Wulflund 17th Century Swedish Sword
Jul 31, 2015 9:52:20 GMT
Post by StevenJ on Jul 31, 2015 9:52:20 GMT
www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=RAS56S&name=Swedish+17th+Century+Sword
This is the sword in question that is being reviewed and I had bought it straight from Kult of Athena rather than the vendor directly. I directly blame all my Wulflund purchases on Ulahn, just teasing :D !
swordscollection.blogspot.com/2013/11/european-xviie-century-cavalry-walloon.html
From what I gather the original this Wulflund is based on is a 17th Century Swedish Cavalry broadsword that would of been used during the Thirty year war. Though this example is noted here as a Walloon sword it has a great deal of similarity to the Wulflund reproduction, though not exactly the same. I am not that familiar with the Thirty Year war but from what I know it is post Protestant reformation and has to do with the Protestant German and northern European states rebelling against the Catholic states. I also read it was one of the bloodiest periods in Europe. Nielo also made a reproduction of this sword here on his website.
www.nielo-sword.com/fotogalerie/swedish-cavalry-sword/
However this is the actual replica sword in question from Wulflund.
Stats according to Kult of Athena and they seem to be correct
Overall Length: 36 1/16'' Blade: 29 9/16''
Blade: CSN14260 High Carbon Steel
Weight: 2 lb 8.1 oz
Edge: Moderately Sharp
P.O.B.: 1 3/4''
Thickness: 3.8 mm - 3 mm
Width: 38.2 mm
Grip Length: 3 7/8''
Pommel: Nut / Welded
First of all lets go over construction, the guard is brazed on with brass solder to the tang. The pommel seems to be threaded on and then the branching arm from the guard is riveted through the pommel.
In this photo you can clearly see the other end of the rivet that went through the pommel, it does not sit flush and is fairly obvious. Again these are minor annoyances but again like the Fabri cut and thrust sword this hilt construction is clearly not period. The rivet should be a flat head screw that is tapped and screwed into the pommel and the pommel should have the tang sticking out of the end and peened at the back, nor should the guard be brazed on. With this said it's a very very solid hilt construction that shouldn't come loose in time. The twist wire wrap is stunning and rather comfortable when gripped even with a bear hand. This sword is rather hilt heavy. I think it could use an extra inch to two inches of blade length to give it a tad extra reach and bring the balance point forward. Other than that it is fast, it is easy to keep the point in line, and arrived sword sharp. I don't think it needs additional sharpening. I managed to do some brush clearing already with this sword though no water jugs etc yet. There is one point of contention I did want to make...
This right here is the tip of the sword, it was blunt yet the rest of the blade was sharp. I don't know if this is some Czech law or just laziness on the smith, I'm betting on the later. Not a hard fix at all for me but I could see where for this reason for someone who isn't good at sharpening swords, it may be worth while to have Kult of Athena apply their touch up sharpening to it. Over all the blade is beautiful, the construction is solid, the guard is at a slight angle compared to the blade but noting to serious. For the $330 price point it shines. Blade polish is also pretty good and well buffed. The lines seem to go at an angle toward the edge which is a bit odd. Here is a dry handling video I did, at night again. i did this just after the Fabri video I filmed. Lighting is again not great but it is good enough to get the point across.
The buckler is a Get Dressed for battle in case anyone was wondering. The guard on it seems to be forge welded except for the thumb ring on it, I think that was electrically welded on and the weld on it has gaps that do concern me. I think it it were hit hard enough and repeatedly in time it may break but I am not sure. The rest of the branches are fine and I am not worried about them at all. Really the pierced shell is what should be struck when defending not the thumb ring so for me it isn't that big of a deal. The shell side is the one you would want to block with any how. I tried using this weapon left handed and it just doesn't feel right, I'd quantify this sword as right hand only but could be used with a left hand if needed but it's definitely made for right handed use. I think that about sums it up.
So again in conclusion the hilt is well made but put together un-historically. The bar should be threaded into the pommel and not riveted through. There shouldn't be any brass brazing, and the pommel should be peened not threaded. However, despite not being historical it is strong and well constructed. The only weak link I can find in it is the thumb ring which could of been welded on a bit better. As for as sharpening, it's good but the tip wasn't sharpened yet the rest of the blade was. The weapon is a bit hilt heavy and the blade could use a little extra length. Other than that for it's price point of $330 Kult of Athena is selling it for it's great. I had no issues in shipment, Kult of Athena packed it well with their usual mixture of plastic wrap and brown paper filler.
historical accuracy 3 /5
handling 5/5
value for money 5/5
I don't think you'll find a better complex hilt at this price point ;)
This is the sword in question that is being reviewed and I had bought it straight from Kult of Athena rather than the vendor directly. I directly blame all my Wulflund purchases on Ulahn, just teasing :D !
swordscollection.blogspot.com/2013/11/european-xviie-century-cavalry-walloon.html
From what I gather the original this Wulflund is based on is a 17th Century Swedish Cavalry broadsword that would of been used during the Thirty year war. Though this example is noted here as a Walloon sword it has a great deal of similarity to the Wulflund reproduction, though not exactly the same. I am not that familiar with the Thirty Year war but from what I know it is post Protestant reformation and has to do with the Protestant German and northern European states rebelling against the Catholic states. I also read it was one of the bloodiest periods in Europe. Nielo also made a reproduction of this sword here on his website.
www.nielo-sword.com/fotogalerie/swedish-cavalry-sword/
However this is the actual replica sword in question from Wulflund.
Stats according to Kult of Athena and they seem to be correct
Overall Length: 36 1/16'' Blade: 29 9/16''
Blade: CSN14260 High Carbon Steel
Weight: 2 lb 8.1 oz
Edge: Moderately Sharp
P.O.B.: 1 3/4''
Thickness: 3.8 mm - 3 mm
Width: 38.2 mm
Grip Length: 3 7/8''
Pommel: Nut / Welded
First of all lets go over construction, the guard is brazed on with brass solder to the tang. The pommel seems to be threaded on and then the branching arm from the guard is riveted through the pommel.
In this photo you can clearly see the other end of the rivet that went through the pommel, it does not sit flush and is fairly obvious. Again these are minor annoyances but again like the Fabri cut and thrust sword this hilt construction is clearly not period. The rivet should be a flat head screw that is tapped and screwed into the pommel and the pommel should have the tang sticking out of the end and peened at the back, nor should the guard be brazed on. With this said it's a very very solid hilt construction that shouldn't come loose in time. The twist wire wrap is stunning and rather comfortable when gripped even with a bear hand. This sword is rather hilt heavy. I think it could use an extra inch to two inches of blade length to give it a tad extra reach and bring the balance point forward. Other than that it is fast, it is easy to keep the point in line, and arrived sword sharp. I don't think it needs additional sharpening. I managed to do some brush clearing already with this sword though no water jugs etc yet. There is one point of contention I did want to make...
This right here is the tip of the sword, it was blunt yet the rest of the blade was sharp. I don't know if this is some Czech law or just laziness on the smith, I'm betting on the later. Not a hard fix at all for me but I could see where for this reason for someone who isn't good at sharpening swords, it may be worth while to have Kult of Athena apply their touch up sharpening to it. Over all the blade is beautiful, the construction is solid, the guard is at a slight angle compared to the blade but noting to serious. For the $330 price point it shines. Blade polish is also pretty good and well buffed. The lines seem to go at an angle toward the edge which is a bit odd. Here is a dry handling video I did, at night again. i did this just after the Fabri video I filmed. Lighting is again not great but it is good enough to get the point across.
The buckler is a Get Dressed for battle in case anyone was wondering. The guard on it seems to be forge welded except for the thumb ring on it, I think that was electrically welded on and the weld on it has gaps that do concern me. I think it it were hit hard enough and repeatedly in time it may break but I am not sure. The rest of the branches are fine and I am not worried about them at all. Really the pierced shell is what should be struck when defending not the thumb ring so for me it isn't that big of a deal. The shell side is the one you would want to block with any how. I tried using this weapon left handed and it just doesn't feel right, I'd quantify this sword as right hand only but could be used with a left hand if needed but it's definitely made for right handed use. I think that about sums it up.
So again in conclusion the hilt is well made but put together un-historically. The bar should be threaded into the pommel and not riveted through. There shouldn't be any brass brazing, and the pommel should be peened not threaded. However, despite not being historical it is strong and well constructed. The only weak link I can find in it is the thumb ring which could of been welded on a bit better. As for as sharpening, it's good but the tip wasn't sharpened yet the rest of the blade was. The weapon is a bit hilt heavy and the blade could use a little extra length. Other than that for it's price point of $330 Kult of Athena is selling it for it's great. I had no issues in shipment, Kult of Athena packed it well with their usual mixture of plastic wrap and brown paper filler.
historical accuracy 3 /5
handling 5/5
value for money 5/5
I don't think you'll find a better complex hilt at this price point ;)