Razor
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,883
|
Post by Razor on Jan 20, 2018 6:07:12 GMT
Has anybody seen the new Battlecry Basket -hilt? www.museumreplicas.com/culloden-basket-hilt-swordIt looks promising with a 2lbs 14oz weight. That weight is still in the antique basket hilt range. Plus Battlecry blades come sharp. I was really thinking about getting one to review but after seeing this picture kind of turn me off. That handle looks to be round and it swells towards the end and that copper wire....
|
|
|
Post by Afoo on Jan 20, 2018 6:55:37 GMT
Thats... odd
My biggest beef is the price. At over $300 it site right in the firing line of the Hanwei offerings, and to me those look much better designed and made
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2018 11:21:39 GMT
|
|
|
Post by bfoo2 on Jan 20, 2018 16:42:42 GMT
It could be interesting; the question is how (or even if) this one is an improvement over the current Cold Steel/Hanwei offerings, as Afoo pointed out. The listed stats (2lb 14oz) has it slightly lighter than the current offerings (3lb 1oz to 3lb 5oz for the Hanweis, and 3lb 8oz for the CS/Universal versions). However, I normally assume +/- 0.25lb error in the given weight measurements. I also do like the shape of the blade- of the lot this one looks more functional and less showy. I'm neither a cutter nor a basket-hilt expert, but the improved handling could allow this piece to offer something that was missing in the market. On the other hand, the black finish looks awful to my eye and I recall it comes off with great difficulty. Also, the MRL listing advertises "real ray-skin". On a antiquated blackened piece. That seems kind of a waste of rayskin if I'm honest. It's odd that Windlass is expanding their battlecry(!) range; I had the impression that they weren't as successful as was once hoped. They're marketed as cheap, rough-and-ready backyard hackers but at least in my market they're priced at around the same range as "normal" swords. I don't think that the "cheap-and-cheerful, but not actually cheap" market they envisioned has materialized. Someone correct me if I'm wrong though... The one vendor in Canada that I am aware of carrying this line has been having a deep (almost desperate) sale on these items for the past year or so.
|
|
|
Post by bfoo2 on Jan 20, 2018 16:47:03 GMT
I actually do kinda like the bulging grip! It could be useful to provide support and prevent the hand from sliding down. It kinda reminds me of the back-end of the British 1908/1912 cav swords.
|
|
|
Post by Jordan Williams on Jan 20, 2018 17:27:09 GMT
Well, I like it lol. It's a nice break from the brass or polished steel baskets, and a new addition to the stale market of basket hilted broadsword. I like the grip, and if they did indeed use real rayskin I wonder if that could mean possibly more use a rayskin in the future on different pieces. Perhaps a re run of the acw sabre series. I'm not that bothered by the finish, but if I were to own one is probably strip it and leave it as bare steel.
|
|
|
Post by Afoo on Jan 20, 2018 18:27:04 GMT
It could be interesting; the question is how (or even if) this one is an improvement over the current Cold Steel/Hanwei offerings, as Afoo pointed out. The listed stats (2lb 14oz) has it slightly lighter than the current offerings (3lb 1oz to 3lb 5oz for the Hanweis, and 3lb 8oz for the CS/Universal versions). However, I normally assume +/- 0.25lb error in the given weight measurements. I also do like the shape of the blade- of the lot this one looks more functional and less showy. I'm neither a cutter nor a basket-hilt expert, but the improved handling could allow this piece to offer something that was missing in the market. On the other hand, the black finish looks awful to my eye and I recall it comes off with great difficulty. Also, the MRL listing advertises "real ray-skin". On a antiquated blackened piece. That seems kind of a waste of rayskin if I'm honest. It's odd that Windlass is expanding their battlecry(!) range; I had the impression that they weren't as successful as was once hoped. They're marketed as cheap, rough-and-ready backyard hackers but at least in my market they're priced at around the same range as "normal" swords. I don't think that the "cheap-and-cheerful, but not actually cheap" market they envisioned has materialized. Someone correct me if I'm wrong though... The one vendor in Canada that I am aware of carrying this line has been having a deep (almost desperate) sale on these items for the past year or so. It may be lighter than the Hanwei, but the blade stock also looks thinner
|
|
|
Post by bfoo2 on Jan 20, 2018 19:08:35 GMT
Well, I like it lol. It's a nice break from the brass or polished steel baskets, and a new addition to the stale market of basket hilted broadsword. I like the grip, and if they did indeed use real rayskin I wonder if that could mean possibly more use a rayskin in the future on different pieces. Perhaps a re run of the acw sabre series. I'm not that bothered by the finish, but if I were to own one is probably strip it and leave it as bare steel. I have a CS Thompson sabre. The blackening resisted all chemical treatments I could throw at it (and I work in a lab, so I can throw stuff that most consumers can't!) Had to go in there with sandpaper. I also have a Hanwei practical basket-hilt with a blackened hilt. This one was worse- it was some kind of rubberized material that resisted acetone and gummed up my sandpaper. Gave up and spray-painted the thing as a short-term solution. Havn't tried stripping the Battlecries, but these swords were made to stay black and to resist abuse: they will fight you every step of the way. Once you go black, you can't go back. ------- The Windlass Eglington also has ray-skin grips So does their new " Late Scottish Basket Hilt"
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Jan 20, 2018 20:18:47 GMT
MRL now has eight photos up concerning the sword. When I looked the first time there were nine. Two of the remaining photos show the blade going left of the hilt’s centreline. The photo that’s missing was of the front of the guard and showing part of the blade. That one made the misalignment appear worse, which was a concern to me. The bulge next to the pommel I believe will be advantageous. I'd rather have real ray skin than a plastic look alike.
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Jan 20, 2018 20:19:48 GMT
MRL now has eight photos up concerning the sword. When I looked the first time there were nine. Two of the remaining photos of the hilt/blade alignment show the blade going left of the hilt’s centreline. The photo that’s missing was of the front of the guard and showing part of the blade. That one made the misalignment appear worse, which was a concern to me. The bulge next to the pommel I believe will be advantageous. I'd rather have real ray skin than a plastic look alike. Maybe a Mod will remove this double post. I hope, I hope.
|
|
|
Post by elbrittania39 on Jan 20, 2018 20:51:34 GMT
Price is the big problem here. Comparing this to say, the Hanwei Cromwell (only +$5 on KOA) really leaves it wanting.
|
|
|
Post by nasedo on Jan 20, 2018 22:40:52 GMT
I wonder if the price will drop with “introductory” price like the other swords in the line. May have to wait for it to be in stock.
|
|