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Post by LG Martial Arts on Mar 14, 2015 16:53:49 GMT
Dark Knight Armoury also sells Windlass along with other manufacturers. Their specification information is lacking and prices are not as good as KoA. However, it is a source and located in the US. Just so you know, once Dark Knight Armory's stock runs out (unless Windlass does an about face), they will also have to buy Windlass products at retail prices. I'm completely sold out on all the Windlass models, and is the main reason I have taken off Windlass products from my online store. On another note, this reminds me of Benchmade - a couple of years ago, BM decided to stop selling their knives to wholesale companies/distributors, and opted selling only to brick and mortar stores that purchase a certain amount (minimum 1st order was $10,000 I believe). These stores have to continue purchasing in decent quantities, and also having to abide by BM's MAP (Minimum Advertised Price) or else be dropped as one of their retailers. So far, it's worked out for Benchmade... I don't think anyone here believes Windlass is Benchmade though, and think this will end up hurting them in the long run. |
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Post by Afoo on Mar 15, 2015 20:48:52 GMT
Ahhh...Windlass hasn't gone away. MRL/AtlantaCutlery is their American subsidiary and Reliks in Canada may still be pitching. Whether this will play out for Windlass i the long run will be hard to tell. As far as I know, Reliks will still order and sell Windlass items at their full price (I asked them when I tried to get my Munich sword). They will continue to survive only because a Windlass at full price here is about the same as a Windlass bought at the KoA wholesale price, but with the extra shipping and customs fees added on. Same will apply to other niche markets I presume, but its not enough to survive off of. |
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Post by jwest on Mar 15, 2015 23:00:03 GMT
If Windlass wants to charge Hanwei prices they should offer the same features that Hanwei puts into their products. Little things like distal taper, thicker tangs, proper peening, keyed hilt components. Hanwei did this when their prices were on par with Windlass. If Windlass doesnt step up their game I think Hanwei is going to come out the winner.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Mar 17, 2015 21:49:06 GMT
All of the Windlass items that I have bought, certainly 98% of them, have come from KoA due to their merchandising and pricing. At higher prices I will be very much inclined to go to other brands. Why not if I am paying the prices. I think Windlass messed up.
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Post by jwest on Mar 18, 2015 2:43:50 GMT
All of the Windlass items that I have bought, certainly 98% of them, have come from KoA due to their merchandising and pricing. At higher prices I will be very much inclined to go to other brands. Why not if I am paying the prices. I think Windlass messed up. Same here. I'm already looking at stuff made in the Czech Republic. But that being said there are some items I will still buy from Windlass at the higher prices. One of a kind stuff like the Ulfberht or their hewing spears. |
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Mar 18, 2015 4:33:41 GMT
Ditto. There may be something unique to Windlass that I must have, but this will occur at a much slower rate. In fact, I ordered a Windlass tonight. It is a German Bastard Sword from KoA. I have been looking at it for some time now. It has been discontinued. I did a few last minutes checks on the forum to find any comments hoping that there maybe was something to change my mind as I have recently purchased a Pilsen Rapier and have not fully recovered. The two reviews turned out positive. I think a Tinker, at a slightly high price, is a better sword, the Windlass appeared to have charm. I hated to buy another this soon but figured now or never and I would later regret not doing so.
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Post by ConanfanBrazil on Apr 3, 2015 20:16:54 GMT
I used to buy the Conan line from KoA on every business or vacations trip to re-sell them here in Brazil to eager Conan fans that could not afford to import them or go to USA just to buy swords. Now I'm screwed, because these swords are always on backorder at MRL, and I can't be on a waiting list because I usually have a very narrow window to buy them and get them shipped to wherever I'm going to stay. With Ryan of KoA I had a well oiled machine, but now... It sucks prety bad.
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Post by Afoo on Apr 3, 2015 22:15:06 GMT
find an SBG member or a friend in the states, and have them receive your orders and hold them for you?
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Post by demonskull on Apr 3, 2015 22:44:05 GMT
For those of you thinking Windlass may be adversely affected long term consider this:
Windlass sent out their letters to their distributors three weeks ago, my contention is that they already put their new strategy into effect. We all know the best bang for your buck from MRL is the Deal of the Day, now consider that for the past four weeks ends (this one included) they have had crowd pleasing blades. The last time they had four popular blades on the DOD for 4 consecutive weekends was the 12th of never.
My contention is that MRL will continue to offer popular weapons every weekend. The DOD retail is about what wholesale would be and is a lot more controllable this will keep their costs and overhead down. Let's say I'm the guy at MRL who determines the DOD lineup, The daily DOD's are used to reduce overstock situations: clothing, masks, toys, statues etc. The Weekend DODs are planned to cause renewed excitement plus you plan on making a batch which keeps your in stock situation better controlled.
If I were going to do this on a continuing basis, once or twice a year I'd make a new sword or a reissue of a discontinued sword as a promo for the weekend DOD. They would sell out just on the exclusivity aspect.
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Post by Croccifixio on Apr 4, 2015 4:40:13 GMT
God knows how hard it is to resist. After buying the classic medieval, they suddenly had the roven and malta on dod... So tempting to the point that i ordered and cancelled because those weren't my target mrl sword. Once the ulfbhert and leuterit come out on dod, i'm gonna go for those right away.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Apr 4, 2015 5:44:06 GMT
Windlass sent out their letters to their distributors three weeks ago, my contention is that they already put their new strategy into effect. We all know the best bang for your buck from MRL is the Deal of the Day, now consider that for the past four weeks ends (this one included) they have had crowd pleasing blades. The last time they had four popular blades on the DOD for 4 consecutive weekends was the 12th of never. ------------- Weapon Fridays have mostly been pretty good so far in 2015. The last real stinker was a Steampunk item on January 16th |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2015 8:56:25 GMT
I wonder how this will affect European sellers. Irongate only has Windlass. Not true. "swords and more" has a LARGE amount of items, "schwertshop.de" has also some, and "supreme replicas" in Berlin is the official german Windlass retailer! |
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Post by RicWilly on Apr 4, 2015 18:18:53 GMT
I think this will turn out to be much ado about nothing.
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Post by Afoo on Aug 28, 2015 1:42:23 GMT
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Post by Croccifixio on Aug 28, 2015 2:02:16 GMT
Yeah I can imagine that Windlass lost some sales they otherwise would have had... I think the DOTD thing at MRL wasn't well-marketed to the proper audience. Besides, having to wait for the sword you want to land on the weekend seems to be too hard a test for an average person's patience.
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Aug 28, 2015 3:01:59 GMT
I am glad to see that. The problem I have with MRL is their poor web site with lack of detailed information and photos. What’s more, KoA will sharpen all of Windlass’ rapiers but not so with MRL. I’ve past up several DoDs because of insufficient product info. I once wrote MRL when I was considering a rapier if they could sharpen 19” of the blade. Instead of a “yes” or “no” I was told that they would pass the request on to the sharpening department upon ordering and if they could they would. Like I am going to place an order to receive a definite answer. I ordered from KoA and didn’t consider another rapier from MRL during their DoD. Dealing with KoA is a pleasure, I wish it was with MRL. I just checked KoA’s site and Windlass is back on the vendor’s listing. Hurray!
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Post by jwest on Aug 28, 2015 5:19:52 GMT
I noticed last week that viking-shield had restocked some of the Windlass swords. I was wondering what was going on.
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Post by Bryan Heff on Aug 28, 2015 10:32:52 GMT
I am glad to see that. The problem I have with MRL is their poor web site with lack of detailed information and photos. What’s more, KoA will sharpen all of Windlass’ rapiers but not so with MRL. I’ve past up several DoDs because of insufficient product info. I once wrote MRL when I was considering a rapier if they could sharpen 19” of the blade. Instead of a “yes” or “no” I was told that they would pass the request on to the sharpening department upon ordering and if they could they would. Like I am going to place an order to receive a definite answer. I ordered from KoA and didn’t consider another rapier from MRL during their DoD. Dealing with KoA is a pleasure, I wish it was with MRL. I just checked KoA’s site and Windlass is back on the vendor’s listing. Hurray! The one or two times I called questioning an obvious typo of a stat in the catalogue...I am 95% sure the nice lady that answered the phone simply flipped to that same page and confirmed "yes...the Scottish claymore blade is 25 inches long..." I just shrug say thanks and bid them a good day.
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Aug 30, 2015 6:57:27 GMT
I wonder how this will affect European sellers. Irongate only has Windlass. Not true. "swords and more" has a LARGE amount of items, "schwertshop.de" has also some, and "supreme replicas" in Berlin is the official german Windlass retailer! I know. I meant Irongate sells Windlass and nothing else. I like the looks of that new rapier, the Christus. Not much taper though and the finish on the hilt looks sprayed on, but overall it does not look bad at all. The figuration on the plates in the guard is spot on. I have seen this kind of rather primitive decoration on many period pieces. I might get me one, but I know for sure, once I have it, I say to myself, again, stop buying them replicas you oink! Have said that many times before, but somehow it does not really register. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2015 10:49:38 GMT
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