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Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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Atlanta Cutlery "Pirate" Swords?
- Thread starter DPris
- Start date
HolyRoller
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jul 18, 2007
- Messages
- 669
Since you don't mention a specific model, I'll assume you mean every sword with the word "pirate" in the title on their "historical swords" page.
Psh, "historical"... I've never seen a historical "pirate falchion"...
Atlanta Cutlery is a subsidiary of Museum Replicas Limited, which in turn is owned by Windlass Steelcrafts of India. Windlass produces almost all blades sold by these two sub-companies.
Their swords are good for what you pay for. The quality to price ratio, combined with the huge selection they put out, points to their target consumers being beginning collectors, costumers, and occasional backyard cutters. For these purposes, they are good.
Most can stand up well to occasional cutting. But do note that they are cheap on the functional scale, so they are not made with balance in mind. Practitioners will generally steer clear. They aren't AWFUL, but not great either.
IMPORTANT NOTE: if you order direct from MRL or AC, do not do not DO NOT opt for their sharpening services.
Though quality and quality control have been getting much better over the years, lemons still get through. If you have it sharpened by them, you cannot return or exchange it. Get the item, inspect it, and sharpen it yourself.
Also, many Windlass swords can use a little tweaking. Many people like to take them apart and carve their own grips out of better wood and leather. Or disassemble and add some epoxy between the tang and grip to solidify the feel of the sword. Stuff like that.
Holy,
Thanks, I know about the relationship & history of the three companies & Indian background of their products. I've dealt with them before & go back several years.
The largest Windlass blades I've seen personally were Bowie-sized & quality was variable. Never seen one of their swords up close & was hoping to find out if they're solidly built, decently finished cosmetically, and functional in a pinch.
No specific "Pirate" model in mind, just noticing a couple in their Pirate section of the catalogue & wondering if they're worth buying.
Good to know about the sharpening advice.
Wolf,
Besides the steel quality, the hilt strength & construction are other concerns.
Not interested in collecting in general, no plans to take up pirating, just thought a couple of those models looked intriguing. Do not want a sword-like toy that's not functional, though.
Bry,
I had one of their D-Guard Bowies here about five years ago, it wasn't anything I'd consider for serious use.
Denis
Thanks, I know about the relationship & history of the three companies & Indian background of their products. I've dealt with them before & go back several years.
The largest Windlass blades I've seen personally were Bowie-sized & quality was variable. Never seen one of their swords up close & was hoping to find out if they're solidly built, decently finished cosmetically, and functional in a pinch.
No specific "Pirate" model in mind, just noticing a couple in their Pirate section of the catalogue & wondering if they're worth buying.
Good to know about the sharpening advice.
Wolf,
Besides the steel quality, the hilt strength & construction are other concerns.
Not interested in collecting in general, no plans to take up pirating, just thought a couple of those models looked intriguing. Do not want a sword-like toy that's not functional, though.
Bry,
I had one of their D-Guard Bowies here about five years ago, it wasn't anything I'd consider for serious use.
Denis
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2002
- Messages
- 7,636
Personally, I've never been impressed by Windlass and would really hesitate to buy one.
Triton
Gold Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2000
- Messages
- 35,976
I've said it before but...
With swords as with most things you get what you pay for. With swords that may even be more true then with some other things. There is a reason why MRL and AC swords / knives / daggers are priced as inexpensively as they are. That reason is NOT because the folks that own those companies are warm hearted types who love giving people bargains.
Having said that your options in the "pirate sword" arena are rather limited. MRL and AC are a step above most of the stainless steel swords available. Other then that you might try: http://www.gggodwin.com/ or you will have to go the custom route.
With swords as with most things you get what you pay for. With swords that may even be more true then with some other things. There is a reason why MRL and AC swords / knives / daggers are priced as inexpensively as they are. That reason is NOT because the folks that own those companies are warm hearted types who love giving people bargains.
Having said that your options in the "pirate sword" arena are rather limited. MRL and AC are a step above most of the stainless steel swords available. Other then that you might try: http://www.gggodwin.com/ or you will have to go the custom route.
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 25,988
Military Heritage is another decent and inexpensive place to nab historical sabers.
horseclover
Basic Member
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2000
- Messages
- 3,527
All these sources, including Military Heritage and G.G.Godwin source from India. There are more than just a few other sources for these items. As to ordering sharps from the Windlass stores, they will do a better job than some out there. If someone has never sharpened anything, the AC/MRL shop sharpening for a novice may not be so bad a way to go. Someone can argue secondary bevels if they wish but the truth is that the Windlass swords are quite thin in edge geometry compared to some blunts.
Godwin sells a couple of grades and prices for the figure eight cutlasses. Price does equate to quality in that case.
Something else to consider is just what exactly one expects. While the pirate's falchion is a bit laughable, many of the other offerings (of all sources) have at least some counterpart in history. The problem there is that the time period really doesn't much equate to what folk relate as the pirate period. Most offerings are of types from about the mid 18th century to the mid 19th century. I would definitely view any of these offerings item by item instead of lumping an entire line into good or bad. Just a for instance, thgis item still floats around and is quite well done for its appearance but is quite chunky.
Thicker than what one will get from Windlass offerings but a good amount grinding might make for a really nice piece. My files are scattered right now but an item right out of Nuemann's book and was a player in the POC movies. Not bad for a $70 piece. Gredels Cave on the bay still has some (I think).
Of what I see in a current MRL catalog, the lighter swords such as the #500968 Pirate Captain's Hanger probably has some value as appropriate in looks and tweakable. Hanwei sells a comparable American Revolution era hanger type. The Windlass Bunker Hill sword as well is not terribly shabby for what it is. As many Windlass do end up as closeouts and then disappear, one some might like are often gone before some jump on it.
So, it really ends up being a matter of preference in looks and purpose. I bought the one shown as an example to watch for as it might surface as offered as old. Some may just want to get in touch with an inner YAAaaarrrrrRRR! and others may just be looking for a reproduction of a period piece, pirate or not.
Cheers
GC
Godwin sells a couple of grades and prices for the figure eight cutlasses. Price does equate to quality in that case.
Something else to consider is just what exactly one expects. While the pirate's falchion is a bit laughable, many of the other offerings (of all sources) have at least some counterpart in history. The problem there is that the time period really doesn't much equate to what folk relate as the pirate period. Most offerings are of types from about the mid 18th century to the mid 19th century. I would definitely view any of these offerings item by item instead of lumping an entire line into good or bad. Just a for instance, thgis item still floats around and is quite well done for its appearance but is quite chunky.
Thicker than what one will get from Windlass offerings but a good amount grinding might make for a really nice piece. My files are scattered right now but an item right out of Nuemann's book and was a player in the POC movies. Not bad for a $70 piece. Gredels Cave on the bay still has some (I think).
Of what I see in a current MRL catalog, the lighter swords such as the #500968 Pirate Captain's Hanger probably has some value as appropriate in looks and tweakable. Hanwei sells a comparable American Revolution era hanger type. The Windlass Bunker Hill sword as well is not terribly shabby for what it is. As many Windlass do end up as closeouts and then disappear, one some might like are often gone before some jump on it.
So, it really ends up being a matter of preference in looks and purpose. I bought the one shown as an example to watch for as it might surface as offered as old. Some may just want to get in touch with an inner YAAaaarrrrrRRR! and others may just be looking for a reproduction of a period piece, pirate or not.
Cheers
GC
remember, the "golden" age of piracy was from the late 1600's to the mid 1700's. A cutlass was great for on ship fighting..shorter blade for closer fighting and a heavier blade for chopping or hacking rope, and "stuff"
I would think a shortened baskethilt would be acceptable ( and was probably used) in that time period.
I have this http://voc-cutlass.swordwares.com/
I would think a shortened baskethilt would be acceptable ( and was probably used) in that time period.
I have this http://voc-cutlass.swordwares.com/
very, but blunt like a butter knife..which is ok with me.
lol, it still managed to take a pretty good chunk out of a 2x4
