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Post by Elrikk on May 13, 2015 4:04:49 GMT
Does anyone have experience with this piece? I'd love to hear a bit about it.
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Post by drachen on May 16, 2015 4:33:22 GMT
Heavy. That sucker is about 4 lbs and feels it. It's usable in one hand but not what I'd call nimble. The hilt, particularly the pommel is massive. It's a 3/4 inch thick disk with flanges 1 inch thick. The quillons tips are quite thick as well. The metal parts of the hilt look to be nickel or nickel-plated. I'm definitely not a fan of the grip. I find the exposed stitching (which is apparently common for Windlass) and the wire wrap to be uncomfortable bare-handed, but that's just me. The coin insert is in that grey area between cool and tacky. I think it's a bit over-designed and mine came a bit dinged up out of the box. YMMV.
Overall, I really like the design. I love the look of the latin etching on the broad fuller. I have no issues with the blade. It's straight, even and not whippy in the least. I really like the design of the upswept crossguard, even if it is a bit chunky. The wood-core scabbard and matching belt are very cool, adorned with more crosses than a cathedral.
I have no idea how it cuts or how the giant pommel holds up under stress. I'm an urban studio apartment dweller and don't have a place to do test cutting so I didn't even bother sharpening it. YMMV. It's definitely on the heavy side, but usable in one hand. With your off-hand on the pommel, it's feels really good using it in two hands like a short longsword.
Worth the $375 MRL charges? If you want a historically accurate and nimble sword, no. If you like Crusades/Templar iconography and are bored with straight-crossguard type XI crusader swords and want something really cool to put on your wall or use with your Templar/Crusader persona, it's worth looking into. Considering Windlass's QC, I think it's a bit expensive, but overall I'm happy with it.
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Post by Elrikk on May 16, 2015 4:37:38 GMT
Thanks for the info!
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Post by nddave on May 19, 2015 2:52:37 GMT
This sword reminds me more of a bearing or parade sword than a battlefield replica. They tended to have more intricate hilts and engravings and had the primary purpose of being used in ceremonies. Most were also heavier and or larger than battle swords which fall in line to with how the Templar is. I know Windlass and or other manufacturers tend to try and over sell the "battle ready" pitch but I think this sword (as well as their replica of the Saint Maurice) would benefit from being sold as bearing/parade swords rather than battle swords. Not that they weren't functional many were, just that they had an intended purpose and I think these two swords could possibly benefit from such a description as well as it justifying the weight and balance, as well as the gaudy hilt furniture. If you're looking for a lighter and better balanced sword similar to the Templar from Windlass for around the same price too there's always the Sword of Santa Casilda. www.museumreplicas.com/p-2324-sword-of-santa-casilda.aspxBut if you're really into the Templar I say go for it. |
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Post by William Swiger on May 19, 2015 3:52:15 GMT
Agree with nddave that the sword reminds me of a ceremonial or fraternal sword.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on May 20, 2015 17:21:54 GMT
Another thought...MRL build it yourself, find the nice plain Templar shape you like and go from there, the build it swords have gotten great reviews overall.
The reason I suggest is my son is doing significant research into Templar/Hospitaler personas for the SCA, and one thing that regularly stands out is the lack of ornamentation in general. So he had to rethink wanting Hollywood level bling.
What seems to stand out is they had the best quality, unornamented gear for the time. so if you want plain, maybe the MRL option is good.
Just my humble .02
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on May 20, 2015 21:55:07 GMT
Yep, if you want a sword a Templar knight might have worn and used between 1119 and 1307, simple is the way to go. For early Templar Hanwei Tinker Norman would be a good choice, and also Hanwei Tinker, but Medieval single handed sword or Great sword of war for a later period Templar.
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Post by Elrikk on May 21, 2015 3:57:15 GMT
If it ever hits the "Deal o' the Day" I'm a player!
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Post by nddave on May 21, 2015 5:03:01 GMT
If it ever hits the "Deal o' the Day" I'm a player! I think I remember seeing it there once or twice over the years. Being how the DotD seems to be more sporadic with weapon deals I'd check it more than the weekend now. Also to probably confirm and also price check my claim you could scroll through the DotD thread in General Discussions and see how much they offer it as a DotD. |
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Post by William Swiger on Jan 12, 2019 13:26:55 GMT
Little blast from the past with this thread but posting I went ahead and ordered one (on sale) to just use as a display sword. It is as mentioned in this thread that it is a cool looking sword that looks the part of one used for ceremonies.
To be honest, the Albion St. Maurice I used to own would be a mounted cavalry sword used by a Conan type man....lol
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 12, 2019 16:58:38 GMT
Were you able to use the SBGWEB discount code with this sale ?
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Post by William Swiger on Jan 13, 2019 1:46:16 GMT
Were you able to use the SBGWEB discount code with this sale ? Would not take the code on the sword. Guess it was on sale and codes were disabled. |
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Post by demonskull on Jan 13, 2019 2:20:16 GMT
Were you able to use the SBGWEB discount code with this sale ? Gunnar, The code was changed to SBGVIP almost a year ago. Just in case someone wants to give it a try. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2019 3:06:32 GMT
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 13, 2019 14:32:26 GMT
Been looking at this sword for awhile but never pulled the trigger on it. The lower price with this sale could have done it if it wasn't for the long wait. Do they charge your card for it when you order or when it ships?
A review on the sword.
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Post by William Swiger on Jan 13, 2019 15:10:55 GMT
I used PayPal myself.
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Post by Jordan Williams on Jan 14, 2019 23:53:30 GMT
Been looking at this sword for awhile but never pulled the trigger on it. The lower price with this sale could have done it if it wasn't for the long wait. Do they charge your card for it when you order or when it ships? A review on the sword. Iirc when you place the order. |
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Post by LastTemplar on Jan 24, 2019 21:25:21 GMT
I have this sword and drachen, there above, is pretty much on. it's heavy as hell, but the crossguard, pommel and belt crosses and buckle are silver plate, not nickle. the belt itself is of a stiff leather. there's also no real exposed stitching, except for what's down the back of the scabbard. the grip could be a bit fatter, as it feels smallish in my hand. still, it's a really nice sword. hell, the box it worth keeping
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Post by William Swiger on Jan 25, 2019 17:42:04 GMT
Mine came today. Wondering if Windlass had a sale on these as seconds? Mine is straight and there is nothing functional out of order. Typical MRL sharpening. Pommel coins have permanent staining (Dye?) places (several). A couple tiny dark places on the blade. Scabbard would need the throat fixed (easy) if you wanted to keep the sword from falling out. Positives: I actually like it. I find it slightly overweight in hand but it handles as well or better than some mounted cavalry swords I have owned. Grip is well done. Coins look cool. The pommel and guard are a type of silver plating. I had this same plating on another Windlass sword. It was the Windlass Sword of Tristan:  I liked that sword a good deal but after so many years, the silver plating started to flake of revealing a copper color. Hope the Templar got an upgraded plating...lol Bottom line: for around 300 dollars, it is a cool looking and functional ceremonial sword. If not on sale, I would have been pretty miffed with the dye spots on the face of the coins. |
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Nov 1, 2024 0:13:58 GMT
Nov 1, 2024 0:13:58 GMT
