Review - Windlass Steelcrafts M1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber
Aug 4, 2011 17:01:10 GMT
Post by Vincent Dolan on Aug 4, 2011 17:01:10 GMT
Ossu! If your heart just stopped beating from shock, I'll completely understand... Just so long as you don't send me the hospital bills. :lol: This being my first review, as well as a review of a sword covered much more expertly by Dave Kelly (who is also the previous owner), this will just be a bare bones selection of my thoughts on it; I've only had this for a few hours now, but I've always been quick to formulate my thoughts on things. Since there are several things I cannot do with this sword for various reasons (lack of space, cutting mediums), I'm fine with typing out my thoughts on this sword. It didn't take long to figure out just how this sword handles in certain situations.
To read Dave's full review of it, others of its type, and several 1860 sabers, go here.
Introduction
I'm sure this is what most of you are curious to hear. Well, Saturday morning (July 30), Dave pm'd me with an offer: if I wanted, I could have my pick of one of the four beaters he had laying around. Needless to say, I gladly accepted (dancing around like a giddy schoolboy omitted ). I chose the 1840 as it seemed like it would fit the current me best (an inexpensive slasher) and because there's just something about the design that speaks to me; perhaps it's because it resembles the 1830 Napoleon Light Cavalry saber, a design I just find beautiful in its simplicity. Dave sent me a tracking number on Sunday, as well as an image of the sword all wrapped up and ready to go. It shipped out Monday afternoon and arrived on Wednesday afternoon, a full day sooner than its projected arrival date. It also seems I have rotten luck as I'd somehow stayed awake for near 24 hours and ended up sleeping so long that, by the time I woke up, my apartment complex's office (where the sword had been delivered) had closed for the day. So I had to twiddle my thumbs for a few hours until the office opened and I could go an pick it up.
Historical Overview
Now, military swords of the 1800s aren't my forte, so I'll mostly be referencing outside sources (such as Dave's original review) for this section. The 1840 HC replaced the 1833 Dragoon through field testing British, French, and Prussian swords; troopers greatly preferred the French saber (an 1822 Light Cavalry) and a copy was soon put into production in 1844. It would remain in production for the next 18 years until being replaced by the 1860 Light Cavalry in 1862, which was an attempt to manufacture a shorter, lighter weapon, although, as Dave points out in his review, not a better handling one.
Full Disclosure
As I stated in the introduction, I didn't purchase this sword, so aside from several remarks about Dave's amazing generosity, there won't be much bias, particularly as this is my first real sword.
Initial Impressions
The sword was packaged very well and when I first picked up the sword this morning, I would never have guessed what was in it if I hadn't already known; the packaging ensured that nothing was going to happen to this sword short of getting lost in a weird tear in the space-time continuum, in which case the mailman driving the truck it was in would have been very pleased to find it as he could use it to fight off hordes of alien zombies. But that's besides the point. :lol: Upon unpacking the sword, I received a few pleasant surprises. First was a pair of nice leather gauntlets that Dave had included alongside the sword; I am very glad for these for reasons I'll get to later. There was also a very attractive sword knot attached to the guard. The sword itself was further protected by use of a length of string wrapped around the grip several times and then knotted in the first suspension ring; it ensured that the sword stayed inside the scabbard no matter what.
Now, as to my initial impression after unpacking it was "oof!" Scabbard and all, it weighs something on the order of 4lbs. That's not an extraordinary amount, but if you remember, the heaviest thing I was used to was a very cheap wall-hanger, plus my bokken.
Statistics
Blade Length: 35.75"
Hilt Length: 5.5"
Overall Length: 41.25"
Grip Length: 4.25"
Guard Width: 4"
Point of Balance: 7"
Center of Percussion: 25"
Weight: 2lbs 5.5oz (according to Kult of Athena, since I don't own a scale)
Components
The blade is in good condition with an unsharpened false edge that is about 9" long; sharpening it would likely be very easy, particularly if one were skilled in sharpening, which I am not. The scabbard is quite heavy at 1.8lbs and could very well clobber someone and rearrange their features quite easily if one were so inclined. Of course, the guard could do so, as well; in short, there's pretty much nothing about this sword that couldn't be used to maim in some fashion.
The grip, as Dave noted in his original review, has something of a tick in it. It's not exactly what I'd call "loose", but it's not exactly tight, either. I'd say, it's just barely noticeable on 1:4 swings and not at all noticeable on the thrust, no matter which direction it came from. It was most noticeable when tapping the pommel in order to find out the COP for myself.
Handling Characteristics
Finally, the meat and potatoes of reviews (well, to me, at least). The 1840 HC was nicknamed "Wristbreaker" or "Ol' Wristbreaker", depending on sources, and with good reason. To an inexperienced person like myself, that 7" POB makes the sword feel like it weighs 4-5lbs. However, that didn't stop it from going where I wanted it to go and stopping where I wanted it to stop in my dry handling of it (mostly consisting of cuts from the wrist as they needed the least amount of room to maneuver).
Test Cutting
Again, sorry folks, but no test cutting with this blade just yet. I have neither the camera nor the materials, nor, as a matter of fact, the room. Being as I live in an apartment complex, they might frown on it if I went outside at the moment and started swinging a sword around.
Conclusions
While heavy with a massive amount of blade presence (not to mention a massive amount of blade for one used to the short "blade" of a bokken) and a slightly loose/wobbly grip, I'd say the Windlass 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber is a good sword for the money (129.95$ on Kult of Athena), but with some QC issues, perhaps not worth more. The misnamed Cold Steel 1860 Heavy Cavalry saber would, I think, be the better option for this type even without handling it.
Pros
- Inexpensive beater that seems quite historically accurate.
- Will likely be a vicious cutter when I get the chance to do so.
Cons
- Slightly wobbly grip (as originally noted by Dave).
Bottom Line
From all I've read about this sword, as well as heard from Dave himself, it is a comparatively inexpensive entry level 19th century military sword that is, for all intents and purposes, historically accurate. This particular piece (and not representative of the line as a whole) developed a loose grip within a year of ownership, its only use being hand drills; no cutting. Would I recommend this to a friend? Tough call, but it'd ultimately depend on what they were looking for. If they were after a light, swashbuckling style sword, or even a quick slasher, no. Without training, I can tell from my limited dry handling that this sword would be somewhat slow on the recovery. Now, if they were just after a beater that they could have fun with eating up cutting targets and they liked the looks, most certainly.
In closing, I'll say that if I change my perspective regarding the handling aspects of this sword, I'll update my review to reflect that. However, as this is, first and foremost, a cavalry saber meant for devastating blows, especially during a charge, I'm not sure how likely that will be.
Jaa, mata.
To read Dave's full review of it, others of its type, and several 1860 sabers, go here.
Introduction
I'm sure this is what most of you are curious to hear. Well, Saturday morning (July 30), Dave pm'd me with an offer: if I wanted, I could have my pick of one of the four beaters he had laying around. Needless to say, I gladly accepted (dancing around like a giddy schoolboy omitted ). I chose the 1840 as it seemed like it would fit the current me best (an inexpensive slasher) and because there's just something about the design that speaks to me; perhaps it's because it resembles the 1830 Napoleon Light Cavalry saber, a design I just find beautiful in its simplicity. Dave sent me a tracking number on Sunday, as well as an image of the sword all wrapped up and ready to go. It shipped out Monday afternoon and arrived on Wednesday afternoon, a full day sooner than its projected arrival date. It also seems I have rotten luck as I'd somehow stayed awake for near 24 hours and ended up sleeping so long that, by the time I woke up, my apartment complex's office (where the sword had been delivered) had closed for the day. So I had to twiddle my thumbs for a few hours until the office opened and I could go an pick it up.
Historical Overview
Now, military swords of the 1800s aren't my forte, so I'll mostly be referencing outside sources (such as Dave's original review) for this section. The 1840 HC replaced the 1833 Dragoon through field testing British, French, and Prussian swords; troopers greatly preferred the French saber (an 1822 Light Cavalry) and a copy was soon put into production in 1844. It would remain in production for the next 18 years until being replaced by the 1860 Light Cavalry in 1862, which was an attempt to manufacture a shorter, lighter weapon, although, as Dave points out in his review, not a better handling one.
Full Disclosure
As I stated in the introduction, I didn't purchase this sword, so aside from several remarks about Dave's amazing generosity, there won't be much bias, particularly as this is my first real sword.
Initial Impressions
The sword was packaged very well and when I first picked up the sword this morning, I would never have guessed what was in it if I hadn't already known; the packaging ensured that nothing was going to happen to this sword short of getting lost in a weird tear in the space-time continuum, in which case the mailman driving the truck it was in would have been very pleased to find it as he could use it to fight off hordes of alien zombies. But that's besides the point. :lol: Upon unpacking the sword, I received a few pleasant surprises. First was a pair of nice leather gauntlets that Dave had included alongside the sword; I am very glad for these for reasons I'll get to later. There was also a very attractive sword knot attached to the guard. The sword itself was further protected by use of a length of string wrapped around the grip several times and then knotted in the first suspension ring; it ensured that the sword stayed inside the scabbard no matter what.
Now, as to my initial impression after unpacking it was "oof!" Scabbard and all, it weighs something on the order of 4lbs. That's not an extraordinary amount, but if you remember, the heaviest thing I was used to was a very cheap wall-hanger, plus my bokken.
Statistics
Blade Length: 35.75"
Hilt Length: 5.5"
Overall Length: 41.25"
Grip Length: 4.25"
Guard Width: 4"
Point of Balance: 7"
Center of Percussion: 25"
Weight: 2lbs 5.5oz (according to Kult of Athena, since I don't own a scale)
Components
The blade is in good condition with an unsharpened false edge that is about 9" long; sharpening it would likely be very easy, particularly if one were skilled in sharpening, which I am not. The scabbard is quite heavy at 1.8lbs and could very well clobber someone and rearrange their features quite easily if one were so inclined. Of course, the guard could do so, as well; in short, there's pretty much nothing about this sword that couldn't be used to maim in some fashion.
The grip, as Dave noted in his original review, has something of a tick in it. It's not exactly what I'd call "loose", but it's not exactly tight, either. I'd say, it's just barely noticeable on 1:4 swings and not at all noticeable on the thrust, no matter which direction it came from. It was most noticeable when tapping the pommel in order to find out the COP for myself.
Handling Characteristics
Finally, the meat and potatoes of reviews (well, to me, at least). The 1840 HC was nicknamed "Wristbreaker" or "Ol' Wristbreaker", depending on sources, and with good reason. To an inexperienced person like myself, that 7" POB makes the sword feel like it weighs 4-5lbs. However, that didn't stop it from going where I wanted it to go and stopping where I wanted it to stop in my dry handling of it (mostly consisting of cuts from the wrist as they needed the least amount of room to maneuver).
Test Cutting
Again, sorry folks, but no test cutting with this blade just yet. I have neither the camera nor the materials, nor, as a matter of fact, the room. Being as I live in an apartment complex, they might frown on it if I went outside at the moment and started swinging a sword around.
Conclusions
While heavy with a massive amount of blade presence (not to mention a massive amount of blade for one used to the short "blade" of a bokken) and a slightly loose/wobbly grip, I'd say the Windlass 1840 Heavy Cavalry Saber is a good sword for the money (129.95$ on Kult of Athena), but with some QC issues, perhaps not worth more. The misnamed Cold Steel 1860 Heavy Cavalry saber would, I think, be the better option for this type even without handling it.
Pros
- Inexpensive beater that seems quite historically accurate.
- Will likely be a vicious cutter when I get the chance to do so.
Cons
- Slightly wobbly grip (as originally noted by Dave).
Bottom Line
From all I've read about this sword, as well as heard from Dave himself, it is a comparatively inexpensive entry level 19th century military sword that is, for all intents and purposes, historically accurate. This particular piece (and not representative of the line as a whole) developed a loose grip within a year of ownership, its only use being hand drills; no cutting. Would I recommend this to a friend? Tough call, but it'd ultimately depend on what they were looking for. If they were after a light, swashbuckling style sword, or even a quick slasher, no. Without training, I can tell from my limited dry handling that this sword would be somewhat slow on the recovery. Now, if they were just after a beater that they could have fun with eating up cutting targets and they liked the looks, most certainly.
In closing, I'll say that if I change my perspective regarding the handling aspects of this sword, I'll update my review to reflect that. However, as this is, first and foremost, a cavalry saber meant for devastating blows, especially during a charge, I'm not sure how likely that will be.
Jaa, mata.