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Post by cerius on Jun 7, 2024 17:22:19 GMT
Hi all,
I’m lookimg at these two and can’t decide which one to buy. They are both 45-ish cm and both for 44€. I probaly end up buying both. Is there any reason to avoid any of them? Which one do you like better? Or is there something you like better with around 45 cm?
Thanks, Cerius
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Post by mrstabby on Jun 7, 2024 17:55:18 GMT
The Qama has a horrible grip. It is a nice blade, but the grip is short (around 8cm) and it gives me blood blisters. You could also look at the United Cutlery Combat Commander Gladius, it's more sword-like than the Cold Steel in my opinion. Combat Commander had a more refinded edge geometry than just a straight bevel therefore cuts very well and is very fast with a nicer grip (it's soft rubbber vs the Cold Steels plastic, the steel on the CS is also slightly softer making it perform slightly worse in edge retention). Qama is a bit heavier, the blade is a lot tougher than either, but the grip makes it unusable for me. It depends though, the Combat Commander is more a sword, the Cold Steel more machete. The Qama is pure sword, but the grip - as I said. EDIT: There also is the Windlass Cobra Steel line, they are stainless steel though. Many say they are good, but I have doubts the stainless steel performs like the 1065 they nornally use on the Qama for example. Another thing you could look at is the Windlass Long Hewing Spear, basically a short sword, you woulg have to mage a handly yourself though.
EDIT2: If it does not have to be double edged, the Windlass D-Guard Bowie is a great option, and the Windlass Kindjal (Kingjal is double edged, but curved)
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Post by cerius on Jun 7, 2024 21:36:28 GMT
Thank you for your reply, Mr. Stabby. I love the look and the idea of the hewing spear suggested by you and just ordered it! Now I just have to find some sheath for it. And some wrap or something for the handle.
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Post by howler on Jun 7, 2024 21:43:08 GMT
As Stabby pointed out, the grip on the Qama has to be addressed by each individual. I got narrow paws, and you may be able to alter the handle by wrapping or grinding work on the projecting studs. I think there is a traditional reason for those studs but I forget.
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Post by cerius on Jun 9, 2024 14:54:05 GMT
Found some reviews regarding the qama and it seems to have little shorter handle than it should.
Found this video regarding proper holding. Is any of the holding way more comfortable?
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Post by randomnobody on Jun 9, 2024 15:54:03 GMT
That's a very interesting video.
I find too many carry a strange bias to "different" grips. Every design has a purpose, and if you think a sword's grip is uncomfortable, then it's because of one of two things:
1) You're holding it wrong. (I figure this is most common)
2) It was made to fit someone else's hand, not yours. (Antiques and customs tend to fall here)
I've had several swords, most readily to mind an antique yataghan, which made me think "That can't be comfortable to hold" until I actually got it in my hands and realized where and how my hands should be.
As for the initial question, I have no input. Gladii aren't my thing and while I'd love to have a qama/kindjal, I'd sooner buy antique than (especially lower-end) modern. As a compromise, though, I'd probably be satisfied with something from Peserey or vtdaggers. They're a bit more costly than the Windlass, though...
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Post by mrstabby on Jun 10, 2024 7:20:42 GMT
As for the initial question, I have no input. Gladii aren't my thing and while I'd love to have a qama/kindjal, I'd sooner buy antique than (especially lower-end) modern. As a compromise, though, I'd probably be satisfied with something from Peserey or vtdaggers. They're a bit more costly than the Windlass, though... "A bit more" is kind of an understatement for 10x the price.
The Qama is gripable but not usable in the condition it arrives. Any way you grip it will be uncomfortable holding, and as soon as you use it it will bite. If you have smaller hands (like 8cm palm diameter) it will fit perfectly, my hands are lightly too big and there is always something putting pressure on my palm somewhere, mostly it is the "pommel". For other grip choices the corners need to be rounded off, even then it's a bit too blade heavy for gripping the pommel only or a saber grip with the short grip. Could it be done? Yes. But it does not feel like a safe grip - grip is slippery, so a bit of wet and it likely flies off. I'd class it as a project blade. Widen the grip area, take off the corners, grip wrap. The scabbard is pretty good, a wood core, very unusual for Windlass.
I feel the Hewing Spear out the box is more usable, even without mounting it. Although it's also a "project blade" it just feels better.
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Post by cerius on Jun 10, 2024 13:01:37 GMT
As for the initial question, I have no input. Gladii aren't my thing and while I'd love to have a qama/kindjal, I'd sooner buy antique than (especially lower-end) modern. As a compromise, though, I'd probably be satisfied with something from Peserey or vtdaggers. They're a bit more costly than the Windlass, though... "A bit more" is kind of an understatement for 10x the price.
The Qama is gripable but not usable in the condition it arrives. Any way you grip it will be uncomfortable holding, and as soon as you use it it will bite. If you have smaller hands (like 8cm palm diameter) it will fit perfectly, my hands are lightly too big and there is always something putting pressure on my palm somewhere, mostly it is the "pommel". For other grip choices the corners need to be rounded off, even then it's a bit too blade heavy for gripping the pommel only or a saber grip with the short grip. Could it be done? Yes. But it does not feel like a safe grip - grip is slippery, so a bit of wet and it likely flies off. I'd class it as a project blade. Widen the grip area, take off the corners, grip wrap. The scabbard is pretty good, a wood core, very unusual for Windlass.
I feel the Hewing Spear out the box is more usable, even without mounting it. Although it's also a "project blade" it just feels better.
The stainless version seems to have better grip but well, it’s stainless. Seems like most of windlass stuff are project blades ![:)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Looking forward to get the hewing spear. Qama will stay at back of my brain for a while then.
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Post by randomnobody on Jun 10, 2024 13:10:46 GMT
"A bit more" is kind of an understatement for 10x the price. ![:D](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) Quite. ![;)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) That's why it's 1/10 the price. ![:D](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/grin.png) A good hewing spear would make an okay short sword.
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Post by demonskull on Jun 10, 2024 13:47:01 GMT
Another vote for the CS Gladius. I bought 2 qamas over the years, one of them is around somewhere. The other I took the grips off, ground down the width of the tang, tapped the last 1/2" or so and made a triple layer brass guard and pommel. The top and bottom layer of each is a simple piece of bar stock, while the middle layer piece has file worked edges. I used a piece of Hickory from an axe handle that I cut through the profile, and chisel out the dimensions for the tang, then cord and leather wrapped. I did it for a gift for my youngest brother, 20 years ago. The CS I bought about 6 years ago, and I like it for a lightweight piece of home defense. I ended up buying a second CS for a Xmas gift for my son-in-law.
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Post by mrstabby on Jun 10, 2024 13:50:02 GMT
"A bit more" is kind of an understatement for 10x the price.
The Qama is gripable but not usable in the condition it arrives. Any way you grip it will be uncomfortable holding, and as soon as you use it it will bite. If you have smaller hands (like 8cm palm diameter) it will fit perfectly, my hands are lightly too big and there is always something putting pressure on my palm somewhere, mostly it is the "pommel". For other grip choices the corners need to be rounded off, even then it's a bit too blade heavy for gripping the pommel only or a saber grip with the short grip. Could it be done? Yes. But it does not feel like a safe grip - grip is slippery, so a bit of wet and it likely flies off. I'd class it as a project blade. Widen the grip area, take off the corners, grip wrap. The scabbard is pretty good, a wood core, very unusual for Windlass.
I feel the Hewing Spear out the box is more usable, even without mounting it. Although it's also a "project blade" it just feels better.
The stainless version seems to have better grip but well, it’s stainless. Seems like most of windlass stuff are project blades ![:)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Looking forward to get the hewing spear. Qama will stay at back of my brain for a while then. The United Cutlery Combat Commander Gladius has a pretty similar, very comfortable soft rubberized grip. And it's 1065 carbon steel, pretty good temper as well.
I have read the stainless Cobra steel do perform, but they are a bit softer.
I wouldn't say most Windlass stuff needs modification, only the ones in the lower price segment.
I have been looking at the UC Combat Commander Thai Gladius which is half way between spear and sword, but putting a shorter shaft on the Hewing Spear is pretty much the same, but with the Thai Gladius you don't have to run around looking for good, straight wooden shafts.
As for the Qama, you could get a lot of other quality blades for 500€, Windlass Hoplite for example, or the Gladii from Windlass, Condor or Legacy Arms, even the APOCS are half that.
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Post by cerius on Jun 11, 2024 8:00:51 GMT
The stainless version seems to have better grip but well, it’s stainless. Seems like most of windlass stuff are project blades ![:)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png) Looking forward to get the hewing spear. Qama will stay at back of my brain for a while then. The United Cutlery Combat Commander Gladius has a pretty similar, very comfortable soft rubberized grip. And it's 1065 carbon steel, pretty good temper as well.
I have read the stainless Cobra steel do perform, but they are a bit softer.
I wouldn't say most Windlass stuff needs modification, only the ones in the lower price segment.
I have been looking at the UC Combat Commander Thai Gladius which is half way between spear and sword, but putting a shorter shaft on the Hewing Spear is pretty much the same, but with the Thai Gladius you don't have to run around looking for good, straight wooden shafts.
As for the Qama, you could get a lot of other quality blades for 500€, Windlass Hoplite for example, or the Gladii from Windlass, Condor or Legacy Arms, even the APOCS are half that.
500€ is too much for a single blade for me. I ordered the CS Gladius machete along with the CS Bowie machete (thanks to your liking it in other thread). I’m looking at the UC Gladius but first will try the CS one. I can’t find any reliable weight info to the UC Gladius but seems to be heavier than CS. Does it feel so much better? I pulled the trigger on the CS Gladius for its reputation to be indestructible. Is the UC version similar in this regard?
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Post by mrstabby on Jun 11, 2024 8:28:29 GMT
I don't have the CS to compare now, but to me the UC felt better. More like a sword and lighter because the PoB was closer to where you grip it even if it was a bit heavier (also on that short a sword 100g plus or minus does not make much difference in my opinion). The UC has a more cut-centric, thinner edge (look at the pictures, the UC has a wide primary bevel while the CS is just sharpened right off the flat). Can't say either is indestructible, the UC is harder, stiffer and has better edge profile and retention - the CS edge does get worn down significantly faster. I thought for a while the UC was easier to bend since I bent mine on a horrible cutting session, but I have since had more experience with the CS and due to the lower hardness they are a tiny bit easier to bend out of shape than the higher hardness UC. As a beater the CS could be better, but I don't know, gave mine back in favour of the UC, I just prefer the UC as a sword for cutting and wielding, feels more refined - if you like the rubber grip.I prefer the rubber over the plastic, although it is easy to damage, you could wrap the CS but I also prefer the over-all shape of the UC. The soft grips have a tendency to come loose though (on the CS Kukuris as well), if you get one that's loose, drip in super glue. I loosened the grip on my UC but filled in 1 tube of blue, no problems since then.
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Post by cerius on Jun 13, 2024 19:51:42 GMT
Gladius and Bowie came today. Both are 3 mm 65Mn made in China. Both look and feel quite good, love them.
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Post by randomnobody on Jun 24, 2024 20:45:54 GMT
This thread was a terrible influence on me and I blame all of you. ![IMG_20240624_1643281582.jpg](//storage.forums.net/1694914/thumbnailer/iNZtLqJJIYMiOvsKTFHd.png)
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Post by eastman on Jun 25, 2024 0:34:40 GMT
This thread was a terrible influence on me and I blame all of you.
that one's a lot nicer than my Windlass
good to know we are doing a proper job of enabling
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Post by randomnobody on Jun 25, 2024 0:52:40 GMT
This thread was a terrible influence on me and I blame all of you. that one's a lot nicer than my Windlass I told myself I'd buy a Windlass to compare this to, at some point, but the Windlass is just so...unappealing by comparison. It's like my Khyber knife ordeal all over again. stahp pls
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Post by cerius on Jun 27, 2024 17:44:14 GMT
This thread was a terrible influence on me and I blame all of you. That is one beautiful kinjal. Much much nicer than the Windlass one. Where do you have it from? We have good influence on you ![:)](//storage.forums.net/forum/images/smiley/smiley.png)
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Post by cerius on Jun 27, 2024 17:52:10 GMT
that one's a lot nicer than my Windlass I told myself I'd buy a Windlass to compare this to, at some point, but the Windlass is just so...unappealing by comparison. It's like my Khyber knife ordeal all over again. stahp pls A khyber knife? Never heard of it before. Looked it up in wikipeadia. Now I need one. Edit: Phew, looks to be discontinued.
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Post by mrstabby on Jun 27, 2024 18:23:26 GMT
There is a new Cold Steel one. www.coldsteel.com/khyber-sword/But it isn't really a "Khyber Knife", some things are very wrong about it (there is a thread somewhere) and definately not worth 300$.
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