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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2009 16:16:56 GMT
Greetings, this is my first time posting on the forums, so bare with me. I am about to purchase my first "real sword" and I am interested in the Swedish Viking Sword by Windlass. Does anyone have any experience with this sword? I haven't seen it mentioned on the forums. I am specifically concerned with the swords durability, tang, balance, or blade being whippy, etc. I am not planning to butcher trees with it, but on the same note, I don't want it flying out of the hilt when drawn, or wobbling like a tuning fork. I have seen it mentioned in other reviews that Windlass often has the whippy blade issue, but seems to not be as big of a problem on some of their viking swords (i.e.the Sticklestad). Your help is greatly appreciated. Sword link below. www.medievalcollectibles.com/p-3284-swedish-viking-sword.aspx
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2009 17:19:54 GMT
I don't own one so I can't comment definitively but I wouldn't worry about the wippiness issue. Most windless swords with shorter blades are fine. They may still be on the flexible side but I think this is actually appropriate for a viking era sword. A sword designed almost exclusively for cutting doesn't need a lot of stiffness. It should actually benefit from windless' softer temper in this way. In my experience windless makes a very tough blade, if a bit soft. this just means that it is more likely to nick than to chip at the edge. I believe this is appropriate for this type of sword and time period. You may also have to sharpen it more often than a harder steel but that's not a big deal.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2009 19:01:43 GMT
I just picked one up today at the MRL annual sale. My initial impressions are that its a typical windlass piece- needs tightening in the hilt construction, which I haven't had the time yet to see how much work this might entail. The blade is very flexible, easily doing 5" off and returning true. Whippiness might be an issue when cutting, as this is a blade of thinner stock than some of the older windlass pieces. Unfortunately I won't be able to test it to find out for a while (torn rotator cuff.. sigh.) In my opinion you'd be better off to save up an extra hundred and get the Tinker Viking from KOA.
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2009 20:54:28 GMT
Thank you both for your comments. In light of Suvurov's experience with the purchase, I started doing a search again for another possible sword. I must admit I like the look of the Swedish Sword, but I think I found something more historically accurate to what I want (aside from the scabbard). Any opinions on this particular sword? Darksword 10th Century Viking Sword - Not seeing a review on these forums, but I may have missed it in the searches I did. www.darksword-armory.com/1311.html
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2009 22:18:11 GMT
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Post by kidcasanova on May 2, 2009 22:30:37 GMT
I also own the Swedish Viking (bought it for my brother), and I can add to the whippiness posts. It's not like Mike's Arbedo, but it feels like it would be too flexible for me to enjoy cutting with. Thrusting wont be an issue since the type was not designed for it. The grip is also very odd. It's not uncomfortable, per se, it's just slim with slick leather that gives a seemingly insubstantial grip.
For the money, and given my experience with it, I would go with Cold's suggestion of the Tinker Viking. However, if the look of the Windlass just hits the spot for you, then go for it. It is still a very functional piece, as well as unique.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2009 4:10:24 GMT
Thanks everyone. I think I am going to take your advise a save another 100 bucks and go with the tinker. And, I agree, I misspoke about the historic aspect of the Darksword after further inspection of the blade taper. I appreciate all the help.
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2009 21:54:42 GMT
Btw, Windlass Swedish is actually quite correct historically. There is a picture of its inspiration somewhere on myarmoury.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2009 15:21:37 GMT
Sure is; one of the reasons I'm considering getting it- I am slowly becoming a fan of Viking blades. Slowly. I like that particular one's look.
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2009 8:23:35 GMT
Yeah I like the look of the Swedish windlass sword as well...too bad it isn´t one of the good windlass swords . Honestly, if windlass could get uniform quality between models I would have gotten more of them as they have some pretty nicely designed sword for reasonable prices.
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Post by kidcasanova on May 6, 2009 1:29:02 GMT
Hey Cold, what about it makes it a bad sword? It's a bit too flexible for my tastes (most likely your reason as well), but I own the sword and I wouldn't say it's bad, just not a sword I really enjoy using. As we saw with Mike's Arbedo, whippy swords aren't bad cutters, and that's precisely what the Type X was designed to do. It's thinner cross-section will help make it a better cutter. Ultra durable? No, it would probably take a set on a flubbed tatami (or similar heavy targets). But it handles bottles and light targets great.
If the OP is coll with a flexible blade, I recommend it. If he is like the majority of us, it may not be to his liking.
I painted a fairly negative picture of it in my earlier post, which sums up many of my feelings on it, but wasn't entirely fair from both perspectives. Hopefully this one is more clear.
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