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Post by cearball on Dec 26, 2017 0:25:43 GMT
Hello all!
First post.
Simple (ISH) question.
I am trying to decide which sword to get out of these three.
For the price what do you guys reckon?
My choices.
Windlass xiv for £229 (may be sold out)
Kingston arms xiv for £283
Cold steel arming sword for £273
If I could get the windlass for $120 like I have heard some people have got it for I would have definitely got that.
However once we get to these prices I feel maybe I should just pay more & get one of the others.
I feel like the Kingston will be the best quality but I prefer the look & specs of the windlass.
I have owned hanwei (banshee), cold steel (1796,1917 & hand and a half), windlass (two handed falchion, Spartan sword, 1860 naval cutlass)
My most recent purchase was the 1860 & I love the feel/balance of it, my 1917 feels like a crowbar compared & I guess this worries me.
I hate the balance of the 1796, & don't want to make the same mistake if I choose cold steel again.
I also have some appreciation for hanwei due to owning the banshee, nice fit & finish & my mate even managed to slice a decent sliver out of the spine of my 1917 cutlass with it by accident with minimal edge damage.
I have found loads of positive reviews of the windlass but not alot on the others so if anyone has info on then please share!
Thanks & Merry Xmas.
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Post by 28shadow on Dec 26, 2017 0:29:59 GMT
I'd have to say go with the Kingston arms. I have a sword that uses the same blade as the Windlass, but it's only good because someone took the time to give it a proper distal taper. The Kingston arms blade will already be well put together and thought out by one of the top smiths in the industry.
I would also recommend getting the Cold Steel on it's own eventually, as it is supposedly quite a decent sword.
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Scott
Member
Posts: 1,676
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Post by Scott on Dec 26, 2017 1:21:51 GMT
While the Kingston arms one looks good, if you prefer the look of the windlass get it. It's a nice sword, and I doubt you'll regret buying one.
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Dec 26, 2017 1:39:43 GMT
Windlass. I got mine for about $100 during a close out. After I got to know the sword I would have paid twice that.
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Post by Jordan Williams on Dec 26, 2017 1:41:09 GMT
I third the Windlass. Excellent arming sword, however at least in America it is no longer stocked. If that fails Kingston arms.
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,649
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Post by stormmaster on Dec 26, 2017 3:31:35 GMT
The Kingston arms one is the best overall, the scabbard is also better, the Windlass one is also good but it's out of production so it is hard to find and most people won't sell it 2nd hand for 120
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Dec 26, 2017 4:48:45 GMT
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Post by teutonictom on Dec 26, 2017 9:58:40 GMT
I voted for the Kingston arms. Have you looked at the del tin early 14th century arming sword? That one looks nice, too. You could also keep saving and get into Albion territory.
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Post by cearball on Dec 26, 2017 15:50:17 GMT
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Post by cearball on Dec 26, 2017 15:52:42 GMT
I voted for the Kingston arms. Have you looked at the del tin early 14th century arming sword? That one looks nice, too. You could also keep saving and get into Albion territory. I really like the sovereign, but you have to have a cut off price somewhere & at the moment it's £300 because I always wanted a xiv. Normally around the £200 mark for me.
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Post by cearball on Dec 26, 2017 22:53:48 GMT
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Post by demonskull on Dec 27, 2017 2:00:35 GMT
I have 2 customized Windlass type XIV and they are decent swords for the money. The Kingston however, is 3/4 of a pound lighter so if I was shopping for another Type XIV I'd look to the Kingston. I also own a Atrim 1557 which is similar in size and weight to the Kingston and it's one of my favorite 2 swords.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Dec 27, 2017 6:35:15 GMT
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Post by cearball on Dec 27, 2017 15:48:46 GMT
If I could get the Windlass for $120 would that sway people to suggest it over the Kingston I wonder.
Is the Kingston 3x as good.....
Also I have asked Hanwei about the different ID numbers, good spot Rabel Dusk!
Thanks for the input everyone
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Post by cearball on Dec 29, 2017 11:42:19 GMT
You were correct this was their reply. "The SM36050 is the sword the met with Gus Trim's design requirements and as such is an approved version of the sword. The 080 variant had the wrong pommel and was a little heavier than what Gus wanted to see so was rejected as an approved version. It is still a fine working sword but does not carry Gus's approval. Thank you, CAS Customer Service"
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Post by cearball on Dec 29, 2017 14:08:34 GMT
I'd have to say go with the Kingston arms. I have a sword that uses the same blade as the Windlass, but it's only good because someone took the time to give it a proper distal taper. The Kingston arms blade will already be well put together and thought out by one of the top smiths in the industry. I would also recommend getting the Cold Steel on it's own eventually, as it is supposedly quite a decent sword. Out of interest which sword do you own that uses the blade?
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Post by 28shadow on Dec 29, 2017 14:48:06 GMT
I'd have to say go with the Kingston arms. I have a sword that uses the same blade as the Windlass, but it's only good because someone took the time to give it a proper distal taper. The Kingston arms blade will already be well put together and thought out by one of the top smiths in the industry. I would also recommend getting the Cold Steel on it's own eventually, as it is supposedly quite a decent sword. Out of interest which sword do you own that uses the blade? It's a Windlass Archer's short sword. Different hilt furniture. Old and discontinued model.
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Post by dchisenh on Dec 29, 2017 16:41:23 GMT
I have one of those "incorrect" ones and it is an AMAZING sword. Personally, I like it better than the corrected model because it has a beautiful mirror-polished blade instead of the satin finished one. It is very nimble, far better than any of the Windlass models I've handled (note: I haven't handled their discontinued XIV, I'm just speaking in general). I'm also a huge fan of 9260 steel, so that's a big plus in my opinion. I like the sword so much I've sent it to Steven Heurta to rewrap the grip and redye the scabbard (the original grip was fine, I just wanted a better matching set than the dark brown/black grip and orangish-red scabbard). When I get it back, I'll be plating the guard and pommel in copper and affixing medallions to the pommel as well. Essentially, the sword was so well priced and well balanced, it's the perfect starting place for customization! I am seriously impressed with this sword and the direction the Kingston Arms brand is heading, if I didn't already own the first version, I'd nab their corrected version in a heartbeat!
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Dec 29, 2017 17:26:40 GMT
I've owned and handled both the Windlass and the Kingston Arms type XIV swords... the Windlass is a beast (but a nice beast at that), the KA being designed by Angus Trim though gets my vote - lighter and much easier to control.
Edit: I hate typos. Lol.
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LeMal
Member
Posts: 1,095
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Post by LeMal on Dec 29, 2017 18:01:29 GMT
I have one of those "incorrect" ones and it is an AMAZING sword. Personally, I like it better than the corrected model because it has a beautiful mirror-polished blade instead of the satin finished one. Yeah, I actually noticeably prefer the "uncorrected" model. I find it actually feels a bit lighter to me, with greater distal taper than the "corrected" one. (Not to mention cheaper by a clear amount on KOA. But whatever. I actually prefer the Windlass to either to be honest.)
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