Windlass Roman Pugio
May 17, 2007 11:37:48 GMT
Post by Deleted on May 17, 2007 11:37:48 GMT
Okay, so to start off this is my first review and first blade. So feel to critic away, but I didn't see a review of this item. This is sort of my starter blade. It's obviously simple with a wooden hilt and a short wasp waisted blade. Frankly I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend the extra cash on the Lakonian blade from windlass with the bronze (or is it brass?) handle.
I purchased this item from Reliks.com, and I have to say that it was literally 5 working days from order to door across the continent! Still a week too long, but.... it was at the minimum delivery time estimated. So top marks to the retailer. A little oil leaked out one container but everything was suitable wraped. My only complaint, and the only one, is that I paid for sharpening on the pugio and I can't honestly say that it had been done. I haven't seen a completely unsharpened Windlass blade so it's hard to comment. I wasn't expecting razor sharp or anything, but it felt like the other side of the spectrum frankly. Not too worried, but a little bit of a question mark in my mind. I sort of expected it might be a money sink. I wouldn't order sharpening again but spend the money on a sharpening kit. I could be wrong on this count.
Finally the dagger itself. Well, it is one of the cheaper Windlass options, but I'm impressed. I love playing with this damn thing. And I wouldn't mind a bit beating it up, I think it would add character to it. It's not made to be fancy, it's all understated function in my opinion, but with a wonderful blade shape that I keep staring at. Okay so I'm in love. ;D
The blade itself is relatively narrow, at least in comparison to the Lakonian from what I can see. Now most of you guys are already well beyond the 12 1/2 inch mark of this knife. It feels almost a little short when swinging, like you could use an extra inch or two (couldn't we all ). The balance is definately forward. With the wooden hilt, I think the balance is almost towards the middle of the dagger where the blade starts to widen. I think this give you a bit more ommph when you swing into something with the extra mass near the tip (stabbing is more effective anyway I hear). Which probably the whole design concept of a wasp waisted blade is based around. Nonetheless, as you'd expect it's light, a dream to handle. Very agile, but it is also short so a lot of that is to be expected. The tip i need to do a little work on with a stone as it's not quite right. The symetry of the tip is slightly off, one edge rounds more towards the tip than the other. The effect looks almost like the tip is very slight leaning in one direction more than the other. This is all noticable after a good glance to me, doesn't bother me too much. The handle is good for big hands. Plenty of space and an easy grip. Might be too much space for people with small hands. The scabbard is so loose it's a joke I think. My opening move might be flinging the thing at someone's head. But it is wood which is nice, and for a low price tag is look modest, but nice. Don't know if it would last actual carry for long periods, more than enough for me though.
End result: I'm happy. I like the wooden hilt after seeing it in person, and I like to think that's more historically accurate for the roman period. If you're a wasp waisted blade fan this is a good option for a beater. There are other puggio's out there with a lot more detail, this is the one you would want to use I think. It's more half sized mainz gladius than puggio. If you're into re-enactment I have NO idea if this is accurate for you, but to my mind the wooden hilt is going to keep you in good stead.
As always with Windlass, so I hear, pretty good quality for the price tag. I can't argue with that here. I love it any rate.
I purchased this item from Reliks.com, and I have to say that it was literally 5 working days from order to door across the continent! Still a week too long, but.... it was at the minimum delivery time estimated. So top marks to the retailer. A little oil leaked out one container but everything was suitable wraped. My only complaint, and the only one, is that I paid for sharpening on the pugio and I can't honestly say that it had been done. I haven't seen a completely unsharpened Windlass blade so it's hard to comment. I wasn't expecting razor sharp or anything, but it felt like the other side of the spectrum frankly. Not too worried, but a little bit of a question mark in my mind. I sort of expected it might be a money sink. I wouldn't order sharpening again but spend the money on a sharpening kit. I could be wrong on this count.
Finally the dagger itself. Well, it is one of the cheaper Windlass options, but I'm impressed. I love playing with this damn thing. And I wouldn't mind a bit beating it up, I think it would add character to it. It's not made to be fancy, it's all understated function in my opinion, but with a wonderful blade shape that I keep staring at. Okay so I'm in love. ;D
The blade itself is relatively narrow, at least in comparison to the Lakonian from what I can see. Now most of you guys are already well beyond the 12 1/2 inch mark of this knife. It feels almost a little short when swinging, like you could use an extra inch or two (couldn't we all ). The balance is definately forward. With the wooden hilt, I think the balance is almost towards the middle of the dagger where the blade starts to widen. I think this give you a bit more ommph when you swing into something with the extra mass near the tip (stabbing is more effective anyway I hear). Which probably the whole design concept of a wasp waisted blade is based around. Nonetheless, as you'd expect it's light, a dream to handle. Very agile, but it is also short so a lot of that is to be expected. The tip i need to do a little work on with a stone as it's not quite right. The symetry of the tip is slightly off, one edge rounds more towards the tip than the other. The effect looks almost like the tip is very slight leaning in one direction more than the other. This is all noticable after a good glance to me, doesn't bother me too much. The handle is good for big hands. Plenty of space and an easy grip. Might be too much space for people with small hands. The scabbard is so loose it's a joke I think. My opening move might be flinging the thing at someone's head. But it is wood which is nice, and for a low price tag is look modest, but nice. Don't know if it would last actual carry for long periods, more than enough for me though.
End result: I'm happy. I like the wooden hilt after seeing it in person, and I like to think that's more historically accurate for the roman period. If you're a wasp waisted blade fan this is a good option for a beater. There are other puggio's out there with a lot more detail, this is the one you would want to use I think. It's more half sized mainz gladius than puggio. If you're into re-enactment I have NO idea if this is accurate for you, but to my mind the wooden hilt is going to keep you in good stead.
As always with Windlass, so I hear, pretty good quality for the price tag. I can't argue with that here. I love it any rate.