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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2010 15:29:55 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2010 17:17:32 GMT
I have one and quite like it. Balance is very nice, IMO. Cuts pretty well also... For another view on the sword: a member on MyArmoury posted his impressions on the sword and then used it for a home improvement project that turned out very interesting, to say the least: www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=17261&highlight=windlass+erbachTo sum up my opinion: at 132.50$, if you like it's type, it's definitely a great deal!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 15:00:15 GMT
That is one piece I have almost bought more than a few times. Seems like a good deal to me. If I wasn't already completely and utterly tapped out I would take advantage of that deal.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 16:10:15 GMT
I've sworn off Windlass swords for the most part- and this one never did anything for me. Such a great deal though...almost impossible to pass up.
Hmm.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 16:16:24 GMT
Mmm, I'd like too use that pommel on one of my own blades... 132$ is a bit rich for a pommel though. A pity that windlass' blades are only mediocre... this could be a great sword.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jul 17, 2010 16:23:24 GMT
Why do you call them mediocre? I'd say that the HT and performance of the blades are superb, as long as it's a good one. Whippyness is a slight issue wuith this model, but still not enough to call it a bad blade... -Slayer
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 17, 2010 16:41:16 GMT
Hm... I like the pommel, but I stay away from Windlass swords longer then 30 inches or so.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2010 17:01:44 GMT
Why do you call them mediocre? I'd say that the HT and performance of the blades are superb, as long as it's a good one. Whippyness is a slight issue wuith this model, but still not enough to call it a bad blade... -Slayer First of all, a heat treat of 45 - 48HRC is not good in my book. Way too soft. OK, I think even ATrims at 52HRC are a bit soft but 48 is really pushing it. Also, no harmonic balance, almost no distal taper, sloppy execution (ok, it's a sub 200$ sword) and historically rather unplausible... that's enough for me to call windlass mediocre. At best.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jul 17, 2010 17:26:09 GMT
Fair enough... I can argue that they aren't all that soft, though. My old Windlass Verneuil hit all sorts of things that would have dented, chipped, or rolled the edge of a lesser blade, but it never showed damage. Edge retention was top notch as well. I suspect that Windlass swords are harder than 48, but I don't have anything to really compare it to definitively, so it's hard to say. Other than that, though, yeah, you're right, lol. There ARE exceptions, though. What you stated is the norm for Windlass, but they do have exceptions, like the Type XIV Arming sword that has been compared to Albions. That thing is AMAZING for a sub $200 sword, and no claim of mediocrity can deny that. However, I think that for all extents and purposes, you're correct. Thanks for the clarification, CF. ;D -Slayer
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Post by William Swiger on Jul 17, 2010 20:54:08 GMT
My 5 Windlass swords are all short swords. From all I have read about their long swords- have to agree with shadowhowler.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2010 13:43:36 GMT
Yeah, that XVI is popping up all the time... why is it so good? Does it have any distal taper? What about harmonic balance?
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jul 18, 2010 15:02:10 GMT
You mean the XIV? If so, I'm not quite sure what you mean by harmonic balance, but it does handle extremely well, and has more distal taper than other MRL pieces I've seen. It could possibly use a tiny bit more, but I'm more than pleased with it as-is. As for why it is so good, I guess the easiest way to show you would be for you to handle and cut with one... I'm not quite sure how to explain it, lol. Some guys on MyArmoury have done a better job, though; I'll see if I can find the thread. One guy who had an extensive collection of higher end pieces first thought it was an Albion, before noticing the nasty leather and subtle imperfections in the polish that an Albion would lack. At least, that's what I recall... it's been over a year since I read the thread, so I may be a bit off. I just know that he mistook it for an Albion at first. -Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2010 15:20:13 GMT
At least Cheness has reasons as to why he dislikes Windlass, and valid reasons they are.
It kind of chaps me a little that Windlass gets dismissed out of hand more times than not, when they have produced some blades that will hold their own with higher end pieces as far as performance.
Finish quality, well thats a whole different can O worms.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jul 18, 2010 15:34:49 GMT
Agreed. Every now and then... they get it right. Most likely out of pure luck. But most of them are still junk... and all of 'em have aesthetic issues. Nevertheless, it's not wise to completely dismiss Windlass, just in case they come out with another stellar piece like the German Bastard sword, the Type XIV Arming sword, the Verneuil Bastard sword, the Fantasy Viking sword, etc, etc. Hey, wait a sec.... those are all discontinued! Look at that, Windlass decided to be stupid... again. lol. All to say- yeah, I agree with you. -Slayer
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2010 15:46:17 GMT
The pure luck asessment is right on the mark. One would think that they would learn from feedback about what they got right and continue in that direction, but no no no not Windlass.
The only good thing about their turnover is that it increases the odds of a sub $300 gem popping out of the mix.
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 18, 2010 17:35:21 GMT
Least we forget the Windlass Ulfberht as well... loved that one. All the Windlass swords I have liked have been shorter blades tho... I just don't trust windlass with longer blades. Wet noodles.
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SlayerofDarkness
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Post by SlayerofDarkness on Jul 19, 2010 4:38:12 GMT
Well, maybe I was just lucky, but my Verneuil was WAAAAY stiffer than the AT/VA304S I now so proudly wield. I prefer the VA, undoubtably, but the Verneuil was a much stouter blade. Just sayin'. Oh, and yes, the Ulfberht was a fantastic piece. Did you ever cut with yours? -Slayer
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kurokaze
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Post by kurokaze on Jul 19, 2010 5:31:19 GMT
Some guys on MyArmoury have done a better job, though; I'll see if I can find the thread. One guy who had an extensive collection of higher end pieces first thought it was an Albion, before noticing the nasty leather and subtle imperfections in the polish that an Albion would lack. At least, that's what I recall... it's been over a year since I read the thread, so I may be a bit off. I just know that he mistook it for an Albion at first. -Slayer Here's the review of the XIV on MyArmoury; it might have been what you are thinking of. www.myarmoury.com/review_ws_typeiv.htmlPersonally, though, I'm never buying a Windlass sword, or from MRL, for that matter, ever again. They do not have what I would call passable customer service or quality products. I've had too many bad experiences, though. Still love the better Windlasses I own.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2010 7:08:19 GMT
The Erbach was the first "real" sword I ever got. I would hesitate to do any heavy cutting though (I'm not very comfortable with the quality of the peen) but apart from that it's an excellent soft target cutter and it's pretty easy on the eyes too. I really, REALLY hate the word "whippy" though. It's become a buzz word for the modern sword market these days....
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Post by shadowhowler on Jul 19, 2010 13:11:45 GMT
Oh, and yes, the Ulfberht was a fantastic piece. Did you ever cut with yours? Of course... I actually owned two Ulfberhts... my favorite windlass sword, with the XIV coming in a close second. I really, REALLY hate the word "whippy" though. It's become a buzz word for the modern sword market these days.... Maybe... but after having had more the 200+ swords from evey maker you can think of... Albion, Tinker, Atrim, BKS, Hanwei, Kris Cutlery, Ritter Steel, Del Tin, Valiant Armoury, Darksword Armoury, A&A, Cold Steel, and Windlass... I say without reservation that a lot of windlass swords ARE Whippy. Mostly their longer blades, anything past 30 inches. This is a combination of the 3/16th width and almost universal lack of distal taper. The longer Windlass swords handle like wet noodles to me.
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