Windlass Historical Tactical Hunting Military D-Guard Hand Forged Steel Bowie Knife with Leather Scabbard

It cleans up nice and the sheath is very nice.

I go to Renaissance Faires every year and dress as a pirate. This was an awesome addition to my costume! Looks great, not as long or heavy as most cutlass swords I have seen. Blade was VERY sharp, but I dulled it for my use.

I was literally astonished when I opened the package, this is exactly what I was looking for. As a Pirate reenactor / educator, I have been looking for something more than what is being offered as pirate cutlasses. Everything offered is far too long for shipboard close-in battles, a true pirate's weapon would be specialized for exactly that purpose. This weapon is exactly what I believe a pirate of the golden age would be using. A shortened Cutlass built for slashing and stabbing. I will be removing the edge from this weapon and dulling the point for educational safety reasons.Fabulous!

This is one of my favorite knife/sword purchases so far. The length is about as short as you can go and still call it a sword. It's probably more long dagger than sword with the blade measuring just over 17 1/2 inches. It is not as wide or as thick as what I would consider normal for a Bowie so the weight is comparable to a Bowie that is half the length. The handle is comfortable and the guard is tight with no wobble. Overall balance is nice. I tested it on a piece of wood and I would be comfortable chopping soft wood or brush with it, but it is designed to be more of a slashing or thrusting weapon than a chopper.

Windlass is rather famous for shipping blunt blades, but while my new bowie will neither shave nor cut paper yet, it did a fine job of clearing brush."Wouldn't a hatchet or a machete be cheaper and more fit to task," you ask? to which I reply: Hush. I don't tell you how to live your life.

On first impression I'll say that it's very well done. The polishing and stain is great (not a light brown but a darker antiqued look) and there is no rust. The scabbard is nicely fitted, the seam is well done, and is also not too snug or loose. I have yet to test the stain's staying power or the knife itself. The blade is well in line with the handle although is ever so slightly bent, which you'll notice makes it slightly snug when you start to sheath it.

Very nice blade the only thing is the sheath has no way to attach it to belt or anything else.