Windlass Sword of Malta (First Review!)
Mar 12, 2012 2:16:58 GMT
Post by Vilhelma on Mar 12, 2012 2:16:58 GMT
Pictures at the bottom.
Introduction
Not new to SBG, but this is the first time I've registered. I've watched this community for over 3 years. Excuse my ill-sensed words if I 'call' a 'part' a wrong term: IE: Blood Grove instead of Fuller.
Do feel free to criticize anything I've post.
Here I am- Hardly a teenager coming out of High School. My profound love for RPGs, fantasy, and history of the last three thousand years got the better of me. I started a collection of swords quite some time ago, but never did I go beyond decorative crap wall-hangers that would break with a single swing.
A few months ago, I stumbled, again, back onto this website. Saw a review or two, and decided I needed a real sword. A real cutter. To, well, cut stuff /with/. Imagine that. I had Cheap-o Musashi Cutter that I sold within a day of use, but neve did I have something functional. It provided great cuts, actually, but Katanas weren't my point of interest.
My plans were to buy a sword; my friend mentioned that I had the potential voice, yes voice, for a viking. This flashed wild ideas in my head. I spotted the sticklestad sword (Suede wrapped) and had to get my hands on it, but alas, KoA was the only website with a not-so-ridiculous price, and it was back-ordered. My cakeday was in a month. Had to order a different sword- saw the Sword of Malta and instantly fell in love. I love hand and half swords, but this unlike them. It was alluring by all means. Saw no details and thought, 'What the heck, why not?!'. And here it is, in my hands on my own Birthday.
KoA promptly sent it to me within three days- Three! I was told I was going to have to wait another week for it, considering I was having it sharpened. Amazing service- sent promptly in a cardboard box packed to the brim. Everything was oiled, even the fittings on the scabbard / hilt.
Historical overview
KoA / Other websites detail this piece to having a historical background, but I doubt it more than anything. Not much to put here.
Initial Impressions
Amazed by it - more than anything on this planet. A Windlass, you're thinking? I'm an ill-experienced swordsman that loves European swords. The physical feel of it: I felt like I had a real sword in my hand. Absolutely solid.
Details
Blade Length: 34"
Hilt Length: 7 Inches
Overall Length: 41 (And a quarter of an inch.)
Cross-guard Width: 8 1/2
POB (Point of Balance): KoA's measurement: 3 15/16" (I've yet to measure it.)
Weight: KoA claims it to be 2 lbs / 13 ounces. I've not weighed it, yet. Tad on the hefty side, atleast for me, from what I can feel.
What's it like? The blade quality? The who's-it-what's-it?
All comes down to this. How is it? I must say, it's quite balanced and feels agile in the hand. From dry-swings, I can tell the blade is fluid and the entire sword feels intact. Which is a positively good thing, am I right?
The blade's ridge is straight and true, at least on the sword I received. The wrapping is odd- The base from the pommel is thick, yet it's width is smaller. It continues up to the guard, where it's flat and fattened out. This might be a con for a few, but it feels absolutely great. The leather is bound nicely, stitched almost permanently. The pattern for the 'Grip' of the hilt is odd, but again, it feels absolutely great in my hand. Some whom might be considering as to buying this should think about the wrapping before hand. I've supplied pictures in the Imageshack link at the bottom of this page, specifically of the hilt and fitts.
Everything lines up. Save for the peen on the pommel. It looks battered, a thin abstract outlining a poor circle. Hardly noticeable, but it should be taken into consideration.
As for the edge, I believe it to be a secondary bevel from even the smallest of glances. I had a hard time cutting objects with the blade, but that's because my form is poor and I'm ill-fit. A-ha. :lol:
Again, heavy in my hand. Heavier than most of my wall-hangers, too. Something to really take into consideration.
Belt / Scabbard
I can tell that this sheathe is purely leather, disregarding the excellent fittings. The fittings are tight and excellent. Only complaint I have about it are some vicious scratches on the upper-most metal-cuffs of the scabbard. It's snug on the blade and it doesn't rattle even a tad. Has a solid grip on the blade whilst in the scabbard. Now, I noticed two patches of leather inside that helped the blade fit even more cozily into it - Any intelligent sword collector knows not to store blades, oiled, in pure-leather scabbards. This might be a nit-pick, but once placed inside, the two patches smear and smudge the blade with whatever oil it might have.
The belt is wonderful, above par when compared to the $20 baldric I have. (The very one used for the Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess Master-sword, which can be found on Amazon, even.) Clasps are solid and tight. Leather is slightly stiff, but exceptionally strong. Had to wrap the 'Hangers' (?) around the sheath three times for it to be just right at my height. (5'6" / 112 pounds. I'm tiny.)
Conclusion
Do you like it? I'm in love with it, truth be told, even if it may be a windlass. This was possibly the greatest present I've received in years. Solid blade, solid fittings and solid scabbard.
This opinion might be biased, but I don't have anything to compare it to, honestly.
Pros
Solid fittings
Well-crafted leather-grip, scabbard, and belt.
Little-to-no scratches on the blade.
Cons
Sloppy peen.
Slightly heavy.
Belt's a tad large. The holes that are made for the buckle might be too small for larger people, therefore forcing one to make their own holes.
Some spots of rust.
Hard to find cons.
The Bottom Line
From what I've read, I got lucky. Windlass swords are hit and miss, and I nabbed an absolute winner.
Recommend it to Euro lovers indubitably- Specifically those looking for a cheap, quality sword.
Bought from KoA and sharpened by. www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=501226&name=Sword+of+Malta
Direct link.
Link to pictures. img813.imageshack.us/slideshow/w ... 00191z.jpg
Pardon the quality. (Tell me if you have any problems viewing it.)
Introduction
Not new to SBG, but this is the first time I've registered. I've watched this community for over 3 years. Excuse my ill-sensed words if I 'call' a 'part' a wrong term: IE: Blood Grove instead of Fuller.
Do feel free to criticize anything I've post.
Here I am- Hardly a teenager coming out of High School. My profound love for RPGs, fantasy, and history of the last three thousand years got the better of me. I started a collection of swords quite some time ago, but never did I go beyond decorative crap wall-hangers that would break with a single swing.
A few months ago, I stumbled, again, back onto this website. Saw a review or two, and decided I needed a real sword. A real cutter. To, well, cut stuff /with/. Imagine that. I had Cheap-o Musashi Cutter that I sold within a day of use, but neve did I have something functional. It provided great cuts, actually, but Katanas weren't my point of interest.
My plans were to buy a sword; my friend mentioned that I had the potential voice, yes voice, for a viking. This flashed wild ideas in my head. I spotted the sticklestad sword (Suede wrapped) and had to get my hands on it, but alas, KoA was the only website with a not-so-ridiculous price, and it was back-ordered. My cakeday was in a month. Had to order a different sword- saw the Sword of Malta and instantly fell in love. I love hand and half swords, but this unlike them. It was alluring by all means. Saw no details and thought, 'What the heck, why not?!'. And here it is, in my hands on my own Birthday.
KoA promptly sent it to me within three days- Three! I was told I was going to have to wait another week for it, considering I was having it sharpened. Amazing service- sent promptly in a cardboard box packed to the brim. Everything was oiled, even the fittings on the scabbard / hilt.
Historical overview
KoA / Other websites detail this piece to having a historical background, but I doubt it more than anything. Not much to put here.
Initial Impressions
Amazed by it - more than anything on this planet. A Windlass, you're thinking? I'm an ill-experienced swordsman that loves European swords. The physical feel of it: I felt like I had a real sword in my hand. Absolutely solid.
Details
Blade Length: 34"
Hilt Length: 7 Inches
Overall Length: 41 (And a quarter of an inch.)
Cross-guard Width: 8 1/2
POB (Point of Balance): KoA's measurement: 3 15/16" (I've yet to measure it.)
Weight: KoA claims it to be 2 lbs / 13 ounces. I've not weighed it, yet. Tad on the hefty side, atleast for me, from what I can feel.
What's it like? The blade quality? The who's-it-what's-it?
All comes down to this. How is it? I must say, it's quite balanced and feels agile in the hand. From dry-swings, I can tell the blade is fluid and the entire sword feels intact. Which is a positively good thing, am I right?
The blade's ridge is straight and true, at least on the sword I received. The wrapping is odd- The base from the pommel is thick, yet it's width is smaller. It continues up to the guard, where it's flat and fattened out. This might be a con for a few, but it feels absolutely great. The leather is bound nicely, stitched almost permanently. The pattern for the 'Grip' of the hilt is odd, but again, it feels absolutely great in my hand. Some whom might be considering as to buying this should think about the wrapping before hand. I've supplied pictures in the Imageshack link at the bottom of this page, specifically of the hilt and fitts.
Everything lines up. Save for the peen on the pommel. It looks battered, a thin abstract outlining a poor circle. Hardly noticeable, but it should be taken into consideration.
As for the edge, I believe it to be a secondary bevel from even the smallest of glances. I had a hard time cutting objects with the blade, but that's because my form is poor and I'm ill-fit. A-ha. :lol:
Again, heavy in my hand. Heavier than most of my wall-hangers, too. Something to really take into consideration.
Belt / Scabbard
I can tell that this sheathe is purely leather, disregarding the excellent fittings. The fittings are tight and excellent. Only complaint I have about it are some vicious scratches on the upper-most metal-cuffs of the scabbard. It's snug on the blade and it doesn't rattle even a tad. Has a solid grip on the blade whilst in the scabbard. Now, I noticed two patches of leather inside that helped the blade fit even more cozily into it - Any intelligent sword collector knows not to store blades, oiled, in pure-leather scabbards. This might be a nit-pick, but once placed inside, the two patches smear and smudge the blade with whatever oil it might have.
The belt is wonderful, above par when compared to the $20 baldric I have. (The very one used for the Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess Master-sword, which can be found on Amazon, even.) Clasps are solid and tight. Leather is slightly stiff, but exceptionally strong. Had to wrap the 'Hangers' (?) around the sheath three times for it to be just right at my height. (5'6" / 112 pounds. I'm tiny.)
Conclusion
Do you like it? I'm in love with it, truth be told, even if it may be a windlass. This was possibly the greatest present I've received in years. Solid blade, solid fittings and solid scabbard.
This opinion might be biased, but I don't have anything to compare it to, honestly.
Pros
Solid fittings
Well-crafted leather-grip, scabbard, and belt.
Little-to-no scratches on the blade.
Cons
Sloppy peen.
Slightly heavy.
Belt's a tad large. The holes that are made for the buckle might be too small for larger people, therefore forcing one to make their own holes.
Some spots of rust.
Hard to find cons.
The Bottom Line
From what I've read, I got lucky. Windlass swords are hit and miss, and I nabbed an absolute winner.
Recommend it to Euro lovers indubitably- Specifically those looking for a cheap, quality sword.
Bought from KoA and sharpened by. www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=501226&name=Sword+of+Malta
Direct link.
Link to pictures. img813.imageshack.us/slideshow/w ... 00191z.jpg
Pardon the quality. (Tell me if you have any problems viewing it.)