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Post by Barnaum on Sept 20, 2013 4:53:12 GMT
I've always been a fan of "pirate swords" (cutlasses and the like) but it wasn't until I began working on a research paper for a graduate class that I really began examining the swords used by pirates during my favorite period of piracy, 1716-1726. The conceptions that I had about the period swords were completely inaccurate. I was humbled by my own ignorance. I had this tremendous gap in my personal historical record (my noggin) of the swords used between the mid 17th century to the late 18th century.
Long story short, I'm now looking to purchase a hunting sword. The only ones I've been able to find, aside from antiques, are from BKS, GGGoodwin, and Old Dominion Forge.
The wait time for ODF is rather long from what I understand and the BKS offering isn't quite to my liking. That just leaves the hunting sword from GGGoodwin.
Does anyone have any experience with their offerings? I'd gladly pull the trigger on one, but I would be remiss to spend a 2-300 on a sub-par sword, especially with my student budget. Are their other options for an 18th century hunting sword that I'm just not finding?
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Sept 26, 2013 19:02:02 GMT
Hello Barnbaum. I would say: out fishing. I Googled for images and in my view there are two sorts: 1. The real usable down to earth swords and 2. The over fancyfied show pieces. Out of what I saw in the images the first did not change much over the years. They were just tools for a specialist job, they worked and worked good. The others changed a la mode. What I mean to say is that it can be hard to pin down a hunting sword from the 1600's as compaired to a sword from the 1800's. The changes like sword going to rapier and so on are in my view absent, so the Windlass Renaissence short sword for instance would not look realy outdated in the 1800's as a hunting sword, as far as I can see. For the money one gets a nice sword and it could be fitted with an antler grip, to drive home the point it is a hunting sword, at little cost if that takes your fancy. Also the Windlass German Hunting Sabre could be a candidate. Review here: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1017I think a little imprivisation is called for here. Where swords are a niche market, sabres a niche in that niche, hunting swords are a niche in a niche in a niche if you get my drift, not realy a market to invest in for a producer, so one winds up in a ,, make your own" situation. Think cut down cheap sabres or those ultra long early 19th century bayonets, which ended up as hunting gear even at the time. Hope this helps, cheers, Ulahn. |
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Post by Krelian on Sept 26, 2013 20:23:38 GMT
That sounds like a VERY interesting subject!
Any chance we might be able to read your paper?
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Post by Beowulf on Sept 26, 2013 21:08:28 GMT
Well, here is this: www.myarmoury.com/review_ggg_ss.htmlIt is a review of a colichemarde smallsword by G.G. Godwin. The reviewer has handled antiques, and is very pleased with it. It does look right- though this is more a sword than a man-jewelry thing. Two points: He never says if it is sharpened but smallswords aren't. I cannot find a good picture of the point, which is really the only thing on a small sword that is truly dangerous. So is it "weaponized"? It doesn't look like a practice piece at all to me. Point two: He called Godwin and found him amiable and full of good knowledge on his own wares. I'd try that out. It sounds like Gedney is a legit and genuine old-fashioned merchant. Rare nowadays. Let us know what happens! cheers! |
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Post by Barnaum on Sept 27, 2013 0:06:37 GMT
I agree. I e-mailed Godwin and he was only able to tell me that he offers a full refund if i'm not happy, however he's never had anyone return one. I haven't been able to find any information about this particular model, however I've read some hit or miss stories about the smallsword on MA. He also told me that the blade is high carbon steel, but was unable to comment on tempering. This might be worth a shot though. I completely agree. It almost seems easier to find an antique than a reproduction. I have been able to find some hilt pieces for reasonable prices and I might attempt to assemble something along the lines that I was thinking. I had an idea to make a pseudo-replica of the alleged Black Beard sword found from a wreck that occurred in 1716. No one can positively attribute this sword, let alone the ship, to Black Beard. A lot of speculation was involved in claiming this to be the Queen Anne's Revenge. It would make a nice piece to replicate though. Sure. I can make it available in a link once the semester is nearing end. Attachments:
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Sept 27, 2013 13:16:30 GMT
I sure like that colichemarde. You say this is in the $200-$300 range? Good alternative for the Cold Steel one I hope and it has the wow factor of the Windlass smalsword with that belthanger. Very tempting, be it that the temper quality or lack thereof must be sorted out. I will see what I can find about that. I am not a member of myArmoury, but would it be possible to email the reviewer to get answers? About the hunting swords: I am thinking about the possibility to go out and find a good, somewhat neglected old 19th century ( no temper problems there) blade, without the scabbard ( cheapest) and work from there. I think that for $100-$150 one could get a nice fix me up blade, with some luck even cheaper. Turning this into a hunting sword would be a nice project for the coming winter, no? Here on the forum someone even posted a howto on fixing an antler grip on a tang, something like cooking and pressing it on. About Blackbeard: Looks all hunting to me, the grip that is. Do you have a link to the article or video? Cheers, Ulahn. Edit: Here's a thread on a home made hunter: viewtopic.php?f=18&t=18114 , though I would go for a straight blade like the French Dragoon and shorten it somewhat. A French straight blade like that was made up to 1916. One offered to me, dated about 1880, at a show was €120, asking price, without scabbard. They had umbrella stands full of them! |
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Post by Beowulf on Sept 27, 2013 14:56:33 GMT
It is good to know about the hit or miss nature of that smallsword line, thank you.
I'd love to know where to find components for hunting/small/saber/etc. I've been thinking recently about doing a project myself.
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Post by Hrafnríkr on Sept 27, 2013 15:12:59 GMT
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Uhlan
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Posts: 3,121
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Post by Uhlan on Sept 27, 2013 20:40:53 GMT
Thank you Hrafnrikr!
Hunting sword here I come!
Cheers, Ulahn.
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Post by Beowulf on Sept 27, 2013 22:56:57 GMT
I know we covered this maker, but this might (or might not) be of use to someone. There is a bass and German silver one... www.gggodwin.com/prod-217.htmI'd like something like this for a heavier weapon. |
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Post by Barnaum on Sept 28, 2013 5:21:55 GMT
Well, all things considered, I think I'll just try to assemble one. Now all I need is a blade to start building around. Off the top of my head, I'm thinking a Hanwei Rev. War Hanger. The length and shape seem about right. Possibly a Windlass English Cutlass. What do you guys think about either of those?
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Sept 28, 2013 5:52:34 GMT
Review of the Windlass: Do not have the time right now to see it. My guess is the Hanwei will be somewhat lighter in the blade than the Windlass, but both look like good choises. The only thing I would consider is that the sabre like design is not very good in thrusting, so, personally, I'd like to check out a straight blade, like the Windlass renaissence hunting sword, take off the guard and grip and get rid of the ricasso, or as I stated before, look for a straight bladed sabre, shorten it somewhat to get a longer grip. Cheers, Ulahn. |
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Sept 28, 2013 15:44:23 GMT
The Czech company, Nielo makes some hunting swords. Check them out HERE over at KOA I can't speak as to their quality, but the photos look good. |
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