The Windlass Crusader Chopper is crafted with a forged, tempered and unsharpened blade of 1065 high carbon steel. The grip is formed from two slabs of wood copper-riveted to the thick blade tang. The bolster and pommel cap are of copper with an antiqued finish.
The Windlass Crusader Chopper is a reproduction of the single-edged falchion seen the illuminated Maciejowski / Morgan Bible. As no known examples survive, it is unknown whether this unique bladed weapon actually existed outside of the imagination of a fanciful medieval illustrator. Various reproductions produce a working design that can chop and hack with notable power, and the various angled flanges seem purpose-built for puncturing chainmail and helmets.
If it existed, it seems likely that the weapon would have been adapted from a scythe-like farming implement into a bladed pole-sword. While suitably efficient, this single-edged weapon without a complex hilt would have been much easier and cheaper to create than a sword and thus may have been a real weapon for peasant levies and poorer men-at-arms, though its design may have been limited geographically.
If anything it does possess a certain aura of intimidation caused by its coarse geometry and its flanged spikes; it is a cunningly adapted or purpose-built weapon for the butchery of the battlefield wholly absolved of any notion of chivalry.
Its simple construction also provides a plausible explanation as to why no surviving examples exist. Many finely-crafted swords and other arms were passed down through the generations and their symbolism and attachment to a family or an owner caused them to be preserved when nearing the end of their usefulness. A comparatively crude fighting blade such as this Maciejowski Falchion would instead have its steel repurposed by a pragmatic peasant or simple feudal man-at-arms when it outlived its purpose.
susan b. –
Nicer than I expected My girl saw that I was in love with this sword and bought it for me. First of all, Kult of Athena has a great packing staff. The blade was carefully wrapped in heavy brown wrapping paper, pommel to tip. Then carefully sandwiched in tightly packed layers of the same stuff. Kudos from someone who packed wierd shaped web orders for shipment for over a decade! Taking it out I noticed instantly how balanced it was for such a strange weapon (In two hands) and is of good high carbon steel (I have 30 years experience owning and making medieval weapons, have a true arsenal and I wanted this to make a pattern arsenal with 5.5 foot halberds, a great sword or two, and a few 7 foot pole arms (Like heavy versions of a Naginata, but with this wild Maciejowski Bible design and adding a back hook) SO, I’m a big guy and this is easily a single OR double hand weapon for me. The long grip would allow you in melee combat to adjust your reach. With a shield and this, it could be a very effective melee weapon against less than plate armored opponents. Having said that, reverse it to use the fishtail backside of the blade and it’s virtually a bar mace that certainly could ring some knight’s gong, even if it didn’t get through the helmet. Those shapes would also easily break your opponent’s clavicle if He had only chainmail and a Gambeson. The entire sword is tight and well fitted, the only downsides are what looks like shoe polish for the wood coloration, I’m still treating it with teak oil and rub downs but I like the DARK brown/black wood look. The scales are a quality hardwood, I believe something like walnut or eucalyptus. Rivets are VERY tight and impressive. I’m considering turning down the bottom of the grip a bit with a hand grinder and cord wrapping it for a slip proof one hand grip. I use Elmers glue all to adhere the wrap (The wool string inside a hardball (baseball) works great, if it is black or dark brown) and then I paint the wrap with the same glue until it’s super hard and solid. Gives a rough grip that’s very slip resistant, and you can’t see the glue at all. Also I MAY drill the pommel and add a small steel tube in order to fit a leather lanyard. The only other minus was that this will require a bit of time to add an edge, but altogether it still gets close enough for 5 stars. Will definitely buy another for a crossed swords display in the great hall. I will also make a black bullhide scabbard with belt loop. Now I am hooked and want to try out the Maciejowski Warbrand
Michael W. –
Wicked & cool fantasy/historical sword The Morgan Bible falchion was a surprise. I expected an awkward unbalanced blade. What I got was a sword that can be swung one or two handed. With one hand you need to choke up on it or at least I did, to get it to feel good. I will probably round off the handle slabs
to get a better grip .With two hands , its awesome. I have always found the strange weapons in the Morgan Bible intriguing, so its cool to have one. Sure, its a fantasy weapon, but its wicked.I had KoA sharpen it. Glad I bought it.
Marc –
Awesome This is my first purchase and I am extremely pleased. Well worth the price. I am a retired Army Officer and I would loved to have this on my last deployment.
Noghbdy –
first order ever from koa, REALLY enjoy practicing with this blade!!!!! balance is JUST where blade meets guard! not fond of the possible black shoe polish “stain” or barely noticable uneven grips and sanded it. took almost a day with belt sander & 80 grit paper… now if only I knew what happened to my blonde stain?
Alexander Stutes –
Bought this a couple years back, as a present for a family member. The sharpening service makes this sword a monster, it held up to them chopping fairly large saplings. Solid handle, cool design
Michael Meyerhofer (verified owner) –
I love this thing!!! I first heard about this particular style of weapon during one of my many nerdy video binges on YouTube, and decided to check it out. I admit that I was expecting it to feel a bit like a sharpened shovel when I swung it around, but no; this thing is actually very well-balanced and surprisingly nimble, and it’s also a lot easier on the hands than you’d expect. Its rugged design looks perfect for my next camping trip.