WINDLASS 15th century English TWO-HANDED SWORD: REVIEW & CUTTING
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- Опубликовано: 13 июл 2020
- Windlass English Medieval Two-Hand Sword: bit.ly/2BcSfU3
The 15th century English two-handed sword by Windlass is an imposing piece, great value for money and a replica of a type of sword that we have several surviving original examples of. Here Matt Easton reviews the Windlass replica and puts the sharp blade through its paces.
The original example that served as an inspiration for this replica in the Royal Armouries, UK:
collections.royalarmouries.or...
Schola Gladiatoria HEMA - sword fighting classes in the UK:
www.swordfightinglondon.com
Channel support and 3 extra videos per month on Patreon: / scholagladiatoria
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Matt Easton's website and services:
www.matt-easton.co.uk/
Easton Antique Arms:
www.antique-swords.co.uk/ 
Развлечения
thanks for reviewing this "budget" Swords. It's nice to get the opinion from someone with knowledge about swords which are somewhat affordable.
Thanks, my pleasure!
scholagladiatoria Itd be great if you did more of these “budget” reviews. They’d be extremely popular I’m sure
@Mazhar Imam I know you didn't address this question to me, but just thought I'd chime in. This is better at thrusting than cutting, but can do both fine.
@Mazhar Imam Pretty much. It's not going to thrust as well as a pure thrusting sword like an estoc or a rapier, which have almost no cutting capacity. It probably doesn't cut quite as well as pure cutter like a kriegsmesser or a tulwar, either. But it's seems like a sword that's decent at both. As Matt Easton pointed out it has a nice tapered point, but also a somewhat wide blade with a nice blade geometry (save the secondary bevel because windlass make them dull then grind in the edge). Basically it does both but the trade-off is the ideal cutting portion is a good foot back from the point (might be even a touch more). That's not to say you can't cut with the rest of the edge, but you'd train and learn to judge distance so that you'd cut with that portion of the blade.
"I personally pened lots of things."
-- Matt Easton
It's just such a gorgeous looking sword
Agreed but the blue handle looks a bit too bright, could just be the camera though...
The grip doesn't match.
Say that when its just chopped your leg off
I see you everywhere
The original is. Yeah. ^^
Fun fact: here in Italy when you say "spadone" most people think of the sword that you are rewiewing! And the German term Zweihander is used to describe the spadone. Very confusing. Often museum curators do not put much attention into those terms as we do. Greetings!
in germany we just have one word for twohanders or two handed swords, it is always a Zweihänder.
Most of the terminology we use is a modern invention
In most records I've seen, people used to just refer to them as swords or two handed swords, Spadone/Zweihander just mean 2 handed sword so there isn't much point for a curator to be so specific
I really like this style of quillon, aesthetically speaking. The little foliate langets, and the rounded quillon terminals are nice and smooth and elegant.
Yes with those bullous knobs. 😳
Nothing as great as a nice bulbous knob at the end of a long hard metal quillon
@@bretalvarez3097 as someone who just bought an antique bollock dagger, I must admit I enjoy a bulbous knob.
How's the situation down there with the fires? Have things returned to normal yet?
@@erichusayn fires all died out. Corona is pretty mild, about 300 cases per day right now. But corona does mean all my sword shipping has been delayed significantly. Waiting on 4 packages from europe
Awesome to see you reviewing entry level stuff. Very helpful for us backyard cutter guys.
Yes! More distil taper! If they could get that right, their products would be much better...
1 view? Last time I was this early the Spanish Inquisition was still unexpected.
Third, but still a bronze medal.
The last time I was this early the Mexican inquisition was still a thing
I was surprised by the Unitarian Inquisition. You can believe anything you like, but they want to know what it is.
Thank you, Matt; I will be using "bulbous knob on the end of my quillon" in the near future.
Would buy this sword in a heart beat had I not blown all my cash on RAID: Shadow Legends
I actually did buy it. :oP It's the largest thing hanging on my wall right now. I held out for a whole two days after I first saw this video. It was torture.
This has also been my experience of the Windlass swords in the last few years. It is possible to get better swords, and it is possible to get cheaper swords, but you will struggle to get a better sword at the price, and you will not find a sword as good for cheaper. They sit right on the line where you start to get a good sword instead of a 'functional' sword, and because of their price point you don't feel as anxious using it for cutting as, say, a comparable Albion piece.
“Not as clumsy or random as a blaster, an elegant weapon from a more civilized age.”
Now we know where they looked for inspiration in LOTR movies. In good taste I see.
Thanks so much for a review of a more affordable blade. Don't get me wrong, it's great to see the more expensive stuff too, but for many people, a collection of Albion's just isn't really realistic right now - so thanks. And looks like a great sword! I only have one Windlass product so far, but I reckon I'll get more soon, and this could be it :)
Yeah I got a windlass Munich town guard sword about 2 years ago and I was blown away by the quality vs the price. Sure, the guard had a few imperfections and the edge geometry wasnt the best, but the distal taper on it was perfectly executed and the sword was finished quite well overall. It's a heavy sword but once it's in your hand, the weight disappears and the tip is precisely at your disposal. Windlass has some pretty decent offerings. Their quality control may not be the best, but they are hand forged swords. What people tend to forget about reproduction swords is that when they were originally forged in their time periods, the quality control would have most certainly varied quite a bit. We are spoiled with our modern systematic quality control systems. As long as the blade handles well, is hardened and tempered correctly and does its job, it wouldve been good to go. At the price they put their swords at it's a good value just for the time and craftsmanship put into them. If your looking for perfect quality and attention to detail, that's where the price begins to skyrocket. This would have been the case at the time they were originally being forged anyway from my understanding
Your pronunciation of "Tsvaihander" is really getting there, m8.
Much, much improved.
Thank you for caring about getting things right. Gotta respect that.
I had the auto generated subtitles on, and it read as “Spy Honda”!
(The auto subtitles don’t look for German words, not Matt’s fault 😄)
Thank you sir , you uploaded this at the perfect time
It's interesting to see a review of a Windlass. Given their hit or miss reputation, it's nice to get as many reviews as possible to ser if they're upping their game over time.
Loving these reviews as they are swords within my price bracket. Really great review. I bought the last sword of that review. I will be saving for this one too.
I'm so glad I watched this review! I'm going to order one of these now! I mostly collect Japanese swords but I've been looking for a nice sword like this but didn't know where to start so thank you for your video
Matt, have you ever done a multi-video series that gives a chronological history of sword development and design? Such would be very useful and interesting for viewers who come at this subject without a well-rounded background.
Love your work Matt
Simple and elegant, really beautiful!
Nice to see. I had two Windlass longswords, the gothic bastard sword and the towton. both of those were basically steel noodles.
It's been a few decades since I bought a Windlass sword, (from Hank Reinhardt's Museum Replicas in Conyers, GA just down the road). They were pretty good for the money back then and It looks like their quality has increased dramatically since then. If their business model is anything like it used to be, however, the majority of their swords are shipped as unsharpened wall-hangers and stage props. When someone requested a sharp version, they would just grind an edge on one of the unsharpened blades and ship it, (thus the secondary bevel). To make a better blade geometry, they'd have to be designing the blades to be sharp from the beginning, which would be a problem if most people still want unsharpened ones.
I working up to buy a CNC machine. If I do I'd love to start making knives and work up to swords. I'd love to send you stuff if I do.
I'm happy to review things :-)
Dude, when you get set up let me know. I’d love to buy some edge beveled blanks off of you.
Thanks for the vid sir.
That blade is only a bit longer, I think, than Narsil/Andúril as depicted in the LotR movies as more of a hand and a half sword (longsword?) Blade length: about 40 1/2 inches; overall length: approximately 53 inches; United Cutlery edition.
I see Matt has finally killed enough Balder Knights to get the side sword drop...
I would say that the Balder S.Sword is more of a cross between a Estoc blade, (diamond section, it should basically be a better rapier that you can two hand), and a larger longsword in dimensions.
(The Estoc wasn't meant to cut, that is one thing they get wrong.
If you want a longer blade that can cut and thrust decently, look to proto-rapiers and true side swords.)
*/end/walloftext.exe*
I like waiing awhile after Matt's video on objects for sale like this - gives the company time to fix what he points out.
And damn, is this a nice sword for the price.
Matt, when you do fix the pommel by peening, could you make a video about that? I'd love to see how to do it, and I'm sure others would as well. Actually, a general sword care/repair video would be great.
Ack.. Great suggestion, but I already did the peening and didn't film it, sorry!
Thank you Matt for sharing this with us. Have been admiring this on the website nice to see a knowledgeable review.
On the subject of scabbard, never having worn one, do people find that unlined scabbards are less likely to trip the wearer than wood lined or metal ones after the sword is drawn?
Thank you again absolutely love this channel! Cheers
Lovely bit of kit
wish i coulda gotten one of these while they were still available.
Make sure you give us an update when you sharpen it sir! I look forward to seeing the improvement two years from now.
This particular sword has been on my wishlist for a while. Some day, some day I'll be able to justify buying one...
I've been looking at this sword for awhile, your review will probably cause it to sell out everywhere lol
Very nearly bought this sword, and kind of wish I did now!
Since you have mentioned it on a couple of your reproduction sword reviews, I would love to see a comparison cutting video once you have sharpened the edge to see how much difference it makes.
I'm very pleased from my Windlass Christus imperat rapier. Yes, the quillions and finger guards needs some file's work and handle's steal wire is horrible, always leaves a microscopic steel pins in the hand - must be wrapped with something. Gaffer tape in my case. But those issues are minor and easy fixated.
I just ordered one from Outfit4Events! Hopefully Windlass have listen to Matt and change some things.
I tried to buy this years back but it was discontinued. I'll be getting it this time for sure!
PSA: you can appleseed your own edges with a mousepad and sandpaper. Or leather. Put a piece of pliable material on a hard surface (flat stick, whatever) and apply it to the blade at the desired angle, rubbing it parallel to the edge. The more pliable the material, the tighter the radius of the resulting appleseed will be. You will need to do final sharpening after you finish the process, and I advise you start with 400-600 grit and work your way up to 1000. Couple things to keep in mind. 1. You will have to re-polish the blade if you mess up (and even if you don’t if you’re working with a mirror polished blade. 2. You are working with a dangerous object. Take precautions like clamping it to the edge of a table and wearing cut resistant gloves.
Hey, love the review, I got this sword in April, so have had it to practice in the garden with during lockdown. I was also impressed with the weight, it feels quite nimble for its size.
I'm thinking of sharpening mine up for cutting as I got it blunt, I have had some experience sharpening knives on whetstones, do you think this method would be a good (though time consuming) way
of doing it?
reminds me of the windlass sword of roven, which I am delighted with.
nice video thanks, I have the same sword and agree whole heartedly. top value for money
Hey Matt can you do a review on Windlass rapiers/side swords in the future? I heard they tend to be a bit wobbly for thrusting swords.
10:14 to 11:08 If the mass distribution is shifted towards the guard/handle area, and therefore it "handles better", doesn't that also mean that it will be a slightly worse cutter, all other things being equal?
Not interested in a Longsword, but I checked out the link, and they really have amazing products on sale. I might get a dagger and a sword cane sometime. Thanks
As many of your vids do, this one mentions some early texts on sword fighting. I'd definitely watch, and probably re-watch, a good video on those texts: where they came from, what they say, what they're used for now, etc. (My apologies if you've already made such a vid, but I don't see it under the obvious Playlists).
Could you make a short video showing us how you apple seed and sharpen the edge?
Matt's personally peened a lot of things ;)
"I've personally peened lots of things"
I bet Matt ;)
Sounds like this is an excellent quality wall hanger with the ability to be a decent cutter for the price
I got this sword in beginning of the year and now it’s my big baby
The arms of the guard were most likely swaged round. It doesn't look welded to me. Spring swages or guillotine swages can get a bar dead round and the same thickness evenly down the bar. The lenticular shape in the body of the guard was probably from the forging process. It would otherwise be perfect if it had been machined. It was tapered down to the round portion, and drifted for the tang. They did not take much care in fitting the blade to the guard, but like you said, it's cheap.
Thanks for the video Matt. Looks like a decent sword for the price. Would you recommend it as a beginner sword for learning test cutting? I am studying German long sword here in Austria and I am interested in getting into Test cutting and buy my own sword.
I personally wish more high end sword companies made swords like the English Two Handed Sword
If you do sharpen the sword it'd be nice to see a cutting comparison video.
I like the colors alott
I have a similar sword from Windlass (Bosworth Long Sword) and love it but would like to improve the edge. When you say remove the secondary bevel would that be a scandi grind from the centre of the blade? Don't have the tools (skills) for an apple seed.
The Estoc war sword from the same time period are wicked.
Damn this thing looks cool while swinging
Any thoughts on including the weapon dynamics computer on these style reviews? Also, what kind of work is it fair to expect a buyer to do themselves when they buy a inexpensive sword?
I personally buy inexpensive swords with the purpose of working on them. Giving them a proper apple seed edge, mirror polish, deburring pommels/quillions, etc. Maybe modifying some parts as well.
I have 13-15 cheaper swords here and they all needed at least some work. The only quite good one was a 300 euro katana.
I got this one last week (www.supremereplicas.com/en/p/sword-of-cassel--121529) and gave it a really shiny mirror polish today. Tomorrow I will sharpen it. Pommel also needs deburring.
I'm not sure if you're responsible for a surge in interest in this sword, or if Windlass did not plan the roll out correctly but either way it seems this is impossible to buy off the shelf at the moment right now! Way to be a sword-tease Matt! =)
As I understand it, this sword was not being requested by distributors for a while, so not being produced and stocked. But Windlass are geared up to churn them out to meet demand if people want it.
scholagladiatoria thanks. I’ll let the sword buddies on discord know :)
Andy, I love your profile picture, it's hilarious!
It is often available on German sword selling websites. If you live in Europe, you might get it from there.
I also consider buying it.
Would the slightly blunter edge on this blade make it suitable to half handing techniques?
Thanks for reviewing this sword Matt! I was eagerly waiting to hear your assessment of it. It's a big improvement over a previous Windlass attempt at the same sword that I've had since the late 90s. All of my scabbards from Windlass left a very annoying coating of dust on the blade every time it was put in and taken out. Are they still having this problem?
They do, although that may have been to so with initially putting it in with thr dried grease applied to thr blade for transport. Clean the blade once or twice and the dust will all be gone
Same here. I bought a Windlass Cassel (German retailer name, probably) recently and it leaves some white stuff on the blade every time I pull it out of its scabbard. Same for my 3-4 other Windlass swords.
Yes I have observed that dust with these also. Though if you spray the blade with oil and put it in and out of the scabbard a few times it seems to reduce the issue.
@@scholagladiatoria That works mostly on 4 out of 5. My windlass made cold steel shamshir always leaves something (not just the white stuff) on the blade. I've drowned that mofo in oil...
@@viluukx6609 Hum. I replaced the oil on my sword with Renaissance Wax once I got some. There is little to no dust in it now.
One source suggested using something such as an old gun-cleaning brush to scrub the inside clean.
Please consider reviewing what many call "Windlass' best long/bastard sword" - The Sword Of Homildon Hill.
You said that the scabbard makes it easier to wear. How would you wear this sword? Can you draw it from the hip or is it to long for that?
I've heard that if you buy through Kult of Athena their sharpening service is much better. Also, I'm really interested to know more about that renaissance side sword looking sword hanging in the back left of the video. Is that the Munich town guard that windlass makes?
Yes it is and that will be reviewed soon.
@@scholagladiatoria awesome, had my eye on that for a while. Look forward to seeing the review.
I am hoping Windlass brings back many of their older swords, like their Cut-and-Thrust Sidesword, and Spanish fluted cup hilt rapier.
Hi Matt, you mention the sword would be better with a single edge or an apple seed shaped edge. i.e. lenticular. How is an apple seed edge put on a sword and how is it applied so its consistent along the full length of the blade?
Planning to appleseed and sharpen this one? If so, another few cuts?
The guard could be lathe work. Get some piece of square stock, do the round bits on lathe, leave the rest square, round corners and transition on the final sanding phase. I dont think it tapering out is more work welded or pure lathe work, it is just a different tool path/angle you use the tool, maybe slightly different order of operations.
And I think secondary bevel is fine, as long as it done well and actually sharp. If you've sharpened it by hand, unless you deliberately did a scandi grind and ground the whole surface from the very start of the bevel to the edge, you've added a secondary micro bevel there, just not one glaring to the eye (sometimes those too have a tertiary micro bevel). But it has to be sharp, but it clearly wasn't.
Sir, I like your channel and you make really good and informative videos. Do you like Batman?
Thanks. And yes I do like Batman.
how do you think this would work if i blunted the edge and tip to be used for sparring?
nice t-shirt
Were scabbards of knives and or swords used in a defensive way with the off hand? In movie land we have kill bill katana sheathes playing Hollywood games. Is there any hema evidence or historical evidence for the scabbard deliberately used as a hooking or parrying device. Certainly in kung fu club knife play it has been experimented with. thoughts Matt
Seeing as how I'm not quite as vertically gifted as Matt here, I may end up buying this fine looking sword as a sort of psuedo spadone
@scholagladiatoria Have you spent time inspecting and reviewing spear heads while looking for which of many, in various price points, has the build quality to give confidence to use against wild boar. Disregarding the standard crossbar or tied toggles and including large hewing spears down in size to include double cutting edge lance or javelin heads. I'm working with assumption that the shaft remains in the round or is riven maintaining the strength of the grain verses a shaft in which the grain is not considered and even disregarded, sawn, sliced, cut. Perhaps you could share a link if such a video exists or tell your opinion if it doesn't.
The Easton household, where no plastic bottle is safe,
10:00 would you take it to a master swordsmith to remove more material to create a single gradient edge and reprofile for more distal taper by making the sword a tiny bit shorter? I.e. keep the meat on the blade at the hilt and reduce the tip
I really like this sword but I don't have the skill to re-grind the edge to prepare it for proper cutting. Do you know of a service here in the UK I can have it shipped to that can do the work for me?
Any chance there is a dull/fencing version of this sword?
If it were my "practical" sword I would keep the tip-most foot shaving sharp and slicy then go in a steeper edge angle down the blade where edge to edge contact would occur. I would even put 6" of a chisel grind by the hilt to use as a draw knife in the field...compass as a pommel, too. 😘
I remember as a little chap seeing giant two-handed swords the biggest of which my Dad said was 14 feet in length and I think was used by Henry VIII.
That's something like Gregor Glegane's sword :D
Can you please make another video where you sharpen the blade and then cut with it
Great video. Please redo the test cutting after you sharpen it yourself. I'd like to see that video.
I personally made a sword this size for a friend and one for myself, nowhere near as pretty with wrought iron fittings and not the best finish but quite functional
Windlass stepping up to the plate
Just put in an order for one
Could this be called/classified as a "war" sword?
Yes I presume.
In german "Schlachtschwert"
Anything you'd exclusively carry to wear is a"war"-thing. This is something way too large for anything else.
It is my understanding that the metal piece at the opening of the scabbard is called a "metal throat"🤔😉
What kinds of sword fighting technique would be used at the Battle of Ceuta?
I have a Windlass sword with a secondary bevel that I requested be sharpened when I ordered, but it really wasn't sharp at all. Does anybody recommend anyone in the Bristol area competent at sharpening swords?
So, this is basically a greatsword for short people with the nimbleness of a longsword?
I felt like sword spirit while watching this.
Purchased on your recommendation. Love the thing, and thanks for the thorough review. Great channel: almost as good as Skallagrim... 😉
Ah, what kind of medieval contraption do I spy peeking out around the roman shield in the bottom right corner?
I’m interested in their bastard sword but would like to see your thoughts on it