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Post by pellius on Apr 23, 2017 15:07:55 GMT
Wow. That falchion DotD is a really great deal. Thanks for the heads-up, pgandy.
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Apr 23, 2017 19:34:30 GMT
I've owned somewhere between 30-50 Windlass swords... and handle most everything they make as I live only 90 min from their headquarters in GA. So, what follows are the best swords they have made in my opinion. The Oakeshott Type XIV, Coustille, German Bastard, Sword of Roven, Scimitar, Ulfberht, and the Cbra Style line are a great value if you like Tacticool weapons. Definitely echo much of this, particularly the Cobra line, XIV and Ulfberht. (At least of what's available. They seem to often have discontinued MANY of their best in the past. ) Haven't handled the Roven but it seems a nice choice under good consensus. Scimitar is excellent, but I'd buy the CS Shamshir version (same blade) as it's formed plastic handle's less prone to splitting. To these I'd add the Raptor (most definitely) and the German Falchion (pretty decent). Yes... the Raptor. I had forgotten about that one but I owned one years ago and it was surprisingly good.
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Post by Faldarin on Apr 23, 2017 20:25:34 GMT
my favorite windlass atm is the blacksword and the classic hoplite sword, the blacksword is really cool but scabbard is sht, hoplite sword is very pleasing to my eyes and the only windlass with a snug scabbard Sadly, welcome to most windlass scabbards that I've experienced. -_- They could be worse, but could be much better.
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Post by Faldarin on Apr 23, 2017 20:27:09 GMT
Definitely echo much of this, particularly the Cobra line, XIV and Ulfberht. (At least of what's available. They seem to often have discontinued MANY of their best in the past. ) Haven't handled the Roven but it seems a nice choice under good consensus. Scimitar is excellent, but I'd buy the CS Shamshir version (same blade) as it's formed plastic handle's less prone to splitting. To these I'd add the Raptor (most definitely) and the German Falchion (pretty decent). Yes... the Raptor. I had forgotten about that one but I owned one years ago and it was surprisingly good. I'll third the Raptor. If you don't mind a fantasy piece, it's a great addition to almost any collection - and the flats are incredibly smooth. I'm honestly thinking of doing some etching on mine for more fantasy-inspiration.
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stormmaster
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Post by stormmaster on Apr 23, 2017 21:36:21 GMT
i still cant get over how awesome my classic hoplite scabbard is, it actually feels like quality
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saix1
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Post by saix1 on Apr 23, 2017 23:48:19 GMT
Does anyone have experience with their Runic Long Seax? I have one and like it. Pretty pointy on the tip but has a good thickness on the back. Handles well. I have the following if you have any questions:
15th Century Longsword American Revolution Saber Baron Sword Celtic Sword Chioggia Sword Christus Imperat Rapier Classic Medieval Sword Confederate Cavalry Officers saber Confederate Nashville Plow Works Cavalry Saber Confederate Staff & Field Officer Sword D-Guard Bowie Deschaux Rapier Early Viking Sword Eglinton Basket Hilt Sword European Sword Fantasy Viking Sword Five Lobed Viking German Falchion Hoplite Sword King Magnus Sword Knight's Tale Sword Leuterit Viking Sword M1840 Cavalry Saber M1860 Union Cavalry Officer Saber M1906 Cavalry Saber Munich Cut and Thrust Sword Norwegian Viking Sword Oakeshott Type XIV Medieval Arming Sword Oakeshott XVIII Qama Runic Long Seax Schiavona Scottish Cutlass Swiss Baselard Sword of Homildon Hill Sword of Malta Sword of Roven Transitional Viking Sword ULFBERHT Sword Viking Dragon Axe Warbrand Zulu Iklwa Spear
Did you get it sharpened? How well does the Seax cut?
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Post by William Swiger on Apr 24, 2017 5:15:00 GMT
Got it sharpened. Typical MRL sharpening which is sharp with a secondary bevel. Have not cut with it. All my swords are somewhere in Europe getting ready to be put on a ship to the US........
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Apr 24, 2017 6:34:00 GMT
I'd fourth (?) the Raptor as my best windlass sword, but it's not for warriors of old, it's more for conan in his pirate days.
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stormmaster
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Post by stormmaster on Apr 24, 2017 7:31:02 GMT
Got it sharpened. Typical MRL sharpening which is sharp with a secondary bevel. Have not cut with it. All my swords are somewhere in Europe getting ready to be put on a ship to the US........ yikes a boat? did they give u an estimate for how long it takes to reach the US? i would be so scared of the water
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Apr 24, 2017 14:52:27 GMT
I still LOVE my Raptor. Fantasy, hand and a half falchion/scimitar/saber that handles pretty good and looks great. I guess I fifth it?
The Type XIV is a good sword. A little heavy for it's size, but a nice piece.
I also really like the Windlass scimitar. Not crazy about the grip, but I love the blade and the handling.
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Post by Faldarin on Apr 24, 2017 15:25:32 GMT
I still LOVE my Raptor. Fantasy, hand and a half falchion/scimitar/saber that handles pretty good and looks great. I guess I fifth it? The Type XIV is a good sword. A little heavy for it's size, but a nice piece. I also really like the Windlass scimitar. Not crazy about the grip, but I love the blade and the handling. This bodes well for me, because I love the Raptor... and a Scimitar/Shamshir coming in the mail today. Good things!!
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Post by HazMatt on Apr 25, 2017 13:02:37 GMT
To the Raptor owners...
Where did you buy it from?
Did you have it sharpened by the distributor?
Did they sharpen the top false edge?
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Apr 25, 2017 13:35:26 GMT
German store "swords and more" - I used their sharpening service - no, the false edge is not sharpened, the tip is very pointy and sharpening the false edge might make it to weak.
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Post by Faldarin on Apr 25, 2017 14:23:46 GMT
To the Raptor owners... Where did you buy it from? Did you have it sharpened by the distributor? Did they sharpen the top false edge? I bought it very recently, from KoA. Recently, KoA's sharpening service has done an -excellent- job with edges, not so much in the past. I imagine I could have asked them to sharpen the false edge, but as Andi said - that would probably have an extremely adverse effect on the tip. If one wanted to sharpen the false edge, there would have to likely be a bit of reprofiling. The only complaints I have about the purchase from KoA is that there is damage to the leather near the pommel, but I don't think that was there fault - it looks like a little epoxy got on the outer coat the of the leather, or the leather was frayed there. There's some rough finish spots too, but I doubt it was their fault, again. Wish the peen was a little nicer. There's my short review. (Blade and handling are great, of course.)
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Post by William Swiger on Apr 25, 2017 16:00:20 GMT
Got it sharpened. Typical MRL sharpening which is sharp with a secondary bevel. Have not cut with it. All my swords are somewhere in Europe getting ready to be put on a ship to the US........ yikes a boat? did they give u an estimate for how long it takes to reach the US? i would be so scared of the water Estimate is end of June. They packed then in paper, put them in big shipping boxes and then put them in sealed big crates. Ship will be one of those big cargo ships that will have cars and all kinds of stuff below deck.
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Post by William Swiger on Apr 25, 2017 16:31:23 GMT
Had a Raptor once but the wood grip was short by about 1/4 of an inch. Gave it away and never got another but I liked the sword.
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Post by HazMatt on Apr 25, 2017 16:53:12 GMT
Thanks for the responses. It might just be time to place my 1st order with KoA.
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Apr 25, 2017 18:58:52 GMT
To be honest, there are plenty of imperfections on my Raptor as well. I am pretty forgiving in that respect, and as long as they do not impair the functionality of the sword (handling, cutting) I am not really bothered (oh, and rattling. I HATE rattling). And considering I got it for under $200 from KOA (in 2009ish) I am even more forgiving.
KOA sharpened mine. They left an uneven secondary bevel. It cuts very well (including me once) and I saw no reason to "fix" it.
Sharpening the false edge would be a pretty major re-profiling as it is quite thick and not shaped to be sharpened.
Edit: I also redid the leather wrap on the grip. I wasn't thrilled with the leather it came with. Not overly crazy about my wrap job and might redo that someday.
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Post by tsotp on Jan 3, 2018 21:10:22 GMT
I also have a Raptor, it looks amazing and feels pretty good as well. I'm in the UK and live next to a school, so no cut testing.
The pean is a little messy on mine, but i'd 5th (or 6th) it as a great buy.
As for anyone in the UK looking for swords, i highly recommend Southern Swords. They sharpened it for me as well, and it's decent :-)
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Post by Jordan Williams on Jan 3, 2018 21:27:55 GMT
I personally like the M1840 HC sword. The Staff and Field M1850 sword isn't bad, and a little work with an angle grinder made mine handle like a more robust original. handle is a bit short. The OOP Sword of Roven is an excellent piece, and imo their best medi piece. Their falchion is supposed to be very good, rivaling the old VA falchion.
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