Windlass Christus Imperat Rapier
Mar 13, 2016 13:24:35 GMT
Post by Dave Kelly on Mar 13, 2016 13:24:35 GMT
Windlass 3 Ring Rapier (Christus Imperat)
INTRODUCTION Uhlan has already covered this ground in his own inimitably thorough manner, but who says there isn't room for Jello, what?
DISCLAIMER All swords presented in this report are in compliance with fair care and treatment in applicable state, international laws and sanctioning body breeding and show bylaws of appropriate societies for the proper care and treatment of forever friends. No sword was induced or forced to perform lewd, lascivious or dangerous acts resulting in spiritual or physical threat to their well being. Boy, am I glad I got that off my chest.
BACKGROUND
Blame guns. The high art of armored warfare was thrown out of orbit by their arrival. 15th to the end of the 17th Century saw a constant movement away from medieval forms. For swords it meant a new theory of fence. Complex defensive hilts, and greater emphasis on point use.
But that's not to say that swords were become more mobile. They remained robust. Rapiers stayed in the 2.5 - 3 lb range into the 17th century; quickly being overtake by the courtly smallswords that were claimed by the Louis XIV court of France.
"Ring" rapiers was described as a separate class by AV Norman, in his system. Anything from 3 to 7 rings deep and usually capped with a buttelfly plate is of the same genre.
I found my A&A 7 ring at MD Long's some years back. Couldn't afford to buy one outright, but this was in a batch picked up in an estate closeout. I was immediately drawn to the Windlass, but my display space is full, with no desire to sell off what I have. Uhlan's review was the last straw. Had to take this one on.
Sword Characteristics
This is an ambitious project the likes of which has been absent from the Windlass catalog since the recession. That this rapier comes with a 38 inch blade is a statement.
Some reviewers have already called out "whippy" to describe the blade. Taking the blade out of the box, while in its scabbard, I shook the blade in repositioning it. It did wobble surprisingly. The flex was in the scabbard, not the blade. The sword isn't stiff. It didn't bolster the scabbard, it gave with it. Extending my arm out and holding the blade in line, there is scarcely any deflection of the blade. Thrusting into resistence the blade does flex, but returns to true returning to garde.
The scabbard is typical windlass fiberglass, but with a very nice boot and chape ornament.
The swords are the same size. The Suttles sheath is wood cored and has a tall boot. The Windlass fiberglass doesn't have a core and slouches a bit.
The Hilts have equal mass but the 7 ring has more ricasso and shorter grip than the 3 ring. The 7 ring basket is narrow. I sometime abrade my knuckles. The 3 ring's basket is significantly more open mouthed and the grip is actually much larger than needed. Control is still not a problem, since you are reaching over the quillon fro you hold.
The Main Gauche are not in a set. The 7 ring is mated with a Del Tin sail guard dagger. The Windlass 3 ring with the recently produced Fra Diavolo dagger.
You can see the edge on face of the main quillon that extends along the whole guard.
HANDLING
A demonstration of the cavernous guard.
Contrary to the Windlass, the A&A is fairly snug
CONCLUSION
I go along with the consensus of reports that consider this to be a superior Windlass creation. The balance, weight and handling is consistent with other top tier rapiers available.
On the issue of the lightness of the blade, I think it falls in a spectrum of blades used with the sword. It is functional, but I do admit to prefering the diamond blade stiffness of my seven ring if we are going to put this in a military context. It is just the security of having plenty of penetrating power in the sword at whatever distance or speed you are engaging.
I let KoA sharpen my blade (Asked them to leave the bottom 8 inches dull, which they did for me.) The sharpening is effective, but the entire blade surface is scoured.
Also mentioned is the lack of milling in the ricasso area, where both the tang and quillons present sharpish.
Give the Windlass a 4 out of 5.
I happy with it. It's a keeper.
Swords top to bottom:
1. A&A Elector of Saxony's Guards
2. Windlass 3 ring rapier ( Christus Imperat)
3. A&A Spanish bell guard rapier
4. A&A 7 ring rapier
INTRODUCTION Uhlan has already covered this ground in his own inimitably thorough manner, but who says there isn't room for Jello, what?
DISCLAIMER All swords presented in this report are in compliance with fair care and treatment in applicable state, international laws and sanctioning body breeding and show bylaws of appropriate societies for the proper care and treatment of forever friends. No sword was induced or forced to perform lewd, lascivious or dangerous acts resulting in spiritual or physical threat to their well being. Boy, am I glad I got that off my chest.
BACKGROUND
Blame guns. The high art of armored warfare was thrown out of orbit by their arrival. 15th to the end of the 17th Century saw a constant movement away from medieval forms. For swords it meant a new theory of fence. Complex defensive hilts, and greater emphasis on point use.
But that's not to say that swords were become more mobile. They remained robust. Rapiers stayed in the 2.5 - 3 lb range into the 17th century; quickly being overtake by the courtly smallswords that were claimed by the Louis XIV court of France.
"Ring" rapiers was described as a separate class by AV Norman, in his system. Anything from 3 to 7 rings deep and usually capped with a buttelfly plate is of the same genre.
I found my A&A 7 ring at MD Long's some years back. Couldn't afford to buy one outright, but this was in a batch picked up in an estate closeout. I was immediately drawn to the Windlass, but my display space is full, with no desire to sell off what I have. Uhlan's review was the last straw. Had to take this one on.
Sword Characteristics
This is an ambitious project the likes of which has been absent from the Windlass catalog since the recession. That this rapier comes with a 38 inch blade is a statement.
Some reviewers have already called out "whippy" to describe the blade. Taking the blade out of the box, while in its scabbard, I shook the blade in repositioning it. It did wobble surprisingly. The flex was in the scabbard, not the blade. The sword isn't stiff. It didn't bolster the scabbard, it gave with it. Extending my arm out and holding the blade in line, there is scarcely any deflection of the blade. Thrusting into resistence the blade does flex, but returns to true returning to garde.
The scabbard is typical windlass fiberglass, but with a very nice boot and chape ornament.
The swords are the same size. The Suttles sheath is wood cored and has a tall boot. The Windlass fiberglass doesn't have a core and slouches a bit.
The Hilts have equal mass but the 7 ring has more ricasso and shorter grip than the 3 ring. The 7 ring basket is narrow. I sometime abrade my knuckles. The 3 ring's basket is significantly more open mouthed and the grip is actually much larger than needed. Control is still not a problem, since you are reaching over the quillon fro you hold.
The Main Gauche are not in a set. The 7 ring is mated with a Del Tin sail guard dagger. The Windlass 3 ring with the recently produced Fra Diavolo dagger.
You can see the edge on face of the main quillon that extends along the whole guard.
HANDLING
A demonstration of the cavernous guard.
Contrary to the Windlass, the A&A is fairly snug
CONCLUSION
I go along with the consensus of reports that consider this to be a superior Windlass creation. The balance, weight and handling is consistent with other top tier rapiers available.
On the issue of the lightness of the blade, I think it falls in a spectrum of blades used with the sword. It is functional, but I do admit to prefering the diamond blade stiffness of my seven ring if we are going to put this in a military context. It is just the security of having plenty of penetrating power in the sword at whatever distance or speed you are engaging.
I let KoA sharpen my blade (Asked them to leave the bottom 8 inches dull, which they did for me.) The sharpening is effective, but the entire blade surface is scoured.
Also mentioned is the lack of milling in the ricasso area, where both the tang and quillons present sharpish.
Give the Windlass a 4 out of 5.
I happy with it. It's a keeper.
Swords top to bottom:
1. A&A Elector of Saxony's Guards
2. Windlass 3 ring rapier ( Christus Imperat)
3. A&A Spanish bell guard rapier
4. A&A 7 ring rapier