I have a Windlass short sword and war hammer, the sword is 1095, the hammer probably 1065. The sword has a fair amount of flex, but nothing crazy. I have never sharpened it so cannot say but imagine it would be in the range of a well-made machete in terms of retention. I just might have to put an edge on one side and test it. The fit and finish seem to be pretty well done - nothing cheap about it, and the balance is exceptional. I've read good things about their heat treat and have seen a video of one guy easily slicing a rolled tatmi mat in half with one hit using a Windlass viking pattern for whatever that's worth.
I have no idea the QC of medieval armories but by the high middle ages it was likely quite stringent, at least for the better-paying customers...