Windlass Braveheart sword review
Apr 27, 2010 0:48:43 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2010 0:48:43 GMT
Hello everyone and welcome to my review of the Windlass Sword of William Wallace.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
I bought this sword quite some time ago, 2002 I think, directly from Museum Replicas whom I had found surfing the net one night. I don't remember exactly how much I payed for it (around 200 I think), but it currently goes for $225 on the Museum Replicas website. I am doing a review now because it never occurred to me to do one back then. I figure it's still on the market so this may help someone make an informed choice. I have always been a fan of Braveheart so when I started buying swords it was kind of a no brainer that I would buy this one. I liked the size and proportions of it, not to mention I had never seen a sword with leather on the other side of the guard. I didn't know much about swords. I just thought it looked cool. I'll never forget how stoked I was when it arrived. The first time I got a sword the oil coating confused me. I quickly figured it out though.
Historical Overview
I don't think this sword likely would have been used by William Wallace as it looks to me to be more like something from the 15th or 16th century and not the late 13th. It is a fairly close facsimile to the one used in the film though. Not sure exactly were one the oakeshott spectrum I would place this blade. It doesn't have a diamond section or a fuller and it is quite wide. Sharpened on both side but flattens out in the middle.
Initial Impressions
I spoke directly on the phone with the folks at Museum replicas and they were very curtious and helpful, as they have always been with me since. After taking off the plastic and Styrofoam, and wiping down the blade with a dry cloth, I was amazed at the girth and weight of this sword. (Exactly what I steer clear of now) I felt in aw of the power this sword could generate if it was seriously swung. (Something I would not do for 7 years after buying it).
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-17
Sword Specs
Overall: 59"
Blade: 46”-1⁄2" long,
2" wide, 3⁄16" thick
Wt: 5 lbs
Grip: 10”
Guard: 1'-2/16”
COP 30”
POB 19”-3/4”
here is a size comparison to my Darksword 14th C. Two Handed Sword
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-17
A brief flex test clearly shows that it has more than enough flex, and it still returned to true.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
Components
The blade, as stated before, is a flat wide piece of steel that has no fuller or diamond section. It also has no taper at all whatsoever. It has been shaped and sharpened on both side nicely coming together at the tip. It has the typical windlass mirror finish. I don't mind that in this sword. It isn't too whippy but rather it's quite sturdy for a blade this size, although it does sag a bit under it's own weight. I think that normal. My Windlass Baron, which is mush shorter, is far more whippy.
I had it sharpened before it was sent so there is now a razor sharp secondary bevel on the blade. I don't mind that though because it cuts through targets with no problems.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
The grip is ovular and made of solid hard wood covered in leather. It has four risers and is neatly sewn up the side. It could use to be a more darker authentic brown color. Same goes for the leather on the blade.
By margshus at 2010-04-26
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
The guard is just over a foot long and goes well with the sword, although it isn't an exact replica from the film. The guard on the movie sword was more squared if I'm not mistaken, while this one is flattened on both sides. Still, it looks good. It weighs in at 10.90oz.
By Margshus at 2010-04-26
I really like the pommel of this sword. I think I actually like the pommel on mine better than the one on the actual movie prop. It's a solid pear shaped scent stopper with 8 slits going around its circumference. Simple but attractive and it fits perfectly in my hand. It's weight is 12.65oz.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
When I took the sword apart I was pleasantly surprised to find a fairly beefy tang. I think they executed this part very well because it's the nicest tang I've seen on any of my swords to date.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
The whole thing is fit together via a compression unit that screws together forcing the whole shebang onto the shoulders of the blade. This ones sort of different though because the nut is on the outside. The tang sticks out just like it's ready to be peened but at the top there is actually a thread. A little round nut thats part of the finished look screws onto the end of the tang.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
This sword handles in a way that is to be expected: slow. It's not completely unwieldy, but it's to long and it's POB is to far forward to do the amazing things Brendan from fable blades can do with his. That said, it is still fun to do single cuts with. It's balance and weight isn't nearly as bad as most wall hangars, I just wouldn't want to swing this for very long over and over again on the battle field. 2-5 minutes maybe. Then my arms would be rubber, and I'm 6'2” and 280lbs.
I have done some test cutting with this sword and it's a lot of fun. It cuts like butter though 2 lits and milk jugs and if you cut just right it makes a very satisfying “SHRING” sound. I have yet to try it on little water bottles. A few cutting vids can be found in the cutting video section of the forum.
Conclusions
PROS
Strong reliable blade
Nicely executed cosmetics
Low price point
CONS
No diamond cross section (not really a huge con, but something I would change).
Darker brown dye for the leather.
Bottom Line
Sometimes as growing and learning sword enthusiasts we can all make the odd purchase that we end up saying to ourselves “ What the heck was I thinking!?” . For me, even though I bought it so long ago, and my preferences have changed slightly over the years, this is not one of those instances. I liked it then and I like it now. I think it was an excellent buy for the money and I would recommend it to anyone who didn't want to pay the $500 for the Del Tin version. I have since bought directly from Museum Replicas and their customer service is always excellent to deal with. This was my first but likely wont be my last windlass through them.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
I bought this sword quite some time ago, 2002 I think, directly from Museum Replicas whom I had found surfing the net one night. I don't remember exactly how much I payed for it (around 200 I think), but it currently goes for $225 on the Museum Replicas website. I am doing a review now because it never occurred to me to do one back then. I figure it's still on the market so this may help someone make an informed choice. I have always been a fan of Braveheart so when I started buying swords it was kind of a no brainer that I would buy this one. I liked the size and proportions of it, not to mention I had never seen a sword with leather on the other side of the guard. I didn't know much about swords. I just thought it looked cool. I'll never forget how stoked I was when it arrived. The first time I got a sword the oil coating confused me. I quickly figured it out though.
Historical Overview
I don't think this sword likely would have been used by William Wallace as it looks to me to be more like something from the 15th or 16th century and not the late 13th. It is a fairly close facsimile to the one used in the film though. Not sure exactly were one the oakeshott spectrum I would place this blade. It doesn't have a diamond section or a fuller and it is quite wide. Sharpened on both side but flattens out in the middle.
Initial Impressions
I spoke directly on the phone with the folks at Museum replicas and they were very curtious and helpful, as they have always been with me since. After taking off the plastic and Styrofoam, and wiping down the blade with a dry cloth, I was amazed at the girth and weight of this sword. (Exactly what I steer clear of now) I felt in aw of the power this sword could generate if it was seriously swung. (Something I would not do for 7 years after buying it).
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-17
Sword Specs
Overall: 59"
Blade: 46”-1⁄2" long,
2" wide, 3⁄16" thick
Wt: 5 lbs
Grip: 10”
Guard: 1'-2/16”
COP 30”
POB 19”-3/4”
here is a size comparison to my Darksword 14th C. Two Handed Sword
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-17
A brief flex test clearly shows that it has more than enough flex, and it still returned to true.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
Components
The blade, as stated before, is a flat wide piece of steel that has no fuller or diamond section. It also has no taper at all whatsoever. It has been shaped and sharpened on both side nicely coming together at the tip. It has the typical windlass mirror finish. I don't mind that in this sword. It isn't too whippy but rather it's quite sturdy for a blade this size, although it does sag a bit under it's own weight. I think that normal. My Windlass Baron, which is mush shorter, is far more whippy.
I had it sharpened before it was sent so there is now a razor sharp secondary bevel on the blade. I don't mind that though because it cuts through targets with no problems.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
The grip is ovular and made of solid hard wood covered in leather. It has four risers and is neatly sewn up the side. It could use to be a more darker authentic brown color. Same goes for the leather on the blade.
By margshus at 2010-04-26
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
The guard is just over a foot long and goes well with the sword, although it isn't an exact replica from the film. The guard on the movie sword was more squared if I'm not mistaken, while this one is flattened on both sides. Still, it looks good. It weighs in at 10.90oz.
By Margshus at 2010-04-26
I really like the pommel of this sword. I think I actually like the pommel on mine better than the one on the actual movie prop. It's a solid pear shaped scent stopper with 8 slits going around its circumference. Simple but attractive and it fits perfectly in my hand. It's weight is 12.65oz.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
When I took the sword apart I was pleasantly surprised to find a fairly beefy tang. I think they executed this part very well because it's the nicest tang I've seen on any of my swords to date.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
The whole thing is fit together via a compression unit that screws together forcing the whole shebang onto the shoulders of the blade. This ones sort of different though because the nut is on the outside. The tang sticks out just like it's ready to be peened but at the top there is actually a thread. A little round nut thats part of the finished look screws onto the end of the tang.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26
This sword handles in a way that is to be expected: slow. It's not completely unwieldy, but it's to long and it's POB is to far forward to do the amazing things Brendan from fable blades can do with his. That said, it is still fun to do single cuts with. It's balance and weight isn't nearly as bad as most wall hangars, I just wouldn't want to swing this for very long over and over again on the battle field. 2-5 minutes maybe. Then my arms would be rubber, and I'm 6'2” and 280lbs.
I have done some test cutting with this sword and it's a lot of fun. It cuts like butter though 2 lits and milk jugs and if you cut just right it makes a very satisfying “SHRING” sound. I have yet to try it on little water bottles. A few cutting vids can be found in the cutting video section of the forum.
Conclusions
PROS
Strong reliable blade
Nicely executed cosmetics
Low price point
CONS
No diamond cross section (not really a huge con, but something I would change).
Darker brown dye for the leather.
Bottom Line
Sometimes as growing and learning sword enthusiasts we can all make the odd purchase that we end up saying to ourselves “ What the heck was I thinking!?” . For me, even though I bought it so long ago, and my preferences have changed slightly over the years, this is not one of those instances. I liked it then and I like it now. I think it was an excellent buy for the money and I would recommend it to anyone who didn't want to pay the $500 for the Del Tin version. I have since bought directly from Museum Replicas and their customer service is always excellent to deal with. This was my first but likely wont be my last windlass through them.
By margshus, shot with NIKON D80 at 2010-04-26