Windlass Hero's Warsword Review
Apr 3, 2014 21:04:50 GMT
Post by demonskull on Apr 3, 2014 21:04:50 GMT
Introduction:
I've wanted a decent two hander for some time and when this popped up as a Deal for the Day, I decided to take the plunge. I've been collecting blades of various types for over 50 years. My father was an avid gun collector, competition shooter and had his FFL to support his hobby. He wrote several articles in national gun magazines, a pamphlet on Nazi ordinance codes and a book on Tokarev. He would drive all over the tri-state area to gun stores and shows taking my brothers and I many times. I first started collecting bayonets when I was 6 and had a decent collection by the time I was 10.
In my early teens I switched to commercial knives. When I was 19 I read about Randall knives and was hooked on the custom knives being offered. I amassed about 60 pieces by the time I was 22 and then met my to -be wife. Sold off most of my knives over the next few years and we got married when I was 25. Due to financial reasons I stopped collecting any blades for a few years.
Prior to MRL's start up in 84, the only places you could buy medieval swords that wern't
wallhangers were either Renn Faires or SCA events. When MRL's first catalog came out I picked up a Del Tin stilletto to check out the quality. I then started collecting swords, initially from MRL then other companies as the quality and designs improved.
History:
While this sword is a fantasy piece and does not directly relate to any historic piece it does conform to historic (15th and 16th century) weights and dimensions. The historic 2 handed swords were must notably used by the infantries of the German and Swiss armies.
Disclosure:
I do not work for Museum Replicas or Windlass Steelcrafters (or any of they competitors ). I purchased the sword with my own funds with no special discounts, other than the Deal of the Day. I paid the full Deal of the Day price plus the extra $10 for shipping due to size and paid for the sharpening service.
Initial Impressions:
I ordered the sword online on Friday afternoon, sharpened, and received it the following Tues. The sword was well wrapped with paper and bubble wrap. Both the guard and the point were overly protected to prevent any box punctures. The wrapped sword was in a heavy cardboard box with adequate packing material.
In my haste to hide the evidence from my wife...err , keep the house nice and clean, I opened the box prior to taking a picture of the box. (moot point anyway, she saw the package before she left for work )
The sword is massive, it almost comes up to my nose. The cotton cord wrap was a bit of a turnoff. I've used cotton cord wrap under leather for several steel hafted axes I've made. It works well to cushion shock but is rather plain looking on it's own.
Stats:
Blade Length- 48" Blade Width- 2"
Handle length- 12 3/4" the Handle tapers from 4 1/2" down to 3 1/2"
Overall Length- 63 1/2"
Guard 13 1/2"
POB- 9 1/2"
COP- apprxly 37" from the guard
Weight 6 lb 8oz (MRL) I also bought a fish scale and it came up about the same as MRL's
www.museumreplicas.com/p-1191-he ... sword.aspx
Blade:
The sword came greased from MRL. The blade was sharpened cleanly with no mars. The blade bares a shallow fuller 1/3 down the blade with no distal or profile taper.
Handle:
The handle is wrapped with cotton cord which provides a plain looking but comfortable and secure grip. The handle tapers from 4 1/2" to 3 1/2".
Guard:
The large decorated guard is eye catching and thick enough to inspire confidence.
Pommel:
The peened pommel goes well with the overall look. The peen appears to be squared off and does not look typical but does appear to be secure.
Scabbard:
N/A
Handling:
I'm 5' 10 and I thought this sword would handle like a brick, however it tracked fairly well for it's weight (see the cutting vid).
Test Cutting:
I havn't done any cutting for at least 3 years so please excuse any bad form. The sword provided clean cuts and wasn't difficult to control after the first cut. Due to the size, weight and potential for disaster, I cut away from the camera.
Conclusion:
This sword actually handled better than I expected. The weight of the blade makes it droop noticeably when held at the horizontal. The centrifugal force of the swing apparently kept the blade at the horizontal through the cut. It wasn't difficult to bring the blade up to speed, follow thru required a little more control than a lighter sword.
Pros:
Quick ship, well packed
Sharpening service was clean and sharp
attractive and well made
Cons:
No distal or profile taper which pushed the POB out to 9 1/2"
The fuller is shallow and not crisp
The plain cord wrap looks unfinished
The Bottomline:
While I was hesitant about purchasing this sword, the product won me over . It's a well made sword of historic dimensions and weight (even though its a fantasy piece). This indicates, at the least that Windlass recognizes the knowledge that the old sword makers had and that they incorporated this in a fantasy design.
IMO this sword is worth the full price MRL is charging for it. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a two hander and doesn't have the coin for an Albion or custom piece. For me getting it at almost 1/2 that is pure frosting on the cake.
I've wanted a decent two hander for some time and when this popped up as a Deal for the Day, I decided to take the plunge. I've been collecting blades of various types for over 50 years. My father was an avid gun collector, competition shooter and had his FFL to support his hobby. He wrote several articles in national gun magazines, a pamphlet on Nazi ordinance codes and a book on Tokarev. He would drive all over the tri-state area to gun stores and shows taking my brothers and I many times. I first started collecting bayonets when I was 6 and had a decent collection by the time I was 10.
In my early teens I switched to commercial knives. When I was 19 I read about Randall knives and was hooked on the custom knives being offered. I amassed about 60 pieces by the time I was 22 and then met my to -be wife. Sold off most of my knives over the next few years and we got married when I was 25. Due to financial reasons I stopped collecting any blades for a few years.
Prior to MRL's start up in 84, the only places you could buy medieval swords that wern't
wallhangers were either Renn Faires or SCA events. When MRL's first catalog came out I picked up a Del Tin stilletto to check out the quality. I then started collecting swords, initially from MRL then other companies as the quality and designs improved.
History:
While this sword is a fantasy piece and does not directly relate to any historic piece it does conform to historic (15th and 16th century) weights and dimensions. The historic 2 handed swords were must notably used by the infantries of the German and Swiss armies.
Disclosure:
I do not work for Museum Replicas or Windlass Steelcrafters (or any of they competitors ). I purchased the sword with my own funds with no special discounts, other than the Deal of the Day. I paid the full Deal of the Day price plus the extra $10 for shipping due to size and paid for the sharpening service.
Initial Impressions:
I ordered the sword online on Friday afternoon, sharpened, and received it the following Tues. The sword was well wrapped with paper and bubble wrap. Both the guard and the point were overly protected to prevent any box punctures. The wrapped sword was in a heavy cardboard box with adequate packing material.
In my haste to hide the evidence from my wife...err , keep the house nice and clean, I opened the box prior to taking a picture of the box. (moot point anyway, she saw the package before she left for work )
The sword is massive, it almost comes up to my nose. The cotton cord wrap was a bit of a turnoff. I've used cotton cord wrap under leather for several steel hafted axes I've made. It works well to cushion shock but is rather plain looking on it's own.
Stats:
Blade Length- 48" Blade Width- 2"
Handle length- 12 3/4" the Handle tapers from 4 1/2" down to 3 1/2"
Overall Length- 63 1/2"
Guard 13 1/2"
POB- 9 1/2"
COP- apprxly 37" from the guard
Weight 6 lb 8oz (MRL) I also bought a fish scale and it came up about the same as MRL's
www.museumreplicas.com/p-1191-he ... sword.aspx
Blade:
The sword came greased from MRL. The blade was sharpened cleanly with no mars. The blade bares a shallow fuller 1/3 down the blade with no distal or profile taper.
Handle:
The handle is wrapped with cotton cord which provides a plain looking but comfortable and secure grip. The handle tapers from 4 1/2" to 3 1/2".
Guard:
The large decorated guard is eye catching and thick enough to inspire confidence.
Pommel:
The peened pommel goes well with the overall look. The peen appears to be squared off and does not look typical but does appear to be secure.
Scabbard:
N/A
Handling:
I'm 5' 10 and I thought this sword would handle like a brick, however it tracked fairly well for it's weight (see the cutting vid).
Test Cutting:
I havn't done any cutting for at least 3 years so please excuse any bad form. The sword provided clean cuts and wasn't difficult to control after the first cut. Due to the size, weight and potential for disaster, I cut away from the camera.
Conclusion:
This sword actually handled better than I expected. The weight of the blade makes it droop noticeably when held at the horizontal. The centrifugal force of the swing apparently kept the blade at the horizontal through the cut. It wasn't difficult to bring the blade up to speed, follow thru required a little more control than a lighter sword.
Pros:
Quick ship, well packed
Sharpening service was clean and sharp
attractive and well made
Cons:
No distal or profile taper which pushed the POB out to 9 1/2"
The fuller is shallow and not crisp
The plain cord wrap looks unfinished
The Bottomline:
While I was hesitant about purchasing this sword, the product won me over . It's a well made sword of historic dimensions and weight (even though its a fantasy piece). This indicates, at the least that Windlass recognizes the knowledge that the old sword makers had and that they incorporated this in a fantasy design.
IMO this sword is worth the full price MRL is charging for it. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a two hander and doesn't have the coin for an Albion or custom piece. For me getting it at almost 1/2 that is pure frosting on the cake.