Windlass 1913 Patton sabre
Apr 15, 2007 15:59:39 GMT
Post by Deleted on Apr 15, 2007 15:59:39 GMT
This is my first and only real sword (so far). Paid $130 USD.
Construction:
It's built like a tank. Thick, wide, heavy-duty tang, well over 1/4 in. thick. Simple plastic checked handle scales, blackened steel backstrap. The guard is blackened steel as well and perhaps the best design I've ever seen. All bound up with heavy bolts. The entire thing feels like one solid, continuous piece.
The blade, unlike some Windlass designs (so I hear), is very stiff and gives all evidence of an excellent temper. Over an inch wide at the base, with a slight distal taper and central fuller. Double edged.
Handling:
As I mentioned, this thing feels like one solid piece, very 'live' in the hand. At 2.5 lbs, balance point about 3 in. out, it is easily handled with one hand. The grip is long, fat and comfortable. With my smallish hands, I can actually just secure a two handed grip, and the generously cut guard leaves enough room to wrap one hand over another for extra power.
Although I have not sharpened it yet, the edge easily slices cardboard right out of the box. Considering it is intended primarily as a point weapon, I feel sure it will be a more than acceptable cutter once sharpened.
Problems:
First, it came with that super glossy, chrome look. I hear they aren't using it anymore, so maybe it won't be an issue.
Second, it doesn't come sharpened. Third, the grip backstrap has a thumb groove on top, the edges of which were rather sharp and tended to dig into the hand. I remedied this with a metal file, then wrapped that area with a piece of electrical tape to soften up the feel a bit.
Overall:
Highly recommended. Light, extremely tough, superbly balanced. 35 inch blade will outreach almost anything else on the market. Ideal point weapon, yet still fully capable of vicious cuts (once sharpened). And a unique historical piece!
Construction:
It's built like a tank. Thick, wide, heavy-duty tang, well over 1/4 in. thick. Simple plastic checked handle scales, blackened steel backstrap. The guard is blackened steel as well and perhaps the best design I've ever seen. All bound up with heavy bolts. The entire thing feels like one solid, continuous piece.
The blade, unlike some Windlass designs (so I hear), is very stiff and gives all evidence of an excellent temper. Over an inch wide at the base, with a slight distal taper and central fuller. Double edged.
Handling:
As I mentioned, this thing feels like one solid piece, very 'live' in the hand. At 2.5 lbs, balance point about 3 in. out, it is easily handled with one hand. The grip is long, fat and comfortable. With my smallish hands, I can actually just secure a two handed grip, and the generously cut guard leaves enough room to wrap one hand over another for extra power.
Although I have not sharpened it yet, the edge easily slices cardboard right out of the box. Considering it is intended primarily as a point weapon, I feel sure it will be a more than acceptable cutter once sharpened.
Problems:
First, it came with that super glossy, chrome look. I hear they aren't using it anymore, so maybe it won't be an issue.
Second, it doesn't come sharpened. Third, the grip backstrap has a thumb groove on top, the edges of which were rather sharp and tended to dig into the hand. I remedied this with a metal file, then wrapped that area with a piece of electrical tape to soften up the feel a bit.
Overall:
Highly recommended. Light, extremely tough, superbly balanced. 35 inch blade will outreach almost anything else on the market. Ideal point weapon, yet still fully capable of vicious cuts (once sharpened). And a unique historical piece!