Everybody seems to want to know about this replica, but I can't find anybody who actually owns one or has at least handled and inspected one. Anybody? What's the scoop? If nobody's buying this item perhaps it'll soon be discounted....

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Sure, but hasn't some forum junkie tried one of these??? (sound of crickets) Maybe I will get one of these this year....just to help out my fellow forumites, you know. :D

That's funny, because I've been wondering about this piece a lot lately myself. I decided to take a risk on their schiovana instead... which as I said in my review, was a little disappointing. That's why I haven't gone out on a limb for this piece... but who knows...

I just got one as a trade for some design work I did for a sword collector friend of mine. Overall it's a very nice sword, even my friend commented on it and his tastes run more toward the custom A&A pieces he's been commissioning lately.

The fittings are nice and tight, and the components are clean and well executed. There's some typical Windlass waviness in the blade surface, but it's not too bad. I'll try to post some more info and pics when I get a chance. :)

I always notice that sword when the MRL catalog comes around. If I was going to buy a sword from them, it would probably be that one.

Aparently this sword owns about the same place on everyones list.

Interesting but...

I got to handle the Windlass German Hand and a Half, and was impressed with fit and finish. The blade was more flexible than I expected, but at that point I wrongly expected all blades to be stiff. Anyway, that piece sorely tempted me to add a longsword to my collection.

888knivesrus has the Towton now. The pictures are quite flattering for a Windlass product.


http://www.888knivesrus.com/product/WS500070

Under two hundred bucks? Oh, I think I may be caving in on this one...

Don't forget to ask them to check the product before you ship it. I'd bet a lot of quality control complaints about 888Knives would disappear if people actually requested it the way they have it set up in checkout. I've ordered several products from them, very fast shipping and very good quality control.

The specifications state that the Towton weighs only two pounds twelve ounces, even with a 36 inch blade. If this is accurate, it's lighter that the Albion Sempach and Landgraf even though the blades are the same length. I am curious enough about it that I have now ordered one. For less than $200 delivered, it's a reasonable risk. Might be a real bargain.

Steve,

We'll look forward to hearing how the purchase goes, how the prodcut turns out, and I'm sure we'd love some photos if you have time for some.

As I recall, Mario Perez from SFI got a chance to try the Towton out when he was doing some of the sword fight coordinating for the History Channels, Conquest series. I seem to recall, he said it was one of the better swords they had on hand to work with. He said it was fairly well balanced and the guard and grip stayed tight. Not perfect ,but a grade above some of the others they worked with.

The Towton I ordered Saturday afternoon arrived today via UPS. It was extremely well packed and padded. So high marks go to 888KnivesRus for speed and care of delivery.

My first impression is very good. The pommel and cross appear to be flawless, with satin steel finish. The black leather grip is carefully stitched on one side, more carefully than my other Windlass. All components are tight. The pommel nut looks a bit conspicuous, but not entirely out of place on this sword.

Windlass blades have a clear plastic (polyurethane?) preservative overcoat that is readily removed with steel wool. This may be the source of the comments about waviness in Windlass blade surfaces. A quick brush with steel wool removes the Windlass marking on the blade and reveals a blade surface that matches the pommel and crossbar. I will clean it up tonight and see how good it looks without the clear coat. If it turns out to be as well executed as my other Windlass, it will look quite a bit better when I've finished stripping it. The edge is inconspicuously blunt, and looks like it should be no trouble to sharpen.

The scabbard for this sword is a better fit than other Windlass products I have handled. The mouth of the scabbard firmly grips the base of the blade, and only the tip is audibly loose inside the outer shell. The scabbard is a good match in appearance for the sword, with similar finish to the metal parts and identical leather.

I don't have my Albions here at home to compare apparent weight and balance, but my guess is that the Towton handles much like the Crecy Mark 1, which is about the same dimensions but quite a bit heavier - 2 pounds 12 ounces versus 3 pounds 5 ounces. Once I have a chance to hold them together I will confirm or revise this impression.

For less than $200 delivered, with no delays, this one looks to be a bargain.

Congrats Steve upon the arrival of the Towton. Keep us up to date with the changes/home improvements.


Cheers,
Bill
aka William

Removal of the clear coat on the blade does not cure all of the waviness, but it is only apparent when you look down the blade like a gun barrel. If this blade had been made completely smooth it would look too shiny for my taste, too much like stainless steel.

My other Windlass is a representation of a Type XV, and has a very thin, overly flexible blade with no noticeable distal taper. The Towton's blade is quite substantial, with comparatively slight but noticeable distal taper. The fuller is well executed and symmetrical on both sides of the blade.

I doubt the Towton would qualify as a true Type XVII, since it is not overly stiff near the point. It does have a real point, and is clearly a functional thrusting sword even though there is no edge.

The pictures on the 888KnivesRus webpage are reasonably accurate, so I don't plan to post any personal pics. I suspect those pictures may even be of this specific sword.

This sword will never be mistaken for an Albion, but I am not exaggerating to say that it is at least as good a representation of its type as any of my Del Tins. For the price, I have not seen anything else that is as presentable as the Towton.