The Godwin Longsword -- myArmoury.com

Benjamin Rial · Posted: Fri 27 Jul, 2012 7:48 am Post subject: The Godwin Longsword

Here's the latest addition to the Elite Line: The Godwin.

Overall Length: 46 1/4"
Blade Length: 34 3/4
Blade Width at Guard: 2 1/16"
Blade Thickness at Guard: 0.23"
Handle Length: 9"
Guard Length: 9"
Pommel Length: 1 7/8"
Weight: 3 lbs. 1 oz.
Point of Balance: 2 3/4"
Point of Harmonics (Blade Node): 21 1/4"
Guard/Pommel Material: 1020 mild steel
Grip Construction: Ash Core, Cord Wrap, Leather Wrap
Scabbard/Sheath: Included Wood Core Leather Covered
Oakeshott Type: XVIIIa
Guard Type: Type 4
Pommel Type: Type J
Grip Shape: Tapered with dual mid ribs
Construction: Peened
Blade Steel: 5160
Price: $1,599.00

For inspiration I was thinking of the XVIa.5 from Oakeshott's ROMS, which is of course a type XVIa and I classify this as a type XVIIIa due to the sharp profile taper and 1/3 length fuller. For me at least the classification is a little fuzzy between these two types so I suppose it could fall under either category.
Comments and questions are welcome.

Roger Hooper · Posted: Fri 27 Jul, 2012 8:18 am Post subject:

Since you gave us the blade thickness at the guard, could you also give us 2 more thickness measurements - at blade midpoint, and maybe an inch or so up from the point? This would give us some notion of what the distal taper is like.

Also, I was looking at your website, and am a little confused (that happens often to me) Some of your products are listed as "Handmade Windlass Sword" or "Handmade Hanwei Sword" - obviously products form those companies. Do you take, say a Windlass sword and then modify and improve it?

Scott Hanson · Posted: Fri 27 Jul, 2012 8:19 am Post subject:

Looks very nice. Big Grin

Do you attend the Minnesota Ren in Shakopee, by any chance? If so, I will have to check your stuff out when I go this year.

Mike O'Hara · Posted: Fri 27 Jul, 2012 1:55 pm Post subject: Godwin longsword

Lovely piece of work Ben.

The proportions are nice on the eye.

Really look forward to the Irish ringhilt you're making me.

mike

Joe Fults · Posted: Fri 27 Jul, 2012 6:42 pm Post subject:

That...seems to have some very nice lines!

Benjamin Rial · Posted: Fri 27 Jul, 2012 7:51 pm Post subject:

Thank you all for the kind words.

Roger: At 17" from the guard, the blade thickness measures 0.178" and at 1" from the point it is 0.095". I re-measured the thickness at the guard and it is 0.23" thick. I was in a rush when I initially measured it. Eek!

With regards to the Hanwei and Windlass products I offer them as they come from the factory but I have performed many upgrades on their base-line products over the years. For my lower priced swords I actually use the Hanwei/Tinker blades as a base and further refine the edge geometry and polish them and then the hilts are made entirely by me. It helps me to provide different price tiers, and give my body a break; I used to hand forge every blade in my normal line-up. Now the Elite Line, such as the Godwin Longsword here, are entirely hand forged by me personally.
I am willing to modify and upgrade virtually any Hanwei or Windlass product, but its a service I haven't widely publicized yet (not sure why not to be honest...).

Scott: I haven't been to the Renny for a number of years now and even then it was only as one of the public. The costs to have a spot at the renfest are so sky-high last I checked that I have no current plans to attend. However, if you ever get up north a bit further, I do attend the White Oak Rendezvous & History Festival as well as the Medieval Fall Camp in Deer River, MN. The rendezvous is coming up on the 3-5 of August and the Medieval Camp is on October 19-21 if you are interested.

Mike: Thank you sir. I am thoroughly enjoying working on it. The bronze is really looking nice with the green leather... Wink

Joe: Thanks. I am quite taken with this one. Gonna be hard to let it out of my hands... Big Grin

Brian K. · Industry Professional

An elegant looking sword with some nice lines. Very nice work Benjamin.

Benjamin Rial · Posted: Tue 31 Jul, 2012 7:02 am Post subject:

Thank you for the kind words Brian. My goal with this sword was to create something appropriate for a 15th century English archer in the employ of the Burgundians or at Bosworth or Stoke. One of the common remarks from contemporary chroniclers is that in contrast to many continental European soldiers, the English tended to favor long swords. I am president of a historical society up here in northern Minnesota and one of my personas is a late 15th century English mercenary named William Godwin. I thought this type of sword would be an appropriate side-arm for such a man and named it accordingly.

J. Hargis · Posted: Tue 31 Jul, 2012 1:59 pm Post subject:

Good heavens, Ben!

Without handling the sword, I must say that it appears to be as good as it gets. An absolute beauty appropriately named. It's also nice to know that this is available upon demand and wasn't a one off.

BTW, what does the scabbard look like?

Be careful, you'll get more orders than you'll know what to do with.

Jon

Scott Roush · Industry Professional

I handled this sword over the weekend at White Oak and the instant I picked it up any bystander would have seen my face light up. It is really a joy to handle and the fit and finish are superb. This is simply excellent work.

Benjamin Rial · Posted: Wed 08 Aug, 2012 10:41 pm Post subject:

Jon, Scott, I appreciate your fine words guys. I'll try to get some scabbard pics up soon.
Yeah Scott you had kind of a funny gleam in your eyes... Big Grin

I wanted this piece to feel ready for action, quick and nimble.

Benjamin Rial · Posted: Sat 18 Aug, 2012 10:41 pm Post subject:

Here's a few more pics including one of the (almost) finished scabbard.

Benjamin Rial · Posted: Tue 04 Sep, 2012 10:38 pm Post subject:

Just sent this one off to its new owner with blued fittings (which isn't showing up very well in this pic).
Number two Godwin Longsword is away. The first one? I'm keeping it, muhahahahahahaha!!!!

Sorry, couldn't help myself.