Windlass Steelcrafts German Bastard Sword ReviewWindlass Steelcrafts has a bit of a history for continually recycling through their selection of swords – discontinuing old models and replacing them with new ones at such a pace it can be hard to keep up with what’s hot and what’s not... However, there are exceptions. And one particular piece has withstood the test of time (at least so far) is their German Bastard Sword – despite the fact that most images of this sword online seem to do their darndest to hide this swords considerable beauty. But in this review, Canadian sword reviewer and SBG member Jak has done his bit to show just what this sword really looks like, reserving one when it was backordered – and seems to have found quite a gem...
Windlass German Bastard Sword
It was well packed in paper and bubble wrap and the box was quite big. I kept digging deeper wondering "where is it? Did they send the wrong one?" Nope it’s exactly what I was hoping for. I'm much more happy with this than my Hanwei... It was well oiled but the blade had a few scratches on the otherwise mirror finish. The first thing I noticed when I finally got it unwrapped was the size and balance. I'd heard the cross was overly heavy and affected the balance and performance. I beg to differ. POB is 2.75 inches from cross-guard. This thing is FAST!! With one hand and shield it is well balanced and easily manoeuvrable....doesn’t feel like 3lbs.10oz. Wielded with two hands it is lightning fast and superbly lethal!!! I can’t wait to get it sharpened and do some cutting.
Overall length: 39"
The blade tapers from 2" at the hilt to 1.25" before coming to a point in the last 1.5". The blade has no fuller, instead it is a lenticular shape. It is quite stiff....when struck hard on the pommel the tip moves about 1.5 inches total! Not in the least bit whippy unlike my other windlass.
Sorry I forgot to take a pic of the blade flexing but I can flex it 6" out of true (with some difficulty on the last 2" or so) and she sprang back true.
The whole thing is tight...not a rattle and yes, it is peened so if it develops a rattle it will be an easy fix. The grip is probably wood with cord for the risers and wrapped in black leather. Pommel and cross are blackened giving it an antique look that attracted me to it. The grip is comfortable and there is just enough room for two hands. The pommel is perfectly shaped to comfortably rest the heel of my palm on with no digging. I love the side rings, (which is odd for me....never liked them before), as they offer superior hand protection. This sword stays fairly true to the original, A477 of the Wallace Collection. There are differences though...the original had a fuller groove, and the peen block was slightly different. The grip on the original was just cord I believe, but overall Windlass has done a great job on this sword.
CONCLUSION Jak bought his German Bastard sword from Canadian based sword sellers Reliks.com here for US$209.99. While his sword came unsharpened (as all Windlass swords are), and hence no cutting tests or videos have been recorded, Reliks now offer what is easily the very best and most keen sharpening service of any sword seller online and for a small additional fee could turn this sword into a truly terrifyingly effective cutting machine...! For US based buyers, I personally recommend getting them from Harry and Angella here at Swords of Honor where they stock this sword for $193.50. While SoH offers a sharpening service too, it is the same as all other US based vendors (that is to say, done by the official distributors, MRL) and doesn’t even come close to what Reliks can do so it really depends on what you want to do with this sword. If you are Canadian, or just want the best sharpening service, get it here from Reliks and if you wish to save around $20, get it here at Swords of Honor. Whichever way you decide – this piece certainly seems worth adding to your collection.
I hope this review of the German Bastard Sword has been helpful. To return to Affordable Replicas of Medieval Swords, from Windlass Steelcrafts German Bastard Sword Review, click here
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Well after almost 2 months of waiting this beauty showed up at my door from 
