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Post by Kane Shen on Oct 7, 2022 17:32:42 GMT
I noticed that too. It’s an odd one, unless Matt Easton or the RA curators have reasons to believe that originally the nagel on that sword used to be upswept instead of downturned. That's precisely why I reached out to Matt, and I'm grateful he replied. Just saw his response. Good of you to reach out to him! Hopefully this would be addressed in the first batch. |
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Post by Kane Shen on Oct 7, 2022 20:27:56 GMT
I am definitely eyeing the big 15th century two hander, heh. I always wanted a reproduction of that piece. I just kinda wish they had a bit more flare but that just me, of course. I am sure I can blacken the hilt easily enough. Indeed. A much improved version. Everything about that sword now is lightyears ahead of their old offering of the English Two-handed. The base thickness starts at 8mm. Because of the distal taper it still only weigh 4.5 lbs. Fantastic! All the hilt components have way better details and stay much closer to the original. |
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Post by skelley on Oct 7, 2022 20:48:34 GMT
I think I'm going to hold off for right now till some of your all's first impressions and reviews come in, just to be safe. I'm still planning on getting my hands on some of these beauties but I just want to be extra sure, ya know? Thank you all in advance!
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Post by curiomansion on Oct 7, 2022 21:04:24 GMT
That little discount code we get for the forum talked me into it.
Wait...what? |
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Post by legacyofthesword on Oct 7, 2022 21:05:01 GMT
I am definitely eyeing the big 15th century two hander, heh. I always wanted a reproduction of that piece. I just kinda wish they had a bit more flare but that just me, of course. I am sure I can blacken the hilt easily enough. Indeed. A much improved version. Everything about that sword now is lightyears ahead of their old offering of the English Two-handed. The base thickness starts at 8mm. Because of the distal taper it still only weigh 4.5 lbs. Fantastic! All the hilt components have way better details and stay much closer to the original. I must have this sword. |
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Post by zabazagobo on Oct 7, 2022 21:22:58 GMT
These look cool in premise, but definitely need to see some reviews. $700-800 for a Windlass is out of the question based on my prior experiences. The fact they're blunt doesn't help much either, knowing Windlass edge profiling. Anyways, off to find a pretzel to accompany my salt.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2022 21:29:10 GMT
That little discount code we get for the forum talked me into it.
Wait...what? We have a standing discount code for them of 10% off any purchase. Its SBG2022. |
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Post by curiomansion on Oct 7, 2022 21:35:27 GMT
We have a standing discount code for them of 10% off any purchase. Its SBG2022. I did not know! Thank you so much! This definitely factors into my decision to buy! |
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Post by zabazagobo on Oct 7, 2022 21:40:01 GMT
We have a standing discount code for them of 10% off any purchase. Its SBG2022. I did not know! Thank you so much! This definitely factors into my decision to buy! Museum Replicas also has a pretty generous buyer rewards program (earn points for purchases, posting reviews, etc.). The fact that in addition to Windlass they also periodically stock Cold Steel and Hanwei makes them my default for those. Also typically have a killer sale in the Fall around Thanksgiving (often up to 20% off).
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Post by curiomansion on Oct 7, 2022 21:45:16 GMT
Well I'm super excited about these! I've been really getting into sharpening and reprofiling blades this past month and have improved a ton! I have 5+ blades lined up to practice on, so if I were to pull the trigger on one of these, I welcome the unfinished edges. It looks like they won't be too far from sharp as they are.
As for the value proposition of these swords, they are indeed a little higher than I was hoping, but not bad, imo. Fit and finish does look inferior to a squire line, but aesthetically, I think they are a notch above. The squire line exemplifies the modern aesthetic that Albion's have that many don't like. Most of their next gen line is so pretty, I don't personally care, but the modern perfection + austere hilt fittings of the SL are just too much for me personally.
Every Windlass I have ever modded, ground, and played with has had impeccable heat treats and a wonderfully durable blade. Shockingly so, in fact. Aesthetically, they've already made something head and shoulders above their normal line up. As long as their hilts are sturdy (common problem for me in the past) and the balance is dynamic like the originals, I think most of the extra cost is justified; then throw in the fact that everything is more expensive these days and that the scabbard is included! Plus I assume these will be regularly available.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2022 22:03:46 GMT
Well I'm super excited about these! I've been really getting into sharpening and reprofiling blades this past month and have improved a ton! I have 5+ blades lined up to practice on, so if I were to pull the trigger on one of these, I welcome the unfinished edges. It looks like they won't be too far from sharp as they are. As for the value proposition of these swords, they are indeed a little higher than I was hoping, but not bad, imo. Fit and finish does look inferior to a squire line, but aesthetically, I think they are a notch above. The squire line exemplifies the modern aesthetic that Albion's have that many don't like. Most of their next gen line is so pretty, I don't personally care, but the modern perfection + austere hilt fittings of the SL are just too much for me personally. Every Windlass I have ever modded, ground, and played with has had impeccable heat treats and a wonderfully durable blade. Shockingly so, in fact. Aesthetically, they've already made something head and shoulders above their normal line up. As long as their hilts are sturdy (common problem for me in the past) and the balance is dynamic like the originals, I think most of the extra cost is justified; then throw in the fact that everything is more expensive these days and that the scabbard is included! Plus I assume these will be regularly available. I reworked a type xviii blade from Windlass recently and it came out beautiful. The heat treat is very good. It's just a few millimeters thin at the base of the blade, and a hollow grind would have been better. The real upgrade for me with these is that my type xvii blade is 8mm thick and tapers to 5mm. It also has three profile transitions executed on the blade. For Windlass, that's an upgrade on par from making Kraft Mac and cheese to baked Mac and cheese with a homemade Bechamel sauce. |
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Post by Kane Shen on Oct 7, 2022 22:04:49 GMT
It would seem that shipping at least to the US is free for the Royal Armouries swords. Alientude confirmed that it didn’t charge hum either, but other pre-ordered item would charge an extra as shipping fee.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2022 22:10:48 GMT
It would seem that shipping at least to the US is free for the Royal Armouries swords. Alientude confirmed that it didn’t charge hum either, but other pre-ordered item would charge an extra as shipping fee. I would imagine having a desired product line like this would drive traffic to Atlanta Cutlery's websites alone. I also noticed my shipping fee was very reasonable. |
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Post by Eric Bergeron on Oct 7, 2022 22:49:07 GMT
I guess I must be the only one that doesn't seem interested in any of the offerings this round, I do hope that more swords are introduced, but the lack of a sharp edge from the get go at that much money seems ridiculous, I might as well look at an Atrim or valiant or an Albion for a little more.
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Post by zabazagobo on Oct 7, 2022 23:23:38 GMT
I guess I must be the only one that doesn't seem interested in any of the offerings this round, I do hope that more swords are introduced, but the lack of a sharp edge from the get go at that much money seems ridiculous, I might as well look at an Atrim or valiant or an Albion for a little more. I'm in the same boat on all accounts. For one more tier in price, Valiant Armory is awesome. Still need to get one of their German longswords. |
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Post by cptnvimes on Oct 7, 2022 23:37:10 GMT
"I guess I must be the only one that doesn't seem interested in any of the offerings this round, I do hope that more swords are introduced, but the lack of a sharp edge from the get go at that much money seems ridiculous, I might as well look at an Atrim or valiant or an Albion for a little more."
You're not the only one. I looked at the offerings and there was nothing that really interested me... maybe the falchion, but for that money I'd rather have a Landsknecht Emporium messer. The stuff is not bad but nothing really catches my eye.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2022 0:13:20 GMT
India cannot export sharp blades. We all know this to be true. Museum Replicas/Atlanta Cutlery does offer a sharpening service. The swords themselves have such a fine edge on them already (butter knife sharp), that sharpening them retroactively will not be difficult. If that is such an impediment for some buyers, then I trust they will look elsewhere, as several have already professed in this thread.
Furthermore, I assume these buyers generally look past Windlass offerings because all Windlass swords come blunt or are sharpened with large secondary edge bevels, which I do not like. Did anyone honestly think that Matt Easton and the Royal Armouries were going to change Indian law? We all knew these swords would not come sharpened from India, and I am very sorry for those who thought otherwise. What I hoped for was that Windlass would produce sword blades with accurate geometry, distal taper, and weight and balance. A fine edge of "butter knife" sharpness can be given an appleseed edge fairly easily. I have a belt sander, I know how to sharpen a blade. This is a non-starter for me.
Lastly, the comparison to Albion swords is entirely unwarranted. These are mid-range replicas not up to the standards of Albion's, nor is there any option for customization. This may be disappointing to some, but it comes as a relief to me. For those of us who do not have disposable incomes to pay for an Albion, or who are not patient enough to wait 18-24 months for one, and who find the look of Albion swords to be too perfect to the point of appearing aseptic, then these mid-range offerings are a wonderful development within this marketplace.
I purchased a type XVII blade that costs HALF THE PRICE what Albion offers (the Sempach), and the Albion blade's level of polish is below what I prefer, and it does not come with a scabbard. For a person of modest income like me, this is good news. I am sorry it disappoints others, but as many of you have already pointed out, these just are not for you.
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Post by alientude on Oct 8, 2022 0:18:29 GMT
FYI, it's not Indian law that prevents these from being sharp. It is legal to export sharp swords from India, but it's a completely different (and more expensive) license than what Windlass normally uses. These ones appear to be unsharpened due to UK law (something to do with selling them at the museum, I believe?).
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2022 0:21:39 GMT
FYI, it's not Indian law that prevents these from being sharp. It is legal to export sharp swords from India, but it's a completely different (and more expensive) license than what Windlass normally uses. These ones appear to be unsharpened due to UK law (something to do with selling them at the museum, I believe?). Thanks for clarifying. It sounds like politics is a hindrance to exporting the things we love. Good thing I have a belt sander. |
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Post by Eric Bergeron on Oct 8, 2022 2:22:59 GMT
Yeah I was going to say we know India can export sharp blades because CS gets their blades sharp, windlass also has a lot of their wares being made sharp, it looks to be a Royal armouries thing to not have the blades be sharp.
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Nov 1, 2024 0:13:58 GMT
Nov 1, 2024 0:13:58 GMT
