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Post by jarmory19 on Sept 29, 2011 0:20:56 GMT
What's the census on this sword? Junk? Any owners opinions?
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Sept 29, 2011 0:35:13 GMT
Lunaman has one and since it's one of the few in his collection, I'd say it's pretty decent. I do remember him saying, though, that he found the grip to be too round and a little on the small side (for a saber grip).
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Lunaman
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Posts: 3,974
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Post by Lunaman on Sept 29, 2011 4:00:11 GMT
Yep, Vincent got my impressions just right. It's a decent piece-- light and fast and a very good cutter when sharpened. I like it overall. The grip is a bit cramped, however, but this has less to do with size than it does with ergonomics. The grip itself is very round and tapers strangely near the guard, which is not dished on the inside but completely flat, so the leading finger doesn't have much room even though the hilt is plenty long. I get around this by "cheating" up onto the guard (See below). Of course, you can't take on heavy targets when holding it this way, but it gives good control and a secure grip. I just use mine for light cutting, and originally purchased it to complete a costume.   The Hanwei Revolutionary War Hanger has a much more user-friendly grip, but a less lively blade. I bought the Windlass before Hanwei introduced their version. I've handled them both and the Hanwei hanger has a bit better fit and finish and hilt shaping, but the blade of the windlass is more agile. If I had to go again I might pick up the Hanwei and regrind the blade to taper like the Windlass to get the best of both worlds, but it's not a priority of mine. Both are solid little piraty things that need to be sharpened to be used. The windlass is fun. |
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Razor
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Posts: 1,883 
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Post by Razor on Sept 29, 2011 4:55:37 GMT
Hey, Lunaman. Does the Hawei Hanger also have a round grip?
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Post by Pogo4321 on Sept 29, 2011 6:01:36 GMT
Hmm...weird. My experience with the grips on these two swords is almost the opposite--maybe I don't grip 'em right(?). I find the the Windlass quite spacious and the Hanwei cramped. The dishing of the guard on the Hanwei cases it to rub uncomfortably against my knuckle. The windlass does have an odd shape and I find the stitching to be a bit grating--I wear a glove. I completely agree with Zach about the handling, though--fun fun swords--the windlass is my favorite light duty cutter. I did shoot some epoxy between the guard and the blade because the guard would shift around a bit--not really an issue that affected performance or safety; I just found it annoying.
The Hanwei has a slightly oval grip.
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Sept 29, 2011 8:36:34 GMT
As pogo said, the Hanwei grip is oval.  Pogo's comments also say a lot about the nature of preference-- thanks for adding them. The windlass grip is indeed longer in raw real estate, and feels plenty roomy if held like a hammer or a chopper. But when holding the weapon as if it could be fenced, like they do in the POTC movies, that's when my fingers fell cramped without the dishing of the guard. Here's a wallhanger version of the same hanger design that actually feels more roomy for a fencing grip even though the hilt is much smaller overall. The dishing gives room for manipulation.  The Hanwei guard is much like this, but with a longer and thicker grip. For sure, this one is my champion pool noodle cutter. |
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Post by Pogo4321 on Sept 30, 2011 4:36:30 GMT
Of course! Zach uses a much more refined and elegant grip.  I use the old hammer grip (or is that ham-fisted grip). I tried out your grip on the 2 swords, Zach, and I see what you mean. Held that way the Hanwei does seem a lot heavier than the Windlass. Since they're both threaded, you could try swapping the furniture--seems easier than grinding the Hanwei down that much. |
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Sept 30, 2011 4:58:32 GMT
If that's possible, I'd love to know the results. I do slightly prefer the furniture on the Hanwei, but the blade is just, ugh; with the Windlass, I love the blade, but the furniture makes it seem like a toy, if that makes sense. (I'm talking aesthetics here, of course, but the idea of a roomier grip is definitely appealing.)
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Lunaman
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Post by Lunaman on Sept 30, 2011 5:46:12 GMT
Nothing wrong with hamfisting! :lol: This is a swift and sleek little chopper. Almost like a mini-katana. I just want to swashbuckle sometimes and look all flashy, but I've got a proper smallsword for that. tinyurl.com/5rk6qxjHmmm. Might be possible... But the hilts and grips are different lengths, and the tangs are likely to be different dimensions as well, so you'd be guaranteed to have to build a new grip from scratch. And shortening the tang to fit the hanwei hilt would mean re-cutting threads and grinding metal anyway. Not sure which would be an easier option, but taking a powerfile or belt sander to the blade seems simpler. |
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I use the old hammer grip (or is that ham-fisted grip).
Nov 1, 2024 0:13:58 GMT
Nov 1, 2024 0:13:58 GMT
