Windlass Early Scottish Dirk
Nov 13, 2007 23:11:05 GMT
Post by Deleted on Nov 13, 2007 23:11:05 GMT
Hello again all. Robert Betts (aka Suvurov) here from Valley AL (see Paul, I remembered) and today I’m reviewing a long-running Windlass piece (Yes, there actually I such a thing): the early Scottish Dirk.
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I’ve had mine for about 3 years now, and I have to say it is one of favorite Windlass pieces. It’s a very period-appearing piece, but I’m not sure exactly how “early” a period it is supposed to reflect. Traditionally, dirks were often made from broken swords. If this piece reflects that tradition; given the triple-fullering of the blade used, it would appear to be a later period rather than earlier period piece, with a hilt done in an early period style. Either way, it’s a fine looking piece, very light and well-made.
www.museumreplicas.com/museumreplicas/detail.aspx?ID=379
Specs:
Overall length: 21”
Blade length: 15”, triple-fullered with 3” false back edge
Overall width: 2 1/8”
Blade width: 1 7/8” tapering to a point
Hilt: 6”overall, wooden, ballock style, with carvings, mild steel dimple faced bolster and pommel caps, square inletted pommel nut. Gripping surface 3 ½”.
Weight: 15 ounces
It came with a generic Windlass dagger scabbard to fit in black leather with mild steel chape and throat. (Well made, but not pictured—simply because I don’t want to dig in the leather chest )
hilt close-ups
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showing dimpling of pommel:
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Testing:
I actually did some bottle cutting with this one. Before moving on to the more destructive testing.
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Versus a 1” thick pine table top
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As the testing went on, the depth of the strikes became deeper, as I became less tenative of testing the piece to its fullest.
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thrust testing (sorry for poor photo)
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Bottle testing again, after pine destructive testing
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Ratings:
Historical accuracy: 3.5/5
Fit and finish: 5/5- no flaws on my piece at all. Well constructed and well put together.
Structural durability: 5/5- no edge dings, no rolls. Cut the dreaded plastic bottles well, before going on to the wood, and afterwards too. No loosening after use.
Handling: 5/5-excellent gripping surface, fits well in my hand, comfortable grip gloved or ungloved. Grips very well for overhand and underhand thrusts as well as cuts/slashes. Very light in hand.
Value for Money: 5/5- $95.00 from Windlass today, normally I’d say a bit expensive for a dagger, but this one’s well worth it. I’m sure KOA has it a bit cheaper.
Overall: 5/5
In summary, Windlass doesn't make them much better than this: tight and solid; easily recommended to anyone who'd like a good dirk.
.
I’ve had mine for about 3 years now, and I have to say it is one of favorite Windlass pieces. It’s a very period-appearing piece, but I’m not sure exactly how “early” a period it is supposed to reflect. Traditionally, dirks were often made from broken swords. If this piece reflects that tradition; given the triple-fullering of the blade used, it would appear to be a later period rather than earlier period piece, with a hilt done in an early period style. Either way, it’s a fine looking piece, very light and well-made.
www.museumreplicas.com/museumreplicas/detail.aspx?ID=379
Specs:
Overall length: 21”
Blade length: 15”, triple-fullered with 3” false back edge
Overall width: 2 1/8”
Blade width: 1 7/8” tapering to a point
Hilt: 6”overall, wooden, ballock style, with carvings, mild steel dimple faced bolster and pommel caps, square inletted pommel nut. Gripping surface 3 ½”.
Weight: 15 ounces
It came with a generic Windlass dagger scabbard to fit in black leather with mild steel chape and throat. (Well made, but not pictured—simply because I don’t want to dig in the leather chest )
hilt close-ups
.
showing dimpling of pommel:
.
Testing:
I actually did some bottle cutting with this one. Before moving on to the more destructive testing.
.
.
.
Versus a 1” thick pine table top
.
.
.
As the testing went on, the depth of the strikes became deeper, as I became less tenative of testing the piece to its fullest.
.
.
thrust testing (sorry for poor photo)
.
.
.
Bottle testing again, after pine destructive testing
.
.
Ratings:
Historical accuracy: 3.5/5
Fit and finish: 5/5- no flaws on my piece at all. Well constructed and well put together.
Structural durability: 5/5- no edge dings, no rolls. Cut the dreaded plastic bottles well, before going on to the wood, and afterwards too. No loosening after use.
Handling: 5/5-excellent gripping surface, fits well in my hand, comfortable grip gloved or ungloved. Grips very well for overhand and underhand thrusts as well as cuts/slashes. Very light in hand.
Value for Money: 5/5- $95.00 from Windlass today, normally I’d say a bit expensive for a dagger, but this one’s well worth it. I’m sure KOA has it a bit cheaper.
Overall: 5/5
In summary, Windlass doesn't make them much better than this: tight and solid; easily recommended to anyone who'd like a good dirk.