Valiant Armory Elite Xa.3 Production model
Oct 1, 2010 4:46:19 GMT
Post by TomK on Oct 1, 2010 4:46:19 GMT
Valiant Armory Elite Angus Trim Xa.3 Archer’s side sword
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 sword is unusually short for a Xa but it is my understanding that there are a few surviving historic examples of similar length. The idea Gus had for this sword was to create a side arm for an early 13th century archer. The short blade and small cross would assist in ease of carry helping prevent snagging on brush and reducing entanglement with the rest of the archer’s kit. Gus wanted this sword to be a brutal close quarters cutter and I think he has hit that perfectly.
First Impressions:
I was immediately surprised at how much blade authority this sword has for being only 2 pounds. I was also immediately impressed by how handy and easy to move it felt. If this is an archer’s side arm then that archer would be well armed. I liked this sword even before I saw it (Gus’ description had me excited before I ever met the sword) and once I touched it I knew it must be mine. It is one of those swords that really speaks to me.
Historical Overview:
Type Xa is really only differentiated from type X by its narrower fuller. While most of the Xa swords listed in Records are of 32 inches or greater, there are a few 31’s and some type X that are shorter. X and Xa swords were used side by side up until the early 13th century by many different peoples. This type of sword is a powerful cutter designed to shear through lightly protected enemy. Shields were the most common form of defense encountered by these swords what with metal armor being very uncommon at the time. The rounded spatulate tips were good for cutting at the full length of the blade and were sufficient for thrusting through light cloth and clothing grade leathers.
Vital stats:
Weight: 2 pounds 1 ounces.
Over-all length: 35.25 inches
Blade Length: 29 inches
Blade Width @ Cross: 1 7/8 inches
Fuller length: 25.25 inches
Grip length: 4 1/8 inches
Cross Guard length: 6.25 inches
Point of Balance: 5 inches
The Blade:
The blade of this sword is well polished even down in the bottom of the fuller, the lines are crisp and no blemishes can be found. The profile is classic type X/Xa nearly parallel until the tip section, the fuller is long and wide its profile matching that of the blade. The blade is also rather stiff. This sword came nice and sharp with hardly detectible secondary bevels. Gus is improving his edges again.
Hilt/Parts and pieces
The small style 5 cross is very cleanly executed, I’m not sure if it cast or machined but I am leaning towards machined though I cannot say with certainty as there are not marks of either casting or machining detectable. The cross fits very closely and cleanly to the tang and blade promoting good harmonics and a neat overall appearance.
The contoured grip is widest beneath the index and middle fingers and slopes comfortably to the pommel providing a good grip shape that sits comfortably in hand. The leather work is very clean with barely any trace of a seam visible, pronounced cord wrap and risers at each end. The leather is also very hard with deep grooves from the cord wrap. This combination makes the grip feel like it will endure a long time and helps establish a very confident feeling grip surface. The only downside to the grip is that it is so hard the cord wrap grooves can dig into the hand a bit until they get broke in through use. Mine is starting to get very comfortable after several days of near-constant handling.
As expected from Gus a nice healthy tang.
The Pommel appears to be a narrow type J and sits firmly on the tang held in place by the familiar ATrim hex nut. Gus and Valiant Armoury is also offering permanent assembly for those of us who prefer it.
Handling and Cutting:
(Also known as “my favorite part”)
This sword is a little monster. It is very fast and responsive but from the moment you pick it up the power of the sword is obvious. It almost feels like a hammer; a fast hammer. It is not overly picky about edge alignment and the harmonics are such that it cuts well at any point on the blade. This sword really wants to cut. Here’s some video of Bob and I cutting with it at our recent weekend cutting BBQ, if you look closely you may notice that I like this sword.
IN CONCLUSION:
Pro's: powerful cutting ability in all areas of the blade, a real pleasure to handle, in all ways a great high-performance sword, hex nut or permanent assembly available, forgiving of poor form
Cons: there was a slight ridge between the fuller termination and point which I rounded down with ye olde belt sander. Gus says this is something he intends to make go away. Other than that I have nothing to nit-pick on this sword. It really is one of the best and cleanest I have had the pleasure of seeing.
The Bottom line:
I really love this sword. it is one of the few I have that can challenge the 1557 for cutting satisfaction. it is powerful, fast, and fun. people who like shorter arming swords will love this one. it is also a good match for people who want to build an early medieval archer's kit or just want to feel like a medieval commando. it is also a great sword for those looking to just have fun cutting stuff in the backyard.
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 sword is unusually short for a Xa but it is my understanding that there are a few surviving historic examples of similar length. The idea Gus had for this sword was to create a side arm for an early 13th century archer. The short blade and small cross would assist in ease of carry helping prevent snagging on brush and reducing entanglement with the rest of the archer’s kit. Gus wanted this sword to be a brutal close quarters cutter and I think he has hit that perfectly.
First Impressions:
I was immediately surprised at how much blade authority this sword has for being only 2 pounds. I was also immediately impressed by how handy and easy to move it felt. If this is an archer’s side arm then that archer would be well armed. I liked this sword even before I saw it (Gus’ description had me excited before I ever met the sword) and once I touched it I knew it must be mine. It is one of those swords that really speaks to me.
Historical Overview:
Type Xa is really only differentiated from type X by its narrower fuller. While most of the Xa swords listed in Records are of 32 inches or greater, there are a few 31’s and some type X that are shorter. X and Xa swords were used side by side up until the early 13th century by many different peoples. This type of sword is a powerful cutter designed to shear through lightly protected enemy. Shields were the most common form of defense encountered by these swords what with metal armor being very uncommon at the time. The rounded spatulate tips were good for cutting at the full length of the blade and were sufficient for thrusting through light cloth and clothing grade leathers.
Vital stats:
Weight: 2 pounds 1 ounces.
Over-all length: 35.25 inches
Blade Length: 29 inches
Blade Width @ Cross: 1 7/8 inches
Fuller length: 25.25 inches
Grip length: 4 1/8 inches
Cross Guard length: 6.25 inches
Point of Balance: 5 inches
The Blade:
The blade of this sword is well polished even down in the bottom of the fuller, the lines are crisp and no blemishes can be found. The profile is classic type X/Xa nearly parallel until the tip section, the fuller is long and wide its profile matching that of the blade. The blade is also rather stiff. This sword came nice and sharp with hardly detectible secondary bevels. Gus is improving his edges again.
Hilt/Parts and pieces
The small style 5 cross is very cleanly executed, I’m not sure if it cast or machined but I am leaning towards machined though I cannot say with certainty as there are not marks of either casting or machining detectable. The cross fits very closely and cleanly to the tang and blade promoting good harmonics and a neat overall appearance.
The contoured grip is widest beneath the index and middle fingers and slopes comfortably to the pommel providing a good grip shape that sits comfortably in hand. The leather work is very clean with barely any trace of a seam visible, pronounced cord wrap and risers at each end. The leather is also very hard with deep grooves from the cord wrap. This combination makes the grip feel like it will endure a long time and helps establish a very confident feeling grip surface. The only downside to the grip is that it is so hard the cord wrap grooves can dig into the hand a bit until they get broke in through use. Mine is starting to get very comfortable after several days of near-constant handling.
As expected from Gus a nice healthy tang.
The Pommel appears to be a narrow type J and sits firmly on the tang held in place by the familiar ATrim hex nut. Gus and Valiant Armoury is also offering permanent assembly for those of us who prefer it.
Handling and Cutting:
(Also known as “my favorite part”)
This sword is a little monster. It is very fast and responsive but from the moment you pick it up the power of the sword is obvious. It almost feels like a hammer; a fast hammer. It is not overly picky about edge alignment and the harmonics are such that it cuts well at any point on the blade. This sword really wants to cut. Here’s some video of Bob and I cutting with it at our recent weekend cutting BBQ, if you look closely you may notice that I like this sword.
IN CONCLUSION:
Pro's: powerful cutting ability in all areas of the blade, a real pleasure to handle, in all ways a great high-performance sword, hex nut or permanent assembly available, forgiving of poor form
Cons: there was a slight ridge between the fuller termination and point which I rounded down with ye olde belt sander. Gus says this is something he intends to make go away. Other than that I have nothing to nit-pick on this sword. It really is one of the best and cleanest I have had the pleasure of seeing.
The Bottom line:
I really love this sword. it is one of the few I have that can challenge the 1557 for cutting satisfaction. it is powerful, fast, and fun. people who like shorter arming swords will love this one. it is also a good match for people who want to build an early medieval archer's kit or just want to feel like a medieval commando. it is also a great sword for those looking to just have fun cutting stuff in the backyard.