Review of an older Atrim sword: AT1526 "Lady Ash"
Jul 20, 2010 0:44:40 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2010 0:44:40 GMT
It's been ages since my last review. So I thought I'd put something up, and the best choice for a review seemed to be this one.
I bought this sword from SFI's classifieds section some six months ago, and it's one of my first european style blades.
----------------------------
Angus Trim
Model AT1526 "Lady Ash"
----------------------------
Blade Construction=======5160 Tempered Steel
Body Hardness=========52rc
Edge Hardness=========56rc
Weight==============2 lb
Total Length===========44"
Blade Length ==========35 3/4"
Blade Width; Base =======3,7 Cm or 1.5 inches
Blade Width; CoP ========***
Blade Width; 1" from Tip====1,7 cm or 0.7 inches
PoB; from hand ========= 6"
CoP; from cross ======== 22"
Handle make========== Plain Leather
Handle Length==========7"
Hilt Length; from cross:====***
Cross Type============Type 1, Machined
Cross Width===========8"
Pommel make=========Classic Wheel
NSH Rating===========6.5
This model should fall within parameters of type XVII.
Swords of this type were designed for fighting against mail and plate armour, when earlier, more cut-oriented ones grew insufficient in dealing proper damage. One of the defining features of this particular type is a hexagonal cross-section. The reason why it was employed was to add more rigidness to the blade, to aid in the thrust. Another defining factor is being of hand and a half proportions.
AT1526 sports a long and slender blade with a hexagonal cross-section that tapers to a not so accute point. It also tapers quite a lot in both width and thickness towards the tip. There's a slight secondary bevel, which seems to be a standard for older Atrim blades like this.
Threaded tang is secured to the pommel with a cylindrical nut.
The sword seems to be fairly consistent with it's historical counterpart,
disregarding the tang construction.
As it reads on the specs, the blade is made from 5160 steel. It's supposedly very tough steel when correctly heat-treated and I have no reason to doubt that. Fuller runs along roughly 1/3 of the blade, and the blade surface is polished to a satin finish.
The blade is rather rigid. It exhibits some springiness, but not a bit of flimsyness. Vibrates like a tuning fork when struck to the pommel.
The handle grip is black leather, with a wire wrap underneath it. It fits into hand very nicely, and could be wielded with either one or two hands.
All of the hilt components are stainless steel.
The guard could be best described as straight bar with slight tapering towards the ends or type 1.
The pommel is of wheel design or type G. It has a nice texture left from machining.
Secured to the tang with a cylindrical pommel nut.
Shoulders and tang. Looking healthy.
Historically, the weight of these swords varied from two pounds up to four and a half pounds. And while some had excellent blade characteristics, others appear to be designed for hacking and breaking armour, much like an axe or a warhammer.
With the weight being just 2 lbs or 910 grams, this sword is clearly from the lighter end of the scale. It's very easy to use with two hands and even with one hand, it seemingly feels like a lightsaber.
Despite the fact that it's primary function is thrusting, AT1526 perfomed quite well in the cutting department. At least on light targets, such as water bottles and beach mats. Other possible targets could include half-tatami mats, and maybe full single tatami mats. I think cutting anything beyond that would be both very difficult and unsuited for this particular blade profile, and wouldn't personally try it.
During testing there were no vibrations felt in the handle, which goes to show spot on blade harmonics.
Below is a small cutting video(never thought I'd make one). Apologies for the lousy image quality though, it was shot with a cell phone camera.
Note: I'm a complete novice when it comes to cutting with european swords.
All things considered, AT1526 is a lively, fast and durable sword, it cuts nicely, and looks nice too. It's now been discontinued, which is a kinda shame as it's of an uncommon sword type, that deserves more attention than it's currently getting, methinks.
Type XVII swords are more like a rarity in the production market, as only few manufacturers have them in their selection. The ones that do have them are Albion with their Sempach and Landgraf, Arms and Armor with their Bohemian Broadssword, and lastly Valiant Armoury with their Knights Templar. Those who are interested could look into the manufacturers above.
Thanks for reading
I bought this sword from SFI's classifieds section some six months ago, and it's one of my first european style blades.
----------------------------
Angus Trim
Model AT1526 "Lady Ash"
----------------------------
=Specifications=
(Specs taken from old allsaintsblades site through Wayback Machine, measures in bold were taken by me)
Blade Construction=======5160 Tempered Steel
Body Hardness=========52rc
Edge Hardness=========56rc
Weight==============2 lb
Total Length===========44"
Blade Length ==========35 3/4"
Blade Width; Base =======3,7 Cm or 1.5 inches
Blade Width; CoP ========***
Blade Width; 1" from Tip====1,7 cm or 0.7 inches
PoB; from hand ========= 6"
CoP; from cross ======== 22"
Handle make========== Plain Leather
Handle Length==========7"
Hilt Length; from cross:====***
Cross Type============Type 1, Machined
Cross Width===========8"
Pommel make=========Classic Wheel
NSH Rating===========6.5
=Historical Accuracy=
This model should fall within parameters of type XVII.
Swords of this type were designed for fighting against mail and plate armour, when earlier, more cut-oriented ones grew insufficient in dealing proper damage. One of the defining features of this particular type is a hexagonal cross-section. The reason why it was employed was to add more rigidness to the blade, to aid in the thrust. Another defining factor is being of hand and a half proportions.
AT1526 sports a long and slender blade with a hexagonal cross-section that tapers to a not so accute point. It also tapers quite a lot in both width and thickness towards the tip. There's a slight secondary bevel, which seems to be a standard for older Atrim blades like this.
Threaded tang is secured to the pommel with a cylindrical nut.
The sword seems to be fairly consistent with it's historical counterpart,
disregarding the tang construction.
=Fit, Finish and Aesthetics=
As it reads on the specs, the blade is made from 5160 steel. It's supposedly very tough steel when correctly heat-treated and I have no reason to doubt that. Fuller runs along roughly 1/3 of the blade, and the blade surface is polished to a satin finish.
The blade is rather rigid. It exhibits some springiness, but not a bit of flimsyness. Vibrates like a tuning fork when struck to the pommel.
The handle grip is black leather, with a wire wrap underneath it. It fits into hand very nicely, and could be wielded with either one or two hands.
All of the hilt components are stainless steel.
The guard could be best described as straight bar with slight tapering towards the ends or type 1.
The pommel is of wheel design or type G. It has a nice texture left from machining.
Secured to the tang with a cylindrical pommel nut.
Shoulders and tang. Looking healthy.
=Handling and cutting=
Historically, the weight of these swords varied from two pounds up to four and a half pounds. And while some had excellent blade characteristics, others appear to be designed for hacking and breaking armour, much like an axe or a warhammer.
With the weight being just 2 lbs or 910 grams, this sword is clearly from the lighter end of the scale. It's very easy to use with two hands and even with one hand, it seemingly feels like a lightsaber.
Despite the fact that it's primary function is thrusting, AT1526 perfomed quite well in the cutting department. At least on light targets, such as water bottles and beach mats. Other possible targets could include half-tatami mats, and maybe full single tatami mats. I think cutting anything beyond that would be both very difficult and unsuited for this particular blade profile, and wouldn't personally try it.
During testing there were no vibrations felt in the handle, which goes to show spot on blade harmonics.
Below is a small cutting video(never thought I'd make one). Apologies for the lousy image quality though, it was shot with a cell phone camera.
Note: I'm a complete novice when it comes to cutting with european swords.
=Conclusions=
All things considered, AT1526 is a lively, fast and durable sword, it cuts nicely, and looks nice too. It's now been discontinued, which is a kinda shame as it's of an uncommon sword type, that deserves more attention than it's currently getting, methinks.
Type XVII swords are more like a rarity in the production market, as only few manufacturers have them in their selection. The ones that do have them are Albion with their Sempach and Landgraf, Arms and Armor with their Bohemian Broadssword, and lastly Valiant Armoury with their Knights Templar. Those who are interested could look into the manufacturers above.
Thanks for reading