Did a return on something else, worth mentioning that Kult of Athena was very prompt and accomodating, and decided to give this a try:

http://www.kultofathena.com/product~item~5008...gsword.htm

WIndlass calls it a 15th Century Longsword. This description that is probably as historically accurate as they could do, since the sword seems to blend element of several sword types from the period (Oakeshott types XVIIIa, XVIIIb, XIX). That being the case I'm inclined to consider it historically inspired (which is fine).

An official review will be forthcoming.

Very short assessment so far is that if you want a longsword hybrid that will look decent to anybody except a collector interested in pure histroical accuracy, a sword that is a bit more than a wallhanger, and if you don't mind a blade that is lively (a bit stiffer would be nicer), its nice for the price. Good for faire costume, layman's decoration, and form drilling. I don't think it will cut for beans (it is a blunt) and the jury is still out on durability, but it has survived a first round of firewood beating.

I suspect a physically strong swordsman will overpower the sword. Leather and wire handle wrap is decent. At $169 KoA price it appears to be a fair value and will certainly works for my purposes.

Basically details seperate it from the big guns as usual, but it appears to be a nice effort.

Note: My expectations were very low based on previous Windlass/MRL experiences. Regardless, like the XIV I got a few weeks ago, this sword seems to show some improvement that (to me) might indicate increased capability. Whether that is fact or fiction, and whether it will continue if it is fact, is debatable.

I've got this sword, too.

I'm with you...I found it to have a lively feel, good balance, and it follows through nicely on cuts and drills. Fit and finish is also quite good and I've had no problems with loosening in the hilt (or anywhere else).

You beat on firewood with it? Can't say I thought much about doing that with mine but I guess it's nice to know it withstood such...um...treatment. :0) Was the firewood wearing maille?

Looks decent ! Sometimes one can be very happy with an approximation, historically and functional, of a sword type when the quality is over a certain minimum and the price is not excessive: One can fill out a small collection of high end pieces and still get a taste of many other types of swords or weapons at a reasonable price i.e. not go broke.

It's the old quality versus quantity when collecting and balancing one versus the other: Doing a little bit of both is fine with me.

For the curious, pommel is threaded not peened. I find this interesting because many of the newer Windlass introductions have been peened. Looks nice and make maintenance a breeze.

Light feel and fair balance.

Tang appears to be reasonable. In a one word description, I'd say sufficient. I would like a bit more beef to it though. Not a rat tail, but also not the most confidence inspiring tang I've ever seen. Still, assuming it holds up, all is good.

Blade should be stiffer IMO.

It would have been nice if they stuck with a sword type instead of blending several. The typology melting pot is only going to be an issue for collectors placing emphasis on historical accuracy. Fortunately for Windlass, that is a group of people I don't think this sword is designed to sell to in the first place.

Good deal at the price I paid if you know what you are buying and it suits your needs.

Regarding typology, sure its a modern construct, but Windlass/MRL does slap Ewart on their catalogs. Nothing wrong with what they have done, just leaves me in a place where I'm more comfortable calling this a historically inspired piece than a reproduction.

I like Windlass products so far. I have the Poignard which likely isn't historically accurate but is a decent looking and entirely functional side arm. I also have the Hewing Spear which also is probably not historically accurate but it is stout and commands a certain degree of respect. They serve my needs as a beginner because they're easy on the purse and as I practice sharpening and polishing I needn't worry about the possibility of harming a more valuable piece. I'm still looking for the right shaft for my spear and I'm thinking of making a different scabbard for the short blade...

Thought maybe you were cutting firewood like Mathew Broderick in Ladyhawk :D

I've used it for light flourishing primarily, have not cut with it.

For the price, a great sword in my opinion.

The fit and finish on mine is excellent. I like it.

Gave this sword a pool noodle workout today.

For an unsharpened sword it cuts noodles quite nicely. Accelerates quickly, has decent feel, seems to stop and change direction decently as well (as my poor technique allows).

Everything still nice and tight too.

So far so good.

Jeanry, if you want to check how did the sharp windlass sword performed, including the 15th century longsword, you may check my review here: http://www.rsw.com.hk/5-swords.htm

I included stats like weight and balance point.

Got another decent workout today.

Came through it in good shape again.

Pommel is a screw on, and it did finally loosen up some today. An annoying thing that does tend to happen with pommels of this type (screw on). Nice thing about it is that the annoynance was very easy to resolve.