen it....
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2009 3:58:49 GMT
When I buy KoA, I have found it to be quicker just to get it sharpened by Windlass then just diamond hone out the bevel rather than filing from scratch. Saves me about 2 hours of work in the end which is well worth the $18! As for my personal interaction with Windlass, here it is: I was a vendor at one point and had the chance to be on the Summer 2005 catalog cover and in the catalog modeling their Boromir armor (which came about 2 years later than expected - well after the LoTR hey-day at the faires...). I tried and tried again to talk to them about this and that product, what needed to be improved, what could be done to ensure better QC, et. al. - and all I got were these stupid photos. Seriously, I spoke to reps directly at Windlass (in India proper) when I had problems with products or an idea (like making an acid-etched logo for swords instead of a sticker) - and they always give a generic 'But we are ISO9001 quality sir, and our products are designed by world-class sword historians!'. My query to which was: "Who researches and designs your swords?" - Naturally I got no response. Mr. Oakeshott has passed on, Fulvio had parted ways with them in 1997, Mr. Reinhart had no extensive involvement in product design, and even Bruce's ideas are barely noticed. Most of their designs are still recycled Del Tin blade forms that their smiths learned how to make between 1994 and 1997 with different hardware. So now, rather than make a limited selection of really great swords, they have a few good swords and a bunch of medocre ones in their product line - which is constantly changing. The really great ones (IE, the Gothic Bastard Sword) are gone never to resurface, and the new products are hit or miss - more missing than hitting for the most part (at least in my experience) because of some shotty QC - IE, loose furniture, machining marks, poor scabbards/grip wraps, etc. Don't get me wrong, I love my German Bastard Sword - it shows me that Windlass can do the right thing. My point is that we know they can do the right thing, it makes me angry when they do not. Why not pay attention to customers, vendors, and the changing (improving) sword market and put ALOT of attention into FEWER swords that you know your customers will love, rather than creating a product line of a thousand different weapons which customers will only like 10% of? Oh well. Maybe with Valiant's new resolve and improved efforts by CAS/Hanwei we will begin to see someone drive forward at Windlass and make EVERY Windlass sword with the quality of our favorites in their line up over the years! It looks like someone would have thought to do a Windlass Signature Series years ago...
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2009 5:11:52 GMT
Nice! I ordered one from reliks around 1/5/09 and still haven't got it I should've ordered from KOA!!!! KOA is up by Chicago and I live near Indianapolis. when I order from KOA I always get it within a couple of days! Oh well live and learn
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Marc Ridgeway
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"The best cost less when you buy it the first time." - Papabear
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Post by Marc Ridgeway on Jan 26, 2009 14:49:03 GMT
When I buy KoA, I have found it to be quicker just to get it sharpened by Windlass then just diamond hone out the bevel rather than filing from scratch. Saves me about 2 hours of work in the end which is well worth the $18! I bought mine from Medieval Shoppe in Austrailia ,off eBay... so sharpening service wasn't an option... Is it possible to go over to the showroom on Gee's Mill rd. and pay them to sharpen it there ?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2009 17:16:51 GMT
I've been tempted by the higgins and I really wanted a novara, dang it! Windlass stop discontinuing your awesome weapons. Although I think I know one supplier who still has higgins in stock.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2009 18:25:53 GMT
I was not impressed much by Novarra's handling and stiffness (the lack of), although it looks very nice.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2009 19:00:01 GMT
The only "problem" I can see with it is the weight - 3 pounds 14 oz is a lot for a short bastard sword... Great mini-review though
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2009 20:42:46 GMT
With the PoB so far back near the guard, it feels lighter than it is. If someone would have handed me this sword and asked how much does it weigh, I would have guessed just shy of 3lbs. It sure don't feel like nearly 4lbs.
It's just that much more energy to transfer to the target! ;D
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