I'd love to see a video showing "real historical swords that look like they came out of/belong in a fantasy movie". This sword would definitely make the cut.
I remember watching a video on African swords and some of them looked amazing (not just the multi blade knife thing). Not just decorated but some have unusual proportions or shapes to someone used to European and Asian weapons. I thought at the time they would make great fantasy weapons.
Thank you to the very sensible, mature and supportive comments here - you know who you are, and I greatly appreciated it, but decided it was best to delete that silly thread
Your feedbacks are invaluable to Windlass. Lots of the negative impressions of this sword when they first released the preview photos of it are gone now. Overly long grip, fixed. Crowbar of a blade without any distal taper, and the wrong thickness, fixed. Hideous "central ridge" after the fuller termination, gone! Well they could have gotten the tapering of the pommel and guard right, but well, it's good enough as an impressionist representation of the type. Albion once had an impressionist offering of the Langeid type called Valkyrja but they didn't match it 1:1 either, not to mention it has been discontinued. Keep pushing Windlass into the right direction!
The thing is that for that kind of makers (Windlass, Hanwei, Deepeeka...) it probably doesn't cost much more to produce a historically accurate item than a vaguely para-historical one. What they mostly lack is the historical expertise to get their products right. Otherwise as long as one doesn't care about having the sword hand-forged out of bloomery iron and the hilt inlaid by hand in precious metals, a historically accurate Windlass is totally fine.
@@jancello i take your point, but I would absolutely not put deepeeka in the same category as hanwei or windlass. Deepeeka is unfortunately hot garbage lol.
A part of me really likes it, though perhaps it'd be less loud after the furniture and wiring has taken on a modest patina. Good to see Windlass always pushing for improvement too.
I will say this about the plating, those recovered hilts came out looking pretty darn good, particularly compared to the blades. As a decorative choice, perhaps slightly garish (although tastes vary widely over time... baroque anyone?), but as a protective treatment the results are hard to argue with.
@@M4TCH3SM4L0N3 Well i think also to me the pommel, and guard are maybe bit wide, and flat, but it has give great surface for the decorational carvings. Maybe why they were that way in the original as well. I quite like the bling because its so different than others on modern marke. In use the hilt might get patina, and some cool character. I have always liked upwards angled guards visually so maybe thats why i like this
@@lalli8152 honestly, it looks like what I imagine a 'realistic' master sword (Legend of Zelda series) would look like. Imagine if the patina was sort of purple-ish!
Unrelated to the Windlass version, but the conservation work that Vike Vegard at the KHM, Oslo did on the original has to be some of my favorite work in the space of conserving weaponry.
Beautiful type of sword! Absolutely gorgeous! Would love to hear more about the similar finds in norway, denmark and finland! Alternatively or additionally: if anyone can refer to further reading on these, i'd appreciate it!
Somehow, my first impression of this sword is, Viking He-Man Sword. I usually prefer much more understated elegance, but in spite of how gaudy it is, I am smitten with this sword and must have it. I wanted a Viking sword for my small and modest collection and this will definitely be it. Hell, I may just go ahead and order tonight. "By the power of... Asgard!" Also, you were very kind and professional and unbiased in your description of the competing brand's version 🤣 very respectable and classy of you. When comparing them, it didn't take much thought for me to decide paying almost double was very well worth it and I would regret NOT paying more for the Windlass version. You're doing the Lord's work, sir.
that looks pretty nice to me. i would like the markings, especially the letters to be accurate, but id still have that. actually, what a lot of bling to be seen with eh? i like it more the more i see it..
I quite like it. It has that fantastical vaguely Bronze Age-looking aesthetic seen in Conan the Barbarian. Considering how it resembles more ancient swords, I wonder if it might have been intentional at the time? Maybe they wanted exotic throwback-swords, to emulate the mythical warriors of the Vendel period?
The funny part of this one, is the one original I studied up close didn't have much distal at all, and started off very thin, and kept it through out. Balanced around 7" if I remember right.
Interesting. There is a slightly earlier sword in the Wallace Collection that has a very thin blade. The Langeid sword itself, as far as I can tell, has a far too encrusted blade to be able to guess the thickness and taper unfortunately.
@@scholagladiatoria right, agreed. I've seen measurements of similar blades and time frames all over the place. Windlass certainly seems to be working hard to improve all around.
@@aaftiyoDkcdicurak the one I studied wasn't as corroded, and the museum has specialized plastic calipers to not damage the existing piece when being analyzed.
@@chrisfields8077 thanks good to know. I'm sure they find examples that have to be the representatives of an entire discovery. I guess I just wish I could see how they were back then.
I wouldn't say it's my cup of tea either, but it's definitely an interesting one! I'm really interested in Christian symbols on weapons - I think it's a fascinating piece of history.
This one in particular isn’t reaaaally meant to represent a cross on the hilt, at least not the ones found in the Baltic region, as they were still pagan by the end of the Viking era
Interesting how the "up swept" crossbar on the hilt is so similar to the recent 3000 year old bronze sword found in S. Germany. Same basic style despite being 2000 years apart. "The more things change, the more they stay the same."
You really surprised me, I didn't expect such a bend "crossguard" in a sword from that period! This kind of guard remind me of the 15th-16th centuries! As for the appearance of the sword, well, I guess initially the Vikings were not modest, only later Christianity preferred more ascetic and modest swords (but I don't know if religion really had an influence - that's just what I heard). The connection between pagan and Christian customs is still present today, in our time. Btw. (off top alert!) If you could tell me, what do you think about wicker shields? Apparently they couldn't stop a spear thrust? So why were they used in a time when every army used spears?
They won't stop a fully committed spear thrust, but they will stop a sword blow or a less committed spear thrust. They don't have to be _perfect_ to be useful. A modern combat helmet won't stop a rifle bullet in a time when every army uses rifles, but every army still wears them.
@@WJS774 Well, what's interesting is how many of these spear thrusts they stopped. You see, it sounded strange to me when I read that the Greeks easily massacred their opponents, who had such shields. Is that why they massacred because their shields were so bad? Or maybe they didn't massacre so easily?
I'd like a video or more on 'Palangan Sword', and the unique hilt style of Peterson type G-style of sword (Though it's made differently in the Baltics, Latvia and Lithuania. Semigallian tribe also had couple unique swords with that type, I believe). There's also unique 'war knives' in the Baltics, Semigallian war knives in-particular look almost like Falchions, though don't have guards or such, much like with the other war knives in the region. There's also Finnish 'Väkipuukko', which are also similar to Baltic War knives
The Langeid sword is very interesting, although aesthetically not really my thing. I wasn't aware of the Christian iconography before, so that makes it even more interesting from a historical/archaeological point of view. I'm curious about the strap bridge on the scabbard, though. My understanding was that they had fallen out of use by this time, and that integrated belts had become ubiquitous during the 10th century. Do you have any references regarding strap bridges this late?
I don't think it matters that there are slight differences. I very much doubt that the original's kin, other swords made by the same smiths or similar were all exactly the same, likely quite a lot of variety particularly the non-blade parts with personalization etc. So good enough for me. Thank you for showing. I might well obtain one myself.
Games like Bannerlord (which has a fairly intricate sword/weapon smithing feature) must drive Matt crazy, given his background, since it is hard to make something that looks "real" and cool at the same time (at least for me)
Great video mat! How long is the grip on this sword? When I made a video discussing the Suontaka sword, I mentioned that the original Langeid sword had a 2.55 inch (6.5 cm) grip length. Is the Windlass version that length? It appears to be longer.
The prototype shown in this video has a grip of 8cm, so just over 3 inches. Did you find accurate measurements for the Langeid? I suspect that this Windlass version is simply slightly bigger in every direction, but still kind of proportional to the original, based on photos.
A bit too bling for my taste but looks/sounds like they have done a great job at the price. I wish Windlass would use historical grip lengths on all their Viking era swords, there are several models that I would buy if they did. Can you have a word please Matt?! Thanks for more great content.
Generic Viking era blade yes, though I think the hilt may reveal far-Eastern influence in its design, reminiscent of Chinese hilt designs. Use of precious metal plating or leaf I imagine would categorise the sword as high-status, and that it may have been traded or gifted as such. Would be interesting to know if the few examples can be dated tightly to a small range which in turn could mean that they come from a particular artisan or provincial industry, that itself had influence or experience or perhaps even a single example of an Eastern (Chinese?) hilt -designed sword. Would love to have an example of such to train with. Thanks Matt
i love the shape of the guard and pommel my only problem with the hilt would be the plating since "raw" iron fittings is my personal choice for aesthetic since i just don't like precious metals in general gold or silver i am not a fan of the look, that's my only knock on the hilt but i can remove the gilding and change the grip out if i feel like buying it
Is there any particular links you might could share that anyone could go to and view pictures of the actual artifacts in detail, along with measurements, weights, and other historical information surrounding each item such as location found, date made, who made it, which civilization created it, and who might have owned it or any other surrounding stories (not just for this sword but for any others as well)?
There is a castle in the Loire Valley in France that was originally given to a Viking on the condition he prevent other Vikings from coming up river and I totally a person like him with this sword. Transition from migration era to medieval.
I have fairly large hands, which makes many one-handed swords seem to have grips sized for 3/4 or 7/8-scale people. I wonder if that's because many historical replicas are based on actual swords built at a time when averagepeople had a poorer diet and thus were smaller overall.
Larger hilts on swords that usually have very small hilt are found occasionally, but it's a part of the design too. People back in the day weren't *that* much smaller.
Hey Matt, do you know of any decent sword-sharpening services? Preferably in the US. I have one of the swords from the Royal Armories line you partnered with Windlass for, and I asked for it to be sharpened, but when it came in the mail it was not very sharp at all. I understand that there may have been some laws in place that may have prevented them from shipping it to me fully sharpened, that's fine. But I still want it to be sharp, so.... Any ideas? I'm a little nervous to try sharpening it myself
If you're able, could you put a word in to windlass about possibly making more of their bowies, they have some fantastic ones and i only have a couple that were nice finds but im a little late to the party in terms of buying them new
That is a very nice sword. I would be bothered by the decoration: the silver inlay should be at the level of the surface of the pommel and guard and polished together, not just engraved and gilded. Good that you told them to change it to twisted wire, that was even a bigger issue. This type of guard may have been inspired from oriental sabre guards as those that you see in 10th century Hungarian or south Russian and North Caucasian examples which were people in constant contact with Vareghian Vikings in places like Kiev. No wonder you find the type in Finland.
Yet another of your excellent reviews--including of course your ability/willingness to call something "ok" or even "good" without creating a false dichotomy where everything is either brilliant--or crap. Would that, far beyond swords to movies, books, cars, sports--just about anything!--we had more people with your groundedness! 😊
Could you perhaps try to get windlass to make a reproduction of the Hungarian hussar saber from the mid to late 19th century? I can't find one to be able to practice false-edge cuts (as they sharpened the first 6 to 8 inches from the tip) with other than some polish sabers which have a thumb ring which isn't present on the Hungarian sabers. Otherwise it would be nice if you could point me towards one already in reproduction that I haven't been able to find.
It's a good suggestion! The Cold Steel polish szabla is actually made by Windlass - is that something you could modify maybe? I actually really fancy an earlier (16th century) Hungarian sabre.
Hilt is usually what is mostly changed but the Blade well most Smiths would go with tried tested true known to work Blades so a Type 10 is perfectly reasonable perhaps an older Blade needing a new Hilt and so on.
Can we assume that the quality of distil taper on all their swords are improving? I certainly hope so, ive been thinking about getting their 1840 nco spadroon but i hope it's not just a flat bar
To be completely honest, no. I have been trying to push this idea to them, but distal taper adds cost to the manufacturing, and with existing models that are selling well at a certain price point, it is difficult making a convincing economic case to introduce distal taper without a corresponding price increase. While I am not 100% certain this is true in all cases, I would assume that an old model will remain the same as it has been in the past, while new models with distal taper established at the prototype stage will have distal taper. Windlass make a huge number of swords for various companies, all to different parameters and goals.
@@scholagladiatoria damn, that's too bad. I appreciate your response. I can understand the economic aspect although maybe a middle ground can be found somewhere down the line. I wouldn't mind spending another hundred dollars if I knew there was just a little more effort on that aspect. Thanks for all your work Matt!
You say the swirls on the pommel are different, but comparing images side by side with the real Langeid sword I honestly can't see it. What is different about them?
Is that same Windlass blade being used on any other Viking period sword? I like the blade but am not crazy about the hilt. Offering different style hilts on that nice blade seems like it would be a good business idea.
Is the blade of the axe that accompanied the sword engraved? There looks as if there might be a pattern of concentric circular or arcing lines. Could also be a digital artifact. Still
The sword is truly a great piece, although, simbolic design of the hilt is not really accurate, as this type of sword was common not only in Scandinavia, but also in Baltic lands, which were pagan and crosses would be a big no no to then. If you imagine that the swords found in Baltic lands were traded from Scandinavia, then the design would make sense.
Just bought this sword its nice however, the art is alittle sloppy lines run over and what ever they clear coated it with has chipped off. If you want a functional sword the blade is great however the pommel makes it very hard to swing as the shape and size digs into the hand. If i jad to guess this was simply a burial sword and not one used for combat as its very beautiful. If you want somthing for practical use get somthing alittle less flashy, if you want somthing you can appreciate for art and history thus sword is excellent for the price.
the really satin, flat polish of the guard and pommel really make the decoration look flat, almost like it's white with yellow painted decoration. It would look more historically authentic and look way better in my opinion if it were more highly polished.
"I believe that this is probably... probably one of the closest... that you can get in this price range, off the shelf, available right now." "I hope this review was useful." It was. This was probably a sword and it may have been reviewed.
@@scholagladiatoria As someone who owns one, I think the Suontaka sword is much more interesting, especially due to its provenance, and less garish than the Langeid.
I challenge you to a duel using pool noodles as weapons. To the point of first blood then yield I have a spot at the end of my nose that would bleed at first touch.
It is funny, I remember watching an arms and armor video about high middle age swords to the renaissance, and the guy there pointed out that high middle ages sword were kinda plain. Christization changed allot, changed a culture away from more indidualization and status orientated to brotherhood in christ and austere and group orientated.
So is this kings cnuts or another kings of norway his father sven or brother. Its very bling when you say late 1050plus . So is it 1000to 1066. But there is argument that viking stlyle raids continue by norse gaels from 1066 to 1203 .
One historical method for plating metals is mercury amalgam plating, where you dissolve or suspend the metal you want (gold, silver etc.) in mercury, slather the resulting mercury amalgam on the piece you want to plate and then essentially boil away the mercury leaving behind a layer of the dissolved precious metal. Not great for the health and sanity of the smith, but a pretty neat process. This was definitely done later on, but idk if this process is appropriate for this sword's time period.
Electrolysis wasn’t available in this era, they used various other methods to plate base metals. In this case the base is worked over with a sharp chisel to give a toothed finish (like the surface of a file) and the silver/gold/copper plating was applied in the form of wire or fine strips hammered onto it. They achieved some remarkably detailed work this way, some examples of fine checker work patterns with copper and silver exist. Mercury amalgam gilding was known at the time but I’m not aware of many examples from Northern Europe, on sword hilts.
you might be able to shed some light on why grips are often too long on this type of sword reproduction , is it lack of knowledge and research or modern consumer expectations ?
its a shame because i would love to spend (as a first time sword buyer) say up to 300pounds for a good historically accurate rustic repro. it needs no frills, high end polish or metals , or even a scabbard it just needs to look right, feel and handle properly and weigh the same as historic examples. this is such a hard task ! the closest i have came to parting with my cash is the balaur arms petersen type H but i am still on the fence@@scholagladiatoria
