Cold Steel "Pirate" Cutlass: Initial Review and Modding
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- čas přidán 4. 12. 2022
- Looking for a shorter single-edged weapon for my cross training, I stumbled across this rare piece by happy accident, and it's really working for me (after a few custom touches). Not much about it online and only available at a few dealers at this point.
Here's the link at Chicago Knife Works:
www.chicagoknifeworks.com/col...
BTW: I think the round checkered things on the guard are supposed to be berries?
This is almost completely identical to Del Tin's German Dussack based on Wallace Collection number A715. Maybe Cold Steel asked Windlass to reproduce that design, as Windlass and Del Tin used to both have association with Museum Replica. This design has some minor modification from the Del Tin one, seems to have removed a finger ring, but added an additional swept bar to make the hilt symmetrical. Yes, the Del Tin model also weigh 3.3-3.5 lbs, very overweight.Taking an existing design by another brand and modify it to be in its own catalog is a very typical Cold Steel practice. The original weighs only 1225g, so both Del Tin and Windlass here are WAY off.
BTW if you need a real dussack, check out Landsknecht Emporium Dorothea.
I think when they copied the sword they copied the weight. Thing weighs as much as my Scottish Broadsword. Thanks for the recommendation on the Dorothea!
I'm certain windlass made a model of this late 90s or early 2000s. Not certain the exact hilt layout however.
Museum Replicas was bought out by Windlass years ago. It was around that time that Del Tin stopped dealing with them. Shortly after Del Tin dropped all US dealers & did some revamping of the company. Then they started selling through KoA (probably a few other US dealers but I can't recall any) unfortunately their prices took a big jump up at that point too.
I reckon it should be said aloud; this is a FUN piece. It has absolutely nothing to do with historical accuracy. The mythology of Pirates is cool and universally beloved. "Pirate" is a generic term for a very diverse group of people. A "pirate sword" is whatever they could get their hands on. And this would be a VERY sought after piece of loot back in the day. Especially after your personal touches. 🤤 Great find, Sir.
Cheers Michael. Nice blade. Great for close quarters. My hanger is slender by comparison, more Sabre like, with a simple D guard hilt. Great choice Sir, cold steel did a good job. Slan☘️
It’s worth saying that cutlass, hanger and a lot of other sword classifications of the time were more descriptive than prescribed, in Germany it probably would’ve been called a dussack or some variation or spelling of that word, but in English it would have just been called a cutlass or hanger or both, mostly being defined by its relatively short length and choppiness, leading to it being especially favoured for the cramped fighting that took place on ships
This is a brand new sword for Cold Steel.GSM has not done any promo on it. I designed this Cutlass 2 years ago for cold steel when i was in charge of their sword division. I designed this sword w the idea of having a pirate cutlass in the vein of much of the mythology surrounding cutlasses. This is not referencing any historical piece but it terms of a great asset to someones pirate captain impression, I feel it feels a niche that has always been empty. Your critique seems a bit unreasonale. I have No Idea what you expect from a 300.+ sword that comes w a scabbard. I'm going to assume your knowledge of what it takes to manufacture a commercial sword from begining to end might be fairly limited. If you have specific questions about the sword feel free to ask me.
Critique? I LOVE this sword! Bravo on the design! It's exactly everything I was looking for. I just felt it needed a false edge on the yelman. Any rough spots in the Cold Steel build at this price point are completely expected. This is a big hit for Cold Steel as far as I'm concerned. Thank you so much for reaching out! We should definitely talk more!
if its made in india 300+ is no small sum
that thing is wicked!
Very nice. I have been looking at their basket hilt cutlass for a while now.
Wow @Michael Rizzo it's a fine piece! I bet those sabre cuts feel great. Find myself tempted LOL
Michael, I've purchased one of these, but I have not received it yet. I was skeptical about its construction vs. aesthetics. But your review convinced me to take a chance on it.
You mentioned doing some cut tests with it but were unable to due to inclement weather. How about now? The weather is definitely looking up!
Thank you!
I did appleseed the edge a bit before cutting, and it is a very keen blade, though it's held up well. The two biggest challenges are that it might be shorter than you're used to, so adjust your distance (I had a couple of embarrassing "shallow" cuts); and the wide blade might give you some friction resistance depending on the target--I had this problem with wide bladed Chinese Dao, and this blade is very similar. Probably not with targets that "pop" apart like bottles, noodles and thinner bamboo, but thick mats and wide cardboard might try to drag on the sides of the blade a bit and slow you down. I've found it's really handy for the weight, feels lighter than it is but still gives you that heavier sword inertia in the cut. Very familiar for a guy who trained in Chinese swordsmanship.
@@michaelrizzo5523 Michael, I am used to about, 30"-31" basket hilted stick fighting, so this will be distinct departure from what I know. But, I'm looking forward to it. 🙂 Most of my sticks weigh in around 3lb so I don't think the weight will be an issue but having a defined curved edge will be a steep learning curve for me, I believe. Either way, I'm hopeful the sword proves to be durable in the long run. Thank you, again!
Your Pirate Cutlass is Awesome!!!
Thanks! I do like it a lot. Moves very well for me.
it can be either described as a Cutless or a dussack depending on where it was used or carried
Would it also be fair to call it a cuttoe? Not sure of the distinctions, but it seems to be a term interchangeable with cutlass.
Cuttoe tend to not have complex hilts.
Something sort of similar to the Sinclaire hilt it would appear. Looks pretty nice. It is rather hefty for its size, mostly b/c of how heavy that extra protection adds toward the hand. Though I suspect along w/ distal taper it probably helps it to handle pretty good. A little work & it could be a really good sword. Plus it rings like a bell when you hit it so its solid. At least for now. I suppose we will see once it hits a few more targets. Lol
A katzbalger for the high seas!
I do love a nice katzbalger!
I wonder if you could review a Kyu Gunto because I am just interested.
I've been keeping my eye out for a good one, but no luck so far!
The blade look really " large " .. definitevely ...older than " Pirate era " ...
Maybe Baltic Pirate ....but i'm thinking most pirates didn't usued swords or cutlass at all but large knife , club and hatchet .
Fighting on a boat is like raiding a trench ... you didn't have the space for move your cutlass ...
Large warship alowed maybe/certainly the use of a cutlass in melee but we are not talking about Trafalgar .
Thank you for this review. I have been looking for a practical cutting cutlass for my pirate and Renaissance immersion. Are the steps you mentioned detailed enough for me to get my blade where yours ends up? I don't have the skills or tools to do it myself but want to have a blacksmith or professional sharpener do the work for me. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you
Just ask if they can improve the edge and sharpen that back edge. I also glued a partial leather liner inside the shells for my own comfort.
I've always loved the look of wide bladed basket hilted cutlasses.
Seem good for the price but I wonder the quality of the bars for the guard. If they are Windlass Ive has really solud ones by them & some surprisingly weak.
I was worried about the bars too from the look of them, but turns out they're more robust than one of their rapiers.
@@michaelrizzo5523 I had a guard by windlass off an old cup hilt rapier I used to make a side sword. It bent easily & eventually one quillon broke off. It was definitely chromed & soft metal.
I got a similar guard at one of their clearance sales to replace it & it's polished but a bit more of a satin finish & a deeper grey. It's very strong & hasn't bent.
@@michaelrizzo5523 I remember Skallagrím háð the cold steel hunting sword & the guard on it also broke easily during his testing
Just got my Cold Steel Black Bear Classic today...it's awesome... what do you think of yours after all this time?
A very enjoyable knife for martial practice in terms of feel, and a definite showpiece in terms of looks. A favorite.
saber in one hand cutlass in the other sweet
Cheers Michael. By the way, you mentioned dusack and falchion swords. I think the cutlass is of Falchion origin. They are optimal for cutting rope, canvas, etc. On a ship. Were as my cutlass I believe is military issue, mid 18 hundreds. Never owned a cold steel product, but have watched them for years, hit and miss depending on the owner. You Sir have a definite hit. I've been considering a spadroon. Take care and till next time. ☘️
I've also thought about adding a spadroon to the collection.
@@michaelrizzo5523 indeed. Always liked the swashbuckling energy. But went Japanese for the focus if you get my drift. Combining Kenjutsu with fencing. As you've said, their similar enough, with the right swords. Sadly age and time are our enemies. If you haven't seen Adorea, I suggest checking them out. Slan☘️
@@shawnclifford362 I really like what Adorea has been doing.
Reminds me a lot of the cold steel hunting sword. Ever reviews that one?
I considered it when i was looking for a sword like this. I don't have one.
How did you reprofile the edge?
Do you feel that a rotary sander would get the blade too hot and ruin the temper, making it too soft?
I use belt sanders, and sometimes a bench or angle grinder for heavier cutting. The most important thing when using power tools is to keep the blade cool, so I quench it frequently in cold water, after every few seconds of friction. (Make sure your sanding medium is okay for wet/dry use.) Watch out for any color changes in the steel, but ideally it should never get so hot that it's uncomfortable to touch. Overheating is highest risk when cutting or removing a lot of metal with coarser grits, but even fine belts can overheat a blade with extended contact, so take it slow!
Could you blunt it to use as a trainer, also how does this compare to the 1917 cutlass?
The 1917 is more of a simple, short cavalry saber, with the narrower fullered blade but thicker cross section and steeper edge geometry, and the 1917 guard isn't ambidextrous (right and left hand versions are available). According to the KOA stats, it's lighter overall but the POB is a lot further forward. I'd considered it when this sword popped up. As for blunting it, my concern is the weight behind a very thin edge. It reminds me of the Kung Fu Dao that, yes, we'd do 2-person forms with: Blunt, but still a meat cleaver if it hit anything boney that wasn't well-projected. Also, I think the thin edge would get chewed up into a saw if it kept contacting steel. I'd want a thicker edge for fencing, and I'd guess you'd have to cut away a lot of this blade to get it.
Cool
Can you switch the blade out for a Castille blade?
Castille is awesome. Reach out to Sam and his team and they can probably get you something that fits, even including the thread type. The length of the existing grip is 4"/10cm, plus 2"/5cm for the pommel. Add maybe another cm for the guard for total tang length.
Im not sure this is an actual cold steel product, I've never seen this sword before it's not even on cold steel youtube page .
How did you do the reprofiling?
Bigger removal on a 4X36" belt sander with grits from 80 up to 1000. Finer polishing on a 1X30" up to 1000 grit. Just be sure to keep the blade from overheating with frequent breaks and dunking in cool water.
Thistles
Yup, I've heard thistles and blackberries.