Windlass Long Bladed Hewing Spear
Feb 23, 2010 6:48:30 GMT
Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2010 6:48:30 GMT
(Disclaimer: This is my first review so it may suck)
Introduction
For quite some time I've been looking to get a spear, but on the same note I was hoping to find one that could cut/slice/chop as well as pierce a target, I like weapons that can multi-task. Add that to the fact that I seem to be more geared toward Norse weapons except their regular spears don't really do it for me, so I was in a dilemma if I just wanted a straight up stabbing spear I probably would have gone with the Greek spear (the shape and lines as well as it's buttcap)... but it's the wrong period, culture, etc... So I found this Hewing Spear by Windlass Steelcrafts at Kult of Athena for $34.95 + shipping, so I figured I'd go and splurge a little (and yes on my budget that is a splurge) and get it.
Historical overview
There are references to hewing spears in some of the Norse sagas and even a few from peoples who had contact with them, but there have been no artifact found or "hard proof". So this is a rendition based on old second hand (at best) reference. Although common sense or logic would tell me that the spearhead would have been shaped a bit differently, perhaps more like a shortened Norse sword and or Sax (tapered point not drop point), but at the same time this sort of does or I can see a larger Sax being modified into one of these quite easily.
Initial Impressions
It arrived in a reasonable time (when I disregard my anticipation), arriving in your standard cardboard box using brown paper for padding wrapped up in plastic with it's thick layer of heavy oil and with the tip protected with a plastic cap.
I open the box remove some paper and I think "damn thats a big spear, I could use that as a short sword if I want". I did a little dry handling and it really isn't that bad, a bit blade heavy and the "handle" (shaft socket) is steel so you can't handle it properly as a sword without some minor mods but considering that it felt ok.
Here it is next to a standard paperback novel for a size reference.
Statistics;
Overall Length: 25 In
Blade Length: 16 In
Blade Width: 2 1/4 In
Weight: 1 lb 7 oz
POB: (Bare blade) about 1/2 In below where the shaft taper ends at the flat of the blade.
POB: (With a Ace hardware 1-1/8" handle) about a foot below the base of the the spearhead.
Components
The blade has a (I don't know the right term) cats eye cross section that comes to a sharp point, but the edges are unsharpened at about 2mm's thick.
The shaft socket is uniformly round and it's taper is consistent and even. The hole ends about where the "edges" taper back into the socket. It feels solid although I would of been more pleased if it either had a fuller or a small central ridge on the flats of the blade, for it's size and intended use I would think a little more support would be nice. The only flaw I found was a couple of Very small pits toward the top of the shaft socket, hardly noticeable at a glance but easily seen under inspection, my camera can't seem to take a picture where you would see them or it's my lack of ability as a cameraman... At the base of the socket there are two holes for it to be pinned to the shaft.
This "handle" is right on it's current point of balance although now that it's there I haven't decided to keep it on or take it off... Although it's nice because the way it's shaped I know exactly where the edges are on the blade. It just looks kinda funky...
The shaft was a little smaller than the socket so I used some leather and wire to make a wrap to hide the small gap and to prevent my hand from sliding up and catching the base of the spear socket.
I made it a butt cap for a little better center of gravity than what I have listed above and I still might add more weight to it still. Wrapped a bit down here to for the same reasons as I did the top.
Test Cutting
I haven't cut with it yet but I plan to soon and will update.
Conclusions
After putting an edge on I know I could use it to cut with and with the point I can also stab, so by that it is what I would call a hewing spear, the unsharpened edge disappointed me a bit but by what I hear thats how windlass does their edges. I think some more definition on the flats of the blade would give it a better appearance as well as some more structural integrity but considering I haven't used it as of yet I can't say for certain what type. Overall it does have a pleasing shape and I am pleased with it. For the price and for the general price point of windlass I will probably buy from them again, and will very likely buy from kult of athena again there were no problems what so ever from them.
Pros
- Big spear head (short sword on a stick
- Solid construction
- Sharp point
Cons
- Unsharpened/dull blade
- Bland flats of blade...?
- very minor blemish (a couple of very small divots in one area)
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this to someone looking for a multi function spear or simply a spear with a really big blade, it has a overall good shape, polished finish, and it's solid (so far). For the money it's good (I'm cheap so I expect to much for my money :.
Introduction
For quite some time I've been looking to get a spear, but on the same note I was hoping to find one that could cut/slice/chop as well as pierce a target, I like weapons that can multi-task. Add that to the fact that I seem to be more geared toward Norse weapons except their regular spears don't really do it for me, so I was in a dilemma if I just wanted a straight up stabbing spear I probably would have gone with the Greek spear (the shape and lines as well as it's buttcap)... but it's the wrong period, culture, etc... So I found this Hewing Spear by Windlass Steelcrafts at Kult of Athena for $34.95 + shipping, so I figured I'd go and splurge a little (and yes on my budget that is a splurge) and get it.
Historical overview
There are references to hewing spears in some of the Norse sagas and even a few from peoples who had contact with them, but there have been no artifact found or "hard proof". So this is a rendition based on old second hand (at best) reference. Although common sense or logic would tell me that the spearhead would have been shaped a bit differently, perhaps more like a shortened Norse sword and or Sax (tapered point not drop point), but at the same time this sort of does or I can see a larger Sax being modified into one of these quite easily.
Initial Impressions
It arrived in a reasonable time (when I disregard my anticipation), arriving in your standard cardboard box using brown paper for padding wrapped up in plastic with it's thick layer of heavy oil and with the tip protected with a plastic cap.
I open the box remove some paper and I think "damn thats a big spear, I could use that as a short sword if I want". I did a little dry handling and it really isn't that bad, a bit blade heavy and the "handle" (shaft socket) is steel so you can't handle it properly as a sword without some minor mods but considering that it felt ok.
Here it is next to a standard paperback novel for a size reference.
Statistics;
Overall Length: 25 In
Blade Length: 16 In
Blade Width: 2 1/4 In
Weight: 1 lb 7 oz
POB: (Bare blade) about 1/2 In below where the shaft taper ends at the flat of the blade.
POB: (With a Ace hardware 1-1/8" handle) about a foot below the base of the the spearhead.
Components
The blade has a (I don't know the right term) cats eye cross section that comes to a sharp point, but the edges are unsharpened at about 2mm's thick.
The shaft socket is uniformly round and it's taper is consistent and even. The hole ends about where the "edges" taper back into the socket. It feels solid although I would of been more pleased if it either had a fuller or a small central ridge on the flats of the blade, for it's size and intended use I would think a little more support would be nice. The only flaw I found was a couple of Very small pits toward the top of the shaft socket, hardly noticeable at a glance but easily seen under inspection, my camera can't seem to take a picture where you would see them or it's my lack of ability as a cameraman... At the base of the socket there are two holes for it to be pinned to the shaft.
This "handle" is right on it's current point of balance although now that it's there I haven't decided to keep it on or take it off... Although it's nice because the way it's shaped I know exactly where the edges are on the blade. It just looks kinda funky...
The shaft was a little smaller than the socket so I used some leather and wire to make a wrap to hide the small gap and to prevent my hand from sliding up and catching the base of the spear socket.
I made it a butt cap for a little better center of gravity than what I have listed above and I still might add more weight to it still. Wrapped a bit down here to for the same reasons as I did the top.
Test Cutting
I haven't cut with it yet but I plan to soon and will update.
Conclusions
After putting an edge on I know I could use it to cut with and with the point I can also stab, so by that it is what I would call a hewing spear, the unsharpened edge disappointed me a bit but by what I hear thats how windlass does their edges. I think some more definition on the flats of the blade would give it a better appearance as well as some more structural integrity but considering I haven't used it as of yet I can't say for certain what type. Overall it does have a pleasing shape and I am pleased with it. For the price and for the general price point of windlass I will probably buy from them again, and will very likely buy from kult of athena again there were no problems what so ever from them.
Pros
- Big spear head (short sword on a stick
- Solid construction
- Sharp point
Cons
- Unsharpened/dull blade
- Bland flats of blade...?
- very minor blemish (a couple of very small divots in one area)
The Bottom Line
I would recommend this to someone looking for a multi function spear or simply a spear with a really big blade, it has a overall good shape, polished finish, and it's solid (so far). For the money it's good (I'm cheap so I expect to much for my money :.