Cutting
Tests - this portion of the review is to
test the cutting ability of each of the
swords we have chosen, thus gauging the
quality of the brand each sword
represents. Once again we would like to
point out that the swords are of similar
profile and should respond in a similar
fashion to the tests. Each sword will be
tested exactly the same with the same
cuts on the same type of targets. The
first target will be a warm up cut on a
card board box 40x6x6 inches. Followed
by a very serious test cut on rolled
rice mats. The rice mat cut will be a
very sure indicator of the swords
quality and functionality.
Rice Mat cutting -
rice mats are rolled
tightly around a 3/4 inch dowel (this
represents cutting skin and bone and is
considered equivalent to cutting through
someone's upper leg, which is harder
than cutting through the neck), binding
them with rubber bands (or ties), and
then soaking in water for 12 hours or
so. They are then stuck onto a steady
stand or platform, forming a sort of
soggy pole. Cutters then cut the rolls,
attempting to get straight, smooth cuts,
like you see in the movies where the
swordsman slices a candle, and it sort
of slides apart. It isn't easy to get a
good cut, and there are a dozen
different cuts of different
difficulties. Test Day - It was slightly overcast day
with the temperature hovering around 65
degrees. The mats had soaked over night,
hung up to drip dry for about 1 hour
then rolled around the 3/4 inch dowel
rod.
Note 1: the testing was done at a local SCA event therefore I was in armor
during the cutting. Though my cutting
technique was hindered slightly by the
armor it did not affect my ability to
accomplish the desired cuts. Note 2: Center of Percussion - The CoP
is the area along a blade's length that
produces the least amount of vibration
upon hitting a target and is the area
able to deliver the most efficient,
powerful blow.
Windlass
Steelcrafts - The Shrewsbury Sword was
sharpened by hand for the test. The first test
cut of the box went smoothly and passed through
cleanly. This is a very light sword and does not
gain much momentum from weight so speed was
generated from the hips and arms for a powerful
cut. I had some doubts about the Shrewsbury with
its light blade being able to cut through the
rice mat and dowel rod, so had the Windlass 15th
Century Sword on standby. After conducting a
warm up cut on the rolled rice mat with the
tried and true High Elven King Sword by Gen 2,
I decided the Shrewsbury was not going to be
adequate for the cut so I decided to pull the
Shrewsbury from the line up and substitute the
Windlass 15th Century Sword (shown left).
15th Century Sword by Windlass ($220) - The 15th
Century Sword has a balance point of 5-1/4
inches and weighs 3 pounds. The handle is long
enough for two handed use and due to the balance
point would be difficult to wield one handed.
The top part of the handle grip is leather and
the bottom half is wrapped in stainless steel
wire. It has a screw on pommel that does need to
be checked and tightened during use (lock tight
would fix this issue). The blade has a satin
finish, which is covered in a clear coat lacquer
to help prevent rusting. Windlass Swords come
un-sharpened, though Arms of Valor, Ltd. allows
you to choose a sharpening option at an
additional charge for many of the Windlass
Swords. The 15th Century was sharpened for the
test, but because they come with a dull edge,
when they are sharpened it creates a "secondary
bevel edge". (The CoP is 12 inches from the tip
and the Secondary Node is 3 inches below the
crossguard.)
The Cut - The first attempt at the cut went
through the side and dowel rod stopping upon
reaching the other side of the rice mat. The
second attempt on a fresh target went clean
through. The sword functioned well and did not
bend even with a missed cut.
Picture after the
15th Century Swords first cut - though it was a
missed cut, the blade went deeply and would have
severed flesh and bone of a grown man's thigh.
The blade was not damaged or bent.
Picture of the second cut. I put more force and
body into this cut as well as striking lower to
the stand.
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