Some Notes on the Non-Windlass 15th Century Longsword
Jul 19, 2012 8:36:57 GMT
Post by jimmiroquai on Jul 19, 2012 8:36:57 GMT
I hope i've posted this in the right section..if not, mods feel free to move where appropriate.
I came across this sword on ebay. It was labelled as a "15th century medieval historical longsword handmade" and was being sold by seller ID: turkeycreek 2010 for only around 70USD. Now, when i first saw this listing, i bid on it right away, thinking it was the Windlass 15th century longsword. I thought it was selling cheap because it was a starting bid and there was only an hour to go. It was only after bidding that i then thought to investigate and saw the old SBG reports on this non-Windlass sword....Now, i was worried. Although, most of the reports have been on the German Bastard sword. I emailed the seller and he said that the blade was tempered carbon steel and that while not a Windlass, he hinted that it was also made by the same group of people (OEM?). Apparently, these were also being sold by Strongblade, so I emailed them and they told me that the sword they sell is not tempered and that i should choose another...Now i was really worried...
Here are the old articles on the swords being sold by turkeycreek 2010:
sbgswordforum.proboards.com/inde ... read=16094
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3881
I finally got the sword on hand and can verify a few things:
Fit and finish is indeed inferior to the Windlass (based on pictures). Ricasso is also much longer in this model.
![](http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/jimmiroquai/DSC00920.jpg)
![](http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/jimmiroquai/DSC00919.jpg)
![](http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/jimmiroquai/DSC00922.jpg)
![](http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/jimmiroquai/DSC00921.jpg)
However, the blade seems to be tempered carbon steel and not stainless as someone suspected. I bent it out around 45 degrees and it always returned true. The tip, which was embedded in wood during the test, was not bent or deformed after. The tang shoulders are rounded, and the end is threaded. Mine came sharp so i attempted to file a section to blunt but the edge remained sharp after some moderate-pressure filing (either my file is too soft or this blade has a good temper). Other than the procedures above, i don't know any other ways of testing the blade's temper and i'm open to suggestions.
![](http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/jimmiroquai/DSC00916.jpg)
The crossguard is indeed cast metal...but not zinc or aluminium as first reported. It is cast in Brass and chrome plated. I filed a little off the guard to make the blade shoulders fit better and the brass shined through. I don't know what the Windlass cross is made of.
![](http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/jimmiroquai/DSC00917.jpg)
The handle looks fatter compared to the much sexier Windlass, and the wire wrap doesn't even go up to the waist. It is secured via a nut and washer.
The pommel seems cast, but it is magnetic and there is rust on the hollow for the nut..so im guessing it's made out of chrome plated iron or mild steel.
These notes are only to clarify and verify some things about this non-windlass sword. In fairness to the ebay seller, he did not say that this was a Windlass nor did he use Windlass pictures.
Dry handling was OK. I could not detect a distal taper but it did not feel as whippy as i was expecting. Must be because of the 6 inch ricasso. Can be wielded one handed, and is quite lively with two. No rattling detected...
Disclaimer: Again, I thought I was buying a Windlass but i was mistaken. Buy the original if you can, it looks much better.
Side note: Can anyone give any advice on how to properly and safely blunt this sword? I won't be using it for cutting and wouldn't like any dangerous edges...
I came across this sword on ebay. It was labelled as a "15th century medieval historical longsword handmade" and was being sold by seller ID: turkeycreek 2010 for only around 70USD. Now, when i first saw this listing, i bid on it right away, thinking it was the Windlass 15th century longsword. I thought it was selling cheap because it was a starting bid and there was only an hour to go. It was only after bidding that i then thought to investigate and saw the old SBG reports on this non-Windlass sword....Now, i was worried. Although, most of the reports have been on the German Bastard sword. I emailed the seller and he said that the blade was tempered carbon steel and that while not a Windlass, he hinted that it was also made by the same group of people (OEM?). Apparently, these were also being sold by Strongblade, so I emailed them and they told me that the sword they sell is not tempered and that i should choose another...Now i was really worried...
Here are the old articles on the swords being sold by turkeycreek 2010:
sbgswordforum.proboards.com/inde ... read=16094
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3881
I finally got the sword on hand and can verify a few things:
Fit and finish is indeed inferior to the Windlass (based on pictures). Ricasso is also much longer in this model.
![](http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/jimmiroquai/DSC00920.jpg)
![](http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/jimmiroquai/DSC00919.jpg)
![](http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/jimmiroquai/DSC00922.jpg)
![](http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/jimmiroquai/DSC00921.jpg)
However, the blade seems to be tempered carbon steel and not stainless as someone suspected. I bent it out around 45 degrees and it always returned true. The tip, which was embedded in wood during the test, was not bent or deformed after. The tang shoulders are rounded, and the end is threaded. Mine came sharp so i attempted to file a section to blunt but the edge remained sharp after some moderate-pressure filing (either my file is too soft or this blade has a good temper). Other than the procedures above, i don't know any other ways of testing the blade's temper and i'm open to suggestions.
![](http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/jimmiroquai/DSC00916.jpg)
The crossguard is indeed cast metal...but not zinc or aluminium as first reported. It is cast in Brass and chrome plated. I filed a little off the guard to make the blade shoulders fit better and the brass shined through. I don't know what the Windlass cross is made of.
![](http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b119/jimmiroquai/DSC00917.jpg)
The handle looks fatter compared to the much sexier Windlass, and the wire wrap doesn't even go up to the waist. It is secured via a nut and washer.
The pommel seems cast, but it is magnetic and there is rust on the hollow for the nut..so im guessing it's made out of chrome plated iron or mild steel.
These notes are only to clarify and verify some things about this non-windlass sword. In fairness to the ebay seller, he did not say that this was a Windlass nor did he use Windlass pictures.
Dry handling was OK. I could not detect a distal taper but it did not feel as whippy as i was expecting. Must be because of the 6 inch ricasso. Can be wielded one handed, and is quite lively with two. No rattling detected...
Disclaimer: Again, I thought I was buying a Windlass but i was mistaken. Buy the original if you can, it looks much better.
Side note: Can anyone give any advice on how to properly and safely blunt this sword? I won't be using it for cutting and wouldn't like any dangerous edges...