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Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Windlass' New CoustilleDIY Project Reply to topic
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Josh Wilson




Location: WV
Joined: 01 Nov 2010
Reading list: 1 book

Posts: 143

PostPosted: Fri 19 Jul, 2013 5:42 pm    Post subject: Windlass' New Coustille         Reply with quote

I wanted one of these for a rebuild, and found this one on Ebay for an epic price. Here's a stock photo and stats from Kult of Athena.



Overall Length:22''
Blade:16 3/4''
Weight: 1 lb 9.2 oz
P.O.B.: 15/16''
Thickness: 4.4 mm - 2.7 mm
Width: 50.8 mm
Grip Length: 4 7/8''


Over all I like the length and balance but I did not like the shape of the handle. It felt too bulbous, and like I didn't have a good grip on the bottom half of it, because it was too wide at the top. After a little bit of time on the belt sander, I think I have it how I want it, and have glued on some risers. I have also stripped the finish from the scabbard and rubbed in some glue mixture to harden the leather.











Here's a picture of the tang with a ruler, in case anyone was curious.




I'll have more pictures to come.
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Ian Hutchison




Location: Louisiana / Nordrhein-Westholland
Joined: 27 Nov 2007

Posts: 625

PostPosted: Fri 19 Jul, 2013 9:42 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I agree, the handle does look bulbous, I'm also not a fan of handles that taper so much at the extremes. I like the design for your new handle, should come out looking good.
'We are told that the pen is mightier than the sword, but I know which of these weapons I would choose.' - Adrian Carton de Wiart
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S. Sebok





Joined: 13 Jan 2011
Likes: 9 pages

Posts: 82

PostPosted: Sat 20 Jul, 2013 3:59 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I own the same sword, I been debating on modifying it I just dont know anyone who could possibly help me as I have zero leatherworking skills myself. Cant wait to see more of your steps on how you're modifying this.
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Josh Wilson




Location: WV
Joined: 01 Nov 2010
Reading list: 1 book

Posts: 143

PostPosted: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 1:30 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

On the last re-gripping that I did, I used cotton cord to wrap the handle to make the risers. However, I couldn't find what I did with that roll of cord, so I decided to use the yarn pictured above since it was the diameter I was going for. It did not want to hold up to having a piece of wet leather up against it, and I ended up taking that off and using some leather lace.



Got it wrapped, and dried...





To do the sheath I wrapped the scabbard core in masking tape, marked a line down the back center and cut it with a razor. Then I stick the tape to some brown paper and cut out around it. This I lay down on the leather and trace around. Then I add some seam allowance all around it by setting my compass and dragging it around the perimeter of the shape I just drew. After I cut it out, I use a fork to punch holes on the inside line I made by tracing my template. I like using a fork because of how far apart the tines are. Then I sew it up around the core, adding glue as I sewed up.




Before putting it back together, I drilled the pommel, and peened a rivet in the top for cosmetic appearances. Unfortunately I didn't think to get pictures of that...

I dyed the handle green, and the sheath dark brown. This is how it turned out...



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David Clark





Joined: 10 Feb 2009

Posts: 132

PostPosted: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 2:17 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Wow, that looks very nice!
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J. Hargis




Location: Pacific Palisades, California
Joined: 06 Feb 2012
Likes: 22 pages

Posts: 350

PostPosted: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 5:15 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Mercy me, what a difference! Good show, Josh.

Jon

A poorly maintained weapon is likely to belong to an unsafe and careless fighter.
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Jean Thibodeau




Location: Montreal,Quebec,Canada
Joined: 15 Mar 2004
Likes: 50 pages
Reading list: 1 book

Spotlight topics: 5
Posts: 8,310

PostPosted: Sun 28 Jul, 2013 8:21 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Josh Wilson wrote:
On the last re-gripping that I did, I used cotton cord to wrap the handle to make the risers. However, I couldn't find what I did with that roll of cord, so I decided to use the yarn pictured above since it was the diameter I was going for. It did not want to hold up to having a piece of wet leather up against it, and I ended up taking that off and using some leather lace.



The leather lace is a much better idea than the cotton cord, and I've used the same for a handle wrap.

Greatly improved coustille DIY project.

You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
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Bryan Heff




Location: Philadelphia
Joined: 04 Mar 2012
Likes: 8 pages

Posts: 370

PostPosted: Sun 28 Jul, 2013 11:52 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Looks great. Your riser pattern and grip turned out super nice. I major improvement to the original sword!
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Ian S LaSpina




Location: Virginia, US
Joined: 01 Jun 2010
Reading list: 5 books

Spotlight topics: 1
Posts: 301

PostPosted: Sun 28 Jul, 2013 12:45 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Very nice job! What weight leather do you use to re-wrap the grip? I'm interested in trying my hand at a re-wrap.
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Scott Hrouda




Location: Minnesota, USA
Joined: 17 Nov 2006
Likes: 15 pages
Reading list: 87 books

Posts: 643

PostPosted: Sun 28 Jul, 2013 9:22 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Thank you for sharing! I love DIY projects where someone's not afraid to rip something apart and make it their own. You did an excellent job taking a ho-hum weapon and really jazzing it up!
...and that, my liege, is how we know the Earth to be banana shaped. - Sir Bedevere
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Josh Wilson




Location: WV
Joined: 01 Nov 2010
Reading list: 1 book

Posts: 143

PostPosted: Mon 29 Jul, 2013 11:04 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Thanks for the compliments fellas! I used 2-3 oz leather for the grip and scabbard.
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Patrick Kelly




Location: Wichita, Kansas
Joined: 17 Aug 2003
Reading list: 42 books

Spotlight topics: 2
Posts: 5,739

PostPosted: Mon 29 Jul, 2013 3:44 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Well now, that has an entirely different look to it. Well done!
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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