The Windlass Italian HaH.
Jan 10, 2015 15:06:59 GMT
Post by Uhlan on Jan 10, 2015 15:06:59 GMT
This is the last sword out of the batch of Windlass oldies I aquired from Irongate Armoury: rautaportti.fi/?language=en
I do not have any connection with Irongate other than being a very satisfied costumer.
So, on with the review.
I still do not know what to make of this sword, nor where the ,, Italian '' comes from. It sure is not fencible as it handles like a ton of bricks in that regard. One hand wielding will have your arm drop off real quick and as for two handed work, it is not much better. Once set in motion it is not to be stopped and blows are devastating. Recovery is non existent. Each blow will leave the wielder open to counter strikes. In short, it handles like a great big and unwieldy, slow motion axe.
With the left hand gripping the ring it fares better, but then it makes me think of a battering ram. In this regard it makes me wonder whether this Italian is made to counter fully armoured adversaries. I am sure the originals were made to handle much better, but since there is no original around, this is all I can say:
This Windlass does not handle. Period. Battering ram, yes. Sword, no.
Pity, because it looks quite good, what with the big and sturdy guard and those rings. The grip is covered in the usual shiny leather, but this time it has those nice tacks on the upper half. The gripping is excellent. Wielders of this implement will surely get into problems with that long cross. It has a tendency to snag in the right under arm.
This Windlass is made very well. It rings like a bell. Everything is tight and thick and sturdy and heavy duty.
The blade has the usual hammer marks and the hexagonal blade's lines are a tad wavy, something that can be corrected. There is a ricasso that helps to keep the blade stiff and so it does not sag one bit. The ricasso has some nice etching also. Though the blade has good flex, it is not floppy at all.
It will punch right through armour and I am sure it will punch right through and out at the other side of the unhappy victim.
That would be due to the mass in motion thing, because that blade has no taper at all. The POB is way up the blade even with that rather heavy build guard.
Conclusion.
This is not a sword in the way I understand swords. In fact I do not understand this thing at all. Apart from nailing some poor, armoured guy to the wall I see no purpose for its existence. Once the nailing is done, you better leave this ,,sword'' were it is and grab for your back up weapon to defend your sorry asss from his berserk buddies, or make a run for it, because this thing will not be of any help.
Statistics.
Length: 120 cm - 47.24".
Blade length: 98 cm - 38.58".
Width: 4.8 cm - 1.9".
Thickness: 0.45 cm - 0.18".
Width of guard: 35.5 cm - 13.9".
Length of grip: 16 cm - 6.3".
POB: 16 cm - 6.3".
Taper: 0.45 - 0.4 cm / 0.18 - 0.16".
Weight: 2048 grams.
Geometry: hexagonal, with last " diamond.
I do not have any connection with Irongate other than being a very satisfied costumer.
So, on with the review.
I still do not know what to make of this sword, nor where the ,, Italian '' comes from. It sure is not fencible as it handles like a ton of bricks in that regard. One hand wielding will have your arm drop off real quick and as for two handed work, it is not much better. Once set in motion it is not to be stopped and blows are devastating. Recovery is non existent. Each blow will leave the wielder open to counter strikes. In short, it handles like a great big and unwieldy, slow motion axe.
With the left hand gripping the ring it fares better, but then it makes me think of a battering ram. In this regard it makes me wonder whether this Italian is made to counter fully armoured adversaries. I am sure the originals were made to handle much better, but since there is no original around, this is all I can say:
This Windlass does not handle. Period. Battering ram, yes. Sword, no.
Pity, because it looks quite good, what with the big and sturdy guard and those rings. The grip is covered in the usual shiny leather, but this time it has those nice tacks on the upper half. The gripping is excellent. Wielders of this implement will surely get into problems with that long cross. It has a tendency to snag in the right under arm.
This Windlass is made very well. It rings like a bell. Everything is tight and thick and sturdy and heavy duty.
The blade has the usual hammer marks and the hexagonal blade's lines are a tad wavy, something that can be corrected. There is a ricasso that helps to keep the blade stiff and so it does not sag one bit. The ricasso has some nice etching also. Though the blade has good flex, it is not floppy at all.
It will punch right through armour and I am sure it will punch right through and out at the other side of the unhappy victim.
That would be due to the mass in motion thing, because that blade has no taper at all. The POB is way up the blade even with that rather heavy build guard.
Conclusion.
This is not a sword in the way I understand swords. In fact I do not understand this thing at all. Apart from nailing some poor, armoured guy to the wall I see no purpose for its existence. Once the nailing is done, you better leave this ,,sword'' were it is and grab for your back up weapon to defend your sorry asss from his berserk buddies, or make a run for it, because this thing will not be of any help.
Statistics.
Length: 120 cm - 47.24".
Blade length: 98 cm - 38.58".
Width: 4.8 cm - 1.9".
Thickness: 0.45 cm - 0.18".
Width of guard: 35.5 cm - 13.9".
Length of grip: 16 cm - 6.3".
POB: 16 cm - 6.3".
Taper: 0.45 - 0.4 cm / 0.18 - 0.16".
Weight: 2048 grams.
Geometry: hexagonal, with last " diamond.