AT 1509
Aug 30, 2009 14:37:57 GMT
Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2009 14:37:57 GMT
Review of Angus Trim 1509
By
Kristie Clausen
By
Kristie Clausen
Introduction
I was recently requested to write this review but I bought it as a Christmas present to myself probably three years ago, so let’s see what I can remember from the details. At this time I had been studying Guy Windsor’s book The Swordsman’s Companion and doing the drills with a cheap version of Aragorn’s sword Anduril that I had bought at a ren faire. I had decided I had mastered that sufficiently to a point where I wanted a sharp longsword to cut with, and everything I was reading was steering me toward being very careful to not get a cheap sword that wouldn’t perform well. I wanted a blade that I could be confident in not breaking because it wasn’t a good one, and one that was going to have good balance and that I thought I would be able to handle. Through one of the message boards I frequent, I stumbled upon a thread that Gus had, advertising that he had a few swords in stock that would be ready to be delivered for Christmas. Even though I knew his blades were pricey I knew that if I could get my parents to split the cost with me it would be the perfect Christmas present and the perfect solution to my problem. Luckily, it worked out just how I wanted and I ordered it.
Unfortunately, I had waited too long to decide and someone else got the only one Gus had in stock so this meant he had to make another one up for me. It was a busy time of year and there were a lot of complications with broken machinery, misplaced e-mails, and one of his workers being sick, so it took much longer than I had wanted, but after lots of e-mail correspondence bugging Gus for progress updates I finally got the sword. It ended up being the beginning of August but it was worth the wait.
It arrived in a gun case, sent via FedEx, and I had to sign for it. The delivery guys wanted to know whether it was a gun, to which I said no, or a bow, to which I also said no, and finally had to admit it was a sword. Then they wanted to know if it was “one of those expensive ones” I think I told them something like, “Yeah, sort of.” I mean, yes, it was $460 plus $100 for the scabbard and $35 shipping. $595 is not chunk change, but yet I was aware that swords can cost thousands, so I wasn’t sure how to answer accurately, especially to two people who probably knew next to nothing about swords. But for one, I’m not the chatty sort, and for two, I just wanted them to leave so I could open that gun case, so the answer they got is the one they got!
Historical Overview
If anything, I think this sword is pretty ahistorical. A unique thing about Gus’ swords is that they aren’t based on actual designs that once existed but created to be accurate cutting tools. They’re rough, not pretty, but wonderful swords nonetheless.
Initial Impressions
I have found that no amount of ogling over the details in pictures can create an accurate picture in your head that will match up to the real sword that shows up at your door. The first thing I thought was different about this sword was the blade. For some reason it seemed to have a lot more presence in the pictures: it looked wider to me, and thicker; I thought it would appear more like it meant business. But the blade on the sword that I finally had in my hand was not as wide, a lot thinner, and flexible to a point whether I wondered just how tough it could possibly be.
It was still impressed with it, though. It was a big sword, but it felt so very light that I knew a lot of engineering had gone into it to make it that way. Also, my favorite feature was probably the grip. For one, it was a segmented grip, and the first sword I had owned that had the nice cord wrap. Another feature I liked was the upturned guard. That had long been one of the things I knew I liked in a sword, and it looked very attractive on this one. The only thing I didn’t like was that the ends of the quillions appeared to be in a very unfinished state: they were very rough and sharp, and were not polished at all like the rest of the fittings. The metal on them was left dark. I have since then filed them down a little, and now they look much better. Actually, a feature I like even better about the sword was the recessed ricasso. It reminded me, from the first time I saw the pictures of it, of the one on Glamdring, Gandalf’s sword, so I thought it was a cool part of the design. The pommel I did not like, and still don’t, but I tolerate it. To me, it’s not an easy one to grip, and I just didn’t think it looked that great. But it serves its function and I really wouldn’t want to change it out for fear of messing up the perfect balance of weight the sword has.
Statistics
Blade Length: 34”
Handle Length: 9”
Overall Length: 45 1/2”
Guard Width: 8 3/8”
POB: 4 1/2 in.
Weight: 2lb. 8oz.
Components
The Blade
I have since learned that this blade means business and it has become my favorite part of the sword. The ricasso is what makes it so unique, but it has a nice straight fuller and wicked sharp edges. The way it tapers toward the point looks great and gives the sword wonderful balance. There is a flattened portion between where the fuller ends and the tip is which I have never liked but again, it is a feature that makes it a performance sword, not a pretty one.
The Handle
The handle is wrapped in nicely dyed black leather. It tapers toward the pommel and is very comfortable to hold. Because it is cord wrapped, it is always easy to keep a secure grip on the handle. The seam on it is very straight and well done.
The Guard
The guard narrows considerably toward the ends of the quillions. Instead of the two halves meeting in a ridge between the blade and grip, they come together in a geometrical flattened section, which I’ve never seen on another sword. There’s a subtle upward curve to the guard, which I really like.
The Pommel
This part of the sword, like I said before, isn’t the easiest to grip because of its odd shape. I have come to think it looks good on the sword but I’ve never quite gotten used to how it feels. From studying Windsor’s book I had gotten used to gripping the pommel rather than the lower part of the grip, but on this sword I often to do the latter. Also, on this particular sword, the pommel nut sticks out beyond the end of the pommel, and the metal was made rough through tightening, another thing that makes the pommel not the easiest to grip. Still, it’s the easiest way to control two handed cuts, so like I said, sometimes it’s necessary.
The Scabbard
This scabbard was custom made specifically to fit this blade, and it was shaped to fit snugly around it. It has no wooden core, but was made of very thick, hard leather. The leather was dyed black to match the handle, and the dye job isn’t a very good one. The stitching up the back produced a wavering seam. There are reinforcing leather pieces at the tip and throat of the scabbard. It’s a sturdy, functional piece, but not pretty to look at. I probably would not have put down the extra hundred dollars for it except this was only my second sharp sword, after a Cheness katana, and I was nervous about having it lying around with the blade exposed. I have since learned not to store blades in their scabbards except under necessity and rarely use it except maybe to carry the sword outside for test cutting.
Handling Characteristics
This sword handles beautifully. It is easily the best handling blade in my collection. For a longsword, it could easily have felt a lot heavier, but it doesn’t. It is just as easy to use one handed or two, which makes it a joy to cut with. It think that someone not as slight as me (5’7” 120 lb.) might even think this sword too light. I think it inspires confidence in the cut, though, and makes you feel like you could do anything with it. I think it’s within historical parameters as far as weight goes, but longswords could weight even a half a pound or more than this. In that case, I think this sword could be just one example of the many types of longswords that once existed.
Test Cutting
I have cut everything with this sword, and nothing stands in its way. It slices through any target with ease and accuracy, and makes for a lot of fun and pieces of stuff everywhere! I’ve cut milk jugs, water bottles, boxes of varying sizes and thicknesses, and even large Styrofoam pieces from underneath a boat dock. The latter is a very tough substance which the sword can be driven into several inches without that much effort behind it. The first time I tried this, the blade appeared to be bent while still stuck in it but I took it out and it came back true. Just to be safe, I use it more for slicing the Styrofoam edges and prefer using a much thicker blade for doing it more damage. The AT can probably continue to be used, but I prefer to defer to caution since I wouldn’t want to damage such a great sword.
Conclusions
The quality of this sword is impressive. I think it was worth the price tag for what it is able to do. The only thing disappointing was the rough quillion ends and the pommel and nut that holds it. In the end these are small things that I am able to ignore (and was able to amend, in the case of the quillions) because otherwise it is such a wonderful piece. Angus Trim’s swords are, from my experience, everything they are made out to be. Were they not so expensive, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy more of them. However, I have hesitated, and that has paid off because now his collaboration with Valiant Armoury has turned out to be a positive thing for collectors who can now appreciate the qualities of his designs, but at lower prices.
Pros
- Wonderful performance in cutting
- Perfect handling
- Nicely done grip
- Great blade
- Overall attractive design
Cons
- A bit on the pricey side
- Hard to grip pommel/nut
- Rough crossguard ends
- Wait time!
The Bottom Line
This is one of the best swords in my collection, so I would recommend it above most of all the others. I would give it praise to anyone, no matter what they wanted out of a sword: it stands out in both looks and performance. The price asked for it is high but I definitely count it worth paying.