Looks like Windlass has recently re-released the Sword of Roven, with an updated grip. www.kultofathena.com/product/windlass-signature-series-sword-of-roven/?koa=74
@FiliiMartis The grip looks so much better! Windlass is clearly taking what they've learned from the Matt Easton/Royal Armouries collaboration and applying it to (some) of their swords, and that's great to see. I bet you're right about the handling though.
Completely agree with everything you said here. Matthew does amazing customization work that this sword is not worthy of. I'm glad that this model has been discontinued by Windlass now that they seek Matt Easton's guidance on the majority of their new offerings. Their old business model of inexpensive sharpened (blunt actually) crowbar just doesn't work any more in this decade any more.
They did re-release this model now, and they say it has improved distal taper. Their stats say 5/32" to 3/32" thickness, or ~4mm to ~2.5mm. That's...not much of a difference, and it's even thinner at the ricasso!
I can fortunately do all of these customizations myself, but even for just the material and time I wouldn't dream of not only putting lipstick on that pig, but basically rolling out the complete spa treatment including mani/pedi, full Brazilian and unlimited mimosas. 😂 But I gotta admit, it is definitely the best looking Sword of Roven I have ever clapped my eyes on. Shame that the blade can't be elevated as easily as the rest. Excellent video as always!
Thanks! I forgot to mention this in the video, but I was going to talk about how with a lot of budget swords, you can customize the blade by grinding in better distal taper, because a lot of budget swords are too thick for most/all of the blade. The problem with the Roven is that it's too thin near the guard, so even if you grind in some more distal taper near the tip, you'll still have issues. Likelier a floppy blade. I think this sword needs a full redesign, but it could be great.
Great review!! Thanks for the shouts outs acknowledgments and praises! It’s greatly appreciated. That’s is a pretty sword, it’s too bad it lacks the things it’s needs to really make it good.
Wow, you and Matthew really put more love into that sword than I even realized! She did turn out quite pretty in the end; excellent execution by Matthew. I did not have her for very long, but your criticisms echo many of the concerns I had with the design. There was some hope that maybe with your increased exposure/comfortability with longswords that perhaps you could make it work but I think Windlass needs to retool the design from the ground up. Maybe V2.0 will be the XXa that we are hoping for.
I have this sword. I didn't use it for the role I wanted it for, and now I have better swords. Probably I should sell it. I agree fully about the original grip material, I hate it. I agree about it feeling dumb. And I am surprised that you put so much money in this project. But I'm also happy you went forward with it as an experiment. 👍
Kyle, may I just say one thing: I’ve noticed that your cutting-form (and therefore your success-rate) has improved significantly lately! Well done Bro! 👍🏻 I believe this is due to the fact that your overall “footwork” - including leg- and hip-movement - noticeably has improved a lot. 😎 Just be careful not to overdo it - ask Kane Shen - you really don’t want to throw out your back or something… 😉
Honestly I wish Windlass would bring back their discontinued European arming sword model, for the price it was one of their better blades. I have one, but its still fully torn down and waiting for a new handle to be made lol
Can’t fix the foundation with new paint regardless of that painter being Matthew’agelo’davinchi. Is there a reason a person would want a hefty sword? A club that can cut? An estock with an edge?
The tang is not peened like stated in this video, it's threaded. I know this because I disassembled this sword. At first I didn't like this sword too much, but now I like it.
@torgomax That is a tough question to answer without additional information: 1) What type(s) of sword are you interested in? ie longsword, katana, arming sword, dao, etc. 2) What's your budget? 3) What is your intended use of the sword? ie "sitting on the wall looking pretty," "dry handling and swinging through the air," "backyard cutting" etc. 4) Very generally, where in the world do you live?
@torgomax It can be tough to find a good sword at that price point, especially since that type of sword is not a commonly well-reproduced one. I have heard generally good things about the Kingston Arms cutlass, designed by Angus Trim. It's currently listed around $350, but I've seen it go on sale a few times for $300. SBG Store - sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/product1028.html Kult of Athena (out of stock) - www.kultofathena.com/product/cutlass-atrim-design/?koa=74
Hmm I'm not sure how to put this... I guess if you happen to like the sword of roven. Then it would be well worth putting the money/time and effort into making it better. It did turn out really good looking! and yeah maybe in 2024 it's a dubious proposal. But back in the day this model was considered one of the better swords windlass made. We have so many good budget swords now that make it look like crap by comparison. But at one time this sword would have been a worthy project. There's a reason why this sword has a cult following, there must be something to it. I myself have a Maa grosse Messer. Terrible sword right? Not really, I reprofiled the edge with my work sharp which only took about an hour or so and now it can get really, really clean cuts. The blade is very thick and rigid so it doesn't vibrate much. My brother was getting static cuts on plastic vodka bottles. He cut a milk jug right in half and the top was left floating in the bottom. I'm sure someone out there has a similar story about their sword of roven. I guess my point is for back yard cutting what more do you really need? As long as you can sharpen it into a decent cutter it's a good sword in my book.
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Looks like Windlass has recently re-released the Sword of Roven, with an updated grip.
www.kultofathena.com/product/windlass-signature-series-sword-of-roven/?koa=74
The grip looks much better. Actually looks excellent.
But I'm pretty sure it still feels dumb. 😅
@FiliiMartis The grip looks so much better! Windlass is clearly taking what they've learned from the Matt Easton/Royal Armouries collaboration and applying it to (some) of their swords, and that's great to see.
I bet you're right about the handling though.
Completely agree with everything you said here. Matthew does amazing customization work that this sword is not worthy of. I'm glad that this model has been discontinued by Windlass now that they seek Matt Easton's guidance on the majority of their new offerings. Their old business model of inexpensive sharpened (blunt actually) crowbar just doesn't work any more in this decade any more.
They did re-release this model now, and they say it has improved distal taper. Their stats say 5/32" to 3/32" thickness, or ~4mm to ~2.5mm. That's...not much of a difference, and it's even thinner at the ricasso!
I can fortunately do all of these customizations myself, but even for just the material and time I wouldn't dream of not only putting lipstick on that pig, but basically rolling out the complete spa treatment including mani/pedi, full Brazilian and unlimited mimosas. 😂 But I gotta admit, it is definitely the best looking Sword of Roven I have ever clapped my eyes on. Shame that the blade can't be elevated as easily as the rest. Excellent video as always!
Thanks! I forgot to mention this in the video, but I was going to talk about how with a lot of budget swords, you can customize the blade by grinding in better distal taper, because a lot of budget swords are too thick for most/all of the blade. The problem with the Roven is that it's too thin near the guard, so even if you grind in some more distal taper near the tip, you'll still have issues. Likelier a floppy blade. I think this sword needs a full redesign, but it could be great.
Great review!! Thanks for the shouts outs acknowledgments and praises! It’s greatly appreciated.
That’s is a pretty sword,
it’s too bad it lacks the things it’s needs to really make it good.
You're welcome, and thanks back to you for the customizations!
Wow, you and Matthew really put more love into that sword than I even realized! She did turn out quite pretty in the end; excellent execution by Matthew. I did not have her for very long, but your criticisms echo many of the concerns I had with the design. There was some hope that maybe with your increased exposure/comfortability with longswords that perhaps you could make it work but I think Windlass needs to retool the design from the ground up. Maybe V2.0 will be the XXa that we are hoping for.
Well, Windlass's v2.0 listing says it has improved distal taper, but from their stats it looks very similar.
I have this sword. I didn't use it for the role I wanted it for, and now I have better swords. Probably I should sell it.
I agree fully about the original grip material, I hate it. I agree about it feeling dumb. And I am surprised that you put so much money in this project. But I'm also happy you went forward with it as an experiment. 👍
Kyle, may I just say one thing:
I’ve noticed that your cutting-form (and therefore your success-rate) has improved significantly lately! Well done Bro! 👍🏻
I believe this is due to the fact that your overall “footwork” - including leg- and hip-movement - noticeably has improved a lot. 😎
Just be careful not to overdo it - ask Kane Shen - you really don’t want to throw out your back or something… 😉
Thanks! I'm working hard on improving my form.
Honestly I wish Windlass would bring back their discontinued European arming sword model, for the price it was one of their better blades. I have one, but its still fully torn down and waiting for a new handle to be made lol
Can’t fix the foundation with new paint regardless of that painter being Matthew’agelo’davinchi. Is there a reason a person would want a hefty sword? A club that can cut? An estock with an edge?
Putting lipstick on a pig just means you have a fancy pig.
Cool!
Thanks Matt!
The tang is not peened like stated in this video, it's threaded. I know this because I disassembled this sword. At first I didn't like this sword too much, but now I like it.
Did you mean threaded? What do you mean by riveted? Rivets are peened? So what would be the difference?
@@evanmorris1178 indeed, my mistake.
They also never have the nodes where they're supposed to be....much shock goes to the handle. Windless sucks
Subscribing 👍
Thanks! Welcome aboard!
@@alientude What do you recommend for a first Sword?🤔
@torgomax That is a tough question to answer without additional information:
1) What type(s) of sword are you interested in? ie longsword, katana, arming sword, dao, etc.
2) What's your budget?
3) What is your intended use of the sword? ie "sitting on the wall looking pretty," "dry handling and swinging through the air," "backyard cutting" etc.
4) Very generally, where in the world do you live?
@@alientude I like Sabers and Cutlass and could spend around $300. Would like to use it for home defense and back yard cutting. I'm in Florida 🗡🌀
@torgomax It can be tough to find a good sword at that price point, especially since that type of sword is not a commonly well-reproduced one. I have heard generally good things about the Kingston Arms cutlass, designed by Angus Trim. It's currently listed around $350, but I've seen it go on sale a few times for $300.
SBG Store - sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/product1028.html
Kult of Athena (out of stock) - www.kultofathena.com/product/cutlass-atrim-design/?koa=74
Hmm I'm not sure how to put this...
I guess if you happen to like the sword of roven. Then it would be well worth putting the money/time and effort into making it better. It did turn out really good looking! and yeah maybe in 2024 it's a dubious proposal. But back in the day this model was considered one of the better swords windlass made. We have so many good budget swords now that make it look like crap by comparison. But at one time this sword would have been a worthy project.
There's a reason why this sword has a cult following, there must be something to it.
I myself have a Maa grosse Messer. Terrible sword right? Not really, I reprofiled the edge with my work sharp which only took about an hour or so and now it can get really, really clean cuts. The blade is very thick and rigid so it doesn't vibrate much. My brother was getting static cuts on plastic vodka bottles. He cut a milk jug right in half and the top was left floating in the bottom. I'm sure someone out there has a similar story about their sword of roven.
I guess my point is for back yard cutting what more do you really need? As long as you can sharpen it into a decent cutter it's a good sword in my book.