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Post by Gregory P. on Jan 5, 2016 16:51:27 GMT
Hello folks - I'm Greg P. - a noob here on the forum (first post!) - and a noob when it comes to sword buying.
Given my lifelong fascination with swords - thanks to Robert E. Howard, Michael Moorcock, Poul Anderson, Tolkein, Frazetta, et al, I can't believe it's taken me 47 years to finally get around to owning one (or many, no doubt).
In fact, i have a couple ordered and on the way - which i will post about when they arrive - a Hanwei Tinker 9th cent. Viking and a Windlass Museum Replicas Create Your Own Sword - similar to the one reviewed by JE Sarge.
Viking swords are my main interest currently - and i'm already planning my next few purchases. One sword i keep coming back to is the Windlass Sticklestad - and i'm on the fence about it. I've read so many positive reviews and i want to like it. But something about its appearance just doesn't click for me. Maybe if i could find an actual historic model on which it is based - i might find myself warming up to it. But so far, all my Googling has been fruitless.
So, i figured i'd ask you people who've no doubt forgotten more than i'll ever know... have you seen anything closely resembling the Windlass Sticklestad in the historic record?
Thanks in advance. / GP
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Post by William Swiger on Jan 6, 2016 6:40:53 GMT
I think it is just named after the Battle of Sticklestad in 1030 AD and not on an actual historical sword. I think like most modern Viking swords it is inspired and not historical.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Jan 6, 2016 19:53:46 GMT
Here's a sword with a similar pommel: www.philamuseum.org/collections/permanent/214733.html(I think there are other ones out there; this was the first one I could find.) This particular sword is described as Southern European, possibly Italian. "Viking" swords were used in Scandinavia, Northern Europe more generally, including Russia, Eastern Europe, and Southern Europe, including Spain and Italy.
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Post by hypurr on Jan 7, 2016 19:25:48 GMT
Hi, Greg. I'm in the same boat as you but about a year ahead. Big fan of Robert E. Howard, John Norman, Frazetta, Boris, etc. My interests lie in post Roman dark age (Migration/Vendel/Viking eras), as well. I also looked at the Sticklestad when I started but I can't get over the suede which is not authentic to the period. The grip could be changed but the sheath is another story. At this point I only have one sword that I can't match up to a similar archaeological find, a DSA Oslo that was designed as an original piece and not meant to be a reproduction. I can't speak for the Sticklestad and I'm sure it's a fine sword, but I haven't seen a comparative find. The Windlass Ulfberht is nice and nimble for a little less and I've found an example find that is almost identical in every respect.
It's good to know I'm not the only one late to the party.
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Post by Gregory P. on Jan 10, 2016 7:18:08 GMT
Hello fellas - and thanks for your responses. William - i’ve continued to scour the web, and, i’d have to concur with you that the Windlass Stiklestad is more of an ’inspired’ design than a repro of an actual blade. I does seem to be loosely based on the Wheeler Type VI (Down-turned guard, 3-lobed pommel with an up-swept base). But I haven’t found any examples where the two outer lobes of the pommel meet in the center - with the central lobe resting on top of them. Nor have i found a precedent for the quasi rune-like hash marks on the guard and pommel base. I'm sure it's a great sword - but i'm not sold on it yet. Timo - that sword you reference is fantastic - and certainly unique. I’d love to have seen that in its original condition. But to me, it looks more like the Windlass Swedish Viking Sword. I actually like the look of that Windlass model - but wish they hadn't gone with a pinned pommel. Hypurr - It’s good to know i’m not the only old dog kicking around here. I may be 47 - but maturity-wise, i’m probably closer to 15. And yeah, Boris V. was also a big inspiration back in the day - along with Barry W. Smith and John Buscema. I have considered the Windlass Ulbehert - glad to know you’re in favor of it. I too love the Migration and Viking eras. If you have any moderately-priced Migration era swords to recommend, i'm all ears. This one is on my want-list... On another note, i’ve recieved my first two swords… - Windlass / My Armoury 'Create your Own Sword' - St. Maurice inspired. - Hanwei Tinker 9th Cent. Viking Sword I am working on a review, which i hope to post in the near future. Best Regards for now. / Greg
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Jan 10, 2016 7:43:50 GMT
Timo - that sword you reference is fantastic - and certainly unique. I’d love to have seen that in its original condition. But to me, it looks more like the Windlass Swedish Viking Sword. I actually like the look of that Windlass model - but wish they hadn't gone with a pinned pommel. That's the one I was thinking of. Mixed them up. The Sticklestad is really ugly, IMO. This thread: sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/28970/experience-windlass-swedish-viking-swordhas a photo of the original the Swedish Viking is based on. And complaints about loose pommels and overly-flexible blades.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 10, 2016 16:49:22 GMT
If you're into Viking swords or any Medieval swords check out Valiant Armory. They just came out with some really nice Viking swords, I'm waiting for Sonny's Suontaka. They're more money than a Windlass but you getting a semi custom sword with options, so you don't have the same sword everyone else has. www.customswordshoppe.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=62
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Post by Gregory P. on Jan 11, 2016 1:28:17 GMT
If you're into Viking swords or any Medieval swords check out Valiant Armory. They just came out with some really nice Viking swords, I'm waiting for Sonny's Suontaka. They're more money than a Windlass but you getting a semi custom sword with options, so you don't have the same sword everyone else has. www.customswordshoppe.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=62Thanks Gunnar - i have had the Hedemark in my sights now for some time. Any idea what the waiting period typically is for those?
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 11, 2016 2:06:17 GMT
The Hedemark is nice, I have one but the blades on the Norseman and Hjalmarr has a wider fuller which is more Viking where the Hedemark has a narrower European look. My Hedemark took about four weeks but time will vary depending on when you place the order and how many orders he has ahead of you. Sonny will tell you how long if you e-mail him. These are my Viking swords now but I have more in the works. Click on picture to enlarge.
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Post by Gregory P. on Jan 11, 2016 2:15:53 GMT
Thanks for the info Gunnar. I noticed that fuller on the Hedemark as well. You have good taste in swords sir - lovin those Albions!
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seth
Member
Just Peachy
Posts: 980
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Post by seth on Jan 22, 2016 16:35:46 GMT
Hi Greg,
I have seen the Stiklestad show up as the deal of the day twice I think in the past year or so for 50% off so if you have your heart set on it but aren't in a hurry, you may want to check the deal of the day every Friday for awhile. I have handled a Stiklestad and my critiques of it are the suede grip (can be redone) and I found the protrusions on the pommel to bite my hand quite a bit even with a handshake grip.
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