Can anyone tell me anything of the Windlass Steelcrafts 15th century longsword? I want a good cutter, for edge alignment exercises, but 300$ is my limit, (even that is stretching it. It's actually closer to 250) so I realize the longswords in this price range may / may not be the greatest quality, but this one is at least aesthetically pleasing. To me.

Nothing wrong with it except that it is a little too flexible. But there was no other mistake with mine. Solid hilt construction, good blade, very good balance... Have you seen Windlass Erbach sword? Some people are quite satisfied with it for the money.

Have no complaints about mine what so ever, good sword at a good price range.

I am studying the leichtenauer tradition, so, if it is too flexible for the circular movents in that style I must seek my weapon elsewhere.

I don't study Lichtenauer so I have no idea if it is stiff enough for that. But if you want a stiff sword you would maybe do better with Gen2 Black Prince or Lucerne.

I suppose that I am looking for handling characteristics similar to that of Albion's Regent Sword.

wow,. I like her. The side rings seem to do quite a bit to help in the deflection. more than I thought. I think I will do what I can to purchase her. thanks, William, and Luka I really appreciate your input. :D I can't wait to get my hands on one now!

Had one and its decent for the price...especially if you can get get it at a bit of a markdown. You mention the Regent, and this does not handle like it. The Windlass is much less rigid and as such its less responsive. However its light, feels decent in the hand, looks decent and was durable. All good things...just a bit to far on the noodle-ish side of my personal preference.

Also, it comes as a blunt. Not so blunt it won't cut at all, but it is a blunt. Interestingly not really blunt enough for my preference as a sparring tool, a bit too blunt for an idea cutting tool.

http://www.kultofathena.com/product~item~SH23...%0D%0A.htm

^Get that one.

M.

I forgot to mention that I have never really swung a decent steel sword before. (I have done a few experimental cuts with a US Navy cutlass, 182 model, but that's it.) so I may not really know what I want. per se. I have trained extensively with wooden wasters (mostly of my own make) but never steel.

Though it costs a little more, I actually prefer the MRL Sword of Novara more. It's a little beefier and seems to be made to a higher standard:

http://www.reliks.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=2243&close=8

KoA has this one within your price range, BTW... :D http://kultofathena.com/product~item~500850.htm - with shipping falls under $250.00.

I don't have scales, but it does not feel like it weighs over 5lbs. If I were to guess, I would say it weighed 4lbs, or a little more than my VA ATrim Practical Blunted version which is specced at 3lb 9oz. The Novara seems just as fast as the ATrim, I don't notice a difference in handling except in having 5" or so more inches of length to work with. The Novara does not have excessive blade flex like on most other Windlass blades either.

Perhaps someone here has some good scales to give one an accurate weighing... :D

it seems I am going to get the Sword of Noverra. My wife just saw it and excalaimed " For Me!" so, I guess that's that.

Isn't 5 pounds very heavy for that kind of weapon? And it must be nice having a wife so interested, Mr. Moore.

M.

M. Eversberg II wrote:

Isn't 5 pounds very heavy for that kind of weapon?

Here is the basis for WIndlass's "Novara" sword. Note that the original is heavier, but quite a bit larger. It's likely a processional type of sword, so the original's weight is fairly typical for the type. But with the WIndlass offering being reduced in size so much (around 8" overall, 5" in the blade alone), I'd be concerned with the weight as it sort of leaves the piece in a confused place as far as what type of sword it's trying to be.

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Venice, circa 1570
Overall length: 58.25", Cross-guard width: 13.125"
Blade length: 45.25", Blade width: 2", Weight: 5.5 pounds

Copyright Armi Bianche Italiane, BOCCIA, Lionello G. ; COELHO, Eduardo T