Tod Cutler Type XIV Arming Sword Review

The Tod Cutler line of swords promise historically accurate designs, handling, and scabbards at an upper mid-range price. But do any compromises have to be made in order to achieve this goal? We'll let you know what we think in our review of the Tod Cutler Type XIV Arming sword.
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 - 35”
Blade length - 28.5”
Grip length - 4”
Weight - 2lbs 10oz
POB - 4.75”
Pommel - Peened
Blade - En45 Steel
Where to buy
todcutler.com/...
Tod's KZbin Channel
/ @tods_workshop
Tod Cutler Messer Review
• Tod Cutler German Gros...
Key Words
Unsheathed Sword Reviews
Tod Cutler
Arming Sword
Type 14
XIV
Medieval
Tod's Workshop
Oakeshott typology

[@scholagladiatoria]

Really cool review - it's so nice to see someone who is obviously so happy with their new sword.

[@FortuneFavoursTheBold]

It's a wonderful deal for Jon! This subtype of the Type XIV (a very diverse group that's not clearly defined other than being more triangular than XI-XIII century arming swords in profile) that has very wide base of the blade and still maintain some width at the point of percussion was not well represented on the reproduction market. You have the Albion Sovereign, Sheriff, Yeoman and some from custom makers that's it. The ones made and designed by Angus Trim are usually lighter, more agile with more slender profiles, more or less like the Solingen and the Royal Armouries Type XIV. Tod Cutler rectified this by offering this model. At under 700 dollars, it's not a bad price, when you take the excellent scabbard with TC bronze furniture installed. At $400, it's clearly a steal. Congratulations, Jon. Great review, guys!

[@dlatrexswords]

Great review lads! Very happy to hear you nabbed this at such a steal, and that it lived up to expectations. The new Tod Cutler line has been in desperate need of some in depth hands-on attention, so your voices are exactly what the sword community has been thirsting for right now. Type XIV's certainly hold a special place in my heart and I'm very happy to see this one is as handsome and handy as it is. One day!

[@jedpcuk]

Interesting review and comments. I don’t like mine very much. No quality problems with sword or scabbard, it looks great, but personally think it feels heavy and the balance is off, and it’s a bit like swinging an iron bar in comparison to friends sharps I have used. At a 4 hr cutting day at a local pumpkin farm last fall I actually ended up with a blister on my palm (with gloves on!) and just could not get this sword in a reliably comfortable grip.

[@maievshadowsong7471]

This sword fits Jon like a glove with its impressive and powerful stature.

[@ravedubin3515]

My head still hurts from taking in so much quality information. I would say great job sir!

[@alientude]

Great review of an excellent sword. Sounds like it handles at least somewhat similarly to the Albion Sovereign.

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Thank you sir! I have never handled The Sovereign, but I can definitely say that this is a delightful blend of authority and maneuverability.

[@voidwalker5784]

Been looking at this guy because I love broad bladed arming swords mostly because it's what I beat Dark Souls 3 with The Broadsword. Got into HEMA because of games like the Dark Souls series and I need a real Broadsword to love and use. Glad to hear that this is a good purchase

[@FiliiMartis]

At $400 this is a steal. But at $800? Doesn't it start to compete with the Albion's Sheriff? I'm not looking for another Type XIV sword, but I do have this one somewhere on my wish list. Tod Cutler's messer has a grip that's too short in my opinion, like it should be elongated by some 20% to have the cap start after the knuckle-bow ends (I joke that the original sketch of the grip was shrunken in Photoshop by accident before production started, and no one noticed). But this sword has that perfect archetype look that we want from a Type XIV. Btw, does anyone know which Indian forge Tod uses for his Cutler line of swords?

[@alientude]

@FiliiMartis I have a strong hunch that they're using Windlass. I think the grip work, in particular, looks all but identical to the Windlass/Royal Armouries collection.

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Agreed. We both think Windlass as well. But very well done Windlass.

[@FiliiMartis]

-Windlass... Royal Armouries... I can see it. If I can (100%) speculate, it could be that Windlass finished making the first Royal Armouries batch, the second batch was still in the design phase, so they used the same people and tools for Tod's line. It would make sense from a business perspective to keep a production line going.- [well, that speculation was wrong 😅] Tod should list this on his shop, though. Between recent discussions on multiple channels on the topic of forges and designs, I think the community needs to keep a better track of which forge makes a sword. In my opinion, as the market matures, it should include in the product description the name of the forge, together with the name of the sword designer, key measurements for reference, and the type of steel... a universal product label if you like, that makers can adopt as a best practice policy.

[@scholagladiatoria]

@@UnsheathedSwordReviews Tod is not working with Windlass. These swords are 100% not made by Windlass.

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Thanks for the information.

[@sinisterswordsman25]

Boromir: One does not simply walk into mordor... it's black gate is guarded by more then just orks. There is evil there that does not sleep,and the great eye is ever watchful... it is a barren wasteland riddled with fire and ash and dust... the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume.... not with 10000 men could you do this... it is folly.... (sorry Jon I know you're book nerd) I couldn't help myself 🤗

[@SlendermanDefeated]

So awesome to see you guys cover this one and give such well earned love to Tod :) After many years of research and patience, this was my first sword purchase. I got it at the initial drop and was blown away with the quality. It was interesting to hear your thoughts on the grip. I personally quite enjoy it and find it very comfortable, the risers are awesome. However on my sword, the seam is quite defined. I feel I could put my thumbnail under it and do some real damage to its integrity. I would have preferred the more obstructive but secure feeling of stitches there personally. Excellent video as always gentleman, thank you! ⚔️

[@FiliiMartis]

Can I ask you guys to check the photos in the store and compare with your examples? I want to know if there are differences between different batches. My impression from the photos in the store is that the central block is rounded towards the blade, with no step (but it could be due to the shine in the photos, I guess; there's no better angle for me to tell). But the video thumbnail clearly shows a flat plus step construction from the guard to the blade.

[@SlendermanDefeated]

I will take a closer look when I get home tonight and get back with you. From my memory there is a small flat with well rounded edges on the peak in the center of the crossguard

[@YourHandleHere84]

I bought one myself, and while it’s got some great fit and finish and the scabbard is beautiful, the grip is really small in diameter, making it uncomfortable for me to wield, and the integrated sword belt is completely perpendicular to the scabbard so it hangs straight down (I don’t know if that is intentional, but it seems like it should be angled). Overall I’m sort of on the fence about whether I like it or not.

[@RandomName48]

It's interesting that you guys like this sword so much. I used to have one and thought it was too heavy and poorly balanced. The overall quality was also not great for the price.

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Fair enough. I can definitely see how the weight and handling of this sword wouldn't be for everyone. Personally I do prefer more agile arming swords. And I can hear the argument that they are a bit pricey, especially if shipping to the US. Thanks for watching!

[@r3771-n2r]

Yet another great review!

[@Wraste1]

I had one of these and really liked it, but at $800 there were honestly some deal breakers in the finish and QC for me. The blade had a 5mm warp. The peen block had a sharp lip/flange of metal from a stray hammer blow during peening. One of the fullers stayed offline a full cm where it met the guard. It's tough, because other than that it felt as good in hand as the Albion Yeoman. A similar scabbard would be $500+ and that is means that the blade is less than $300. My problem is that it's almost better to save up another couple $100 and grab a Valiant.

[@Wraste1]

*strayed not stayed

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

That's unfortunate, did you reach out to the Tod Cutler site to see what they could do for you?

[@Wraste1]

I purchased it second hand, so nothing to be done about it. I did let Tod know so that future batches would have better QC.

[@olivermilutinovic749]

Amazing, excellent review of an arming sword that looks like it would have been a good fit on any medieval battlefield or in a fantasy dungeon setting.

[@batteredwarrior]

Lovely sword! Great review, guys...I really enjoyed it!

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@SPR-bk3tf]

Tod Cutler's site is offering that sword as part of a package with a dagger and eating knife for $815.32. That seems like an amazing deal.

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

I just saw those bundles today, they look like great deals!

[@TheCrusader1099]

the sword looks really good! my exprecience with tod: bought a scabbard for my Albion from Tod s Workshop: no problems getting it to Germany! good fit and quality....with Tods workshop i ran into a big problem: i ordered two daggers but never got them ,because they messed up something with the shipping documents...waited 5 month before i got my money back...after your Review i maybe give it another shot😅 thx guys😅....ever heard of Krieger Historical Weapins from poland? they are also aroznd the 1000€ range...long waiting time but worth it!

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Oh that sucks, I definitely think it's worth giving them another shot. I drool over Krieger Historical swords often. Sadly I don't think they ship to the US.

[@messerlittle6166]

Well. This looks neat, but the Royal Armouries 13th c Arming Sword also looks neat and is sub $600 including delivery, when on sale. I guess my question is not, "Is this a substitute for an Albion?", so much as, "Is this worth getting for $200 more than the Royal Armouries'?" (In your case: for $200 less than the Royal Armouries'? Looks like heck yeah. )

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

From our experience the Tod Cutler line and the Royal Armories line seem to be comparable. So really I'd go with whatever the better deal is. Unless you really like the look of one sword vs another.

[@Lesvult]

I had one briefly and I'll be honest, I was not impressed with the scabbard. The fit for the scabbard was downright non-existant on mine. It'd slip right out of the scabbard with any tipping motion. It felt like a broom in a barrel. The sword, however, was more than acceptable. It's not 'abion' quality but I felt it was closer to what you see on DSA products. I think LKchen is better bang for your buck but they haven't done any similar styles to Tod Cutler. I do find his tod cutler dagger range to be completely incomparable. Those are some of the best knives and daggers for your money.

[@maximusjoseppi5904]

Wish it had a double fuller. Cool sword otherwise though

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

I agree, double fullers make most swords look great.

[@captainzamzabam]

13:37 Thought I was playing Baldur's Gate 3 for a sec

[@joku02]

So Scutum review when?

[@jakelilevjen9766]

You still have that Ansbach?

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Indeed I do. I will be buried with that sword 😂

[@jakelilevjen9766]

@@UnsheathedSwordReviews Glad to hear you still enjoy it! I missed my chance to pick one up. May be one of the regrets of my life.

[@UnsheathedSwordReviews]

Ah sorry you missed out on it. If I see one pop up somewhere I'll let ya know.

[@jakelilevjen9766]

@@UnsheathedSwordReviews Hey, that would be awesome! Thanks! Also looking at the Ranger sword. Love Aragorn, so having a sword similar to his would be pretty nice. Can only swing for one $1800 sword though, so I want to make sure it’s a good one.

[@stephenfields6236]

Lots of really, really really….