I wanted a couple of bludgeons, longer handles than the War Hammer and Horseman's Axe that Arms & Armor sells, but not pole arms. Also, something that I would feel free to use to slaughter boards etc. for the fun of it. The Foot Soldiers War Hammer $97.00 by Windlass Steelcraft through Swords of Honor and the BIter by Windlass Steelcraft through The Steel Source for $109.00. Both are made in India and both were much better quality than I expected, though I would not compare them to Arms & Armor.

I've already slaughtered several boards and had quite a bit of fun doing so, both are made with 6150 steel, though I am sure they are not very well tempered. First let me say, I would only buy a sword from Arms & Armor, maybe an Albion or two down the road, but I am an Arms & Armor man, feel a bit repetative here, I think I have already well made this point.

Just don't want anyone think I am gonna go south on ya here and start buying cheap swords. It aint gonna happen!

Actually, I have got the Danish War Axe and the Sparth Ace on my "want to get list" from Arms & Armor.

I am kind of looking for some feedback from you guys, good, bad or indifferent, on how you feel about Windlass Steelcraft.

Both weapons are 32 inches in length, again I was surprised at the quality, much better than what I expected, considering the cheap prices. Also, I had an itch to buy weapons and for fear of health (wife), knew it not adviseable to spend much. I go back into the buyers market in 2006. Edward III being priority # 1.

Any and all feedback is welcome.


Happy Collecting,

Bob

Windlass products are generally worth what you pay for them. They aren't the best out there, but their quality has improved enough over the last few years that I feel safe in saying that they are worth the asking price. I examined several of their Kingdom of Heaven swords at the Atlanta Blade Show this last June. Every one of them lacked the finer qualities that make a really good sword, but considering the price tags I don't think they were bad at all. If someone wants to try their hand at artificially aging things Windlass products are an ideal choice.

Hey Bob ever heard of Arms & Armor? :p

Here's a review of the last Windlass sword I purchased from MRL. I think the general observations hold pretty true for the other ones I've handled.

http://www.myArmoury.com/review_mrl_alb.html

There are plenty of review of Windlass Products on our reviews page. Swords, daggers, and armour all seem to have improved over the years, and are good values. I was happy with my most recent purchase (which is in my collection and on the review page).

We haven't reviewed any of their impact weapons, but we would if someone lent them to us. People are always welcome to visit our Contribute page for info on writing up and submitting their own reviews as well.

Hey Chad, those are exactly the two items I have. I had to buff up the wood on the "haft" (learning a new terminology here) on the hammer, the wood was higher than the metal braces and I narrowed the haft down at the handle end. Seems to be white oak but I could be wrong, not a soft wood though. As far as the Biter, the quality was a whole lot better than what I had expected. After slaughtering a few boards with each they both still looked brand new.

Fear not, in the sword end of things, I will only buy high quality!

Patrick, LOL at the "Ever hear of Arms & Armor". That cracked me up!

At By The Sword, there is a particular section Arms and Armour NEW where they sell pole arms such as gaives, halberds, prices run aprox $290 to $450. Anyone familiar with this?

Thanks again!

Bob

Who else makes good weapons of these type?

Bob

Hello Bob,

I have a Windlass High Middle Ages dagger I am generally pleased with. It gives a good first impression but after a while you start to notice the little details that are a bit off. For example, the blade is not perfectly aligned with the narrow slot in the crossguard. If the slot is a rectangle the blade is a diagonal line connecting the corners. Just little things like that. Overall though, it looks pretty good and feels solid in the hand. The blade finish is nice and the wire wrap is tight.

Chad's right about Lutel. As can be seen on my collection page I used to own several of Lutel's axes. I found them to be solidly made and a good value.

Bob;

Can't find a polearm you would like ? Well A & A will make a custom one for you if you have a design you like: Just send your ideas to Craig or ask him to design something for you.

I have a custom Langue the boeuf in the production phase.

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Always wondered about this one..looks nice. http://cgi.ebay.com/MEDIEVAL-WAR-HAMMER-Steel...dZViewItem

I would like to thank everyone for the time you took in answering my questions and I feel reassured in my recent purchases. I had a serious itch to buy some impact weapons, I was wary but figured sometimes you gotta be a risk taker.

Arms & Armor need not worry, they will never lose my business, as long as A&A are making swords & weaponry, I will be buying their swords and weaponry, as money permits. I just wanted to get a couple of beater impact weapons that would not be costly, swords are my priority that is for sure. And like I said, next year Edward III, St. Maurice, Black Prince and or the 12th Century Sword are on my "to acquire" list. Then there's the Oakeshott Sword, German Rapier (wife), 15th Century "BEAST" Two Hander, ah well you know the scoop, I could go on and on! LOL!

By the way, 5 of the books I ordered came today, 3 by Oakeshott, 1 by Burton, and the Rapier Fencing book by the same guy that did the Italian Rapier book. Fabris? Or something like that, books are downstairs.

Can't begin to tell ya how much I LOVE that Italian Three Ring Rapier by A&A. Though one thing I have learned about myself "so far" (though I am still in my infancy in this wonderful passion we all share) I am a sword person, but I would not ever be without this rapier!

This goes to everyone that I have communicated with so far since joining this great website. I have met some really great friends. But I guess that should be no big surprise, as a sword is spiritual, it represents honor, dignity, courage, character, and as one would expect it attracts that kind of a person. Which is quite evident by everyone I have encountered here at myArmoury, as well as the people at Arms & Armor!


Happy Collecting,

Bob

Hmmm and those axe heads etc. are pretty darned cheap too... Thanks Chad! I've only got into things non-swordy lately so I've still not realized all the vendors.

Hey Patrick,

Have you ever done any cutting with your Danish Axe? Mine just showed up yesterday and I'm very tempted to try it...

Bob, I can't speak to the Windlass weapons but Artis who owns The Steel Source is a very nice fella to deal with . His store is located about 8 miles from me and John Gage who now works at Albion used to sell through him when he lived here. If theres something on the Steel Source site some ones curious about I could probably stop by his store and "hands on"it and give them a little feed back.