Tinker type XII Sword
Oct 1, 2010 2:27:25 GMT
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Oct 1, 2010 2:27:25 GMT
Review of Tinker Type XII Sword By Sean O. Stevens, Grovetown GA.
Introduction
This sword was made by Michael 'Tinker' Pearce... and can be seen
on his site here: www.tinkerswords.com/Page%203.html
i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo33 ... iew030.jpg
I have another sword from Tinker... the Type XIV 'Ridding Sword'
you can see in the link above to his site... and I thought it would
be nice to check out another of his swords, since I have been VERY
impressed with mine.
Historical overview
Not really my area of expertise I'm sad to say. I don't buy swords
for any specific historical purpose, I just by what I like. I can say
that the type XII sword is perhaps the most archetypal 'SWORD' in history.
Its an 'everything' sword... evolved from the type X that was all cut
no thrust to maintain the solid cutting ability desired in swords from
the middle ages... yet add some better thrusting and point control to
the blade. There are many examples of type XII from the time period
that have been found, it seems to be just about the most popular type
of blade for its time.
Initial Impressions
Upon first taking the sword in hand I was impressed by its feel and
balance. It felt very similar in feel to An Albion Knight, which is
not surprising since the Knight is also a well made type XII sword.
The grip was super comfortable in hand, the pommel and guard were
nicely formed and shinny, and the blade... Mmmmm.
Just holding it and swinging it about I knew it was in the top 5 of
swords I had ever held.
Statistics
Overall Length: 37-1/8 inches
Blade Length: 30-3/8 inches
Blade width at Base: 2-3/8 inches
Blade Width 3 inches from point: 1 inch
Hilt Overall Length: 6-3/4 inches
Grip Length: 4 inches
Guard type: 1
Pommel Type: J
PoB: 3-3/4 inches from guard
CoP: 19 3/4 inches
Weight: 2lbs 14 oz
Components
Everything on this sword is well made and fit together very well, which
anyone who has owned an example of Tinker's work will not be surprised
to hear.
The Blade
The blade on this sword is AWESOME. It has a slight 'flared shoulders'
at the base...
and a nice well wide, clean fuller.
The polish on the blade
is pretty shinny... mirror or near mirror polish I'd say.
There is a VERY small secondary bevel on the edge... as there is with my other Tinker sword, but its the best executed beveled edge I've ever come across.
A good thrusting point.
The Makers mark.
The blade is "5160 spring steel hardened to HRc53-54, then selectively drawn down to HRc45-48 through the shoulders and tang." as reported on Tinker's website.
The Handle
The grip is a brown leather over cord deal, designed to look a little
worn and is very comfortable.
Tinker describes its construction as
"sandwiched hardwood wrapped in linen cord and covered with a brown
leather."
The Guard
The guard is a clean, simple affair made of mild steel and well
finished and polished. The fit of the blade in the guard is excellent.
The Pommel
The pommel is also mild steel and secured with a cylindrical nut
attached to the threaded portion of the tang. It is well formed and
polished, but the nut sticks out of the end just a bit, much like
you see on many older Atrim swords.
This surprised me a bit, as my
other Tinker sword is peened, and very well at that. This sword is
designed to be taken down and is VERY well assembled. Perhaps the
nut could be tightened further to make it flush with the pommel, but
since everything was fit together so well and tightly as is, I would
not risk damage by overtightning.
The Scabbard
More a sheath then a scabbard, its a simple leather deal that does
its job of holding the blade... and thats about it. A sword of this
quality deserves a better, custom home IMO. Something from the many
makers we have in the market would suit it well.
Handling Characteristics
This is where the sword REALLY shines! The fit and finish is nice
and all... but THIS is where you really start to see the difference
between a custom made sword of this quality and even the best production
swords you can but.
The weight distribution and balance is PERFECT. The sword WANTS to be
swung around. You can go from guard to cut and back to guard very quickly.
You can stop the sword and change directions with little effort, yet the
blade still has enough presence to feel like a strong cutter. Thrust
are effortless and on target as well.
What can I say? It handles even better then the Albion Knight, which
to this point was the best handling XII sword I had ever held.
Test Cutting
I did not do as much test cutting with this beauty as I would have liked,
as at that point I had already promised to send it to its true home and
owner. What little I did I put on video here:
From that little bit and dry-handling it for awhile, I was very, VERY
impressed with the way this sword moves and feels. I like my Tinker
XIV Ridding sword just a smidgen better... because for single handed
swords I prefer shorter blades. However, for a single handed sword
over 28in long, this Tinker was hands down the best all around sword I
have ever handled.
Conclusions
I wish I could have kept it, but I promised it to another who is just
beginning to develop a love of Euro swords. This sword will insure he
has a true appreciation for the Euro sword, because it is an exceptional
weapon!
Tinker makes some of the most amazing swords I have had the honor to
handle... and I always try to grab them when I can. If you can afford
them, they are a great buy. When you see something like this where he
auctioned the sword to the SBG community at basically HALF price... then
buy buy buy all day long! You would be hard pressed to find a better
sword for the money.
Pros
* Amazing overall balance and weight, a perfect 'do everything' sword.
* Tinker stands behind his work very strongly and addresses any issues
in a friendly and professional manner.
* Over all polish and finish of this and other Tinker swords is
exceptional
Cons
* Non-peened construction might be a drawback to some at the higher
price points. Other Tinker swords tend to be peened from what I have
seen.
* Unless you get a chance to get one on auction as I did here, or from
the second hand market as I did with my other sword, Tinker work tends
to be a bit expensive for those of us on a budget. Worth every penny, but
still hard for some to attain.
The Bottom Line
THIS sword, at THIS price, is a pure win. I almost did not want to send
it on to its true owner after having handled it, but I gave my word...
and as much as I feel in love with this sword, my word means everything
to me.
If you get a chance to buy a Tinker made sword at a price you can manage,
then I say DO SO, you will not be disappointed.
Thank you for reading.
Introduction
This sword was made by Michael 'Tinker' Pearce... and can be seen
on his site here: www.tinkerswords.com/Page%203.html
i389.photobucket.com/albums/oo33 ... iew030.jpg
I have another sword from Tinker... the Type XIV 'Ridding Sword'
you can see in the link above to his site... and I thought it would
be nice to check out another of his swords, since I have been VERY
impressed with mine.
Historical overview
Not really my area of expertise I'm sad to say. I don't buy swords
for any specific historical purpose, I just by what I like. I can say
that the type XII sword is perhaps the most archetypal 'SWORD' in history.
Its an 'everything' sword... evolved from the type X that was all cut
no thrust to maintain the solid cutting ability desired in swords from
the middle ages... yet add some better thrusting and point control to
the blade. There are many examples of type XII from the time period
that have been found, it seems to be just about the most popular type
of blade for its time.
Initial Impressions
Upon first taking the sword in hand I was impressed by its feel and
balance. It felt very similar in feel to An Albion Knight, which is
not surprising since the Knight is also a well made type XII sword.
The grip was super comfortable in hand, the pommel and guard were
nicely formed and shinny, and the blade... Mmmmm.
Just holding it and swinging it about I knew it was in the top 5 of
swords I had ever held.
Statistics
Overall Length: 37-1/8 inches
Blade Length: 30-3/8 inches
Blade width at Base: 2-3/8 inches
Blade Width 3 inches from point: 1 inch
Hilt Overall Length: 6-3/4 inches
Grip Length: 4 inches
Guard type: 1
Pommel Type: J
PoB: 3-3/4 inches from guard
CoP: 19 3/4 inches
Weight: 2lbs 14 oz
Components
Everything on this sword is well made and fit together very well, which
anyone who has owned an example of Tinker's work will not be surprised
to hear.
The Blade
The blade on this sword is AWESOME. It has a slight 'flared shoulders'
at the base...
and a nice well wide, clean fuller.
The polish on the blade
is pretty shinny... mirror or near mirror polish I'd say.
There is a VERY small secondary bevel on the edge... as there is with my other Tinker sword, but its the best executed beveled edge I've ever come across.
A good thrusting point.
The Makers mark.
The blade is "5160 spring steel hardened to HRc53-54, then selectively drawn down to HRc45-48 through the shoulders and tang." as reported on Tinker's website.
The Handle
The grip is a brown leather over cord deal, designed to look a little
worn and is very comfortable.
Tinker describes its construction as
"sandwiched hardwood wrapped in linen cord and covered with a brown
leather."
The Guard
The guard is a clean, simple affair made of mild steel and well
finished and polished. The fit of the blade in the guard is excellent.
The Pommel
The pommel is also mild steel and secured with a cylindrical nut
attached to the threaded portion of the tang. It is well formed and
polished, but the nut sticks out of the end just a bit, much like
you see on many older Atrim swords.
This surprised me a bit, as my
other Tinker sword is peened, and very well at that. This sword is
designed to be taken down and is VERY well assembled. Perhaps the
nut could be tightened further to make it flush with the pommel, but
since everything was fit together so well and tightly as is, I would
not risk damage by overtightning.
The Scabbard
More a sheath then a scabbard, its a simple leather deal that does
its job of holding the blade... and thats about it. A sword of this
quality deserves a better, custom home IMO. Something from the many
makers we have in the market would suit it well.
Handling Characteristics
This is where the sword REALLY shines! The fit and finish is nice
and all... but THIS is where you really start to see the difference
between a custom made sword of this quality and even the best production
swords you can but.
The weight distribution and balance is PERFECT. The sword WANTS to be
swung around. You can go from guard to cut and back to guard very quickly.
You can stop the sword and change directions with little effort, yet the
blade still has enough presence to feel like a strong cutter. Thrust
are effortless and on target as well.
What can I say? It handles even better then the Albion Knight, which
to this point was the best handling XII sword I had ever held.
Test Cutting
I did not do as much test cutting with this beauty as I would have liked,
as at that point I had already promised to send it to its true home and
owner. What little I did I put on video here:
From that little bit and dry-handling it for awhile, I was very, VERY
impressed with the way this sword moves and feels. I like my Tinker
XIV Ridding sword just a smidgen better... because for single handed
swords I prefer shorter blades. However, for a single handed sword
over 28in long, this Tinker was hands down the best all around sword I
have ever handled.
Conclusions
I wish I could have kept it, but I promised it to another who is just
beginning to develop a love of Euro swords. This sword will insure he
has a true appreciation for the Euro sword, because it is an exceptional
weapon!
Tinker makes some of the most amazing swords I have had the honor to
handle... and I always try to grab them when I can. If you can afford
them, they are a great buy. When you see something like this where he
auctioned the sword to the SBG community at basically HALF price... then
buy buy buy all day long! You would be hard pressed to find a better
sword for the money.
Pros
* Amazing overall balance and weight, a perfect 'do everything' sword.
* Tinker stands behind his work very strongly and addresses any issues
in a friendly and professional manner.
* Over all polish and finish of this and other Tinker swords is
exceptional
Cons
* Non-peened construction might be a drawback to some at the higher
price points. Other Tinker swords tend to be peened from what I have
seen.
* Unless you get a chance to get one on auction as I did here, or from
the second hand market as I did with my other sword, Tinker work tends
to be a bit expensive for those of us on a budget. Worth every penny, but
still hard for some to attain.
The Bottom Line
THIS sword, at THIS price, is a pure win. I almost did not want to send
it on to its true owner after having handled it, but I gave my word...
and as much as I feel in love with this sword, my word means everything
to me.
If you get a chance to buy a Tinker made sword at a price you can manage,
then I say DO SO, you will not be disappointed.
Thank you for reading.