Custom Atrim XVIII
Sept 3, 2012 7:39:37 GMT
Post by SwordFan on Sept 3, 2012 7:39:37 GMT
Custom Atrim XVIII
Well iv got some time off after my Shoulder Operation ,so iv decided its time to catch up on some reviews iv been meaning to do for a while now . This will be No. 5 of 14 reviews to follow over the next month or so .
Introduction:
Last year Sonny at the Custom Sword Shop had a bunch of Atrim blades just waiting to be turned into swords , there were a couple that caught my eye and in the end I ended up taking 4 of them and had Sonny work his magic on them with full scabbard packages as well . The 4 blades were :
1) 1557
2) Type XVIII
3) Leaf Blade
4) Short Broadsword
A lot of work went into these by Sonny as they all received Custom Hilts ,the blades where all given an even satin polish and full scabbards with artwork were also added .
This will be review No 3 of the 4 Atrims done by Sonny at the CSS .
This one was something a little different as I had none of this blade geometry in my collection and as such I wanted to give it a different look to the Clermont that Sonny did . So we changed up the fittings and grip (these were all made from scratch by Sonny) and then did it in an Antique red with some wolf embossing . I was rather pleased with how this one turned out as I was looking for something a little different .
This is the Hilt we went for :
Historical overview:A type XVIII blade
Initial Impressions:
This was always going to be something different to my collection both in terms of blade shape and fittings ,so when it arrived I was really happy with the way it had all come together . As an overall package it looked really great with Sonny going just that little extra and even adding some very nice Wolf embossing on the chape and scabbard . Having not had a blade of this geometry before I really wanted to get it in hand and see just how she handled . I was expecting something fast ,agile almost something like a rapier and yet not . I unsheathed her and was not disappointed , she was very fast a new deadly sharp and pointy for the collection .
Statistics:
Type XVIII
Overall Length: 38 1/2 "
Blade Length: 31 "
Handle Length: 4 1/4 "
Blade Material: CNC Milled 5160 High Carbon Spring Steel
Blade Width at Guard: 1 3/4"
Sword Weight 2 lbs.
Center of Gravity 4 3/4 " from the guard
Components:
The Blade:
As with all my other Atrims from Sonny he had given this one a very nice even satin polish . The blade is a lot narrower than most of my collection which took a little getting used to visually . I had asked Sonny to make this one extra sharp as I just thought that it would suit this kind of blade which to me is more suitable to the thrust and slashing cuts rather than a power sword (like my Atrim Short Broad Sword) .
The blade had some nice flex to it ,but was nice and rigid making it great for thrusting and allowing one a good deal of accuracy in the thrust .
The Handle:
This was a little different (as with most of this sword) , a spiral sort of riser added under the whole grip and then covered by an antique red leather . What this provides is a very comfortable grip which is very functional in providing excellent gripping qualities . This was a first for Sonny doing a grip like this and it turned out really well .
The Fittings:
These were all done from scratch by Sonny and were well finished with an even satin finish to them . The easiest way to describe them is to let the picture do the talking :
The Scabbard:
My only request with this one was that it be in antique red , the rest was left to Sonny . He did a great job as it compliments the sword nicely . As usual nice and tight with no play inside .
Handling Characteristics:
I was expecting light ,fast and nimble and I was not disappointed . This sword handles wonderfully well whilst not a rapier it does remind me of one a little , a medieval rapier of sorts .
It’s a joy to handle and I was interested to see how it would take to some cutting . I was never expecting it to be a power cutter ,rather a great thruster and a sword capable of light cuts .Quick and nimble making numerous cuts before your opposition could land one ,that is where this sword would excel .
Cutting:
I have not done much with this sword cutting wise ,but iv had a go at some pool noodles , bottles and a single roll of mats . It’s a great Thruster and as mentioned because of its low weight ,great balance and quick nature it allows for numerous shallow cuts which in key areas could cripple your opposition rather painfully before landing the critical thrust . It made short work of the pool noodles and bottles ,the mats were a little more of a challenge . What I managed to conclude with the mat session is that it’s a capable light cutter that relies a lot on good form . Its an enjoyable piece to cut with on lighter targets but it took me a while to get some decent results on mats as it does take some getting used to .
Conclusions:
A great sword that has a very nice thrusting blade ,great handling and great balance .
Sonny did a nice job as usual on this one which translates to an overall very attractive package
Pros:
Fast and Nimble with great handling and balance
Very sharp blade
Different fittings to the usual run of the mill stuff
Nice and stiff blade with some good flex allowing for a good thrusting blade
Cons:
A blade that does take some getting used to when cutting and demands good form when using targets of a tougher nature than bottles or pool noodles
The Bottom Line:
I am glad I added this one to my collection ,whilst different to a lot of swords iv handled it’s a good different as it brings a different set of qualities . Its no power hitter ,but then again I don’t ever believe it was meant to be a power hitter but rather a fast and nimble sword with outstanding handling and balance allowing one to land multiple thrusts and cuts in a very short space of time . An overall joy to handle because of its low weight and balance .
When taking the pics the blade still had ren wax on it ,I am not yet able to remove it and give it a clean before taking the pics because of my shoulder .Once I have healed up ill take some new pics outdoors and add a cutting video .
Well iv got some time off after my Shoulder Operation ,so iv decided its time to catch up on some reviews iv been meaning to do for a while now . This will be No. 5 of 14 reviews to follow over the next month or so .
Introduction:
Last year Sonny at the Custom Sword Shop had a bunch of Atrim blades just waiting to be turned into swords , there were a couple that caught my eye and in the end I ended up taking 4 of them and had Sonny work his magic on them with full scabbard packages as well . The 4 blades were :
1) 1557
2) Type XVIII
3) Leaf Blade
4) Short Broadsword
A lot of work went into these by Sonny as they all received Custom Hilts ,the blades where all given an even satin polish and full scabbards with artwork were also added .
This will be review No 3 of the 4 Atrims done by Sonny at the CSS .
This one was something a little different as I had none of this blade geometry in my collection and as such I wanted to give it a different look to the Clermont that Sonny did . So we changed up the fittings and grip (these were all made from scratch by Sonny) and then did it in an Antique red with some wolf embossing . I was rather pleased with how this one turned out as I was looking for something a little different .
This is the Hilt we went for :
Historical overview:A type XVIII blade
Initial Impressions:
This was always going to be something different to my collection both in terms of blade shape and fittings ,so when it arrived I was really happy with the way it had all come together . As an overall package it looked really great with Sonny going just that little extra and even adding some very nice Wolf embossing on the chape and scabbard . Having not had a blade of this geometry before I really wanted to get it in hand and see just how she handled . I was expecting something fast ,agile almost something like a rapier and yet not . I unsheathed her and was not disappointed , she was very fast a new deadly sharp and pointy for the collection .
Statistics:
Type XVIII
Overall Length: 38 1/2 "
Blade Length: 31 "
Handle Length: 4 1/4 "
Blade Material: CNC Milled 5160 High Carbon Spring Steel
Blade Width at Guard: 1 3/4"
Sword Weight 2 lbs.
Center of Gravity 4 3/4 " from the guard
Components:
The Blade:
As with all my other Atrims from Sonny he had given this one a very nice even satin polish . The blade is a lot narrower than most of my collection which took a little getting used to visually . I had asked Sonny to make this one extra sharp as I just thought that it would suit this kind of blade which to me is more suitable to the thrust and slashing cuts rather than a power sword (like my Atrim Short Broad Sword) .
The blade had some nice flex to it ,but was nice and rigid making it great for thrusting and allowing one a good deal of accuracy in the thrust .
The Handle:
This was a little different (as with most of this sword) , a spiral sort of riser added under the whole grip and then covered by an antique red leather . What this provides is a very comfortable grip which is very functional in providing excellent gripping qualities . This was a first for Sonny doing a grip like this and it turned out really well .
The Fittings:
These were all done from scratch by Sonny and were well finished with an even satin finish to them . The easiest way to describe them is to let the picture do the talking :
The Scabbard:
My only request with this one was that it be in antique red , the rest was left to Sonny . He did a great job as it compliments the sword nicely . As usual nice and tight with no play inside .
Handling Characteristics:
I was expecting light ,fast and nimble and I was not disappointed . This sword handles wonderfully well whilst not a rapier it does remind me of one a little , a medieval rapier of sorts .
It’s a joy to handle and I was interested to see how it would take to some cutting . I was never expecting it to be a power cutter ,rather a great thruster and a sword capable of light cuts .Quick and nimble making numerous cuts before your opposition could land one ,that is where this sword would excel .
Cutting:
I have not done much with this sword cutting wise ,but iv had a go at some pool noodles , bottles and a single roll of mats . It’s a great Thruster and as mentioned because of its low weight ,great balance and quick nature it allows for numerous shallow cuts which in key areas could cripple your opposition rather painfully before landing the critical thrust . It made short work of the pool noodles and bottles ,the mats were a little more of a challenge . What I managed to conclude with the mat session is that it’s a capable light cutter that relies a lot on good form . Its an enjoyable piece to cut with on lighter targets but it took me a while to get some decent results on mats as it does take some getting used to .
Conclusions:
A great sword that has a very nice thrusting blade ,great handling and great balance .
Sonny did a nice job as usual on this one which translates to an overall very attractive package
Pros:
Fast and Nimble with great handling and balance
Very sharp blade
Different fittings to the usual run of the mill stuff
Nice and stiff blade with some good flex allowing for a good thrusting blade
Cons:
A blade that does take some getting used to when cutting and demands good form when using targets of a tougher nature than bottles or pool noodles
The Bottom Line:
I am glad I added this one to my collection ,whilst different to a lot of swords iv handled it’s a good different as it brings a different set of qualities . Its no power hitter ,but then again I don’t ever believe it was meant to be a power hitter but rather a fast and nimble sword with outstanding handling and balance allowing one to land multiple thrusts and cuts in a very short space of time . An overall joy to handle because of its low weight and balance .
When taking the pics the blade still had ren wax on it ,I am not yet able to remove it and give it a clean before taking the pics because of my shoulder .Once I have healed up ill take some new pics outdoors and add a cutting video .