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Gladius question
#1
I am wanting to buy a gladius and am looking for some input. I'd like one that is somewhat functional and at least a little historically accurate that is under 250. Ive been looking at the windlass pompeii and the deepeeka AH4211N pompeii. I'd appreciate some feedback and thanks.
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#2
What do you mean by "functional"? If you are intending to use it for cutting, I would avoid any blade by Deepeeka. Deepeeka blades are purpose built for reenactment use, and I don't know if the quality control or construcion techniques would allow for safe cutting. If you are looking for some blade on blade type of activity, then avoid Deepeeka altogether and get a steel or aluminum blunt.

I also wouldn't use Windlass for anything except display/reenactment.

For historical accuracy the Deepeeka swords are better than the Windlass.
____________________________________________________________
Magnus/Matt
Du Courage Viens La Verité

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#3
Inexpensive, historically accurate and durable gladius, at times I think its like looking for a powerful, fuel-efficiant and inexpensive car...you can get 2 of the three but not all three at the same time.
I have both the Windlass Pompeii and the Deepeeka AH4211N, as well as a Soul Of The Warrior "Magnus" gladius.
The Deepeeka is a lot more historically authentic than the Windlass in sheath fittings and general blade shape, my only gripe with it is the THICK edge that Deepeeka puts on their swords, its just makes them harder to sharpen.
The Windlass is lighter in weight so it feels quicker in the hand, with a thinner edge that easier to sharpen. But you will spend a good bit of time and effort making it look historically accurate, esp the plain jane sheath.
The SOTW "Magnus" has the best sheath and fittings of the three as well as a thinner edge for easier sharpening. http://legvi.tripod.com/armamentarium/id189.html
As for durabilty, the folks over on the Sword Buyers Guide forum http://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/sword-forum.html say nice things about the Windlass and recently have also said some nice things about the more recent (thicker-tanged) Deepeeka models.
If you really just want to bang swords together :roll: then just go buy a pair of the plastic Cold Steel gladius trainers.
Hope this helps.
David Cooper
"Life is opinion." Marcus Aurelius
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#4
Maybe consider a DIY :p lol um, yeah, SOTW looks good. Look around, keep asking, go on Legio XX's Matt's page and look at their suppliers and also the pictures in the gladius section shows what to get, have a look at the "what not to get"'s too! Good luck!\\

Sam
Samuel J.
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#5
I appreciate all the feedback. I reaaly like the look of the SOTW Magnus. That may be the route I go.
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#6
on the SOTW is that an authentic bone handle? Were the grooves that angular?
Samuel J.
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#7
Sam, yes, the SOTW gladius' grip is bone and it's shaped just like the photos on the site.
David Cooper
"Life is opinion." Marcus Aurelius
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#8
gotcha :wink:
Samuel J.
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#9
The only grip I can think of which is even close to that shape is the ivory one from Caernarfon/Segontium. The vast majority of actual first century AD sword grips are either octagonal or hexagonal in section and in profile feature four depressions on each face, which are crescent shaped and meet edge to edge, forming ridges between them.
Here is a sword from Mainz (with an interesting triangular blade which I don't think anyone had been brave enough to do a reproduction of yet) which still retains its complete bone handle. You can see the shape of the grip quite clearly.

[Image: Mainzbonesword.jpg]

Here is another bone handle assemblage from Dorchester. Note the form of the grip on this example too.

[Image: IMGP3341.jpg]

Here is the handle I made for my sword, copying examples from Vindonissa.

[Image: Handle2.jpg]


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