Windlass Sword of Roven
Nov 22, 2017 0:02:21 GMT
Post by 28shadow on Nov 22, 2017 0:02:21 GMT
Re-Review of the Windlass Sword of Roven
One of my first posts on SBG was a review for my Windlass Sword of Roven. I've grown a bit as a collector since then, and as such I think my favorite sword deserves to have itself reviewed again, this time through modern eyes and with significantly better pictures
!
So with that out of the way, let's get started!
Introduction
I first bought a Sword of Roven in September of 2015, but had an issue with the sword. The blade was canted to the side, bent at the transition between the blade and tang. I deemed that as unacceptable and so I sent it back for a replacement from MRL. I received my second and current sword within a week, and it hasn't left my side since.
Historical overview
Defining swords is hard. So many terms that mean similar things, so many incorrect terms by today's standards but 150 years ago they were deemed perfectly correct.
The Roven is an interesting beast. It fits between an Oakeshott Type XX and XXa, featuring the deeper fullers of the XXa but the almost parallel edges of the XX. I think it leans more towards being an XXa than the XX personally, but it doesn't really matter.
Full Disclosure
I am not being compensated in any way for this review by any third party, and all of the opinions expressed in this review reflect mine and mine alone.
Initial Impressions
I still remember my reaction when I removed this sword from it's package. It is big. I'm a 5'9" male and the sword reaches right up into my armpit.
The sword is weighted for the cut. Nimbleness of point is an afterthought. This sword is meant for one thing and one thing only: to shear it's way through any lightly armored peasant or soldier in it's path. It wants nothing more than to come crashing down with power. This is both a good thing and a bad thing for this sword.
Statistics
*Some stats pulled from Kult of Athena*
Components
The Blade
The blade is roughly 38" long, and according to both Filipo Vadi and George Silver's wrightings the sword is of perfect length for me. It rises straight to my armpit and when holding it I can fully extend one arm and pull the sword back with enough room to manuever the point behind my outstretched hand.
Sharpening from MRL was very nice, way better than anything I've had from Kult of Athena's sharpening service. It is a secondary bevel styled edge, but that is not in and of itself a bad thing. From MRL it's sharp enough to slice paper and as of a year ago could shave hair off my arm. I have used this sword for lots of cutting from light to heavy water bottles, beach mats, and mugen dachi mats. I have yet to need to touch up the edge.
The Handle
The handle is short. This is part of why this is a dedicated war sword. There just isn't enough grip space for fanciful guard changes, especially ones where the arms cross and the point is on the center line.
I'm very used to the sword's grip by this point, and I do own others that are both heavier swords and have shorter grip spaces. However, when I first began using the sword the grip length was certainly an issue for me, until I got used to it.
Pictured here is the only blemish that still survives on my sword, a place where the grip peeled up during the first few days of owning the sword.
The Guard
The guard is mild steel and is nicely shaped. It is not as tightly fitted as historically it should be. A proper crossguard has a hole just slightly too small for the tang, and so it needs to be hammered on. If the crossguard is properly put on it makes up a significant portion of the famous "ring" European swords are known for.
The Pommel
The Pommel is also mild steel, and while nice and comfortable it does have some short comings. It is not keyed to the tang, which means that as soon as the retaining nut is unscrewed even a little bit the pommel will freely turn on the tang.
One could easily gain an extra inch or two by using a recessed nut on the tang and building a new grip for the sword. I'm tempted to do that myself.
The Scabbard
Windlass' hard leather sheaths are a let down for some. I understand why, as the sheath is improper for the sword if you are carrying it on your side for a long time. It is rather fragile in comparison to a full wooden cored scabbard. Drawing the sword is also a pain, and is nigh impossible to do with any speed or urgency, which would have been a must in a daily carry scenario.
However, I like to treat a Windlass sheath as more of a blade cover for transport, to keep others safe from the possible harms of the edge and point.
Handling Characteristics
This is not a nimble dueling sword. This thing is a brute killer. Meant to be kept back in a guard that threatens to cut and then launched with authority from said guard, and retracting into a lower guard so you can bring the sword back into position.
The sword does not handle itself well on rising cuts with either the true edge or false edge. You really have to fight it for those.
Test Cutting
Will post a new test cutting video soon. My old ones are so very outdated and a bit cringe worthy.
Conclusions
When I bought this sword it was a DOTD at $160. Considering the price it was a steal, and I have certainly earned my moneys worth the past few years. It is literally my favorite sword, which I feel says a lot as I have owned an few customs, the ever popular Hanwei Tinker longsword, other Windlass models, swords from Valiant Armory, and others. This sword is still my favorite.
It's such a shame that Windlass has discontinued this sword, and no other new collectors will be able to enjoy one of these new.
Pros
-Inexpensive
-Well formed blade
-Decent handling
-Cuts very well
Cons
-Stock grip is cheap, thin sheepskin. Slippery.
-Cannot perform rising cuts well.
-Grip is a tad short.
The Bottom Line
At the price this sword was offered at I feel it was one of the best swords of the type. It was certainly worth it at the DOTD price, and I wouldn't have hesitated to buy one at full price. I can highly recommend getting one if it comes up used, as they do show up from time to time.
One of my first posts on SBG was a review for my Windlass Sword of Roven. I've grown a bit as a collector since then, and as such I think my favorite sword deserves to have itself reviewed again, this time through modern eyes and with significantly better pictures
!So with that out of the way, let's get started!
Introduction
I first bought a Sword of Roven in September of 2015, but had an issue with the sword. The blade was canted to the side, bent at the transition between the blade and tang. I deemed that as unacceptable and so I sent it back for a replacement from MRL. I received my second and current sword within a week, and it hasn't left my side since.
Historical overview
Defining swords is hard. So many terms that mean similar things, so many incorrect terms by today's standards but 150 years ago they were deemed perfectly correct.
The Roven is an interesting beast. It fits between an Oakeshott Type XX and XXa, featuring the deeper fullers of the XXa but the almost parallel edges of the XX. I think it leans more towards being an XXa than the XX personally, but it doesn't really matter.
Full Disclosure
I am not being compensated in any way for this review by any third party, and all of the opinions expressed in this review reflect mine and mine alone.
Initial Impressions
I still remember my reaction when I removed this sword from it's package. It is big. I'm a 5'9" male and the sword reaches right up into my armpit.
The sword is weighted for the cut. Nimbleness of point is an afterthought. This sword is meant for one thing and one thing only: to shear it's way through any lightly armored peasant or soldier in it's path. It wants nothing more than to come crashing down with power. This is both a good thing and a bad thing for this sword.
Statistics
*Some stats pulled from Kult of Athena*
| Blade Length | 38" |
| Handle Length | 9" |
| Overall length | 48" |
| Guard Width | 9 1/2" |
| Point of Balance | 6 5/16" |
| Center of Percussion | 26" from guard |
| Weight | 3lb 3.6oz |
Components
The Blade
The blade is roughly 38" long, and according to both Filipo Vadi and George Silver's wrightings the sword is of perfect length for me. It rises straight to my armpit and when holding it I can fully extend one arm and pull the sword back with enough room to manuever the point behind my outstretched hand.
Sharpening from MRL was very nice, way better than anything I've had from Kult of Athena's sharpening service. It is a secondary bevel styled edge, but that is not in and of itself a bad thing. From MRL it's sharp enough to slice paper and as of a year ago could shave hair off my arm. I have used this sword for lots of cutting from light to heavy water bottles, beach mats, and mugen dachi mats. I have yet to need to touch up the edge.
The Handle
The handle is short. This is part of why this is a dedicated war sword. There just isn't enough grip space for fanciful guard changes, especially ones where the arms cross and the point is on the center line.
I'm very used to the sword's grip by this point, and I do own others that are both heavier swords and have shorter grip spaces. However, when I first began using the sword the grip length was certainly an issue for me, until I got used to it.
Pictured here is the only blemish that still survives on my sword, a place where the grip peeled up during the first few days of owning the sword.
The Guard
The guard is mild steel and is nicely shaped. It is not as tightly fitted as historically it should be. A proper crossguard has a hole just slightly too small for the tang, and so it needs to be hammered on. If the crossguard is properly put on it makes up a significant portion of the famous "ring" European swords are known for.
The Pommel
The Pommel is also mild steel, and while nice and comfortable it does have some short comings. It is not keyed to the tang, which means that as soon as the retaining nut is unscrewed even a little bit the pommel will freely turn on the tang.
One could easily gain an extra inch or two by using a recessed nut on the tang and building a new grip for the sword. I'm tempted to do that myself.
The Scabbard
Windlass' hard leather sheaths are a let down for some. I understand why, as the sheath is improper for the sword if you are carrying it on your side for a long time. It is rather fragile in comparison to a full wooden cored scabbard. Drawing the sword is also a pain, and is nigh impossible to do with any speed or urgency, which would have been a must in a daily carry scenario.
However, I like to treat a Windlass sheath as more of a blade cover for transport, to keep others safe from the possible harms of the edge and point.
Handling Characteristics
This is not a nimble dueling sword. This thing is a brute killer. Meant to be kept back in a guard that threatens to cut and then launched with authority from said guard, and retracting into a lower guard so you can bring the sword back into position.
The sword does not handle itself well on rising cuts with either the true edge or false edge. You really have to fight it for those.
Test Cutting
Will post a new test cutting video soon. My old ones are so very outdated and a bit cringe worthy.
Conclusions
When I bought this sword it was a DOTD at $160. Considering the price it was a steal, and I have certainly earned my moneys worth the past few years. It is literally my favorite sword, which I feel says a lot as I have owned an few customs, the ever popular Hanwei Tinker longsword, other Windlass models, swords from Valiant Armory, and others. This sword is still my favorite.
It's such a shame that Windlass has discontinued this sword, and no other new collectors will be able to enjoy one of these new.
Pros
-Inexpensive
-Well formed blade
-Decent handling
-Cuts very well
Cons
-Stock grip is cheap, thin sheepskin. Slippery.
-Cannot perform rising cuts well.
-Grip is a tad short.
The Bottom Line
At the price this sword was offered at I feel it was one of the best swords of the type. It was certainly worth it at the DOTD price, and I wouldn't have hesitated to buy one at full price. I can highly recommend getting one if it comes up used, as they do show up from time to time.
