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Post by johnapsega on Oct 18, 2010 4:07:55 GMT
Last night I was perusing KoA as I tend to do sometimes and I came across the windlass Munich Side Sword. I have no idea how I missed it in the past but I instantly fell in love with the style. I've been tossing around the idea of getting a side sword and it's either this one or the Hanwei Rennasance Side Sword. Anyway I couldent find a review of it on either this or the old site and I have heard some bad stuff about windlass swords. So I was wondering does anyone know anything about this sword or have aby experience with it or whatnot.
Thanks
John
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Oct 18, 2010 4:30:31 GMT
They actually call it the Munich Cut and Thrust Sword... threw me for a second.
Between this and the Hanwei Side sword... I prefer the look and weight of the Hanwei myself... I think its more attractive and MUCH lighter, it will feel better in hand.
However, the Hanwei has a hollow plastic grrip that MUST be repalced or fixed if your going to use it for any heavy cutting... I don't like or trust those grips at all. The windlass likely has a wood core grip... I've never seen one of those hollow plastic grips on the windlass... but the whole sword is a lot heavier... and you'd have to sharpen it or pay to have it sharpened.
The Hanwei will likely be a little dull even tho its already sharpened... but it will be easy to improve the edge.
Tough call... but my choice would be the Hanwei then fix the grip.
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Post by johnapsega on Oct 18, 2010 16:56:23 GMT
I was reading the review on the main site and it says that the grip is wood core is this wrong? Also if it is how would I go about fixing the hollow pommel.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Oct 18, 2010 17:40:03 GMT
I've seen a couple of the Hanwei Side Swords and they had the Hollow Plastic Grips. I've talked to a couple others and theirs also had the hollow plastic grips. All of Hanwei's rapiers and Renaissance have the hollow plastic grips except for the bone handled rapier and the wood grip swept hilt rapier.
I'm assuming the Windlass has a wood grip, because all the rapiers and whatnot I have seen from Windlass do, but I've not seen the specific sword in question.
The pommel isn't a problem, its a screw on, which I don't like, but its not hollow.
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Post by johnapsega on Oct 18, 2010 22:03:20 GMT
oh ok I wonder why the reviewer said it did. I acctually ment grip not pommel my bad. Both of those dropped a hole lotta points on my list. However what are somethings I could do to fix the hollow grip?
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Oct 19, 2010 5:56:26 GMT
WEll, if you have any skill with woodworking you could make a wood grip for it. You could transfer the wire onto the new grip if you like... Maz did that with a Solingen rapier he got from me.
If not, you could try injecting the hollow grip with some kinda putty that will become solid... but I don't really trust this method much.
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Post by Bogus on Oct 19, 2010 7:38:56 GMT
Or buy one if you don't have the skill/equipment. Darkwood Armory will apparently do a custom handle for anything, it'll cost somewhere between $25 and $75 depending on the sword and what options you want--your best bet would probably be to email them to get a quote. I have one of theirs coming for the Torino I just ordered, kind of curious how it turns out. So I wouldn't turn down a Hanwei sword based solely on having a bad handle...just take into account maybe paying a little more to get it fixed when comparing it with other options. |
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Post by johnapsega on Oct 19, 2010 16:44:01 GMT
oh ok thank you I'll send DSA an email as soon as I get the chance. And yea I know ita just I have five or six sword I want right now so putting this one off for a little but won't be a problem.  |
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Oct 19, 2010 19:22:28 GMT
Just to be clear... its Darkwood Armory not Darksword Armory that you want to talk to about a replacement grip. 
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Post by johnapsega on Oct 20, 2010 0:29:31 GMT
wow thamks sean for catching that that could have been really embarasing lol.
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Post by chuckinohio on Oct 22, 2010 20:00:31 GMT
While I do not have the Munich, I do have this one from windlass-  Photo courtesy of Lawrance Ordnance The Hanwei is really light, and very fast in hand, but the Windlass isn't overly heavy.The Rheinfelden is right at the same weight as the Hanwei give or take an ounce or two. The Munich weighs almost a pound more than either of them. Anymore weight in the Rheinfelden and it would be clunky and slow, so i would say that your best bet would be to get the Hanwei if you want something light and quick. |
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Post by Reflingar on Oct 22, 2010 23:52:37 GMT
Chuckinohio, that sword is a very nice Windlass product...shame they discontinued it...I like the town's guard sword type the Munich is inspired by better than the Hanwei side-sword, but the Windlass is just slightly chunky in the guard dept....tough choice...As to the weight, the Munich blade is stouter than the Hanwei's, no? Any feedback on it's handling? Did I miss something? (Of course, the Arms&Armor repro would be fantastic to have, but, alas...)
p.s.: Chuck: love the HST quote.
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Post by chuckinohio on Oct 23, 2010 0:15:28 GMT
I bought the Rheinfelden exactly because it resembled a Town Guard sword and was a bit cheaper than one from A&A. My only complaint with it is that the side rings are slightly flattened across the outer area of the guard, and it makes it tough to transition to a finger on the ricasso from a standard grip.
The Hanwei is very light feeling in the hand and super fast, but it feels a bit on the wimpy side to me. It could stand to have a bit more blade presence in my opinion to be an reliable cutter. The blade on the Hanwei is a bit short for my tastes also, but it is manageable. It is not overly flexible, but on the same note it is not real substantial if that makes sense.
The Munich weighs almost a full pound more than the Hanwei, and while it may slow it down a bit if you are trying to fence with it, it would make it a more authoritative cutter assuming that it balances right. If it balances good enough, it may even handle quick enough to perform with the Hanwei in the maneuverability department. At 3 lb 6 ounces though, it is not a lightweight.
HST was always a good read, I enjoy many of his works.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Oct 25, 2010 2:01:24 GMT
The Windlass Munich Civil Guard Sword is a very fair representation of a German military broadsword of the 16th Century. Weapon is a bit heavy, but has a hand bias which makes the blade quite nimble.
Arms and Armor makes the same sword.
These are complex hilt weapons, best weilded with a finger across the quillons ( although some authorities say this isn't consisten with the German style.
I think this is a very good Windlass effort.
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Post by johnapsega on Oct 25, 2010 13:08:00 GMT
But if I were to buy it would it be a effective cutter or would the extra weight make it not manuverable enough to effectively cut.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Oct 27, 2010 3:36:42 GMT
That is very subjective regards what you consider "heavy". The Munich is nicely balanced with a bias to the hand, consequently a bias to point control and thrusting. For a broadsword it's quick and a very effective cutter for light work. If you don't like the way it cut just follow thru with that big guard and smash it :lol:  |
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Post by MOK on Oct 27, 2010 18:41:07 GMT
At the risk of going off-topic, what is the grip construction on the Rheinfelden like? I'm curious because you can still get them from the Finnish retailer Rautaportti and I haven't yet settled on a Christmas gift for myself... |
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Post by Bob The Great on Oct 30, 2010 3:52:07 GMT
That's good to know. I've had that Hanwei Side Sword on my list for a while now, and I keep putting it off because of the handle. I wonder, if enough people showed interest, would Darkwood consider doing a group buy on a replacement grip. This seems to be the only complaint people have about this sword.
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Post by chuckinohio on Oct 30, 2010 8:45:27 GMT
Sorry for not responding to this sooner. I took a pic of the hilt disassembled to give you an idea of what it is constructed like. The grip is a wooden core that is leather wrapped. There is a twisted wire wrap done over the leather, and the ends of the grip are finished with decorative ferrules. The twisted wire wrap did loosen up a bit from use, but I simply gave it a wash of super glue, and it secured it nicely. It has not since loosened up again. Overall the grip assembly is very sturdy. Judging from Daves comments, the Munich is balanced similar to this blade, and maybe even a little closer to the hand. I dont think either one would be a bad choice, and the Munich would be preferrable if you like a little extra heft.  |
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Post by Peter on Nov 4, 2010 17:13:25 GMT
A bit OT but does anyone know if the Rheinfelden is still available somewhere?
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