Review: Albion Next Generation Mercenary
Sept 20, 2010 23:32:39 GMT
Post by Odingaard on Sept 20, 2010 23:32:39 GMT
Albion Mercenary Review
by Jonathan "Odingaard" Sarge
Introduction
For a few years, I have been eying Albion’s swords; but, I was never really courageous enough to pay the hefty retail price for what I saw as a CNCed sword. With the US economy in a tailspin over recent months, I noticed that on the various sword forums, collectors were dumping expensive swords from their armories for rather inexpensive prices; and this included numerous Albions.
Of all the Albion models, I have desired three models. The Mercenary, the Sheriff, and the Landgraf. I was able to obtain all three within a month for less than the cost of a new Albion Regent. Since I have already committed published reviews for the Sheriff and Landgraf to another website, I will spotlight the Mercenary here.
This particular sword was found on another forum and purchased complete with the wood-core, leather covered scabbard for a negotiated price of $450.00. I sent the money to the member via Paypal and the sword arrived in a hard-sided gun case via FedEx three days after the payment was remitted.
Historical Overview
The Mercenary is based on an Oakeshott Type XVa, a well-designed sword of war defined by its acute thrusting tip, wide shoulders, and hand and a half grip. It evolved from the standard Type XV, which is the single-handed version of the same sword (which shares essentially the same attributes). In the later 13th century, the Type XVa was created to penetrate the improving plate armor and mail of the period. This type of sword enjoyed over 200 years on the battlefield, disappearing only after it was well into the 15th century.
The Mercenary was designed by Peter Johnsson of Albion to be indicative of a basic, yet lethal Type XV that might be used by a professional soldier during the 1400s.
Initial Impressions
I have owned around 100 different swords in my life, imported, domestic, and antique.I have enough experience with swords to look at them from more of an analytical and technical standpoint than with awe and wonder. Despite this fact, my initial feeling when I opened the Mercenary was how elegant and beautiful it was – it’s simple lines and acute blade form just gave a wonderful aesthetic. Picking it up in my hand, I found the blade familiar in an eerie sense. Was it reminiscent of another sword I had owned? Was it that it was perfectly designed for my Fiore-based swordsmanship style? Did it so resemble antique blades I have held in the past? What was it?
Then I realized what the familiarity was, this was how a medieval sword was supposed to feel; natural, well-balanced, clean, and lethal. It was clear that the Mercenary was designed for war…
Statistics
Blade Length: 33.75”
Handle Length: 8.25”
Overall Length: 42.25”
Guard Width: 9.00”
POB (Point of Balance): 4.00”
COP (Center of Percussion): 19.80”
Weight: 2lbs, 14oz
The Blade
The blade of the Mercenary is arguably it’s most attractive feature. The diamond cross-section blade starts wide at 2.50” and tapers to a dramatically acute point. What appears to be a simple geometry is actually more complicated. The point deceptively seems like it would be easy to bend or damage, but when you view the cross-section, the thickness of the blade begins to increase about 3” from the tip and forms a rigid central ridge that reinforces the tip. The result is a sword that has incredible thrusting ability, able to pierce plate and split the rings on mail easily.
The blade is sharpened to a properly executed appleseed geometry, just as on all the Albion Next Gen blades. This gives an almost razor-sharp edge, yet not so sharp that it would easily chip on light to moderate targets.
The blade has a surprisingly rigid temper for it’s thickness. This is due to the thick central ridge running the length of the blade. The blade does flex under pressure, but it is more substantial than one would think at first glance. I found this to be a very pleasing quality, as well as being required for a thrusting blade.
The Grip
The handle is standard Albion fare; thin cord-wrapped leather over a stabilized poplar core. The seam is nearly invisible and the texture left by the cord wrap is evenly spaced giving a nice look.
The grip swells slightly with a single central riser. The grip diameter is somewhat thinner than you would find on most other sword manufacturer’s offerings, which is ideal for a large range of hand sizes. This makes the sword very comfortable to hold and wield.
The Guard
The guard is an Oakeshott Style 6, which sweeps into a gentle crescent shape, flaring gently at the ends, angled toward the blade. The fit and finish are absolutely perfect, with no rattle or unsightly gaps.
The Pommel
The pommel is an Oakeshott Type T3, which is a multi-faceted scent stopper type. The pommel has an elegantly complex geometry, giving the sword more character and functionality than if it were finished with a standard wheel pommel. This type of pommel does not interfere with using the sword with a two-handed grip, and actually adds more security to my grip.
The pommel is cast and finished to a fairly high standard, though a few very tiny casting flaws are visible. I personally like this type of uniqueness, and though some might find it as a lack of quality control, I see it as a testament that Albion’s are hand finished.
One thing of mention that I will throw out there: You must always care for the finish on Albion cast parts. This means wiping them off/oiling them regularly. I have found that if you leave this sword for a week and do not touch it, you will develop some minor discoloration. Though this is easily cured by polishing with gun oil and a grey ScotchBrite pad, it might be annoying to some buyers.
The Scabbard
The scabbard I received with the Mercenary was a simple wood-core, leather covered scabbard made by the original owner. The scabbard has a central ridge to match the Mercenary’s blade. The scabbard fits tightly and properly, with no rattle or play noted. I have mounted the scabbard in a shoulder baldric by Dark Realm Leather.
Handling Characteristics
In short, the Mercenary feels phenomenal…
The grip sets firmly and securely in my large hands. The blade seemingly floats, with the tip tracking just where I want it to. In one hand, the tip is a tad bit heavy, yet not so much that I would hesitate to use it like this. In two-hands, the Mercenary is lightening fast, offering quick cuts, devastating thrusts, and excellent recovery. It is quite graceful, but also conveys a hearty sense of power. This sword is does not sugercoat its blade presence – one swing and you know exactly what the Mercenary was intended to do.
The Mercenary is the true essence of a bastard sword. In a world where collectors are berated by vendors who like to use the term loosely, the Mercenary fits the bill perfectly. A single-handed blade mounted with a two-handed grip. The sword works well in one or both hands. What's not to love?
Test Cutting
Since most people reading this review knows that the Mercenary can obvious thrust, what about cutting? I have had many arguments in the past from those feeling that Type XVs are poor cutters. I beg to differ:
To be honest, Type XVs are great cutters in addition to being a wicking thrusting implement. You do have to practice and get used to cutting with them, but after spending a few hours – you can cut just as well as you could with anything else out there.
So, if your fear of owning a Type XV is because you think you cannot cut well with it, please reconsider. I assure you, they cut just fine!
Conclusions
In hindsight, knowing how well the Mercenary performs, I probably would have ordered one new a few years ago. I have gone though a lot of swords looking for Ms. Right, and after trying the Mercenary out first-hand, I believe she has earned the title as well as a permanent spot in my collection. This Type XVa is the literally the best one of its type out there. It’s now easy to see why Albion charges so much for their weapons, whereas before I was a skeptic – quite honestly, the things are about damn near perfect and well worth the price; especially if you can find one used.
Pros
- Extremely nimble and fast blade, with quick recovery.
- Beautiful geometry with sexy aesthetic.
- Performs well as a thrusting and cutting sword.
- Perfect fit and finish.
Cons
- Hefty price tag for most entry level collectors.
- Albion cast parts notoriously require more cleaning/oiling than other swords to prevent tarnish/corrosion.
- Once you own one Albion, you will probably want another one.
The Bottom Line
For those seeking to take a step into an Albion, I would recommend the Mercenary at the top of a very short list. In the current economic climate, this sword can be had for a very reasonable price ($400-$500). I feel that any potential buyers out there would not be disappointed with the Mercenary, as it is exactly what is it supposed to be; an elegant, simple, and effective weapon of war.
by Jonathan "Odingaard" Sarge
Introduction
For a few years, I have been eying Albion’s swords; but, I was never really courageous enough to pay the hefty retail price for what I saw as a CNCed sword. With the US economy in a tailspin over recent months, I noticed that on the various sword forums, collectors were dumping expensive swords from their armories for rather inexpensive prices; and this included numerous Albions.
Of all the Albion models, I have desired three models. The Mercenary, the Sheriff, and the Landgraf. I was able to obtain all three within a month for less than the cost of a new Albion Regent. Since I have already committed published reviews for the Sheriff and Landgraf to another website, I will spotlight the Mercenary here.
This particular sword was found on another forum and purchased complete with the wood-core, leather covered scabbard for a negotiated price of $450.00. I sent the money to the member via Paypal and the sword arrived in a hard-sided gun case via FedEx three days after the payment was remitted.
Historical Overview
The Mercenary is based on an Oakeshott Type XVa, a well-designed sword of war defined by its acute thrusting tip, wide shoulders, and hand and a half grip. It evolved from the standard Type XV, which is the single-handed version of the same sword (which shares essentially the same attributes). In the later 13th century, the Type XVa was created to penetrate the improving plate armor and mail of the period. This type of sword enjoyed over 200 years on the battlefield, disappearing only after it was well into the 15th century.
The Mercenary was designed by Peter Johnsson of Albion to be indicative of a basic, yet lethal Type XV that might be used by a professional soldier during the 1400s.
Initial Impressions
I have owned around 100 different swords in my life, imported, domestic, and antique.I have enough experience with swords to look at them from more of an analytical and technical standpoint than with awe and wonder. Despite this fact, my initial feeling when I opened the Mercenary was how elegant and beautiful it was – it’s simple lines and acute blade form just gave a wonderful aesthetic. Picking it up in my hand, I found the blade familiar in an eerie sense. Was it reminiscent of another sword I had owned? Was it that it was perfectly designed for my Fiore-based swordsmanship style? Did it so resemble antique blades I have held in the past? What was it?
Then I realized what the familiarity was, this was how a medieval sword was supposed to feel; natural, well-balanced, clean, and lethal. It was clear that the Mercenary was designed for war…
Statistics
Blade Length: 33.75”
Handle Length: 8.25”
Overall Length: 42.25”
Guard Width: 9.00”
POB (Point of Balance): 4.00”
COP (Center of Percussion): 19.80”
Weight: 2lbs, 14oz
The Blade
The blade of the Mercenary is arguably it’s most attractive feature. The diamond cross-section blade starts wide at 2.50” and tapers to a dramatically acute point. What appears to be a simple geometry is actually more complicated. The point deceptively seems like it would be easy to bend or damage, but when you view the cross-section, the thickness of the blade begins to increase about 3” from the tip and forms a rigid central ridge that reinforces the tip. The result is a sword that has incredible thrusting ability, able to pierce plate and split the rings on mail easily.
The blade is sharpened to a properly executed appleseed geometry, just as on all the Albion Next Gen blades. This gives an almost razor-sharp edge, yet not so sharp that it would easily chip on light to moderate targets.
The blade has a surprisingly rigid temper for it’s thickness. This is due to the thick central ridge running the length of the blade. The blade does flex under pressure, but it is more substantial than one would think at first glance. I found this to be a very pleasing quality, as well as being required for a thrusting blade.
The Grip
The handle is standard Albion fare; thin cord-wrapped leather over a stabilized poplar core. The seam is nearly invisible and the texture left by the cord wrap is evenly spaced giving a nice look.
The grip swells slightly with a single central riser. The grip diameter is somewhat thinner than you would find on most other sword manufacturer’s offerings, which is ideal for a large range of hand sizes. This makes the sword very comfortable to hold and wield.
The Guard
The guard is an Oakeshott Style 6, which sweeps into a gentle crescent shape, flaring gently at the ends, angled toward the blade. The fit and finish are absolutely perfect, with no rattle or unsightly gaps.
The Pommel
The pommel is an Oakeshott Type T3, which is a multi-faceted scent stopper type. The pommel has an elegantly complex geometry, giving the sword more character and functionality than if it were finished with a standard wheel pommel. This type of pommel does not interfere with using the sword with a two-handed grip, and actually adds more security to my grip.
The pommel is cast and finished to a fairly high standard, though a few very tiny casting flaws are visible. I personally like this type of uniqueness, and though some might find it as a lack of quality control, I see it as a testament that Albion’s are hand finished.
One thing of mention that I will throw out there: You must always care for the finish on Albion cast parts. This means wiping them off/oiling them regularly. I have found that if you leave this sword for a week and do not touch it, you will develop some minor discoloration. Though this is easily cured by polishing with gun oil and a grey ScotchBrite pad, it might be annoying to some buyers.
The Scabbard
The scabbard I received with the Mercenary was a simple wood-core, leather covered scabbard made by the original owner. The scabbard has a central ridge to match the Mercenary’s blade. The scabbard fits tightly and properly, with no rattle or play noted. I have mounted the scabbard in a shoulder baldric by Dark Realm Leather.
Handling Characteristics
In short, the Mercenary feels phenomenal…
The grip sets firmly and securely in my large hands. The blade seemingly floats, with the tip tracking just where I want it to. In one hand, the tip is a tad bit heavy, yet not so much that I would hesitate to use it like this. In two-hands, the Mercenary is lightening fast, offering quick cuts, devastating thrusts, and excellent recovery. It is quite graceful, but also conveys a hearty sense of power. This sword is does not sugercoat its blade presence – one swing and you know exactly what the Mercenary was intended to do.
The Mercenary is the true essence of a bastard sword. In a world where collectors are berated by vendors who like to use the term loosely, the Mercenary fits the bill perfectly. A single-handed blade mounted with a two-handed grip. The sword works well in one or both hands. What's not to love?
Test Cutting
Since most people reading this review knows that the Mercenary can obvious thrust, what about cutting? I have had many arguments in the past from those feeling that Type XVs are poor cutters. I beg to differ:
To be honest, Type XVs are great cutters in addition to being a wicking thrusting implement. You do have to practice and get used to cutting with them, but after spending a few hours – you can cut just as well as you could with anything else out there.
So, if your fear of owning a Type XV is because you think you cannot cut well with it, please reconsider. I assure you, they cut just fine!
Conclusions
In hindsight, knowing how well the Mercenary performs, I probably would have ordered one new a few years ago. I have gone though a lot of swords looking for Ms. Right, and after trying the Mercenary out first-hand, I believe she has earned the title as well as a permanent spot in my collection. This Type XVa is the literally the best one of its type out there. It’s now easy to see why Albion charges so much for their weapons, whereas before I was a skeptic – quite honestly, the things are about damn near perfect and well worth the price; especially if you can find one used.
Pros
- Extremely nimble and fast blade, with quick recovery.
- Beautiful geometry with sexy aesthetic.
- Performs well as a thrusting and cutting sword.
- Perfect fit and finish.
Cons
- Hefty price tag for most entry level collectors.
- Albion cast parts notoriously require more cleaning/oiling than other swords to prevent tarnish/corrosion.
- Once you own one Albion, you will probably want another one.
The Bottom Line
For those seeking to take a step into an Albion, I would recommend the Mercenary at the top of a very short list. In the current economic climate, this sword can be had for a very reasonable price ($400-$500). I feel that any potential buyers out there would not be disappointed with the Mercenary, as it is exactly what is it supposed to be; an elegant, simple, and effective weapon of war.