Tod Cutler Clip Point Falchion Review

Today we take a look at a Falchion from the Tod Cutler line. We enjoyed the previous two swords we've reviewed from Tod Cutler. But just like those last two, this sword isn't exactly inexpensive at $684 before tax and shipping. Is this sword good enough to justify its price tag? Does it live up to the expectations set by the other swords in this line? Find out in our official review of the Tod Cutler Clip Point Falchion. Cheers!
Disclaimer
We're not experts in weapons, history, or anything really. We don't study HEMA or any other form of material arts that would tell us how to use the weapons we talk about. We are simply enthusiasts and consumers. We'll give you our honest opinions so that you can make informed buying decisions.
Specs
Overall Length - 34 1/4"
Blade Length - 27 3/4"
Weight- 2 lbs 10 oz
Width - 42.1 mm - 59 mm
Thickness 5 mm - 2.4 mm
Pommel - Peened
P.O.B. - 5 1/2"
Grip Length - 4 1/4"
Blade - EN45 High Carbon Steel
Where to Buy
Tod Cutler
todcutler.com/en-us/collectio...
KOA
www.kultofathena.com/product/...
Tod's Channel
/ @tods_workshop
Our other Tod Cutler Reviews
Gross Messer
• Tod Cutler German Gros...
Type XIV Arming Sword
• Tod Cutler Type XIV Ar...
Keywords
Wheel pommel
F3c
Tod Cutler
Tod's Workshop
Flared wheel pommel
Cutting footage
Battle Santa
Angus Trim
mid range sword
Albion Vassal
Elmslie Typology
Messer
Falchion
Grosses Messer
Type XIV
Arming Sword

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the review and the feedback and love the energy

[@FiliiMartis]

Hi Tod, since people wonder, who is the Indian partner for the Tod Cutler line of swords? And if you can't disclose that (you may have legitimate business reasons for that), can you say if it's the same partner for all pieces? P.S. And I hate that these days, shipping and other costs are almost doubling the price of sword across continents.

[@tods_workshop]

Firstly I would like to apologise from the quick reply this morning. I had a` pretty horrible day of stuff I had to get stuck into. Anyway thank you so much guys for the shout out about my channel and your very kind and generous words about it and me; really very kind. Also once again thank you for the review, I love your energy and enthusiasm and it is a pleasure to watch your reviews. Small at the moment, but for too long I think.

[@tods_workshop]

@@FiliiMartis Hi Filiii, I would love to make everything I sell, and I used to, but business has got busier and I have to have manufacturing partners for many of my lines. I work with companies in 4 different countries that mainly specialise in particular lines or components and have added partners as I have gone along, so at present two companies are making swords and daggers for me each working on different pieces rather than duplicating production. For commercial reasons I would rather not say who. However I design and prototype all my pieces here in the UK and send the samples off for replication, ensuring as far as possible they are exactly what I want and hopefully that comes through in the pieces.

[@FiliiMartis]

​@@tods_workshop Thank you for sharing this. I'm sure others will find this interesting as well. It sounds more complicated than I personally expected it to be. I'm content knowing this, without the need to push for further details. And I mean this sincerely, I hope you take on an apprentice (from one of your videos, I kinda remembered you do) and they get to flourish in their own way. We need to, not only keep, but allow for the sword-making traditions in the UK to flourish.

[@sinisterswordsman25]

Hey Todd huge fan! 🤘💀 thank you for making quality swords like this one at an affordable price. Really cool stuff so far. Hopefully there's more in the works

[@j.g.elmslie9901]

4:15 "and if you know more about the Elmslie Typology than we do" Wouldn't be difficult to know more, really, that guy's an idiot. You know he made it all up? Seriously, sarcasm aside, happy to give a few pointers. the basics, yep, split into sword-like and knife-like construction (there are a LOT of blurry edges in there though, some Italian Storta falchions are almost messer-like, some later messers have sword-like tangs. In practical use, the F/M prefix can be omitted quite often. The rest of the hilt is just Oakeshott's typology - it was designed to dovetail into that system. And Type 3's are all clip-point forms. (Type 4's are those with complex "stepped" spines, either steps down, like the Albion Knecht messer, or steps up to "yelman" false edges, like Turkish Killj / kılıç.) Among those types, Group 3b, and 3c are very similar. with 3b being broader and shorter clips, while 3c are more elongated, with longer clips. In this, Tod's one here is really in the middle between those two, which makes for an interesting thought experiment - is it a long 3b? or s it a shorter 3c? This is in some ways a failing in the typological groups I made, and its something that does need addressing better, but I'm not sure how best to alter it. Generally, I am inclined to say that Group 3b are broader, shorter and more "choppy", where Group 3c is usually more gracile and lighter, and that classification into the two should be as much by form an intent, as it is by measurement or numbers. In light of your review and the handling characteristics you described, I would be inclined to say its more a Group 3b, and that makes it all the better in some ways, because its a type which is represented even less than falchions in general. Dlatrexswords has already commented a bit about most of the extant Group 3c examples, (3b's are a really tricky set - there's one surviving example in North Italy that's associated with the martyrdom of a saint, but I've not been able to study that yet - always a problem with objects in churches.) and the Castillon and Thorpe being much lighter, more gracile forms has been noted - the Castillon-C in particular (Valiant Armouries makes a repro of that one), is incredibly delicate - handling it, it feels like its going to fall to dust in your hands. the Thorpe is larger but has quite a distinct sectional profile - more lenticular than the bevelled and flat grind of tod's example, and as a result its powerful but not as much of a beastie. so, I'd say that tod's interpretation of the type does open up a new avenue for the market, and that can only be a good thing.

[@FortuneFavoursTheBold]

Awesome review of what would be my first choice of the 1st batch of the Tod Cutler swords. F3 falchions (the types with clip points) are so rare on the reproduction market. Other than going custom, you only have the choice of the Albion Vassal, which costs over 1.5k (the old Windlass falchion model is a terrible sword, so that doesn't count). I think judging from the fit and finish style and material, it seems to be done by the same maker as Matt Easton's Royal Armouries Collection swords, which are made by Windlass. Like RAC swords, these are excellent designs (albeit not based on any museum example directly) executed somewhat competently. The grip wrapping--like RAC swords) uses super thick leather and the termination sticks out over the riser a bit and can cause some hot spots and visual oddities, so Windlass desperately needs to learn about leather skiving techniques, especially now more budget-friendly makers like OTC and LK Chen can do better than them for lower prices. Other than that, it really scratches the itch for a good F3 falchion for a reasonable price. Good purchase. Congratulations!

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

We thought it looked Windlass as well. But Matt Easton confirmed that Tod doesn't use them. So his Indian forge still remains a secret. It's a fun sword though.

[@FortuneFavoursTheBold]

@@UnsheathedSwordReviews I see. Maybe they just shared the same hilt craftsmen, but not the same bladesmiths?

[@FiliiMartis]

@@FortuneFavoursTheBold That's what I thought as well, the hilts and leather looks too similar, which is why I thought, as did others, that they share the same Royal Armouries production line (before Matt jumped in and rained on our speculations 😅). But if this is not the case even for grips, and it's just the market pushing makers to offer better ones (I really don't like old Windlass grips), then that's even better news as far as I'm concerned.

[@dlatrexswords]

Awesome lads! You two are indeed becoming the Tod Cutler connoisseurs, and the community is the better for it. Spot on with calling this a 3C Falchion blade; we have at least 3 surviving examples of these blades on Falchions. Cordoba Falchion -Museum archaeological Castillion Horde Falchion, Royal Armouries Leeds And my precious Thorpe Falchion, Norwich Castle Museum. This is a much more handsome example that any other Elmslie type 3 production Falchion I can think of on the market, but I would really like to test the dynamics of the sword as you point out it has some interesting mass distribution going on. I think it is still a little overweight for the type: for example it is about the length of the one in Leeds, but weighs almost 40% more. It even weighs more than the Thorpe which is a longer sword. There may need to be a little more thinning in the blade to line up with the historical examples

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Thank you for watching sir! And thanks for all the info. It's interesting that it's so much heavier than those historical examples. Yet it's very similar in specs to the Albion Vassal. Maybe this size is just something modern makers are going for?

[@dlatrexswords]

@@UnsheathedSwordReviews Also, Vic continuing to set the bar high with his shirts, now with Eddie G.

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Viva La Raza! R.I.P. Eddie

[@FiliiMartis]

"Castillion Horde Falchion, Royal Armouries Leeds" That's a type that has started to grow on me. I know Valiant Armoury does a copy of sorts, and Phillip Martin has a cutting video with it (which tells me that it is at least as sharp as a crowbar; due to his skill level, I have not seen Phillip Martin do a bad cut with any of the swords he uses, so the sword themselves can be lightsabers or crowbars and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference). I forget... has anyone done a review of that piece? "Thorpe Falchion, Norwich Castle Museum" That's the piece I think of when someone says the word falchion.

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

We often joke that Phillip Martin could cut tatami with a spoon. That guy is spectacular to watch.

[@sinisterswordsman25]

Hell ya that thing is F#@king METAL 🤘💀 and Jon thought he wouldn't like it lol I think you guys should stick with the Falchions and show us that sterling armory already. I for one can't wait to see it! That or more Kane shen collaboration, I believe there was mention of a visit with gus? Also I know nobody else cares, but the cawood is pretty high on my list for sword blue balls. So I would appreciate a review of that sob sooner or later

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

"List for sword blue balls" 🤣 Videos with Kane and the Sterling Falchion review are coming next. And thank you for the input, I've been wanting to review the Cawood for a while. Maybe we'll work it into our next batch of videos. Gotta give the people what they want lol. As always thanks for watching sir! Cheers! 🤘🏼

[@sinisterswordsman25]

@@UnsheathedSwordReviews totally understand the cawood is old news lol its practicality a classic at this point. Very few reviews of it though, oddly enough. Actually my buddy @nerdymetaldude did one recently, his first review and he did a great job.

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

It has been out for a while, but it's definitely worth talking about. Such a unique sword and outstanding bang for the buck. Nice! I'll check out his video.

[@sinisterswordsman25]

@@UnsheathedSwordReviews absolutely it's a really cool sword. I think there's a similar del tin model but other than that it stands alone as a Norse gale style sword. Awesome thanks! He's a good dude. And if it wasn't for guys like him supporting the industry since before we were inching our daddy's pants we wouldn't have awesome swords like Todd's to f#@k around with today!

[@olivermilutinovic749]

Amazing, that is exactly how I picture a perfect Falchion to look like. That example seems to have so much authority in the cut, but still tracks well.

[@thecomfyknight5594]

Just got one myself, and I agree with all of these points, but as a falchion fan myself, I'm not at terribly big fan of the handling of it, I've felt tip-heavy swords that are nimble, but mine wasn't one of them. Perhaps mine was part of a bad batch, but its uncomfortable and clumsy in its handling. It goes beyond "authority" into feeling moreso just unpleasant.

[@messerlittle6166]

I'm really glad that you guys are reviewing multiple swords from this line. First thing I ever got was a Tod Cutler dagger, and it was a huge disappointment. It has a big twist in the blade and is so loose in the sheath that it can't safely be worn. I didn't say anything - I just assumed that the answer that it was made to authentically low level. Knowing what I know now, I should have refused it. Based on that, I would never have even considered buying one of these swords secondhand, let alone two of them - I would have assumed that they were defective. Your reviews are bringing me around on the brand.

[@KF1]

Great showing, folks. Enjoy your enthusiasm for this piece. Very handsome mount and beastly blade

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Appreciate the kind words, thanks for watching!

[@RyanSoCal]

Hi Gents, great review as always! Like you I'm a big fan of Tod Cutler's sword offerings and Falchions in general. One correction I have is you listed the price as $684 but according to the website it is $701 before shipping. your other price may have been for a different currency. Any way keep up the great work!

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Greetings! So it looks like you're correct. It appears that there is a price difference for the semi sharp vs the sharp. Just scrolling through the page showing all the swords it shows this Falchion at a price of $682. Once you click on the sword and select the sharp option it jumps to $701. Thank you for the clarification, well mention the price difference in a future video. And thanks for the kind words! Cheers!

[@batteredwarrior]

Really want to get this one...

[@chrisfields8077]

Working on a clip point falchion now for combatcon :)

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Can't wait to see that!

[@felldir]

I have the Windlass falchion that I completely reprofiled. Now it's one of my favourite swords. Looks very similar to this.

[@FiliiMartis]

Nice review! I want to comment on the price, though. If I look at a cup of yogurt, one that I buy each day, think that its price is double now compared to two years ago, and then that I don't see the added value, it means that my internal sense of money/value has not caught up with inflation. If that is true for a daily item, I'm sure it's true for buying a sword now and then. I'm saying this because I think this is a sword that's too expensive at $800+ (once you factor in all you mentioned), and I don't know if that's a statement on its value, or on my sense of worth not catching up with inflation (and the world being on fire). But nonetheless, I want to challenge Vic's statement on the falchion being worth the $800+ full price, because he didn't buy it at that price. This wasn't a case of seeing it and buying it, it was a case of waiting for a good deal (so Vic valued the sword at only $450 from what he said). Even if you know what you do after handling it (cuz that's the point of a review after all, to inform people so they can make informed decisions), if I would ask you to pay $800 for it now, instead of a buying a different sword, are you sure you'll choose this? How about we do this exercise twice, did you pick it up over the other possible choices then? Which x/10 times would you pick this item over other ones? You see where I'm going with this? We all have other swords we would like to buy, and that also dictates the value of a sword. This proposition is different at $450 than it is at $800, and it doesn't scale really well. As a general comment, I think Tod Cutler line was supposed to be a cheaper alternative, and not just compared to Tod's Workshop line. But at $800+, isn't that getting too close to Albion's territory? That's not a price that makes me think twice, but one that makes me think three times. Do I really want this falchion over a LK Chen's Munich Town Guard or a Ribaldo? How about over a Landsknecht Emporium messer with nice option selected (btw, LE has increased their price by some 10% each year)? Wait a bit more, get that extra $200 and get a $1000 Albion? Hmm... P.S. I'm not throwing shade at anyone (Vic, Tod, anyone), I'm just trying to add some tint to the colour of things.

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Vic here, Thanks for the comment! We appreciate your point of view and definitely think you've raised some great points. In regards to my not purchasing the sword at full price, know that I intended to. When the first batch released this Falchion was my first choice, but unfortunately it was sold out already. So I went with my second choice, the Messer. I paid full price for that sword and I'm very happy with it. I still had plans to buy this Falchion and it was on my ever growing list of desired swords. When this sword went up for sale I jumped on it because it looked like an amazing deal. I had just made several purchases, non-sword related, and I really shouldn't have been spending money. But I couldn't walk away from a deal that good. So I didn't intentionally hold out to try to get it at a less expensive price. It was just a matter of timing. And perhaps I didn't make it clear in the video, but if I had paid full price for this sword I would still be as happy with it. I was trying to approach this review as if I had paid full price. So my criticisms and my compliments of this sword are considering it as a full price item. Apologies if that wasn't made clear. In terms of this sword being worth the price of $800. The value of any item depends on what people are willing to pay for it. Is the sword worth $800 to you? The answer seems to be no, and that's totally fine. If you prefer to spend your money on the LK Chen's Munich Town Guard or Ribaldo then do so. By the way, both those swords look awesome, and they're on my to buy list also. But now we're talking about personal preference. Maybe someone isn't a fan of complex hilt swords, or type XIX swords. If somebody really wants this style of Falchion, then the value they assign to this sword is going to be higher than what you would. It would be worth it to them, but it would not be worth it to you. And both people would be correct. And yes you could spend $200 more and get an Albion. Trust me I love Albion, I have a few. But now you're talking about a damn near 2-year wait time. And getting a sword that does not come with a scabbard. Which is why I think the Todd Cutler line are attractive overall packages. Because they do come with very handsome, well made scabbards. Another thing we try to keep in mind is not everybody can drop $1,000 on a sword. For a lot of people a Tod Cutler sword might be just on the inside of their reach. And if that's the case, if Albions are out of reach, then I think the swords in this line do hold a lot of value for a lot of people. But don't get me wrong, do I wish these swords were less expensive? Of course. I wish most swords were less expensive. Honestly I'd even like it if the scabbards were optional. Maybe pay $150 less to get just the sword. I would still get the entire package, but I think buying just the sword at a less expensive price would put them in reach for more people. Albion and Landsknecht Emporium have raised their prices recently. Angus Trim has also mentioned raising his prices soon. So I wish prices in general were lower. Inflation is a bitch, and like you said, the world does appear to be on fire. So at the end of the day everyone should just spend their money on what makes them happy. In these videos we give our opinions. But the main purpose is to show close up pictures, videos, and the sword in motion. So even if you disagree with our opinion, hopefully you still get some helpful information out of the video. Thanks again for watching and for your comment. It definitely sparks some good conversation. Cheers!

[@FiliiMartis]

@@UnsheathedSwordReviews Hi Vic, good to have the clarification in regard to your intent to buy the falchion. Indeed, I got the impression that you only got this because it was $450 (like Jon did in the past on a different piece, if I remember correctly). Yes, in this case, that's a different perspective on the value aspect. Btw, waiting list are a factor, you are right. And so are scabbards and how much importance people put on them. Someone said that swords without scabbards are like being in the nude. Apparently I'm ok with nudes :). Or more correctly, as long as I don't get cut when I transport a piece, I'm good (and I don't wear a sword even when I have belts for it; that's a big factor in my relation with scabbards). "...both those swords look awesome, and they're on my to buy list also." Aha! I got you! 😉So this is the main point I was trying to make. I find out with myself that a lot of swords I like just get put on the list (we all have our own list 😅), and I never get the chance to get to them before I bump them down because new swords come out (and sometimes because I learned something new, either historical or on the martial use aspect, that changes my perspective and appreciation of particular swords). So I like this falchion, but I like other more. At $400, I may do an impulse buy. But at $800, not so much (and I'm not even going to consider real life and family needs, since those add completely new limitations). I am going to preemptively concede that, since lists are an individual thing, you can't really cater to them in your reviews (which, if not clear, I do like, quite a lot in fact, so keep up the good work!). And last, as you picked up, I hate, hate, HATE that the sword community is getting better, that makers come up with better models, that someone like Tod did the same thing for swords like he was already doing with knives and other medieval products, that Matt is working on museum reproductions, that HEMA trainers are becoming more exquisite and better... and while all these good developments happen, the damn prices keep increasing as a result of things that have nothing to do with the sword market. And now see a huge difference in prices for the same sword between the two sides of the Atlantic (and I get Tod stuff at the price listed on his website - a rare win; but boy do I suffer on other pieces, US in particular, e.g. the Valiant Armoury falchion I was looking at as result of comments on your video, which is listed at $1600 would be $2500 by the time it would get to me 🤬). So maybe the taste of sour-grapes permeated my original post when I heard you saying $800+, but only a little, I'm sure. 😄

[@user-ck5ys3eb6x]

Another very nicely done presentation of a fine sword!How would you like the idea of comparing the Windlass Royal Armouries type XIV to Tod's type XIV for a head to head arming sword comparison? Cheers from Greece...!

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Greetings! Vic here, We would love to compare those two type XIV swords. Unfortunately the RAC sword isn't one we're planning on buying at the moment. But if we get a hold of one we would be happy to do a comparison. That said we are planning on doing a comparison between the Tod type XIV and the VA/Angus Trim Vision Milan Type XIV. Different price ranges, but we still think it'll make for a fun comparison. Also I love Greece! What part of Greece are you from? I've been to Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, and a couple of other places. Beautiful place, definitely gonna have to go back. Thanks for watching, cheers!

[@MadHerbertPotts]

Good stuff. Thank you

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@russelltimmerman3771]

Looks wonderful.

[@raphlvlogs271]

this will inspire the design of a functional sword sized bowie knife

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

When you say inspire design, do you mean that you are a smith?

[@raphlvlogs271]

@@UnsheathedSwordReviews no

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Ah.

[@flowerpower457]

What is your take on the edges, now that you have had several in hand? Given that they're outsourced, possibly to India, I have been concerned that they might be like Windlass swords sharpened by Kult of Athena with big secondary bevels. Sounds like that is not the case, but I don't think you've commented explicitly the edge geometry, other than it needs more honing, which Tod's website is upfront about. I'd really like one of his Castillions, but I've been holding out to learn more about the edges.

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

So Tod has confirmed that they are outsourced to a forge in Indiana. He also stated specifically that it's not Windlass. To my knowledge if you want to ship a sharp sword out of India it requires a different and more expensive license. So Windlass makes most of their swords unsharpened and pretty blunt. Then KOA puts a secondary bevel on the sword because it's easier than reprofiling the edge bevel. The Tod Cutler swords are actually made sharp if you order them as such. All 4 swords I've seen have had the proper edge profile for that specific sword type with no secondary bevel. They are what I'd consider functionally sharp. If I run my finger along the edge they'd cut me. And I suspect they would do real damage to if swung against someone In earnest back in the medieval period. That said, how sharp you want your sword is really kind of a matter of preference. It depends on what kind of target you're going to cut. Out of the box all of them have been able to go outside and cut water bottles straight away. Though there's definitely some tearing if your edge alignment isn't on point. Getting the edges honed to shaving sharp would be pretty easy if you knew how to do it. Or if you took it to someone to have it professionally done as I have with the Messer. But out of the box I think they are pretty serviceably sharp. Maybe a bit sharper than your average Albion. But less sharp than an Angus Trim or VA sword. Hope that was helpful, thanks for watching!

[@flowerpower457]

@@UnsheathedSwordReviews Thank you, exactly what I was hoping to hear! I have heard the same thing about Indian export licensing, so I really wanted a first hand report before committing.

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Glad we could help! After seeing 4 of these swords in person I can wholeheartedly recommend them. The Castillion looks great. If you pull the trigger on it let us know what you think!

[@NZComfort]

The falchion was no joke….