Windlass Steelcrafts has introduced a brilliant new sword kit ( ;) ) They've taken a swing at the famous German XVIIIa from Schloss Erbach (see Oakeshott, ROTMS). It's in the new MRL catalog, but nowhere online as far as I can tell (typical). Y'all are not going to believe this thing (in a good way). I will own this piece. It's the best thing I've seen from Windlass in a long, long time--maybe ever. The cross lacks the rectangular swelling of the original and the blade is slightly different, so I wouldn't give it the highest marks as a repro of the original (maybe a 7 out of 10 for visual accuracy). But it looks outstanding as a sword of this type. The blade is hollow-ground and very well proportioned. In fact, the entire piece is well proportioned. I'll give mine a new finish, grip and wrap (when I get it next year,) but apparently won't have to do much else beyond the basic stabilization of the hilt.

Thanks for the head's up, I will have to be on the lookout for my catalogue, perhaps it will get here today.

Hi Sean ..

could you post a pic of the sword?? :\ .. am curious how looks like...

Here is a scan from the catalog...

I agree, very nice proportions!

Just wish that Windlass could use a little thicker stock. 3/16 seems a little thin in the forte... especially for a hollow grind.

ks

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thanks for the pic Kirk -- :D , could be awesome if someone makes a good review of this sword and see the improvements of Windlass

Wow! I was truly surprised when I scrolled down to the picture, that is indeed a beautiful sword and I agree with Sean, that is perhaps the best Windlass that "I" have ever seen, in fact on second thought, this is the best Windlass sword that I have ever seen!

Sincerely!

Bob

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to correct one element of the description for the sword in the catalog description. MRL states "This sword rests in the Schloss Erbach Armoury..." this is not accurate. The sword is providenced to have come from the armoury, but today it actually is part of The Oakeshott Collection housed in The Oakeshott Institute.

Here is a pic of the actual sword

[ Linked Image ]

Best

Craig Johnson
Sec. The Oakeshott Inst.

Thanks for the image, Craig! I dimly recalled that it was in the U.S. now.

I'll adopt a wait-and-see attitude until someone has had sword in hand before making any decisions regarding this. In other news, their new basilard dagger looks promising too.

Craig's post serves as a reminder that anybody who can't or won't do the kind of work I'm planning for this sword should simply get the A&A Schloss Erbach. I certainly would if I had the cash. But, as it is, I'll even have to wait for the Windlass piece to be discounted and even then may have to sell something from my collection to justify the addition.

I know even without handling it that the A&A piece is worth every penny as-is, while the Windlass will need a significant investment of time and labor (which I enjoy) just to bring it up to the minimum assembly/aesthetic standard. Then, of course, I'll still have a Windlass sword.

I mention this because I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm suggesting that the Windlass Erbach is superior or even just equivalent to the A&A Schloss Erbach Arming Sword. Apples and Oranges. Maybe more like Apple and Apple Pie. :D One is a finished and well-researched piece. The other is a kit, basically, and may not represent any research beyond opening ROTMS to the chapter on Type XVIII.

The Windlass version is not a bad likeness. Is it just me, or is the blade hollow-ground? I own an A&A Schloss, though Craig & company have slightly tweaked their model since my purchase ($465 new, July of 2000). It is still the most sublime reproduction sword I've ever handled - and I've handled newer high-end pieces from other makers that cost twice as much or more. Every time I handle a sword at a Renfaire or someone's house or whatever, I find myself comparing it to my Schloss Erbach. It truly sets a standard.

I'm eager to check out the Windlass version sometime. Has anybody bagged one yet? Thoughts?

MRL has posted better photos (see attached). I might take .25" off the base of the pommel, narrow the base and extend the filing, among other things.

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Did you finally get that Windlass Erbach, Sean? I'm thinking of picking one up myself, and was wondering about a) whippines, b) durability (for medium/heavy cutting, e.g. tatami and bamboo), and c) handling. Any insight on these characteristics?

Thanks very much!
Craig

I still don't have one. The price hasn't dropped into my "project" range, but I still expect that to happen. I'm not worried about the blade. I'm working on a narrow Windlass Type XVIII right now and it's very stiff. In any case, I think the last time I saw a truly "whippy" Windlass blade was on their old German Bastard Sword, and that was almost a decade ago.

I think the current KOA price of $209 is fair for this piece as-is. But, again, I think of the Erbach Sword as a project, needing refinishing, refinement of pommel and cross (grinding/filing,) complete replacement of grip, stabilization of hilt furniture (shims, epoxy, peen). So, even the KOA price is too high for my purposes. I'm looking for an investment of $150 to create a sword and scabbard set one would not expect to get for less than, say, $600.

Thanks for the info, Sean!

Sean Flynt wrote:

[...] refinishing, refinement of pommel and cross (grinding/filing,) complete replacement of grip, stabilization of hilt furniture (shims, epoxy, peen) [...]

She'll be a beautiful sword once you've purchased and upgraded her -- please keep us posted.

If anyone else has purchased this sword and can provide some insight, please chime in!