Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Feb 18, 2016 17:26:37 GMT
This review has been featured on SBG! CLICK HERE to read it in its new and improved format.
PICTURES BELOW ORIGIN UNKNOWN,
SO HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE REVIEW FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS
![](http://i.imgur.com/s1EPLJ1h.jpg) ![](http://i.imgur.com/uhDPbCAh.jpg) ![](http://i.imgur.com/8OpWgRGh.jpg) ![](http://i.imgur.com/hhIjbUXh.jpg) ![](http://i.imgur.com/beqfSzgh.jpg) ![](http://i.imgur.com/XQu6wthh.jpg) ![](http://i.imgur.com/Hj0xeQ9h.jpg?1) The original. Even the detail of the shells is the same: ![](http://i.imgur.com/FLg0VXmh.jpg) The Windlass. ![](http://i.imgur.com/aABgpWCh.jpg?1) The original. Notes. This is where the motto comes from. This chant was sung at the coronation of all kings and emperors since the Byzantine empire: Some latin for your blades: www.fisheaters.com/letterstyle.htmlAnd lastly a piece on the rapier: www.thearma.org/Youth/rapieroutline.htmCheers.
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Post by Corvus Corax on Feb 18, 2016 18:00:39 GMT
Great read Ulahn, thanks for doing the review! I received my Christus Imperat this week as well and I'm very pleased with it. I was worried that the blade would have too much flex, but it does not. The blade on mine does whip side to side quite a bit when I wave the rapier back and forth, but it has a VERY nice temper. When I smack my palm against the pommel, the blade flexes about 2-3 inches (5-7.6 cm) right, then left, and then snaps back to dead center. To me, the blade is a perfect example of proper flex vs the hated "whippyness" that is so often proclaimed of windlass! As you also demonstrated, the amount of flex doesn't affect the ability to thrust at all. I did a quick test on a plastic milk jug and it felt like I was thrusting the blade through air, and that's not an exaggeration!
I completely agree with Ulahn on this one. If you were on the fence about this rapier, you should definitely get it!
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Post by JGonzalez on Feb 18, 2016 18:05:25 GMT
Cool Review, I enjoyed your video too.
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Uhlan
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Posts: 3,121
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Post by Uhlan on Feb 18, 2016 19:14:52 GMT
Thank you both for the positive comments. One question for Corvus: you do not have trouble with the sharp edges of the pasdanes bars when doing an open grip?
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pgandy
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Post by pgandy on Feb 18, 2016 20:13:27 GMT
Damn Ulahn! For one of those rare times I thought that I had my wish list under control. Now I really want a Christsus Imperat. If the blade is superior to the one that I have on my Pilsen it must be super. Although I think that I lucked out and got a better than average one. I’ve had my eye on the Christsus Imperat for some time but questioned the blade hoping that someone who I had confidence in would take the plunge. The only issue that I have is that as much variation that I see in the specifications from sword to sword within the same Windlass line I have some reservation about the variation in performance. Nevertheless, this one is on the top of my list. Thanks for the review.
An after thought, was yours ordered sharpened?
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Feb 18, 2016 20:44:13 GMT
I think the Imperat would suit you just fine. I do not have the Pilsen, though it is on my wishlist for a long time already,the two have a very different character. This is based on your videos of the Pilsen. I did not order it sharp, but it came sharp anyway. The bevel needs some work to make it smooth. I think the cut you can see in the Medieval video is done with KOA sharpening. I do not think the bevel was worked on, since there was no statement made about that. Anyway, the cut was good and clean and vicious, secondary bevel or not, while the jug was in free fall. That is something!
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Post by Corvus Corax on Feb 18, 2016 22:11:11 GMT
Thank you both for the positive comments. One question for Corvus: you do not have trouble with the sharp edges of the pasdanes bars when doing an open grip? Ulahn: I have experienced minor discomfort when my index finger is wrapped around the ricasso, but nothing besides that. I have mostly handled it with gloves on, so that might influence my experience thus far. Also, I have a question for you as well. When held with the flat of the blade facing the floor parallel, does the point droop towards the floor? The point on mine droops about 1.3 cm or so, and I'm trying to figure out if this is normal for this model. Thanks!
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Uhlan
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Posts: 3,121
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Post by Uhlan on Feb 18, 2016 22:34:48 GMT
I will have a look. One moment please.... There is some, but you have to look very, very close to see it. I do not think it is 1.3 cm on mine. Far less. Normally one would not notice at all. And for a blade of this design such a little droop of 1.3 cm is quite normal and to be expected considering its length of 97.5 cm.
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Post by Corvus Corax on Feb 18, 2016 22:56:36 GMT
I will have a look. One moment please.... There is some, but you have to look very, very close to see it. I do not think it is 1.3 cm on mine. Far less. Normally one would not notice at all. And for a blade of this design such a little droop of 1.3 cm is quite normal and to be expected considering its length of 97.5 cm. Thanks very much. This is the longest bladed sword I've handled so it's all new to me!
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Feb 18, 2016 23:38:09 GMT
No problem. Happy to be of service Corvus. May you have tons of fun with it.
Dave: remember what I said: My first impression when I lifted the Imperat from the box was: WOW! Heavy! One needs to get the hang of its character and that takes some time playing with it for a couple of hours. It grows on you. I truely hope you will like it.
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Post by Afoo on Feb 19, 2016 3:45:23 GMT
Thanks for the review. The 4.7mm blade worries me, but if it consistently comes up heads I may consider. Looks nice
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Post by Croccifixio on Feb 19, 2016 7:17:19 GMT
Wasn't this on Deal of the Day just a few weeks ago? Horrible miss for me. Would've been a perfect first rapier.
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Post by nddave on Feb 19, 2016 7:56:12 GMT
Awesome review! I've liked this one since I first saw it in the MRL catalogue it premiered in. Aesthetics and function all in one package. This will definitely be my rapier purchase when I get to purchasing one.
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Feb 19, 2016 10:11:17 GMT
Thanks for the review. The 4.7mm blade worries me, but if it consistently comes up heads I may consider. Looks nice Windlass has an electrical oven for tempering. They had it for ages. Though it is known that every now and then a mellon turns up, their tempering is of a consistent and reliable 45 - 50 HRC. I would not worrie too much about that 4.7 mm. Here is a picture of the original. A side shot, so you can see the thickness. Just for fun, with a little brain power one could deduce the thickness of the original blade, if one has one constant. Lets take the grip length of the Windlass as that constant. I get exactly 9 cm for the wired part of the grip. On the monitor the grip is, lets say 18 cm. So every cm on the monitor is 0.5 cm in reality. Meassure the thickness and voila. I get a blade thickness of about 6.86 mm on the original. Given the fact that tempering and steel quality in the old days was not very reliable, I have quite a few long bladed antiques where I had to correct the blade by bending it in shape again, without too much effort, I am ready to entertain the notion that the Windlass blade might be of far better quality than the 6.8 mm blade on the original. Again, I would not worrie too much about that 4.7 mm. ![](http://i.imgur.com/JFHE4JY.jpg)
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Post by Afoo on Feb 19, 2016 15:17:37 GMT
Fair enough. I just remember my Rheinfelden has a similar blade thickness and taper, and was just a *bit* too flexible for my taste. The lack of fuller and vintage of the sword itself could have contributed to it.
I also do not need another reason to spend more money...
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Uhlan
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Posts: 3,121
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Post by Uhlan on Feb 19, 2016 15:43:49 GMT
I just did my Rheinfelden with Ren Wax and so could compair it with the Imperat. Compaired with the Rheinfelden, the Imperat is as stiff as a board.
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Post by Afoo on Feb 19, 2016 16:25:06 GMT
Hmm - sounds promising. Too bad Reliks just raised their price on this one...:(
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Post by drraven on Jul 13, 2020 19:46:35 GMT
Anyone have links or details on the original this rapier is based on? I love my imperat, but am trying to learn about its history.
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