This is new...kinda surprised

[Eddie Smith]

Last time I heard John speak on the subject of Windlass swords he was not a fan. I just saw today that it appears they have teamed up. Not sure when it happened but I assume if John put his stamp on this line then Windlass must have listened to his recommendations for improvement. I'm curious as to how this occurred & happy to see it. Hope Windlass continues to listen to good advice!
The Museum Replicas site says:
"The Battlecry line of historical swords, daggers and axes has been designed in conjunction with John Clements, whose knowledge of historical fencing and Medieval and Renaissance fighting methods is unsurpassed. Hand forged by Windlass Steelcrafts, the 1065 high carbon steel is tempered in computer controlled ovens to an RC in the low 50's. This ensures strength, resiliency and edge retention. Swords have extra wide full tangs and all weapons are sharpened."
Link: http://www.museumreplicas.com/m-115-bat ... dlass.aspx

[Stacy Clifford]

Yes, in the past Windlass made swords that looked pretty and handled adequately, but stood up poorly to actually being used. I believe Windlass is under new management now with more commitment to quality and accuracy, and they brought in John as a consultant to help improve the new products and test them. While we still believe that Albion swords are the best available on the market, it's great to see Windlass upping their game, and I think we're all looking forward to handling these ourselves. Mr. Clements is very picky when it comes to equipment, and he does not offer praise lightly.

[Eddie Smith]

I met John in 2001 & 2002 at events in Atlanta. The latter being at Hank R's house. I believe you were at one if not both events. What you say of John is the impression I got of him when meeting him. I also recall him being frustrated with Windlass. I recall him once saying that they "know how to make decent swords, they just don't". I have never owned or handled an Albion but from what everyone I have heard speak of them say they certainly are the top in the industry. Windlass is a much larger company, and despite them being an entry level sword maker they are in a position to make decent affordable swords. I am glad to see John and them teaming up and hope it goes well for years to come. I will be at the MRL sale in May and hoping to handle any or all of the new line. I was just surprised to see John and Windlass working together as for years they were sort of at odds. I have always liked going to the MRL showroom but the quality of Windlass has been mostly hit or miss over the years. This has been increasingly frustrating the more I learn of swords, their historic design, and historic use. But if this goes like I hope it well perhaps Windlass will at long last become the company it can and should be. Having good quality, functional swords at an affordable price would be a much nicer legacy to the late Hank R than the hit or miss one.

[Stacy Clifford]

I met John in 2001 & 2002 at events in Atlanta. The latter being at Hank R's house. I believe you were at one if not both events.

You have a great memory! That goes way back when I was very green, but I was at both events. Great to hear you're still following the art after all these years as well.

[s_taillebois]

New management might help windless as will Clements involvement. In the past their products could be quite variable some being quite good others as being almost unusable. Would wonder if some of this was due to subcontracting out to smaller shops, or contracting to the same general people within their building but not keeping good track of them.

Which could be ironic in some way as the general weapon for the lower echelon men at arms, livery men and etc during the late medieval (15th century) were often pieceworked to together from various sources. Loades, Capwell et al have noted this especially in regards to polearms and the swords of the lower orders such as Falchions, ballocks wood hilted roundels etc. and basic longswords.

In that sense Windlass improving and expanding might be a good thing as they could fulfill the cheap (er) and cheerful niche within HEMAC that their more basic antecedents did in the original period. And in could open more interest in this form of martial art as workable is that and many cannot justify the more expensive kit even if they wanted it...these are from a practicle sense obsolete weapons anyway.

[robrobertson]

I see that they have added a new item to the "Battle Cry" line. A Scottish basket hilt broadsword. Was John Clements involved with it too? I loved my Bosworth Longsword (which I bought specifically because of John's endorsment). It isn't an Albion, but it is well worth the price. Has anyone else tried their Culloden Sword? I noticed that they don't have a video of John with it, like they do of all the others in that line.

[Robert Blackmann]

Hello everyone, I am new to forums and thank you for accepting my request to join.

I have the Bosworth Longsword from the Battle Cry line. The blade is excellent and overall the sword handles very well. The sword is very light and quite small which is perfect for me and I can almost use it with one hand at times, I am sure a bigger stronger person could use it one handed to great effect.
My only issue is that after my first initial beating on the pell the cross guard developed slight movement and I think the pommel is about to follow it. When I received the sword I wasn't too impressed with the peening on the pommel and I believe this is the problem, however I intend to heat it and tighten with a punch and hammer. Not a big deal and another side to the hobby. I am sure this occured a lot thoughout history.
Over all I am very pleased with the Bosworth Longsword.