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Zlatko Vlašic
Location: Croatia Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 32
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 Posted: Sun 14 Nov, 2010 4:45 am Post subject: Windlass Oakeshott Type XVIII Sword |
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The sword in question...
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...VIII+Sword
I sort of like the look of this sword and am thinking of buying it (it even comes with a solid looking belt and suspension), but can't find more detailed info or a review of it. I am particulatly interested in finding out about the size of the handle - it's being called a bastard sword but at a total lenght of 41,5 inches, with the blade being 34', how can one fit two hands on it?!
I would much appreciate if anybody could shed some light on this piece...
Also, does it suffer from the notorious windlass whippiness syndrome?
Thanks,
zlatko
"To you, Baldrick, Renaissance is just something that happened to other people."
Edmund Blackadder
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J.D. Crawford
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| Posted: Sun 14 Nov, 2010 7:46 am Post subject: |
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According to Kult of Athena: Grip Length: 4 7/8''
This would allow you to palm the pommel and perhaps get 1-2 fingers on the grip with the second hand.
I haven't handled this one myself, but I've handled many Windlass products and the ones like this do tend to be 'whippy'. They tend to use a flexible temper, and if you look at the numbers on this sword, you can see the blade is quite thin even at the base, whereas a type XVIII should have a thicker central ridge to support the weight of the blade and make it more ridgid.
That's my guess.
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Zlatko Vlašic
Location: Croatia Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Sun 14 Nov, 2010 8:02 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, placing two hands on that handle seemed impossible to me as well.
The numbers like blade thickness and such don't really say much to me - I am way too much of a novice to be able to asses swords on that basis. But I'm learining 
"To you, Baldrick, Renaissance is just something that happened to other people."
Edmund Blackadder
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Luka Borscak
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| Posted: Sun 14 Nov, 2010 8:15 am Post subject: |
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It's a good looking sword, but one I wouldn't buy before handling it. It sounds really thin.
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Jörn Landgraf
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Roger Hooper
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| Posted: Sun 14 Nov, 2010 11:08 am Post subject: |
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As J. D. Crawford says, to wield it with two hands, you would have to put one around the pommel, something you could do with any singlehander. If this is a bastard, I would prefer that the grip be at least two inches longer.
The position of the riser about 1/2 inch away from the guard is a little odd. Typically the riser and guard edges would be kissing each other.
The floral pattern on the pommel seems familiar. but I can't quite place it. - http://www.kultofathena.com/images/501214_7_l.jpg - FWIW, I think it very unlikely that you would find it on a Medieval pommel.
MRL is selling this sword for &375.00, while KOA is charging $250.00. 
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Zlatko Vlašic
Location: Croatia Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Mon 15 Nov, 2010 4:34 am Post subject: |
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@ Jörn
Thaks for the review. This solves at least the issue of handle size. Definitely too small for my taste.
I don't understand why they didn't use a different style pommel, like a fish tail, that would facilitate a second hand grip without making the grip longer. This wheel type is completely wrong, IMHO.
Well, taking everything into account, plus the fact that I really would like to try the sword before buying, I guess I'll pass. I'll take either the Hanwei Albrecht or Italian longsword. And Kriegschwert, of course  ... my favorite:)
Shame, it looks like a great package for the price, 250$ for a sword with a good quality scabbard and suspension....but the grip just puts me off...
"To you, Baldrick, Renaissance is just something that happened to other people."
Edmund Blackadder
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This is a standard topic