Uhlan
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Posts: 3,121
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Post by Uhlan on Dec 26, 2014 17:02:03 GMT
This nice combo came from Irongate Armoury, one of the few sources for old or out of production Windlasses. I do not have any relation with them, other than being a very satisfied costumer. I hope to do some more reviews of their Windlass re issue stock in the near future. Next up are the Renaissance War sword and the Sword Of Novara, two military swords in the same class qua heft and design, so I will try to compaire them also. The Rheinfelden is already done here: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/42329/For now let us start with the Windlass French Cut and Thrust and begin with some statistics. The sword: Length: 105 cm - 41.33". Length of blade: 87 cm - 34.25". Width of the blade: 3.8 cm - 1.49". Blade thickness at the guard: 0.45 cm - 0.18".
Width of the guard: 21.7 cm - 8.5". Width of the rings: 9cm - 3.5".
POB: 14 cm - 5.5". Taper: 0.45 - 0.35 cm / 0.17 - 0.13". Geometry: Ricasso 6 cm - 2.3", flat diamond 40 cm - 15.7", rest diamond. Grip length: 10.7 cm - 4.2".
Grip thickness: 3 x 2.8 cm - 1.18 x 1.1".
Weight: 1093 grams.
The main gauche: Length: 47 cm - 18.5". Length of blade: 31 cm - 12.2". Width of the blade: 3.2 cm - 1.25". Blade thickness at the guard: 0.45 cm - 0.17".
Width of the guard: 18 cm - 7". POB: at the guard. Taper: 0.45 cm - 0.35 cm / 0.17 - 0.13". Geometry: Ricasso 4 cm - 1.57", flat diamond 8.8 cm - 3.5", rest diamond. Grip length: 9.5 cm - 3.7".
Grip thickness:2.7 x 2.5 cm - 1.06 x 0.98".
Weight: 472 grams.
As you can see in the pictures, this set is very well made for the price, with some nice details, like the turks heads, the contrast in the grip leather and the details on the guards. I see no machine marks, apart from the usual hammer marks on the sword blade, which give , to me that is, the handmade feel I like. There is no wavyness and both blades are as straight as one can wish for. The pommels have the same sober detail as the guards and are not in the way or feel sharp to the hand. Designed well and executed well also. The scabbards, though just standard Windlass, have nice detail on the fittings. Even the slot in the scabbard mouth piece is rather well done on these exemplars, not 100%, but I have seen a lot worse from Windlass. The blade of the sword is quite stiff and handles very well. This is a good cutter and a good thruster too. It feels light and fast and the double ringed guard on the sword offers enough protection without getting in the way. The main gauche also feels light in the hand and is easy to handle too. The guard offers some protection and the blade is stiff enough for stabbing. Both guards are thick enough to stand up to strikes, without overdoing it and the pointy ends could inflict real damage to opponents. The grips have the usual Windlass shiny leather, but sport good seams that do not cut into the hand. They offer just enough grip, though I would change them for a more refined and somewhat thicker design. Notably the part under the pommel could use some more meat. As is, these are good grips for the money and those turkheads and the cord wrap on the second half of the grips are indeed very nice extras. As to customising this set, that will be easy, as the sword and the main gauche are not peened. I must say though that the fake peens are well done. One has to look twice before noticing them. So, lets recap. I think this is a well made and designed set, very much worth the money. My first impression was: ,, how petite'', but do not understand this to be negative. More like ,,elegant''. Also ,, hunting set'' came to mind. Notice that these are civilian weapons and as such do not have the heft and power of their military counterparts. But, I must say, for the use intended, they are excellent. Fast, light, of a nice slender design and well build. One could do much worse. Cheers.
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Post by nddave on Dec 27, 2014 2:54:27 GMT
Nice review and great set. You know it still saddens me to this day there are so many great Windlass Swords out of production that simply mop the floor with many of their new releases. Most everything they've released as today has been their standard Type XII blades with different hilts and stories they use for their Create Your Own line. Sometimes I feel they overstocked the CYO blades thinking they'd be a smash and now that they're stuck with them they're using them to create new lines. I really wish they'd bring back more of their discontinued swords than release new ones.
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Uhlan
Member
Posts: 3,121
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Post by Uhlan on Dec 27, 2014 6:12:01 GMT
You may be right. Also would like to suggest that Mr. Brookhart has left Windlass, as far as I know. He brought some adventure to the design department and mind you, all of his, what look like ,,fancy'' models now, had to be made with the same restriction in mind: production cost. So, it can be done. Funny thing is that Eglington basket hilt. That gives me hope there is still some space and will left at Windlass to do something different once in a while. For them I hope it is a real winner. Just wonder how long it takes before KOA is supplied. If it takes much longer I will have to order from MRL.
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Post by nddave on Dec 27, 2014 7:08:34 GMT
That's the other thing too, how the hell does a third party sell Windlass swords cheaper than the direct vendor!? It's never made sense to me why KOA offers the same Windlass swords for sometimes 1/4 to even 3/4 less than MRL. It must be a wholesale type deal because it's the same with CASHanwei too.
Yea I noticed that one too and it looks real good, better than those rapiers with the hidden daggers that's for sure.
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Post by Bryan Heff on Dec 27, 2014 12:07:48 GMT
Great review! Very handsome set. I used to have a whole box of old MRL catalogues, a bunch of the small little "handbook" style before they switched to full magazine sized ones.....of course I threw them all out a few years before I got back into this hobby and I curse myself every other day for it. I just recall sooo many different models that to my eye at the time, REALLY looked nice and covered all kinds of types, cultures time periods etc.
Now they do feel stagnant in their offerings, at least compared to the old days. And now the catalogue is taken up with a lot of clothing and accessories and LARP stuff and less weapons. MRL was basically the shite back then in my mind.
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Dec 27, 2014 12:29:58 GMT
Nice sword! Some features remind me of some swords from Graz Zeughaus...
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Uhlan
Member
Posts: 3,121
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Post by Uhlan on Dec 27, 2014 17:25:38 GMT
Luka: May I ask: who is or was that gentleman?
Bryan: Know that one,been there. But if I would have kept all the stuff, I would have to have two houses. But than it goes like this: Aaaaw lets get rid of this and this. Next thing you know you are looking like crazy for something you are sure must be there and you forgot you dumped it. Happened to me lots of times. Aaaarch.
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Dec 28, 2014 0:17:51 GMT
Luka: May I ask: who is or was that gentleman? Bryan: Know that one,been there. But if I would have kept all the stuff, I would have to have two houses. But than it goes like this: Aaaaw lets get rid of this and this. Next thing you know you are looking like crazy for something you are sure must be there and you forgot you dumped it. Happened to me lots of times. Aaaarch. It's a huge armoury in Graz, Austria: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrian_Armoury
I was there last week and I have loads of pictures, should post at least some of them when I have time...
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Uhlan
Member
Posts: 3,121
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Post by Uhlan on Dec 28, 2014 16:42:36 GMT
Please do!
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