Marto V's Windlass sword

Hi kids, anyone have advice on which sword would be best? The marto 'atlantean' or the windlass steel crafts version, apparently marto is stainless steel which is rubbish for a sword as it's too brittle, but the windlass one claims to be carbon steel, which would be better if it were to be used. they sort of work out at the same price in £ sterling, and I'd normally go for the carbon. But having had dealings with those ignorant buggers at museum replicas in the past I'm a bit leary of them, and at the moment they seem the only affordable suppliers of the carbon one..the stainless one is sold by battle orders uk...and their definition of quality can be a little wide of the mark. though they are a much more approachable company generally than museum replicas, who define 'pleather' 'pure' leather when in fact it's 'plastic leather', very fond usage by costume makers as it's cheap and easy.. So, after all that, advice on sword and company...or at least how to get museum rep, to answer anything but a credit card;) cheers

If the price is the same i would go with the Marto as the furniture and blade etching is so much better. Neither are really anything but wall hangers so beyond apeearance they are equal. Both are accurate looking, the handle on the Windlass is hollow so it is a little lighter. And the Windlass guard is cast thin so the detail is weak. I own both and like both for what they are, I recently painted the furniture on the Windlass as it was too bright. Marto on the left Windlass on the right.

Thanks for the info jay, much appreciated:)

Hi Jay,

Are you sure the windlass's handle is hollow? I read on a website that this sword is a full tang construction.

I also was wondering which of the two swords was better to acquire. But something was disturbing me with the windlass model. Beyond the fact that the windlass's furniture & pommel lack in details (comparison below between Albion & Windlass), it worries me qualitywise to buy a conan battle ready sword for only 300€ (~400$) approximatly. It is too good to be true
It's nice to own both by the way, hang on the wall the Marto one, and use the windlass for practise
Anyway I finally decided to go for the Marto Special edition.

Good luck with your research The Axe!

Albion (right) VS Windlass (left)

Sadly, yes i have taken the handle apart and it is a metal tube with cord wrapped around it. It has a half tang with a rat tail tang for the handle to bolt on.
For the price it is a nice piece but as for swinging i would be very cautious. I prefer the Marto but for the price would not swing it either, even the Albion has
a disclaimer not to be swung.

jayw13th wrote:

I recently painted the furniture on the Windlass as it was too bright.

Hello Jay.
I just ordered the Windlass Fathers sword. Would you be able to post your finished paint job on the furniture and any tips for doing it?

Hi i am new to the forum but lurked here for sometime.
I have seen a few review of the Windlass swords and a few pics of the Atlantean un-assembled and can say it has a fully tang but there is a threaded part at the end for a bolt to hold on the grip. Me i would probably go with Windlass as at least the blade is sound. I would just make a wooden grip and wrap it in cord or leather. Though i used to have a Marto Father's sword and though the look was out it had a nice balance. I went with a custom made sword myself.

Nial wrote:

Hi i am new to the forum but lurked here for sometime.
I have seen a few review of the Windlass swords and a few pics of the Atlantean un-assembled and can say it has a fully tang but there is a threaded part at the end for a bolt to hold on the grip. Me i would probably go with Windlass as at least the blade is sound. I would just make a wooden grip and wrap it in cord or leather. Though i used to have a Marto Father's sword and though the look was out it had a nice balance. I went with a custom made sword myself.

I can directly compare the Windlass to my brother's Albion swords next weekend. His Samson made fathers sword is amazing. Your Fable blade is even better by the sounds of it. I was looking at pictures of it on his website. I wish I could justify the expense but alas, I cannot.

RedDogDarren wrote:

Nial wrote:

Hi i am new to the forum but lurked here for sometime.
I have seen a few review of the Windlass swords and a few pics of the Atlantean un-assembled and can say it has a fully tang but there is a threaded part at the end for a bolt to hold on the grip. Me i would probably go with Windlass as at least the blade is sound. I would just make a wooden grip and wrap it in cord or leather. Though i used to have a Marto Father's sword and though the look was out it had a nice balance. I went with a custom made sword myself.

I can directly compare the Windlass to my brother's Albion swords next weekend. His Samson made fathers sword is amazing. Your Fable blade is even better by the sounds of it. I was looking at pictures of it on his website. I wish I could justify the expense but alas, I cannot.

RedDogDarren i have drooled over the Albion Father's sword for some time but alas by the time funds allowed they were no longer making them. My Fabble if you look at the website is the Sword of Nial but i made a new wooden grip and did the leather Wrap. It is a beautiful sword i admit the pics of the bronze fittings do not do it justice trust me and it is sharp enough to shave with. I have it tied to the wall just for safety. I have mulled over the thought of selling it for an Albion? But as this is a one of a kind and no more will be made i have not decided yet.

Nial wrote:

RedDogDarren i have drooled over the Albion Father's sword for some time but alas by the time funds allowed they were no longer making them. My Fabble if you look at the website is the Sword of Nial but i made a new wooden grip and did the leather Wrap. It is a beautiful sword i admit the pics of the bronze fittings do not do it justice trust me and it is sharp enough to shave with. I have it tied to the wall just for safety. I have mulled over the thought of selling it for an Albion? But as this is a one of a kind and no more will be made i have not decided yet.

I doubt if you would get enough money to compensate for losing a one of a kind sword. And I must have been tired when I posted because my brother has the Atlantean sword and a similar sword to the fathers, both Samson/Albion. I believe he is going to sell his wife to get the Fathers sword. :)

RedDogDarren wrote:

Nial wrote:

RedDogDarren i have drooled over the Albion Father's sword for some time but alas by the time funds allowed they were no longer making them. My Fabble if you look at the website is the Sword of Nial but i made a new wooden grip and did the leather Wrap. It is a beautiful sword i admit the pics of the bronze fittings do not do it justice trust me and it is sharp enough to shave with. I have it tied to the wall just for safety. I have mulled over the thought of selling it for an Albion? But as this is a one of a kind and no more will be made i have not decided yet.

I doubt if you would get enough money to compensate for losing a one of a kind sword. And I must have been tired when I posted because my brother has the Atlantean sword and a similar sword to the fathers, both Samson/Albion. I believe he is going to sell his wife to get the Fathers sword. :)

I'd be happy with halfway funds towards the Albion Father's. But you are probably right. Haha! Hey if i was married i'd sell my wife for that sword to..and her mother.

I have had the Windlass Fathers Sword for almost 5 days now. I LOVE IT!

It's solid, feels great in the hand, the steel is obvious quality, and balance is acceptable for an overweight pig of a fantasy sword. :)

It's no Albion, but it's close enough for a 3k savings that I can take it with a BIG smile. I WILL get the Windlass Atlantean soon.

I just have to figure out if I am going to incorporate my mounting with my original, plaque mounted movie poster somehow.

This sword destroys the Chinese knock-offs.

The Marto is an excellent decorative sword is merely decorative, it does not have full tang, then to be moved with force, can break the windlass is made of carbon steel, has a full tang, meaning it is functional, both Marto brands and windlass swords are beautiful, however those who want a functional sword should opt for a windlass or Albion!

Hello all, I've been looking into an Atlantean myself for quite a while (came close to an Albion a few years ago but never sealed the deal) and as always doing tons of research. As most of us have found, for a decent and affordable Atlantean we are left with pretty much two choices, Marto or Windlass. I myself have just purchased a Windlass and eagerly await its arrival. But never fully satisfied I have continued my research on the sword, and I have found something very interesting. In my search I have discovered that Windlass Company purchased Marto back in 2011!!! So, it makes sense that the Windlass is probably in fact molded from Marto's molds seeing how they now own them. What we are left with are two choices, a more expensive stainless steel copy, or a cheaper, nearly identical (to the Marto) carbon steel version. Through out my searches I've also found that they are constructed nearly the same, with a full tang, threaded at the end with a nut to keep the handle on. Just wanted to throw that up on the board, though it might intrigue everyone.

As far as i know Marto are still going Windlass only bought up the licence to produce the Conan swords. The hilt part for both swords are identical though differences in metal qualities will exist. Also the Windlass swords have a full tang with just a threaded end whereas the Marto have only tang below the blade shoulder almost all of the rest is weld on thread. I have seen both sword taken part.

I would prefer to own windlass steel craft version, as the quality they are providing is better than that of marto as it is stainless steel. I think the blades of the swords should be made out from high quality carbon steel hence I will prefer to choose Windlass one. In fact I have this sword with me which I got it from Museum Replicas and it is the best sword with best quality.