AT 1304 / Valiant Armory Elite XII.3
Oct 1, 2010 4:37:39 GMT
Post by TomK on Oct 1, 2010 4:37:39 GMT
UPDATE: this sword which was originally made for Valiant Armoury's Elite line:
Angus Trim XII.3 arming sword - custom-sword-shoppe.com/shoppe/p ... ucts_id=22
is also now available from Christian Fletcher in his "Build Your Own Atrim" shop as the 1304 model:
www.christianfletcher.com/Christ ... -1304.html
Full Disclosure:
I received this sword from Gus Trim for the purpose of review and feedback. The deal I get is that after I review the sword/s Gus sends me I am allowed to purchase any, all, or none of them at a discount price, those I do not choose to purchase I send back to Gus. It is no secret that I have spoken to Gus quite a bit since I started working with him. I enjoy talking to Gus and have come to like him personally. I have handled and cut with other high end production swords, though not as many that were not made by Gus as those that were. in general, I like Gus' swords better than any other mid to high end maker I have experienced, but that won't stop me from being honest about it if one of his swords has a problem. If I gloss over a problem I don't help Gus and I don't help the community. If I find a problem Gus can fix it before the sword goes into full production.
This is a simple sword, short on glitz and glamour but long on performance and reliability. Unadorned and businesslike, this sword design could have seen service in the kit of a no-nonsense knight of the early 13th century. It would likely have been favored for use from behind a large shield or from horse-back but would not be out of place on a trip into town as a self defense side arm. A classic type XII this sword has good cutting power, a mean point and the reach to get there first. This is a professional’s sword through and through.
First Impressions:
Of the handful of arming swords Gus has sent me to review recently this is the heaviest and most authoritative of the lot and I noticed its extra heft and power immediately. It also struck me as being pretty long and I was a bit put-off by the length since I have a definite preference for somewhat shorter type XII arming swords, but in spite of this I liked the way it felt right away.
Historical Overview:
Popular from the mid 12th century and perhaps earlier all the way into mid 14th century and perhaps beyond in some cases the type XII arming sword is the most common medieval sword design and indeed it is the shape most people think of when they think of the sword a knight would carry in one hand. It is believed that the type XII evolved its profile and pointier point from earlier cutting swords to counter the rise in mail armor on the battlefield while still maintaining serious cutting ability to mow down the unarmored ranks of foot-soldiers and conscripts. Whatever the reason for its design it has endured the centuries and implanted itself in the minds of men as the quintessential knightly sword.
Vital stats:
Weight: 2 pounds 6 ounces.
Over-all length: 39.5 inches
Blade Length: 33 inches
Blade Width @ Cross: 2 inches
Fuller length: 23 inches
Grip length: 4.25 inches
Cross Guard length: 7.5 inches
Point of Balance: 5 1/8"
The Blade:
The blade of this sword is very well polished to an even satiny finish all over the blade and inside the fuller. The machine-dimple marks so often found in the bottom of ATrim fullers is completely absent on this sword. The flared shoulders give the illusion of concave taper to the prolife of this blade and accentuate the length of the blade in an attractive way. The fuller tapers subtlely with the profile of the blade. When held flat-down this blade can be seen to flex very slightly but is still nicely stiff. The slight secondary bevel so common on ATrim swords is much more subtle and smoothly shaped on this sword than usual not to mention is came a bit sharper than most of my swords from Gus lately. I felt no need to touch this blade with any sort of sand paper or belt, and that is rare. The point starts rather abruptly and is both very well formed and wickedly sharp. There is a slight ridge down the center of the blade from the fuller termination to the point which gives this area of the blade a slight hexagonal shape which would be more pleasing if it were wider and more pronounced or ground down to a more truly lenticular shape.
Hilt/Parts and pieces
The simple furniture on this sword is pleasing to my eye. The typical ATrim style 5 bow tie guard has been bent forward into a style 6. The type I pommel and the slender contoured black grip make the hilt on this sword simple yet attractive.
The grip swells slightly beneath the index and middle fingers then tapers easily to the pommel. The leather dyed black cord wrapped and very stiff. This is mostly a good thing since it means the grip will last longer and provide more solid grip surface. Like a good boot it needs to be handled a lot to get broke in before it gets really comfortable.
The style 6 cross guard looks a lot like the more common Gus “bow-tie” that has been bent forward but that’s ok with me. The guard is well made, evenly polished and well fit to both tang and blade.
This sword is held together by the well known ATrim hex-nut method. Some people don’t like the hex nut method because it is obviously modern and for those people permanent assembly is available as an option on these swords.
Handling and Cutting:
(Also known as “my favorite part”)
While this sword is agile and fairly quick the length of the blade really changes the way it moves significantly compared to a shorter sword of the same weight and balance. This sword almost seems to gain a little weight in the blade as it is swung. During the first part of the swing it moves smoothly, easily changing direction and starting and stopping quickly, but once the swing is committed, once it crosses the half-way point it accelerates rapidly and it feels like a small amount of weight is accumulating on the forward section of the blade. It is like there’s a balance point in the motion of the blade and once you move past it the swing is more like a fall. All this stems from the length and balance but I find it very interesting. No other sword I have handled has had such a pronounced difference between the feel of the first and second part of the swing though all swords have this feeling to some degree.
IN CONCLUSION:
Pro's: Superb handling, good historical fittings that match time period with the type, choice of permanent or take-down hex-nut assembly so you can have what you want.
Cons: tends to be picky about edge alignment out near the tip (but not near the COP)
The Bottom line:
It is really easy at this point to say “ho-humm, another great performing ATrim sword, so what?” while that is true I suppose, it is also true that this sword is yet another new and different sword that is a great performing sword but in ways that are different from the others. This sword is yet another chance for us to find that one sword that really speaks to us and suits our style perfectly while still being a really good sword. I think this sword will be loved by people who like a longer sword (maybe they are taller), who are into sword and shield work (especially larger shields), or who want a sword suitable for use from horse-back. Not that us modern folk are likely to get in a sword and shield fight, or need to cut some uppity peasant down as we gallop along on our warhorse, but those who study those things, or admire them, or wish to re-enact them or for anyone who just wants a long single handed sword that will move great and still be a powerful sword this is a great place to start. This sword can make you feel like a knight.
Angus Trim XII.3 arming sword - custom-sword-shoppe.com/shoppe/p ... ucts_id=22
is also now available from Christian Fletcher in his "Build Your Own Atrim" shop as the 1304 model:
www.christianfletcher.com/Christ ... -1304.html
Full Disclosure:
I received this sword from Gus Trim for the purpose of review and feedback. The deal I get is that after I review the sword/s Gus sends me I am allowed to purchase any, all, or none of them at a discount price, those I do not choose to purchase I send back to Gus. It is no secret that I have spoken to Gus quite a bit since I started working with him. I enjoy talking to Gus and have come to like him personally. I have handled and cut with other high end production swords, though not as many that were not made by Gus as those that were. in general, I like Gus' swords better than any other mid to high end maker I have experienced, but that won't stop me from being honest about it if one of his swords has a problem. If I gloss over a problem I don't help Gus and I don't help the community. If I find a problem Gus can fix it before the sword goes into full production.
This is a simple sword, short on glitz and glamour but long on performance and reliability. Unadorned and businesslike, this sword design could have seen service in the kit of a no-nonsense knight of the early 13th century. It would likely have been favored for use from behind a large shield or from horse-back but would not be out of place on a trip into town as a self defense side arm. A classic type XII this sword has good cutting power, a mean point and the reach to get there first. This is a professional’s sword through and through.
First Impressions:
Of the handful of arming swords Gus has sent me to review recently this is the heaviest and most authoritative of the lot and I noticed its extra heft and power immediately. It also struck me as being pretty long and I was a bit put-off by the length since I have a definite preference for somewhat shorter type XII arming swords, but in spite of this I liked the way it felt right away.
Historical Overview:
Popular from the mid 12th century and perhaps earlier all the way into mid 14th century and perhaps beyond in some cases the type XII arming sword is the most common medieval sword design and indeed it is the shape most people think of when they think of the sword a knight would carry in one hand. It is believed that the type XII evolved its profile and pointier point from earlier cutting swords to counter the rise in mail armor on the battlefield while still maintaining serious cutting ability to mow down the unarmored ranks of foot-soldiers and conscripts. Whatever the reason for its design it has endured the centuries and implanted itself in the minds of men as the quintessential knightly sword.
Vital stats:
Weight: 2 pounds 6 ounces.
Over-all length: 39.5 inches
Blade Length: 33 inches
Blade Width @ Cross: 2 inches
Fuller length: 23 inches
Grip length: 4.25 inches
Cross Guard length: 7.5 inches
Point of Balance: 5 1/8"
The Blade:
The blade of this sword is very well polished to an even satiny finish all over the blade and inside the fuller. The machine-dimple marks so often found in the bottom of ATrim fullers is completely absent on this sword. The flared shoulders give the illusion of concave taper to the prolife of this blade and accentuate the length of the blade in an attractive way. The fuller tapers subtlely with the profile of the blade. When held flat-down this blade can be seen to flex very slightly but is still nicely stiff. The slight secondary bevel so common on ATrim swords is much more subtle and smoothly shaped on this sword than usual not to mention is came a bit sharper than most of my swords from Gus lately. I felt no need to touch this blade with any sort of sand paper or belt, and that is rare. The point starts rather abruptly and is both very well formed and wickedly sharp. There is a slight ridge down the center of the blade from the fuller termination to the point which gives this area of the blade a slight hexagonal shape which would be more pleasing if it were wider and more pronounced or ground down to a more truly lenticular shape.
Hilt/Parts and pieces
The simple furniture on this sword is pleasing to my eye. The typical ATrim style 5 bow tie guard has been bent forward into a style 6. The type I pommel and the slender contoured black grip make the hilt on this sword simple yet attractive.
The grip swells slightly beneath the index and middle fingers then tapers easily to the pommel. The leather dyed black cord wrapped and very stiff. This is mostly a good thing since it means the grip will last longer and provide more solid grip surface. Like a good boot it needs to be handled a lot to get broke in before it gets really comfortable.
The style 6 cross guard looks a lot like the more common Gus “bow-tie” that has been bent forward but that’s ok with me. The guard is well made, evenly polished and well fit to both tang and blade.
This sword is held together by the well known ATrim hex-nut method. Some people don’t like the hex nut method because it is obviously modern and for those people permanent assembly is available as an option on these swords.
Handling and Cutting:
(Also known as “my favorite part”)
While this sword is agile and fairly quick the length of the blade really changes the way it moves significantly compared to a shorter sword of the same weight and balance. This sword almost seems to gain a little weight in the blade as it is swung. During the first part of the swing it moves smoothly, easily changing direction and starting and stopping quickly, but once the swing is committed, once it crosses the half-way point it accelerates rapidly and it feels like a small amount of weight is accumulating on the forward section of the blade. It is like there’s a balance point in the motion of the blade and once you move past it the swing is more like a fall. All this stems from the length and balance but I find it very interesting. No other sword I have handled has had such a pronounced difference between the feel of the first and second part of the swing though all swords have this feeling to some degree.
IN CONCLUSION:
Pro's: Superb handling, good historical fittings that match time period with the type, choice of permanent or take-down hex-nut assembly so you can have what you want.
Cons: tends to be picky about edge alignment out near the tip (but not near the COP)
The Bottom line:
It is really easy at this point to say “ho-humm, another great performing ATrim sword, so what?” while that is true I suppose, it is also true that this sword is yet another new and different sword that is a great performing sword but in ways that are different from the others. This sword is yet another chance for us to find that one sword that really speaks to us and suits our style perfectly while still being a really good sword. I think this sword will be loved by people who like a longer sword (maybe they are taller), who are into sword and shield work (especially larger shields), or who want a sword suitable for use from horse-back. Not that us modern folk are likely to get in a sword and shield fight, or need to cut some uppity peasant down as we gallop along on our warhorse, but those who study those things, or admire them, or wish to re-enact them or for anyone who just wants a long single handed sword that will move great and still be a powerful sword this is a great place to start. This sword can make you feel like a knight.