Windlass Irish longsword. Good buy?

[Sam Nankivell]

I have a friend who is working for a good lower end longsword of around 48" to 50" in overall length. On a vendor named Kult of Athena, we found a sword by Windlass called the Irish longsword (I think) which was 53" overall and cost around 150$

Has anyone ever bought from Windlass before? I would like very much to find out if this particular model is good quality or not.

If it isn't, could anyone suggest another good longsword under 200$ (or somewhere around that price)?

[Will Adamson]

I went to the Museum Replicas Limited (owned by Windlass, or some such relationship) showroom last year and handled a few of their long(er)swords. I had been warned beforehand that they were much more flexible than in years past (before the Windlass deal) on anything larger than a single-handed sword.

The first one I picked up was the "War Sword" that was just a stripped down version of the Ibelin sword from Kingdom of Heaven. As I picked it up the point swayed about. Then I just gave it a little wiggle and the whole blade moved like an epileptic with ADHD. All the other longswords were exactly the same.

I did manage to find a discontinued one called the "Early Renaissance Longsword" (I'm not sure why they have such names. )that wasn't nearly as whippy. It has many issues (do a search for red hair on this forum and it should come up!) but for the price it wasn't half bad. Mainly my issues revolve around the finish and the grip being too short. It has begun to rust in strange patterns that I can't seem to get rid of. I also haven't been able to get the lacquer finish off as was suggested to me. The thing cuts water bottles just fine, but beyond that it's just hanging on my wall now.

Just my experience with a Windlass, your results may vary.

[Aaron Kavli]

I bought the Windlass 15th Century long sword (the one with the hex pommel, thumb guards, and the wire wrap on the lower half of the hilt) from Kult of Athena. I asked about Windlass before I purchased the sword and the general reply was a Windlass can be a good low end sword, but is hit or miss. I paid around $180 I think and I have been pleased with its performance and look.

I showed it to Jake N. and to John C. and both handled it and agreed it was pretty well made (for a Windlass), not having the wobbly blade and flimsy cross they were expecting. John said he wouldn't have payed that much for it and I did have to tighten the pommel (which just screws on).

As my first sword, I'm pleased. I have sharpened the last foot or so and use it for test cutting. I haven't used it on anything besides bottles and cardboard, but I am pleased with my singular experience with a Windlass and KoA.

[Nathan Dexter]

MRL used to be pretty good...
but what I've been hearing lately is that they've gone downhill.
I would say handle the sword before you buy it.

[Sam Nankivell]

I bought the Windlass 15th Century long sword (the one with the hex pommel, thumb guards, and the wire wrap on the lower half of the hilt) from Kult of Athena. I asked about Windlass before I purchased the sword and the general reply was a Windlass can be a good low end sword, but is hit or miss. I paid around $180 I think and I have been pleased with its performance and look.

I showed it to Jake N. and to John C. and both handled it and agreed it was pretty well made (for a Windlass), not having the wobbly blade and flimsy cross they were expecting. John said he wouldn't have payed that much for it and I did have to tighten the pommel (which just screws on).

As my first sword, I'm pleased. I have sharpened the last foot or so and use it for test cutting. I haven't used it on anything besides bottles and cardboard, but I am pleased with my singular experience with a Windlass and KoA.

Just out of curiosity, does the handle length affect that sword in any way? it seems that a 9" grip including the pommel seems rather short. Does anyone know of any swords with a 10 inch grip that are around 200$, preferably under.

Also I just looked at Lancelot Chan's Review of this sword and he reports it as having slightly different dimensions from what is described on the Windlass and Kult of Athena website. Can anyone tell me the dimensions of this sword from their perspective?

[Jason Taylor]

Not to beat a dead horse, but if he'd like to try the Cold Steel Hand-And-A-Half sword, it's a bit more at $225, and is probably as good quality as you'll find in that price range. A bit more than your Windlass one, though.

Jason

[Sam Nankivell]

Not to beat a dead horse, but if he'd like to try the Cold Steel Hand-And-A-Half sword, it's a bit more at $225, and is probably as good quality as you'll find in that price range. A bit more than your Windlass one, though.

Jason

He has looked at it, but he is looking for something longer (he is around 6' in height). However, I am certainly considering the hand and a half, but the Windlass seems to a) be longer, b) be cheaper and c) have siderings. However, Hanwei might be slightly better quality so it might be worth it. Hanwei also seems to make a model known as the "Bastard Sword" which is pretty long. However, I was told earlier that it was quite flexible and not very good.

[Jeffrey Hull]

No -- there is no reason to think that Hanwei, or whatever Paul Chen decides to rename his company in the next 3 to 4 years, is going to be any better. He has made his stuff floppy to please the SCA dudes. He has an undeservedly high reputation. Chen could not even make a proper Huscarl axe -- way too heavy and thick, with visible hardening cracks. He ought to stick to making dao and jian, where presumably his own pride of culture leads him to some standard of quality. I have yet to find anyone who has bought one of his European style swords who decided the quality was so superb that they became repeat customers. At least with Windlass, you can buy the thing and treat it like a "kit-sword" -- you can rebuild the grip and customise the thing, and make it better, in many cases. How do I know that -- because I have rebuilt like 4 different Windlass swords & 1 dagger. But Hanwei items should go straight to the scrap-yard as soon as you realise the rip-off. Lastly, keep in mind that every item you buy from communist China is one more nail in the economic coffin of the USA, Europe, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

[Sam Nankivell]

No -- there is no reason to think that Hanwei, or whatever Paul Chen decides to rename his company in the next 3 to 4 years, is going to be any better. He has made his stuff floppy to please the SCA dudes. He has an undeservedly high reputation. Chen could not even make a proper Huscarl axe -- way too heavy and thick, with visible hardening cracks. He ought to stick to making dao and jian, where presumably his own pride of culture leads him to some standard of quality. I have yet to find anyone who has bought one of his European style swords who decided the quality was so superb that they became repeat customers. At least with Windlass, you can buy the thing and treat it like a "kit-sword" -- you can rebuild the grip and customise the thing, and make it better, in many cases. How do I know that -- because I have rebuilt like 4 different Windlass swords & 1 dagger. But Hanwei items should go straight to the scrap-yard as soon as you realise the rip-off. Lastly, keep in mind that every item you buy from communist China is one more nail in the economic coffin of the USA, Europe, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

Haha, Nice. In that case I will definately consider Windlass for their adaptability, a construction project does sound like fun. However, I don't actually have much of a problem with buying from the Chinese, after all I did live there for 8 years. I personally think it isn't much of a problem to help a Chinese manufacturer by buying from them, after all, from my own personal experience I can definitely say that they do need the cash. And if they happen to make better quality and cheaper products, then why shouldn't I buy from them? Isn't that the concept of a free market?
(However, in this case their products are neither cheaper nor better, so I am throwing my lot in with Windlass).

[Will Adamson]

(However, in this case their products are neither cheaper nor better, so I am throwing my lot in with Windlass).

Thus sending your money to India. I wonder where their customer support is located.

[Sam Nankivell]

(However, in this case their products are neither cheaper nor better, so I am throwing my lot in with Windlass).

Thus sending your money to India. I wonder where their customer support is located.

What's wrong with India? It's not like they don't need a little extra cash.

[Will Adamson]

Not much really, just overcrowding and a caste system. (There are other things, but I don't want to change the subject.)

Can't a guy just crack a joke?

[Nathan Dexter]

Yeah, thats right. Windlass is based in india. wich makes sense, seeing as I think they are and used to be a kukri manufacturing company. and kukris have a long tradition in india.

[Patrick Hardin]

Yes, Windlass is okay as long as you are willing to accept certain things:

1. The longer the blade, the more noodle-like it gets.

2. Virtually all Windlass swords are fixer-uppers, even the good ones.

3. For some reason, the tang on most models is often thinner than the midpoint of the blade

4. Windlass tempers everything the same. Knives are tempered the same way as swords. This might be a possible explanation for the relationship of whippiness to blade length. Actually, though, I'm not sure they even temper the polearms they produce.

That said, if you're willing to wade through all this, you can find the occasional gem. I've had a fair bit of experience with Windlass swords, and my caution to you is that if you buy this Irish two-hander, or whatever it's called, you're not necessarily buying a sword. A good maxim to apply to Windlass is, "Don't trust any sword over 30 (inches)."

What I do is wait for MRL's annual spring sale every year. They open up their warehouse, and you can sift through discontinued merchandise, and lots of bare blades, and then you can find the rare good stuff amid all the junk. The trouble is, it's already come and gone this year. But that's the safest way to deal with Windlass merchandise, for my two cents.

Patrick Hardin

[Brent Lambell]

I've owned several Windlass from MRL, they make decent wall hangers some of the time. Not that I am the most knowledgeable about this, but the term "kit-sword" fits my experience too.

Has anyone had luck with CAS? I busted my Mercenary on a wet newspaper target at the tang. It was actually really fun in a way. But I am now hesitant to buy CAS again.