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Post by MBernard on Feb 27, 2013 1:39:08 GMT
I am looking to buy my first sword. I am interested in the Windlass 1850 staff and field and the 1833 dragoon, another sword of a different style that I like is the Long British cutlass by Universal swords. I cant find much in the way of reviews about of these swords. I have been reading the board here and know Dave Kelly owns the 1850 and the dragoon. I was hoping he could tell me a little bit more about these specific swords. I get the feeling that the 1833 is a bit of a dog yet there is something about it that I find interesting in terms of its looks.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Feb 27, 2013 2:41:08 GMT
Hey, If the sword is "talkin to you" buy the damn thing. Heck, why decide: JUST BUY ALL THREE OF THEM AT ONCST AND SAVE ON POSTAGE. :mrgreen:
That'll teach ya not to ask the opinion of a certifiable, old crank, demented sword fool. :mrgreen:
I don't have the stats on the 1833 handy. Try the pipe back sword article I got here. The historical 1833 sword the War Department had Ames construct was a wussie to begin with. Half the output flunked acceptence inspection; reason they disappeared so quickly in favor of the M1840. I have no handling experience with the real ones. Different batches look better than others. There have been at least three of them on ebay since Christmas and there is in fact one on ebay right now you can smooze. ( If you have a spare $2500 thar ya are.... :twisted: )
The Field and Staff is a pretty nice composition. Includes a pretty blued scabbard. The blade stock is a little short, so the sword isn't quite as robust as the original Ames, but it's within the margin of error. This would be my vote for a excellent handler and display piece.
If you want to chop things up have KoA sharpen that long bladed cutlass for you and have fun.
Cheers
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Post by MBernard on Feb 27, 2013 21:56:32 GMT
thanks for the response, I am really leaning toward the Field and Staff. I have been interested in history since I was a kid and I relember being 11 or 12 and getting the old collectors armory and arms and armor catalogs in the mail. One if the catalogs was printed on bond and staped. I remember the "texas dragoon saber being much more expensive beck then, the Field and Staff was also twice the price. Anyway I was playing around on the net not too long ago and it dawned on me: "im all grown up now. I can get a sword" my fiance's eyes rolled...
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Post by MBernard on Mar 16, 2013 16:51:42 GMT
Update: I decided to go with the windlass 1860 light. I ordered it sharpened for KOA. I don't really see myself doing cutting or anything like that I just want to start a collection of historic arms. anyway I am very excited for my saber to arrive. Can anyone give e a rough idea of how long shipping from KOA generally takes?
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Mar 16, 2013 20:53:45 GMT
They're generally pretty quick. If I order something on a weekend, it's generally here by that next Friday. Congratulations, and let us know how you like it.
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Post by MBernard on Mar 17, 2013 3:39:01 GMT
I'm pretty excited. I feel like a kid. silly I know. I ended up choosing this piece as my first because its pretty much the quintessential Civil war sword. It's simple and elegant I'm and the price is right for dipping my toes in to the hobby. If I receive it and the novelty wears off in a matter of minutes I doubt there will be too much buyer's remorse because I'm hardly breaking the bank.
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Mar 17, 2013 14:40:01 GMT
I think you made a good choice. I've had pretty good luck with Windlass quality control and tempering, and of course I'm nuts for a nice saber. Doing all that at a pretty darn decent price, that's hard to beat.
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Post by MBernard on Mar 17, 2013 19:36:29 GMT
Thanks man. cant ait to come home and find a big box on my porch.  |
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Post by Elheru Aran on Mar 18, 2013 17:54:47 GMT
I have the same saber and it basically redefined 'floppy' for me  For all that though it's a pretty nice product and you honestly cannot beat the price! |
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Mar 19, 2013 12:14:12 GMT
That's interesting. I had (as I never shut up about) the American Revolutionary War saber, and its blade, while thin, had pretty good qualities. From checking KOA's width measurements, the Revolutionary's blade mics at 33mm wide, and the 1860 at 28mm. Could that 5mm have made the difference? Or maybe I'm just making a categorical error in assuming KOA's numbers are true, accurate and correct.
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Post by Elheru Aran on Mar 19, 2013 16:37:10 GMT
Biggest thing affecting it I think is how variable Windlass numbers can be even within the same model.
Don't get me wrong, it's a great sword. It may in fact be within the norm for the type, Dave Kelly would be the one to consult honestly, but the antiques I handled (not the same type of saber, granted) didn't feel anything like this when swinging them around-- they had more of a rigid feeling to them. This one, if you put enough oomph into it, you can see the blade flexing just shaking the grip around. You can bend it with ease and it springs back fine, but it's the 'with ease' part that's wrong...
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For all that though it's a pretty nice product and you honestly cannot beat the price!
