Windlass Hewing Spear: Evolutive review
Jan 30, 2020 21:40:47 GMT
Post by RaylonTheDemented on Jan 30, 2020 21:40:47 GMT
Introduction
Historical overview
Viking... RELIKS got a nice paragraph, read it.
Full Disclosure
Initial Impressions
Well packaged in cardboard and foam.
Statistics
Blade Length: 16'' (40cm)
Overall Length: 6'7'' (202cm)
Shaft Width: 1 1/4'' (3,2cm)
POB (Point of Balance): 42'' (106cm) from base.
Weight: 43.3 oz (1.23kg) without scabbard.
Components
The Blade: Specs
The shaft: 1 1/4'' white oak broom shaft ordered on Amazon. Later on I fumbled on a red oak shaft in Local utility store and it was much heavier and denser, should have used that, will do if this one fails. After tapering, the shaft fitted 'just so' on the blade and buttcap sockets, so I glued and lacquered burlap cord for a nicer finish.
The Scabbard:
Handling Characteristics
Test Cutting
Conclusions
Its a nice spearhead and buttcap for sure, Windlass made a nice job there for the price, will get one for me eventually, though maybe not the Hewing model.
Pros
Cons
The Bottom Line
If I ever replace that shaft I will be an oval(ish) one, which would likely make it heavier but also much easier for cutting strikes.
When/if re-sharpening I will see if I can reduce the bevel to give it a better edge profile for enhanced cutting ability.
I am pissed, am a slow typer, and a mislick wiped out my mostly finished review, so I have to start over. [sigh] This review is now barely a half sized of what it was.
Short story: 16 years old asked for a spear for Christmas. He plays a spear wielding elf in his actual pen&paper RPG.
'Evolutive review' means that for now on I will update reviews as use/wear and tear takes its toll.
Viking... RELIKS got a nice paragraph, read it.
Full Disclosure
No afiliations, paid full price.
I'm an amateur collector and backyard cutter with some JSA training.
Initial Impressions
Well packaged in cardboard and foam.
Statistics
Blade Length: 16'' (40cm)
Overall Length: 6'7'' (202cm)
Shaft Width: 1 1/4'' (3,2cm)
POB (Point of Balance): 42'' (106cm) from base.
Weight: 43.3 oz (1.23kg) without scabbard.
Components
The Blade: Specs
Mirror polish. Ordered sharp. RELIKS sharpening service seems rougher than KoA, needs more comparisons to be sure. Came with holes for screws or a rivet. Glued then riveted it to the shaft using a nail. Some welding pitting between socket and blade.
Buttcap: Specs
It came with no holes, just glued it on the shaft with epoxy.
The Scabbard:
Handmade it with lacquered ash wood, was PITA to carve, next time using poplar, even if I have to sell my soul to find it.
OK, less succinct, because my wife: My wife is a jewel and is good at handcraft, she designed and made the drawing on the scabbard and pyrographed the whole thing. Use a polished piece of aluminum for the collar, glued on. Drilled 2 holes and reinforced the band with brass buttons, also glued in place. Prettier and hides the collar joint.
Handling Characteristics
Only dry handled the thing, and it is the first spear I ever wielded around. Feels nasty in hand, reach is terrifying compared to a sword, even if the shaft I used put it on the shorter end of the range as far as historical spears go.
Wouldn't want to be on the receiving pointy end.
Test Cutting
Not yet, snowy Winter.
Conclusions
Its a nice spearhead and buttcap for sure, Windlass made a nice job there for the price, will get one for me eventually, though maybe not the Hewing model.
Pros
Blade is nicely made, even if not perfect, nice polish - 16'' of nasty on a stick.
Easy to assemble to the shaft, socket is well made and sturdy.
RELIKS sharpening is sharp, could be prettier/less rough.
Cheap.
RELIKS sharpening service don't seem to be as good as KoA, need more comparisons.
Slight bend at the blade/socket welding joint.
Small welding spots at the same place, finish could be better.
The Bottom Line
Yes. Would recommend.
Caveat: Haven't cut with it yet, no idea about heat treatment, if any.
Edit: Handling and cutting review added.
Handling: Sons and I had some fun with it, soft targets only, AKA plastic bottles of varied size and milk jugs.
Having no formal training, this is purely an amateurish handling review (sry, no video).
Yeah well, thing is quite lively poking and swinging around, another animal entirely from a sword for sure. As far as piercing goes, I have no experience with a smaller spearhead, though I would say that the weight/inertia behind a long thrust looks to be scary.
We had some fun with thrusting in targets then trying to cut our way out from a side, works best when pulling the blade out so to have the edge slice out, I commented how nasty it would likely be when extracting from a gut strike. That large, long spearhead would also be quite good for enlarging wounds once in, hopefully damaging organs and blood vessels further, especially considering leverage from the shaft.
Youngest son put us to shame, actually spearing bottles and subsequently heaving them up while extracting the blade and then skewering them in flight. He's got the hand/eye coordination for sure.
The long leafed blade is quite flexible as we noted when moving and lifting skerewed filled bottles. I wouldn't throw that one unless in dire necessity, it would likely bend badly. It is somewhat springy, I am guessing the heat treatment is adequate.
We found that edge alignment (for cutting sweeps) isn't so easy to handle, having a round shaft likely doesn't help. That being said, some cutting were done, usually with short, clean strokes for precision. So I guess and expert could do large(er), and likely more spectacular, hewing swings and actually cut things. Though would large and spectacular telegraphed swings work in RL is to be determined I guess.
Having no formal training, this is purely an amateurish handling review (sry, no video).
Yeah well, thing is quite lively poking and swinging around, another animal entirely from a sword for sure. As far as piercing goes, I have no experience with a smaller spearhead, though I would say that the weight/inertia behind a long thrust looks to be scary.
We had some fun with thrusting in targets then trying to cut our way out from a side, works best when pulling the blade out so to have the edge slice out, I commented how nasty it would likely be when extracting from a gut strike. That large, long spearhead would also be quite good for enlarging wounds once in, hopefully damaging organs and blood vessels further, especially considering leverage from the shaft.
Youngest son put us to shame, actually spearing bottles and subsequently heaving them up while extracting the blade and then skewering them in flight. He's got the hand/eye coordination for sure.
The long leafed blade is quite flexible as we noted when moving and lifting skerewed filled bottles. I wouldn't throw that one unless in dire necessity, it would likely bend badly. It is somewhat springy, I am guessing the heat treatment is adequate.
We found that edge alignment (for cutting sweeps) isn't so easy to handle, having a round shaft likely doesn't help. That being said, some cutting were done, usually with short, clean strokes for precision. So I guess and expert could do large(er), and likely more spectacular, hewing swings and actually cut things. Though would large and spectacular telegraphed swings work in RL is to be determined I guess.
It is definitely NOT a sword, you just do not have the same weight behind the blade when cutting. I have read no spear handling treatise, but I would think that besides skewering, main targets would be the inside of arms, legs or neck to get at the vulnerable muscles, sinew and blood vessels. Given the nature of the beast, even a missed direct hit can be converted into a nasty slice when pulling back.
If I ever replace that shaft I will be an oval(ish) one, which would likely make it heavier but also much easier for cutting strikes.
When/if re-sharpening I will see if I can reduce the bevel to give it a better edge profile for enhanced cutting ability.
