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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2011 9:09:40 GMT
A while back, I posted that I was in the market for my first real Medieval sword. Sunday, I put the order in for the: Oakeshott Type XVIII by Windlass... kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=501214I know someone referred to it as a "Malatesta knock-off), well kind of true I guess, but for my price range it suits me. And I love suspension belt systems so, that is a huge plus for when Faire time rolls around. I haven't received it yet, I ordered it sharp(for obvious reasons)and as most of you probably know, that adds some time for shipping. As soon as I get it, I will do my best to put up a first impression review. And as soon as the weather gets a little better, I may try some cutting with it. I am new to cutting so, I still have to get a stand together. But, should be able to come up with a mock stand for a cut/blade test. Don't know if I can find someone to hold my camera though so..not sure if I can get it filmed right now. If I do any cutting in the next week or so, and can't get it filmed, I will do my best to write out a review on that. Stay tuned... |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2011 9:17:21 GMT
and if there is a review on here already(couldn't find one myself)well..another opinion couldn't hurt I guess.
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Post by Lobster Hunter on Feb 16, 2011 10:17:31 GMT
Congrats! That's a pretty nice looking sword. I like the look of the scabbard and suspension system too. I'm assuming you had KoA sharpen the edge?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2011 18:11:19 GMT
I'm not sure if Kult does it themselves, or has some other place do it. I'm assuming another place, seeing as how they say it adds a little more time to the shipping.
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Post by Ilúvatar on Feb 17, 2011 3:58:40 GMT
Great buy! I was actually debating between this one and the Hanwei/Tinker Norman for a while but went with the Norman because of the sale Hanwei is having right now. This is a really nice sword though.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2011 7:54:56 GMT
According to the email..sword is supposed to arrive tomorrow..well today technically..Tuesday so, will give it nice long looksie and tell ya guys what I think.
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Feb 22, 2011 10:28:18 GMT
Looking forward to it! I don't know why, but I happen to think that's one of Windlass' finest looking swords.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2011 6:57:47 GMT
Well, after a few hours of playing around with the sword and some new clothing(but you guys probably don't wanna hear about that..  ) I am going to give my honest and hopefully decent review. Let's start with the scabbard. As I drew the sword out, and I'm sure most of you know this sound, it sounded like cardboard against the blade, this told me right away..cheap wood. Not really a bad thing, seeing as how it is wrapped in a really nice reddish-brown leather and the 3 suspension straps, are very nicely done, with the rivets being nice and secure. I don't foresee any rivet breaking going on. Sword fits nice and snug, no real side to side movement while sheathed. So as far as the scabbard..not bad. Wished they(Windlass)would have gone with a heavier/sturdier wood, but they aren't exactly known for their scabbards. Onto the sword itself... Starting with the pommel, it is a classic wheel pommel, with a very nice etched pattern on both sides and it is peened. It measures: 2 1/4 inches across and just a hair over 1/2 inch wide. The handle: Again done in the reddish-brown leather wrap over wood, stitched on one side, and very tight..no wiggle in the leather at all. Two raised bands..one at the top and one around the middle. Measures: almost at 5 inches. A little thin, I could see for some that have "meaty" hands, this might be a problem. Nothing I won't get used to. Handguard: Regular straight, with a slight taper getting thicker towards the ends, comes in at: 8 5/16s Blade: Just a hair under 1 7/8 wide at the guard and 1 inch at the point. It has, what I call a reverse fuller, or I think the proper term is: Hollowed ground? And I hope I am doing this right for the c.o.p. slapping the pommel and seeing what part isn't vibrating? If I am then it would be: 9-10 inches down from the point. And please, if that is the incorrect way..I apologize. But hopefully, you guys can figure how I came about that. It feels a little tip heavy, doing some free swinging without cutting, but nothing major and not really uncomfortable. As far as the point of balance: About 5 inches from the guard. And this doesn't seem too good, does it? The length of the blade is about 34 1/4..total length: 41 3/4 I ordered it sharp and yea..it's pretty sharp. Running a piece of printer paper down the edge, it cuts through pretty smooth, only leaving a slight jagged edge. But, this isn't how the sword is sold and may vary with other orders. This is just how mine came. And it comes with a belt(you can see it at the link below). I personally felt it wasn't wide enough so, I ordered the Robin Hood wide belt(again, I will post a link), this belt is much more wide at 2 inches and has nice adornments which, compliment this sword very well. www.museumreplicas.com/p-1219-oa ... -belt.aspx www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... +Wide+Belt So..in conclusion, as far as looks..feel..free swinging..I like it. I am happy with this being my first good cutter. If I had to say anything negative, it would be the cheap wood used for the scabbard, but I guess you could say it's reinforced by the leather wrap so..not really an issue. And maybe if the handle was a tad bit wider. But again, nothing I am going to semprini about. So is it worth the KOA price of $249.95? I think so, I'm not complaining. Is it worth the Museum Replicas price of..$375.00? Umm that I would have a problem with. Thank God for KOA! Well, I hope this amateur-review helped. I don't claim my measurements to be perfect. And until I can do some cutting, which I may be able to get out this weekend and slice me up some bottles..hope you guys enjoyed reading this and if anybody is thinking about or knows someone who wants this sword, I recommend it. Just remember the whole, "meaty" hands thing though, it does have a thin handle. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2011 7:26:41 GMT
Oh..and this is being billed, by Windlass, as a hand and a half. Well, for me, having long slender hands and fingers..I am able to get my first finger and thumb around the handle, with my palm and last 3 fingers around the pommel. If that helps anybody.
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TomK
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Post by TomK on Feb 23, 2011 14:03:57 GMT
"As far as the point of balance: About 5 inches from the guard. And this doesn't seem too good, does it? The length of the blade is about 34 1/4."
I'm not sure what you are saying doesn't seem good but I don't see a problem with either a 5" point of balance or a 34 1/4" blade. sounds like a nice sword and a decent package, all things considered. I think the length of the grip will turn people off and honestly, I'm a bit put off by it myself. looking at the KOA website I see it is listed at 4.75" long. seems too short for a bastard sword and too long for a single hander to me, but I bet there's some historical swords out there built this way.
pretty cool that it is hollow ground, that can be hard to find outside of more expensive swords.
in the end it sounds like you are happy and that's what counts.
congrats of your first sword seems like you got a good one.
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) I am going to give my honest and hopefully decent review.
