Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2018 16:37:06 GMT
I am rather ignorant of Windlass and its history. Are these new additions at KoA old models made by Windlass several years ago, or are they new? They look rather solid: good peen, nice fittings, distal tapers, nice profiles. What exactly is the issue with the availability of Windlass swords? Was Museum Replicas, more or less, the primary distributor and they had a falling out or something? Some Windlass history. Windlass owns MRL and Atlanta Cutlery www.thearma.org/spotlight/hrinterview3.htm#.W500fWhKi3AP.S. Clements has taken the liberty of re-editing a majority of Hank's replies up to the remarks about Windlass. Those first paragraphs almost completely over written with counter attacks about internet groups. Arguments inserted that Hank never said anything about. The Windlass info as correct as could be, as he was MRL. This last part of the ARMA interview was edited as well and I believe Hank originally stated the exact opposite about the blades. Windlass wanted the Del Tin fittings to put on the Windlass blades and Fulvio told them to go pound sand. I'll shag the Fulvio interview for a parry. www.foxtail.nu/bjorn/interview.htmJohn Clements and Eyal Azerad, what a pair they would make eh?
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Post by theophilus736 on Sept 15, 2018 17:25:43 GMT
The Arbedo looks similar to the Alexandria. Are my eyes deceiving me? Maybe less acute point?
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Aikidoka
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Monstrous monk in training...
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Post by Aikidoka on Sept 15, 2018 20:01:37 GMT
Similar profile, but different distal taper. I'll reserve judgement until I receive mine, but the stats on KoA list a base thickness of 3.3 mm. The base of the Alexandria is 5mm thick. The reduced thickness means less stiffness and can result in an overly flexible or "whippy" blade.
Forum member ShooterMike made this video 11 years ago demonstrating the bottle cutting capability and flexibility of this sword:
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Post by tancred on Sept 15, 2018 21:14:44 GMT
The Arbedo looks similar to the Alexandria. Are my eyes deceiving me? Maybe less acute point? The Arbedo is shorter--hilt length, blade length, overall length. Yes, I'd say its point is also less acute. Taking them out, and comparing them now, the hilt length is only slightly less; they're a bit closer to the naked eye than I expected. The main difference is the weight. One can use the Arbedo two-handed just fine, but it almost seems overpowered with a two-handed swing. Like it could be easy to miss your target, because its lighter than you might expect. If that makes sense. So, imo, it excels more as a one-hander. I can't remember where I read it, but one owner who did do cutting with an Arbedo is of the opinion that he wouldn't go beyond medium targets with it, light targets being where its best suited at. The blade is light, but not whippy, imo. The Alexandria can be used one-handed, but it excels with two-handed use. So, the two swords are fairly similar when looking at them side by side with the naked eye. But as far as weight and balance, they're somewhat opposite in where I feel they're best used with either one or two hands.
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Post by tancred on Sept 15, 2018 21:22:26 GMT
For those of you looking at these new additions at KoA, the only one I've never seen or handled in person is the Falchion of St. Michael. All the others I can vouch for (in an amateurish swordsman kind of way; I'm not an experienced cutter). I like all of those swords, the Arbedo being the hands-down best.
The Towton is really nice, but mine does have the stereotypical Windlass whippiness. I mentioned in my previous post that the Arbedo might not be the best at heavier targets. I think the Totown should really only go after light targets (again, I do not have a lot of experience cutting, so take this statement with that in mind). The Towton's blade is longer, but much thinner, lighter, and whippy in stature. What's interesting to me about it is that its pretty darn close to the way Gandalf's Glamdring looked in the recent LOTR movies. Obviously, not a leaf blade, but the guard, hilt, and pommel are as close you can get without it being totally fantasy looking. So, if you wanted a Glamdring look-a-like without having to buy a more expensive wall-hanger, the Towton might be an alternative option.
All of these swords are fairly unique, and I don't think they're represented very well in the sub-$250 budget range. If you've been looking for a similar sword that doesn't totally look like all the other swords out there, and are on a budget, these could very well be perfect for you.
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Post by Dave Kelly on Sept 15, 2018 21:38:11 GMT
I am rather ignorant of Windlass and its history. Are these new additions at KoA old models made by Windlass several years ago, or are they new? They look rather solid: good peen, nice fittings, distal tapers, nice profiles. What exactly is the issue with the availability of Windlass swords? Was Museum Replicas, more or less, the primary distributor and they had a falling out or something? What you see here are revivals of old Windlass models. Some of these have survived in other US markets up until a year ago. The logistics of model availability is more one of demand and supply. Marketed swords will eventually reach saturation in a local market and will get pulled. If they have a good track record they will reappear after time enough passes to bring in new buyers. I know nothing special about production teams or manufacture contracting in Windlass. QC from one sword to the next can be dramatic.
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Post by theophilus736 on Sept 15, 2018 21:54:30 GMT
Thanks for the info comparing the alexandria guys. I notice now there is not only 4 inches of difference in length, but a full pound in weight. Your comments totally make sense given those differences.
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AndiTheBarvarian
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Bavarianbarbarian - Semper Semprini
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Post by AndiTheBarvarian on Sept 15, 2018 21:56:39 GMT
In Germany we have a store that has Hanweis in stock which seem to be discontinued. F.e. the Saxon, and I just bought a Tactical Wakizashi (a dream). Maybe big companies like Cas Iberia or Windlass discontinue swords in their selling system but the "sub-makers" still produce them and sell them to stores.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Sept 15, 2018 22:41:39 GMT
I had a Coustille, but gave it to a friend. After awhile I wished that I had kept it. So now I have ordered it again. Below - the one I gave away.
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Post by nddave on Sept 15, 2018 23:24:25 GMT
It's also the sword featured in the "Forged in the Heat of Battle" video by Windlass. The part where the guy hacks the 2x4 and cuts the pine sapling.
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Post by William Swiger on Sept 15, 2018 23:33:52 GMT
After thinking about it, I had 2 Arbedo swords in the past. One had a pretty flexible blade and one had a stiffer blade. That is one thing I have noticed regarding Windlass after owning 2 of the same model various times. Some are the same but some are different.
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Post by William Swiger on Sept 15, 2018 23:36:07 GMT
I had a Coustille, but gave it to a friend. After awhile I wished that I had kept it. So now I have ordered it again. Below - the one I gave away.
Think I still have one.
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Sept 16, 2018 1:21:31 GMT
It's also the sword featured in the "Forged in the Heat of Battle" video by Windlass. The part where the guy hacks the 2x4 and cuts the pine sapling. Yeah my old one definitely was to be laughed at as wobbly w/ a pommel strike tesr, but its whippiness made no difference in actual cutting or sturdiness. Thick walled juice bottles weren't a problem, and neither on a couple of occassions were roadkill deer carcasses I had my hands on. (Old neighbor worked pickup/disposal for state highway dept). Intact torso, organs still in--the Arbedo went through like a laser. Whippy or not, deceptively tough.
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Post by theophilus736 on Sept 16, 2018 1:27:03 GMT
Now that is a cutting video waiting to be uploaded... what is the dark web version of this site?
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Sept 16, 2018 1:32:18 GMT
Now that is a cutting video waiting to be uploaded... what is the dark web version of this sight? :P Ha, no vid to begin with, alas, and it'd be from looooong ago anyway. Sold my Arbedo, stupidly, a couple years ago--but bought it in 2005!
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LeMal
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Post by LeMal on Sept 16, 2018 1:33:58 GMT
Back in days we "taped," in SVHS-C!
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seth
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Just Peachy
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Post by seth on Sept 19, 2018 17:07:09 GMT
Way back when I debated between the Towton and the Arbedo. I went with the Towton. It was a beautiful looking sword. It was very flexible though. I ended passing it on. Now that the Arbedo is back, I may go for it. Seems like it may be just as flexible though a bit shorter.
I would like to see them reintroduce the Ravenna Sword. That was one I drooled over as a cash poor teen. If I remember correctly, they also featured a hand and half war sword alongside the Ravenna Sword that had a half-wire grip. I've never seen that since, but I thought that was awesome too. I wish I still had those old catalogs.
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Post by 28shadow on Sept 22, 2018 0:59:11 GMT
I read on KOA's Facebook page that they custom ordered these specific swords. Very interesting. Here's a link for any interested: /
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Post by Jordan Williams on Sept 22, 2018 1:18:40 GMT
They brought back the maciejowski?!?! AW HELL YEAH.
I really want them to bring back the Windlass 1906.
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Post by 28shadow on Sept 22, 2018 1:22:43 GMT
They brought back the maciejowski?!?! AW HELL YEAH. I really want them to bring back the Windlass 1906. That was a very nice one.
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