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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2010 6:03:55 GMT
Windlass has a new foray into the Kopis market, and I am not an expert, although I am trying to learn. What is the opinion on the grip and blade shape ? Historically accurate ? In the ball park ? Plausible due to some vase art ? Just plain thrown together with materials at hand ? Thanks for the input. "Although the leaf blade Hoplite Sword is most often associated with the ancient Greek warrior, the Kopis was widespread and much in use all across the Greek Isles and indeed other areas under their influence, even including their ofttimes enemy, Persia. This is due, no doubt, to the fact that it is a very effective weapon, being able to split bronze helms and wooden shields. Blade sizes varied from about 8" up to about 22" in length. We have chosen to replicate a mid-size blade that would have been carried alone or sometimes with a longer Hoplite Sword. The fullered blade is high carbon steel and has polished buffalo horn scales riveted to a full profile tang with steel spacers and tip. Comes with leather scabbard with shoulder straps that can be tied at the desired length. " www.museumreplicas.com/p-1159-greek-kopis.aspxAttachments:
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2010 13:06:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 4:57:26 GMT
Accurate, or no, it's a lovely sword. I adore it!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 16:16:49 GMT
My knife is bigger than that 'sword'.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2010 17:31:48 GMT
It is a historical length although shorter than average I would say. But kopis was usually a bit narrower with more subtle curve. This looks like something between kopis and falcata. Hilt shape is not bad, but it would be way nicer if it was brass and less angular. The grip looks too "kitchen knife grip" to me. I know I'm too critical, it is Windlass, but look at Scorpion knives kopis swords. They look way better even if not completely historical.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2010 2:07:57 GMT
Jkelly If you are still monitoring this thread, here are 2 Kopis in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. You can see they are quite curved. What I couldn't seem to catch in the pictures I took was the geometry. The narrow part of the blade near the hilt was T backed on both of them. The wide part of the blade was quite thin. I agree that the new Kopis hilt is wrong but replacing the spacers, rivets and plates with hard wood and brass pins would look nice. Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2010 6:38:08 GMT
It's very interesting to find that the Kopis was a pairly slim blade. Modern reproductions make the kopis/falcata seem like a very broad blade would be commonplace. My knife is bigger than that 'sword'. Methinks someone is compensating? I kid, I kid! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2010 7:59:34 GMT
The Kopis tended to be fairly slim and long (upwards of 25 or 26 inches); the Falcata tended to be shorter and fairly wide. It's pretty easy to confuse the two, as they are similar, and there are exceptions to the rules. But in general: long and thin= Kopis. Short and Stout = Falcata.
I'd say the new MRL "Kopis" is actually closer to a Falcata. The two ancient swords shown are actually falcatas.
When in absolute doubt, here's an even better rule: If it's from Greece/East Mediterranean, it's a Kopis. If it's from Spain/West Mediterranean, it's a Falcata.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2010 17:35:15 GMT
Dwilson, those two swords are in the Greek collection at the Museum. Now I couldn't find a card describing them but there weren't any Roman or Spanish objects in that part of the museum and they were in a case with other Greek objects. In Art you see may shapes of Kopis blades from straight to highly curved. I'll see what I have to post from home tonight.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2010 2:12:17 GMT
Of course I can't find anything now. I'll keep looking.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2010 5:27:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2010 18:42:19 GMT
Accurate, or no, it's a lovely sword. I adore it! My sentiments exactly!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2010 20:11:33 GMT
Accurate, or no, it's a lovely sword. I adore it! My sentiments exactly!!!! Same here, which makes me wish there was at least one review on it.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2010 2:11:54 GMT
This MRL version looks inspired by a Falcata found in the Balaeric Isles. Dwilson is correct in describing the crossection. Many were 'T' crossection but others, especially the Iberian variety, were quite thick at the hilt and drasticaly tapered distally and they almost always incorporated a back edge after the "bend"(Greco/eurasion versions seemingly don't). They are much thinner than any modern reproduction I've seen. Unlike the impression that the 2D image gives these swords were not clunky cleavers. They were light and quite fast. Personally I'm dissappointed in this offing. Some years ago I owned MRL's 'Horsehead' falcata. While heavier than the originals and a little rough in the grind it was probably the best version I've yet seen short of a custom production. Here's the old dog I owned. John Maddox Roberts owns it now, he still says it's his first choice to grab for splitting a brainpan in an emergency. Attachments:
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2010 22:06:09 GMT
And I'm keeping it!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2010 21:52:01 GMT
i was wondering has any one got one of these yet? i love the blade shape,i know its called kopis but i guess is technically a falcata but it has the nicest looking blade ive seen , wish it were 4-5 inches longer but oh well
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2010 7:12:44 GMT
I got one of the things, and, not liking the leather sheath, made me a poplar wood scabbard. It was my first scabbard ever, and I don't think I did too bad.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2010 7:34:08 GMT
I got one of the things, and, not liking the leather sheath, made me a poplar wood scabbard. It was my first scabbard ever, and I don't think I did too bad. That's a pretty good looking sheath. That aside, how's the handle/feel?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2010 13:21:45 GMT
great job man that looks way better than the one that comes with it, now how about a review
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2010 16:40:44 GMT
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