Review: Scimitar by Windlass Steelcrafts (with stress test)

*** Specifications ***

Overall length: 91.5 cm (36 in)
Blade length: 78 cm (30.7 in)
Blade thickness: 4.5 mm (no distal taper)
Grip length: 9 cm ( 3.5 in)
Point of balance / center of gravity: 20.5 cm (8 in) from the guard
Weight: 744 g (1.64 lbs)

Blade material: Unknown high carbon steel
Hilt assembly: Pinned handle

Price: $211.50 at KoA (as of September 2015)

*** Pros / Cons ***

+ Very light sword with good handling characteristics
+ Sturdy blade
+ Affordable price, good quality for the money
+ Excellent cutter if properly sharpened

- Guard works itself loose due to loose fit, can cause the grip to crack
- Comes with a blunt factory blade, and KoA's sharpening service is underwhelming
- Nitpick: Unappealing, cheap looking lacquer on the guard and scabbard fittings

*** Verdict ***

Considering how much you normally need to spend on functional quality sword reproductions this is a lot of bang for the buck (or rather cut for the coin?). The blade holds up remarkably well to hard use and keeps an edge nicely once it's sharpened properly. The scimitar / shamshir handles pleasantly, being light enough for nimble movements but tip heavy enough for strong cuts.

The only major problem (aside from the blunt standard edge) is the hilt assembly. While the grip would normally be extremely strong due to the pinned construction, the guard should have a tighter fit to avoid working itself loose. After some abusive testing (cutting wood) it had started to wiggle enough to start damaging the wooden handle.

Overall if you don't intend to go crazy with it this is quite a nice sword, and an affordable functional reproduction that I can easily recommend.

*** Where to get it ***
http://ww4.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=500822&afid=28632&tm=14&im=1

The tool I used to sharpen the edge:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfD1_gHpraw
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My favorite online store for buying swords (worldwide shipping):
http://ww4.aitsafe.com/go.htm?go=kultofathena.com&afid=28632&tm=14&im=1

Some recommended knife makers on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&bbn=3222119011&camp=1789&creative=9325&fst=as%3Aoff&keywords=knife&linkCode=ur2&qid=1416693524&rh=n%3A3375251%2Cn%3A706813011%2Cn%3A3222111011%2Cn%3A3222119011%2Ck%3Aknife%2Cp_89%3AKershaw%7CVictorinox%7CKa-Bar%7CMorakniv%7CTOPS%20Knives%7CColumbia%20River%20Knife%20%26%20Tool%7CBuck%20Knives%7CBenchmade%7CFallkniven%7CSpyderco%7CSOG%20Specialty%20Knives&rnid=2528832011&tag=skallagrim-20

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Видео Review: Scimitar by Windlass Steelcrafts (with stress test) канала Skallagrim