Windlass Zweihänder
Nov 7, 2013 17:33:16 GMT
Post by Jussi Ekholm on Nov 7, 2013 17:33:16 GMT
Introduction
First time I held this sword was at Turku medieval fair as a little kid probably almost 10 years ago. I can't remember the exact year as I've visited there many times, but it was probably in 2004-2005. From that moment on I've been wanting a big twohanded sword (European style). Unfortunately when I finally got around buying one, Windlass Zweihänder was not in stock anywhere, and many places in Europe told me it was discontinued. So I put this on hold for several years. I know many European makers are making zweihänders, I just thought the Windlass budget version would have been enough for me.
Fast forward to this day. Last week I was yet again just window shopping for swords at multiple sites, making wishlists for myself like I usually do. I was visiting the Finnish vendor Rautaportti, who's a retailer of Windlass. And to my shock they had one of these in stock. I've looked them many times over the years and never saw this on stock, and as the couple European sites told me this was discontinued I kinda gave up on this. Ironically I think it was the Rautaportti's fair booth where I first handled this sword as a kid.
Historical Overview
Windlass gives the following information regarding the origins of the sword.
This classical, functional two-hander, dating from about 1500, is Swiss or German in origin.
I think it might be from mid to late 1500's. I've seen similarily designed twohanders often been described c. 1550 to late 1500's. Of course I don't know a lot about European swords, but that is my gut feeling.
Full Disclosure and Dealer Interaction
Well I'll add few more words than I usually do to this part. As we have discussed the dealers part and how we should include that to reviews.
I bought this sword from Finnish retailer Rautaportti (Irongate Armory) rautaportti.fi/?language=en I paid the full retail price, and the sword was deliver to me super fast, it took only 2 days to arrive. I've ordered from them once before, and they do have very fast service.
However when the sword arrived, I immidiately noticed the handle was moving and the crossguard was loose. I did not want to send the sword back and take refund as this has been the only one I've seen for sale in Europe in the last 5 years or so. And my thought process lead me to believe that if I would have returned this there might not be another available.
Yep I'm stubborn. Disregarding everything we've discussed lately, I decided not to contact the vendor. I do not think it was their fault in anyway, it was problem from the factory. So I knew I would throw away all chances of return, discount etc. when I choose to disassemble the sword and fix it myself.
Sure I would have reacted differently if there would have been another in stock, but since this was the only one I've seen for sale in the last 5 years, and it was already in my hands, and I was positive it will be a fairly easy to fix. So I chose to keep the sword and not to contact the vendor.
Initial Impressions
Well that last part covered this part too. In short I was very happy to finally get this sword but the shifting handle and moving crossguard were bit disappointing. But pros outweighed the cons.
Statistics
Size comparison with H/T EMSHS and Albion Baron
Overall length: 160.7 cm
Blade length: 93,5 cm (without ricasso)
Ricasso length: 20 cm
Width at ricasso: 4,8 cm
Blade width at parierhaken: 4,6 cm
Blade width 10cm from tip: 3,35 cm
Thickness at ricasso: 6,4 mm
Blade thickness at parierhaken: 4,7 mm
Blade thickness 10cm from tip: 4,6 mm
Parierhaken width: 22,7 cm
Crossguard width: 38,7 cm
Grip length: 36,5 cm
Weight: 2675 grams
Bare blade weight: 1545 grams
Crossguard weight: 707 grams
Pommel weight: 292 grams
Point of balance: 15 cm from the guard
Components
As I disassembled the sword to fix it you'll get pretty good view of how it's done.
The blade is pretty much typical from Windlass, average polish and decently done. However I would say that the blade is bit on the thin side at ricasso & parierhaken, and it lacks taper. I really like the wave pattern of this "flamberge". This has been my favorite style of wave in the blade, along with forward curved parierhaken. What was worrying me was the tang, bare blade was surprisingly light for it's size. However the blade is very wobbly, and it's starts to bend slightly under it's own weight. I know this might be the case with very large European swords, I was just amazed how flimsy this was as I have a Hanwei Odachi which is bigger yet a lot more sturdier sword. Of course they are at different price point. However I also have Hanwei Scottish Claymore which is bit smaller than this sword, yet it doesn't wobble or bend under it's own weight. Just wanted to take that in comparison for big sword in similar price range.
Handle & ricasso were covered with the usual Windlass leather. I know many dislike it, but I kinda like it. It's nothing fancy but it suits these budget swords pretty well. I really like the crossguard. Pommel is just smooth with a nut on top. In overall this is aesthetically a sword that I like very much. For the price I think you are visually getting a lot.
Here is some details of the parts. Crossguard had a slot for ricasso, that fit somewhat neatly. Of course you cannot expect perfect fit in this price range. The grip part near guard had to be wide due to fact that it has proper tang near the guard. But it tapers to round hole due to long rat-tail. The fact I don't like is that the welded on rod is half of the tang. Of course I didn't expect good tang & peen to begin with, but it seems weaker than I thought it would be. And to be perfectly honest even though Windlass describes this as functional sword, I would be very hesistant to use this.
Conculsion
After many years of wanting this I finally have this. Now after knowing more about sword then I did as a kid I can't say I'm fully satisfied with this sword. But I am pretty satisfied. I didn't not buy this sword for cutting, I bought it for aesthetical reasons and being the German/Swiss zweihänder in my collection. The price and the look of this were the main factors for my purchase, this costed pretty much half of that what better built similar swords do.
If you want very large European sword of this style on small budget, and you can actually find one of these for sale, I might say think carefully if it will satisfy you. I might say the quality is what I think of when I think Windlass quality in general. Ok but nothing mindblowing.
I'm quite happy with the sword, after all it's decent quality sword for good price, and you don't see many swords of this type at this price range.
First time I held this sword was at Turku medieval fair as a little kid probably almost 10 years ago. I can't remember the exact year as I've visited there many times, but it was probably in 2004-2005. From that moment on I've been wanting a big twohanded sword (European style). Unfortunately when I finally got around buying one, Windlass Zweihänder was not in stock anywhere, and many places in Europe told me it was discontinued. So I put this on hold for several years. I know many European makers are making zweihänders, I just thought the Windlass budget version would have been enough for me.
Fast forward to this day. Last week I was yet again just window shopping for swords at multiple sites, making wishlists for myself like I usually do. I was visiting the Finnish vendor Rautaportti, who's a retailer of Windlass. And to my shock they had one of these in stock. I've looked them many times over the years and never saw this on stock, and as the couple European sites told me this was discontinued I kinda gave up on this. Ironically I think it was the Rautaportti's fair booth where I first handled this sword as a kid.
Historical Overview
Windlass gives the following information regarding the origins of the sword.
This classical, functional two-hander, dating from about 1500, is Swiss or German in origin.
I think it might be from mid to late 1500's. I've seen similarily designed twohanders often been described c. 1550 to late 1500's. Of course I don't know a lot about European swords, but that is my gut feeling.
Full Disclosure and Dealer Interaction
Well I'll add few more words than I usually do to this part. As we have discussed the dealers part and how we should include that to reviews.
I bought this sword from Finnish retailer Rautaportti (Irongate Armory) rautaportti.fi/?language=en I paid the full retail price, and the sword was deliver to me super fast, it took only 2 days to arrive. I've ordered from them once before, and they do have very fast service.
However when the sword arrived, I immidiately noticed the handle was moving and the crossguard was loose. I did not want to send the sword back and take refund as this has been the only one I've seen for sale in Europe in the last 5 years or so. And my thought process lead me to believe that if I would have returned this there might not be another available.
Yep I'm stubborn. Disregarding everything we've discussed lately, I decided not to contact the vendor. I do not think it was their fault in anyway, it was problem from the factory. So I knew I would throw away all chances of return, discount etc. when I choose to disassemble the sword and fix it myself.
Sure I would have reacted differently if there would have been another in stock, but since this was the only one I've seen for sale in the last 5 years, and it was already in my hands, and I was positive it will be a fairly easy to fix. So I chose to keep the sword and not to contact the vendor.
Initial Impressions
Well that last part covered this part too. In short I was very happy to finally get this sword but the shifting handle and moving crossguard were bit disappointing. But pros outweighed the cons.
Statistics
Size comparison with H/T EMSHS and Albion Baron
Overall length: 160.7 cm
Blade length: 93,5 cm (without ricasso)
Ricasso length: 20 cm
Width at ricasso: 4,8 cm
Blade width at parierhaken: 4,6 cm
Blade width 10cm from tip: 3,35 cm
Thickness at ricasso: 6,4 mm
Blade thickness at parierhaken: 4,7 mm
Blade thickness 10cm from tip: 4,6 mm
Parierhaken width: 22,7 cm
Crossguard width: 38,7 cm
Grip length: 36,5 cm
Weight: 2675 grams
Bare blade weight: 1545 grams
Crossguard weight: 707 grams
Pommel weight: 292 grams
Point of balance: 15 cm from the guard
Components
As I disassembled the sword to fix it you'll get pretty good view of how it's done.
The blade is pretty much typical from Windlass, average polish and decently done. However I would say that the blade is bit on the thin side at ricasso & parierhaken, and it lacks taper. I really like the wave pattern of this "flamberge". This has been my favorite style of wave in the blade, along with forward curved parierhaken. What was worrying me was the tang, bare blade was surprisingly light for it's size. However the blade is very wobbly, and it's starts to bend slightly under it's own weight. I know this might be the case with very large European swords, I was just amazed how flimsy this was as I have a Hanwei Odachi which is bigger yet a lot more sturdier sword. Of course they are at different price point. However I also have Hanwei Scottish Claymore which is bit smaller than this sword, yet it doesn't wobble or bend under it's own weight. Just wanted to take that in comparison for big sword in similar price range.
Handle & ricasso were covered with the usual Windlass leather. I know many dislike it, but I kinda like it. It's nothing fancy but it suits these budget swords pretty well. I really like the crossguard. Pommel is just smooth with a nut on top. In overall this is aesthetically a sword that I like very much. For the price I think you are visually getting a lot.
Here is some details of the parts. Crossguard had a slot for ricasso, that fit somewhat neatly. Of course you cannot expect perfect fit in this price range. The grip part near guard had to be wide due to fact that it has proper tang near the guard. But it tapers to round hole due to long rat-tail. The fact I don't like is that the welded on rod is half of the tang. Of course I didn't expect good tang & peen to begin with, but it seems weaker than I thought it would be. And to be perfectly honest even though Windlass describes this as functional sword, I would be very hesistant to use this.
Conculsion
After many years of wanting this I finally have this. Now after knowing more about sword then I did as a kid I can't say I'm fully satisfied with this sword. But I am pretty satisfied. I didn't not buy this sword for cutting, I bought it for aesthetical reasons and being the German/Swiss zweihänder in my collection. The price and the look of this were the main factors for my purchase, this costed pretty much half of that what better built similar swords do.
If you want very large European sword of this style on small budget, and you can actually find one of these for sale, I might say think carefully if it will satisfy you. I might say the quality is what I think of when I think Windlass quality in general. Ok but nothing mindblowing.
I'm quite happy with the sword, after all it's decent quality sword for good price, and you don't see many swords of this type at this price range.