I just purchased one of these Windlass XIV beauties, and was wondering how well they are holding up for any other owners of them? I was also wondering why the Albion's and Del Tin's have a nice ring to it when struck against a metal object, while my windlass XIV sounds dead.

There are a few things I noticed about the Windlass XIV as opposed to the Albion Sovereign and Yeoman. One thing is that the blade is the accurate historic length from Ewartt Oakeshott's drawing. The drawing Ewartt Oakeshott made states that the blade is 26 1/4" long and it also shows a spine for improved thrusting at the tip unlike the Albion versions. The Windlass sword is similar to type XVI like Oakeshott's drawing which is uncommon for type XIV swords, but the shortness of the blade and how it swells at the crossguard makes it a type XIV for sure.

Another thing I noticed is that the Albion swords have the width more correct however as well as the cross guard length. One thing I love about Albion swords is the detail to the distal taper. My windlass XIV seems to keep it's thickness for almost the whole length of the blade. This doesn't hurt however because it has excellent balance and I wouldn't want the blade any lighter. I think that if Windlass made the steel a little thicker at the base as well as making it wider, and then had a good distal taper it would probably handle the same as it does now, but cut a little better and have improved thrusting.

Overall I love the sword, and am glad I made the purchase.

I have a couple of questions?
Does anyone know if there is any art showing Archers or horsemen carrying this type of sword?
Also is the steel 1085?

I bought one about the same time as Gary and agree completely with his review. Mine has some distal taper -more than Windlass usually has- but is not what you would call thick at the base. I don't think they can afford to do this to keep the price point but rather use stock that is pretty much shaped to the uniform maximum thickness of the sword to use the minimum amount of steel in production. Mine has held up well - no loosening of the hilt. My only possible complaint is that the forte twists slightly where it joins the guard - but given the amount of asymmetries that one sees in historical pieces I think we are likely too paranoid about such minor defects. I have used this sword a lot for dry handling because its my only one short enough not to cut a hole in the basement ceiling! Alas I will not be comparing mine to the Albion model any time soon - until they drop their prices and/or find a retailer up here in the great white North. (inhaling for a very long breath).

I own a Yeoman, I love mine. However before getting it, I did almost buy the Windlass XIV due to the good reviews it has gotten. Then Albion had the October sale, 20% off or so. I couldn't miss it so that's how I got my first and only Next Gen sword! I may still get the Windlass verison some day to use for pracitce sharpenning and learn how to make a cord wrapped hilt on it.

Having recently had the myArmoury.com contest with the Albion Yeoman and the Windlass "Type IV" sword, I can say that the two swords are not easily directly comparable. They are very different swords and are not similar at all.

Having said this, I can say that both are excellent products. The Windlass surprised me, given its price point, and shows to be a very good value for its asking price. To say it's a less expensive version of the Yeoman (which is what I may have thought before getting them both in hand) would not be accurate.

I'd like to own them both, myself.

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Windlass "Type IV" and Albion Yeoman swords

I agree with Nathan in that you really can't compare the two because they are so different. About the only similarity between them is that the Sovereign has the same style pommel, and the Yeoman looks a little bit like the drawing of Oakeshotts in the XIV category of swords. I would particularly like to own the Sovereign at some point in time. Thanks for the input Nathan, I was wondering how the Yeoman and Windlass XIV felt side by side.

I sure love my Albion pieces, and the detail on them is unbelievable. I also feel that I got one of the best pieces Windlass has ever made. It is hands down better than my Windlass Arbedo typ XVIIIa sword. The Arbedo is less than 3/16" stock throughout the blade, and the guard rattles. The lines also aren't as cleanly executed. One thing I was really impressed by is that the leather scabbard for the Windlass XIV is twice the scabbard my Arbedo came with. The XIV scabbard is made of thicker leather, and they made the leather swell towards the mouth of the scabbard so it hugs the blade and doesn't immediately fall to the ground when held upside down. I sure enjoy hearing everyone's input about these swords, keep it up.

I noticed in the official review for this sword that it states the pommel is a type J1. While looking through "Records of the Medieval Sword" on page 124 the pommel on that example looks very similar to the Windlass XIV and is classified as a type K. I think type K would be more accurate for this sword but want some input. K just looks like a better fit as most type J1 pommels secondary disk is closer to the primary disks. Any input would be great. I have included a picture of the XIV.8 from page 124 of oakshott' book.

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