Atrim/Tried and True Archangel Falchion
Jan 16, 2012 1:09:56 GMT
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jan 16, 2012 1:09:56 GMT
Atrim/Tried and True Archangel Falchion
Sean O. Stevens -- Grovetown GA
Introduction
I've wanted an ArchAngel Falchion ever since I saw them on Christian Fletcher's site a couple years ago. I thought it looked sleek and nimble, and it became my favorite falchion right way. Sadly... I missed it when he had it in stock, and it never poped up again. I found Courtrai Falchion and loved it... but always craved the ArchAngel. Awhile back, Tom contacted me and told me they would be making the ArchAngel fakchion again... and would i want one.
Uh... hell yes I wanted one.
So some time later, here it is.
Historical overview
I'll be honest... I know next to nothing about the history of the Falchion as a weapon. Like many, I was under the impression that it was a weapon often given to archers as a back-up melee weapon, or to less skilled men at arms because it was more simple to use then an arming or long sword. However, I've been informed this was not the case, and many skilled warriors and knights have been depicted in art or said in writings to have had falchions. I know it is a weapon primarily of the 13th -15th century, its origins are hazy. I don't know if this ArchAngel design is based on any historical examples or not.
Full Disclosure
This Falchion was sent to me by TomK from Tried and True Armory without charge... to review and, if I wish to, keep and buy... and if not to send back. I receive no compensation for my review if I decided to send it back... and no discount if I decided to keep it, so I have no stake in doing anything but giving my honest impressions. The Falchion was sent to me along with another Tried and True weapon I had already bought.
Initial Impressions
If I'm 100% honest... i was a bit disappointed in the ArchAngel when I first saw it. Nothing against the sword itself... but my impression of what is was going to look like didn't match what I saw when I first looked upon it. I had only seen the ArchAngel in photos on Christian Fletcher's website... and those not even for a long time, as he took the pics down a long time ago. I expected the blade to be a bit wider, and there to be a bit more curve... I was surprised by how thin and straight the blade seemed.
I liked the look of the grip... its a DARK indigo blue with a hint of purple. Also, I loved the shaped pommel Tom had put on this sword... a bit of a point at the base, very different and cool looking. Still, i was bummed it didn't match the image in my memory.
Then I picked it up... held it... move it around a bit... and forgot all about its looks. :lol:
Atrim swords have a magic they do... no matter how plain they may seem (some are very sweet looking, but one long held gripe is that most Atrim swords are very plain-jane and utilitarian looking.) all it takes is to hold them and move them about... and you fall in love with them. Above all else... Gus Trim makes swords meant to be USED. There is a balance and a feel to all of his swords... all that I have used, which is over 20, that is unmistakably functional.
The ArchAngel is no exception to that. Touch it... and it WANTS you to cut something. Badly.
Statistics
Blade Length 28 & 3/16ths inches
Grip Length 4 & 3/16th inches
Overall Length 34 & 8/16th inches
Guard Width 8 inches
Blade Width (at base) 1 & 7/16th inches
CoP 3 & 14/16th inches from cross
Weight * Unsure but would guess between 2.2 & 2.4 lbs
Components
The Blade
The blade on the ArchAngel is lean and mean... with the 'false edge' sharpened from the flare point. The finish is a tad rough. There is a small secondary bevel that is VERY functional for cutting. There is a good deal of distal taper apparent in the blade... but no profile taper, it remains the same length until it flares out a bit where the false edge begins, then it tapers dramatically to a point.
The Grip
The grip is one of Tom's new works... and is very solid and secure. At least as good in hand as those from CSS, which is high praise. Its a dark blue-ish purple color, pretty unique. At a little over 4 inches its the perfect size single handed grip for my meatpaws.
The Pommel
The pommel is shaped a bit to a point, which is different and I really like the effect. The mechanical assembly has been polished over a bit so as to be less noticeable.
The Guard
The guard is fairly wide, and there are some machine marks visible. The assembly is VERY solid and there is no rattle or signs of looseness at all. The grip is not flush with the guard, which visually I don't like as much as when they meet.
Handling Characteristics
Ok, lets be honest... for everyone reading this who has handled an Atrim sword... THIS is why we buy Atrims. The ArchAngel is FAST... very fast for a Falchion... but still feels like it has a lot of authority in the cut. Its a trick that Gus does... and I don't know how he does it... but he makes blades that want to move. They feel good and well balanced when you hold them... but put them in motion and they come alive.
The ArchAngel is much faster then other Falchions I've handled... yet retains the hard hitting cutting bias that the sword is meant for.
Test Cutting
The ArchAngel makes the sweetest ring I've ever heard from one of my blades... I love the sound it makes when cutting. Even with my horrible form it still cuts very well... it only failed on the cardboard milk cartoon... which it ripped open. Still... cutting with this sword is effortless... and very, VERY fun. I'd love to try it on some bamboo and mats.
Conclusions
This is tricky... because the ArchAngel is undoubtedly an amazing sword... but not the sword I was expecting. It impressed me in all ways... handling, performance, build quality, value... but it does not have the look i was expecting. If I set aside my prior expectations of the sword... and judge it just on its own merits... the ArchAngel is clearly the quickest, most nimble and easy to use Falchion I've ever held. It is exactly what I have come to expect from an Atrim sword... an amazing performer, a great users blade.
Pros
Unbeatable Value/Performance ratio.
Durable user Sword.
Very Light and Fast for a Falchion.
Gold Standard service from Tried and True Armory.
Options (Grips, pommels, guards, Tried and True will work with you on what you want.)
Cons
Rough, machined finish on parts.
Tho a value in performance swords, cost is slightly above the sub 300 range.
The Bottom Line
The ArchAngel Falchion is a unique weapon in that its VERY fast and nimble but still a hard hitting cutter, as Falchions are meant to be. It thrusts well, cuts well, moves well... it does everything well. If someone is looking for a Falchion but does not want a heavy, slower sword... this would be ideal.
Its so good that, after using it a bit... I am now seriously considering keeping it, even tho it did not match my visuals expectations. That speaks VERY well for how good this sword feels and moves... if you like the look of it, GET IT... because it cuts and feels way better then it looks. Even if you don't like the look of it... take it in hand and you will start to love it.
Its THAT good.
Thanks for reading!
Sean O. Stevens -- Grovetown GA
Introduction
I've wanted an ArchAngel Falchion ever since I saw them on Christian Fletcher's site a couple years ago. I thought it looked sleek and nimble, and it became my favorite falchion right way. Sadly... I missed it when he had it in stock, and it never poped up again. I found Courtrai Falchion and loved it... but always craved the ArchAngel. Awhile back, Tom contacted me and told me they would be making the ArchAngel fakchion again... and would i want one.
Uh... hell yes I wanted one.
So some time later, here it is.
Historical overview
I'll be honest... I know next to nothing about the history of the Falchion as a weapon. Like many, I was under the impression that it was a weapon often given to archers as a back-up melee weapon, or to less skilled men at arms because it was more simple to use then an arming or long sword. However, I've been informed this was not the case, and many skilled warriors and knights have been depicted in art or said in writings to have had falchions. I know it is a weapon primarily of the 13th -15th century, its origins are hazy. I don't know if this ArchAngel design is based on any historical examples or not.
Full Disclosure
This Falchion was sent to me by TomK from Tried and True Armory without charge... to review and, if I wish to, keep and buy... and if not to send back. I receive no compensation for my review if I decided to send it back... and no discount if I decided to keep it, so I have no stake in doing anything but giving my honest impressions. The Falchion was sent to me along with another Tried and True weapon I had already bought.
Initial Impressions
If I'm 100% honest... i was a bit disappointed in the ArchAngel when I first saw it. Nothing against the sword itself... but my impression of what is was going to look like didn't match what I saw when I first looked upon it. I had only seen the ArchAngel in photos on Christian Fletcher's website... and those not even for a long time, as he took the pics down a long time ago. I expected the blade to be a bit wider, and there to be a bit more curve... I was surprised by how thin and straight the blade seemed.
I liked the look of the grip... its a DARK indigo blue with a hint of purple. Also, I loved the shaped pommel Tom had put on this sword... a bit of a point at the base, very different and cool looking. Still, i was bummed it didn't match the image in my memory.
Then I picked it up... held it... move it around a bit... and forgot all about its looks. :lol:
Atrim swords have a magic they do... no matter how plain they may seem (some are very sweet looking, but one long held gripe is that most Atrim swords are very plain-jane and utilitarian looking.) all it takes is to hold them and move them about... and you fall in love with them. Above all else... Gus Trim makes swords meant to be USED. There is a balance and a feel to all of his swords... all that I have used, which is over 20, that is unmistakably functional.
The ArchAngel is no exception to that. Touch it... and it WANTS you to cut something. Badly.
Statistics
Blade Length 28 & 3/16ths inches
Grip Length 4 & 3/16th inches
Overall Length 34 & 8/16th inches
Guard Width 8 inches
Blade Width (at base) 1 & 7/16th inches
CoP 3 & 14/16th inches from cross
Weight * Unsure but would guess between 2.2 & 2.4 lbs
Components
The Blade
The blade on the ArchAngel is lean and mean... with the 'false edge' sharpened from the flare point. The finish is a tad rough. There is a small secondary bevel that is VERY functional for cutting. There is a good deal of distal taper apparent in the blade... but no profile taper, it remains the same length until it flares out a bit where the false edge begins, then it tapers dramatically to a point.
The Grip
The grip is one of Tom's new works... and is very solid and secure. At least as good in hand as those from CSS, which is high praise. Its a dark blue-ish purple color, pretty unique. At a little over 4 inches its the perfect size single handed grip for my meatpaws.
The Pommel
The pommel is shaped a bit to a point, which is different and I really like the effect. The mechanical assembly has been polished over a bit so as to be less noticeable.
The Guard
The guard is fairly wide, and there are some machine marks visible. The assembly is VERY solid and there is no rattle or signs of looseness at all. The grip is not flush with the guard, which visually I don't like as much as when they meet.
Handling Characteristics
Ok, lets be honest... for everyone reading this who has handled an Atrim sword... THIS is why we buy Atrims. The ArchAngel is FAST... very fast for a Falchion... but still feels like it has a lot of authority in the cut. Its a trick that Gus does... and I don't know how he does it... but he makes blades that want to move. They feel good and well balanced when you hold them... but put them in motion and they come alive.
The ArchAngel is much faster then other Falchions I've handled... yet retains the hard hitting cutting bias that the sword is meant for.
Test Cutting
The ArchAngel makes the sweetest ring I've ever heard from one of my blades... I love the sound it makes when cutting. Even with my horrible form it still cuts very well... it only failed on the cardboard milk cartoon... which it ripped open. Still... cutting with this sword is effortless... and very, VERY fun. I'd love to try it on some bamboo and mats.
Conclusions
This is tricky... because the ArchAngel is undoubtedly an amazing sword... but not the sword I was expecting. It impressed me in all ways... handling, performance, build quality, value... but it does not have the look i was expecting. If I set aside my prior expectations of the sword... and judge it just on its own merits... the ArchAngel is clearly the quickest, most nimble and easy to use Falchion I've ever held. It is exactly what I have come to expect from an Atrim sword... an amazing performer, a great users blade.
Pros
Unbeatable Value/Performance ratio.
Durable user Sword.
Very Light and Fast for a Falchion.
Gold Standard service from Tried and True Armory.
Options (Grips, pommels, guards, Tried and True will work with you on what you want.)
Cons
Rough, machined finish on parts.
Tho a value in performance swords, cost is slightly above the sub 300 range.
The Bottom Line
The ArchAngel Falchion is a unique weapon in that its VERY fast and nimble but still a hard hitting cutter, as Falchions are meant to be. It thrusts well, cuts well, moves well... it does everything well. If someone is looking for a Falchion but does not want a heavy, slower sword... this would be ideal.
Its so good that, after using it a bit... I am now seriously considering keeping it, even tho it did not match my visuals expectations. That speaks VERY well for how good this sword feels and moves... if you like the look of it, GET IT... because it cuts and feels way better then it looks. Even if you don't like the look of it... take it in hand and you will start to love it.
Its THAT good.
Thanks for reading!