Albion Maximilian
Apr 29, 2013 19:20:25 GMT
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Apr 29, 2013 19:20:25 GMT
Albion Maximilian
Sean O. Stevens -- Grovetown GA
Introduction
I was interested in this sword long before it was actually made. With Albion swords, there is often quite a lead-time between sword concept and sketches of the sword being made available till the actual sword is made in steel. This was the case with the Maximilian. I saw the sketches and knew this was the Great Sword I was looking for. I loved everything about it. I waited patiently for it to be made.
When I saw the first pics of it... I feel in love with it even more. The Writhen look to the pommel and guard, the twin fullers, the sheer SIZE of the weapon! I had a Hanwei Lowlander sword... which was impressive but just a bit too big to work for me, and I hoped that this weapon being a bit smaller and being from Albion, would handle better and be a more useable Great Sword.
Alas, I didn't have the money to buy one and was not on the per-order list, sow as worried I would not be able to get one. Little did I know my wife, the most wonderful woman in all of the world, had arranged to buy one and hid it in the house... awaiting my birthday. Imagine my surprise when she brought out the huge Albion white box!
I am a lucky man.
Historical overview
Historical recreations are an Albion niche, something they do very well. This has never been my primary field of interest... so I'll just let them speak to this aspect of the sword.
(Taken From Albion's Website)
"The Maximilian is inspired by the many examples of smaller zweihander (zweihander = two-hander) swords carried by the Landesknecht, or German mercenaries of the 15th and 16th centuries. The term Landsknechte was first coined by Peter von Hagenbach, recorder for Charles the Bold of Burgundy, meaning "servant of the country (land)," and first began appearing in common use in approximately 1470. The appellation was given primarily to the mercenary soldiers from the areas of Alsace, Baden Wurttemburg, and Austrian Tyrol who were trained to fight with pikes, zweihanders and later with the early firearm, the arquebus.
Maximilian I was the German king (1486-1519) and Holy Roman emperor (1493-1519), who established the Hapsburg dynasty as an international European power. In 1477 he married Mary, daughter of Charles the Bold, duke of Burgundy, but his right to the Burgundian realm was challenged by the French king, Louis XI. Maximilian successfully defended his wife's inheritance in a war with France that lasted until 1493.
Maximilian I is also credited with the creation of the Landsknechts, which he formed in order to uphold his claim to the Burgundian legacy of the Netherlands and to control his future territories in the east.
The first Landsknechts were recruited in 1487, to protect the Swabian alliance (1487-8) and keep the powerful princes of Bohemia and Bavaria at bay. Maximilian owed much of his success of his Landsknechts to the Lord of Mindelheim, Georg von Frundsberg, who is regarded by many as the true "father of the Landsknechts."
This new military force was closely modeled on the fierce and well trained halbardiers and pikeman of the Swiss Confederation: the Swiss Mercenaries. The face of war was changing dramatically during this period. The Burgundian Wars (1476-7) had shown that heavy cavalry was virtually useless against well trained pike formations, and the cost of training and equiping mounted troops was becoming too much of a burden on the European nobility. This new mobile infantry of pikemen were more easily trained in large numbers and quickly became the main body of mercenary armies throughout Europe.
The Landsknecht army would have been a fearsome sight to behold -- thousands of men wearing what would appear to be brightly colored rags and hats with many gaudy, brightly colored feathers. Their clothes, taken from their fallen opponents and not always fitting properly, was slashed and tied together to fit the new owner -- a look that would later become the trendy fashion among the nobility.
The very last time Landsknecht were utilized was on the 14th of March, 1590, at Ivry. 6,000 Landsknecht and other Catholic League soldiers faced 10,000 troops belonging to Henry IV of France. The battle was decided by the cavalry before the infantry even could come to blows. The Landsknecht, left in the center of the field, surrendered and were slaughtered.
The Maximilian's blade design post-dates Oakeshott's typology range, which stops at the tapering multiple-fullered blades of Type XXII. Similar to the long examples of Type XX, XXI and XXII blades, the Maximilian blade is long, double-edged and has two fullers, but has a very gradual profile taper and the fullers extend further down the blade.
The sword was designed for broad, sweeping cutting blows (such as clearing a line of pikes) and then for thrusting by using a "half-swording" technique (gripping the hilt in one hand and the blade in the other) in close-quarter fighting. Landesknecht and Swiss Mercenaries are often depicted in period woodcuts as carrying a shorter sword (often a katzbalger) as a sidearm in addition to the zweihander, presumably for use in close-quarter combat."
Full Disclosure
I have no business relationship with Albion Swords, and received no favors or compensation for a favorable review. My wife purchased the sword as a present for me as would any other customer.
I will note that they treated my wife VERY well. She has tried to buy swords for me before in the past, and she is not as knowledgeable about them as many of us are. She has been treated poorly by other sword companies and vendors in the past. The guys at Albion treated her with respect and gave her great customer service. This makes me VERY happy, as she did not buy me a sword for some time as a result of the bad experiences she had with other vendors... the awesome treatment she received from the guys at Albion make it more likely that I might receive another such gift in the future.
That makes me VERY happy.
Initial Impressions
The sheer SIZE of the Maximilian impresses you first. This is a big boy sword for sure. Next the fittings, which to me are VERY attractive. Then the twin fullers.
When you pick it up and hold it at first you find the weight of it daunting. Move it around a bit and while it is nothing even close to fast or nimble... you can tell its well balanced and a weapon. Its MUCH more comfortable as such then the Hanwei Lowlander was.
Much like the Dane, this is now a sword designed for man on man duels or true sword fighting. Its intent is to smash lines, brush aside pikes, and intimidate the &^%$ out of anyone on the other end of it.
Its a very impressive sword.
The fit and finish is what I have come to expect of Albion... the fittings are well cast, there are sign of casting flaws here and there but they are minor and do not detract from the beauty of the weapon. The blade is very well finished and the edge blended well. Its sharp, but not too sharp... a serviceable edge. The grip is tight and feels good in hand.
Statistics
Overall length: 55” (139.7 cm)
Blade length: 41” (104 cm)
Blade width: 2.1875” (5.56 cm)
COG: 4.5” from guard (11.43 cm)
COP: 22” from guard (end of fullers) (55.88 cm)
Weight: 5 lbs 1 oz (2.3 kilos)
Grip length: 11.5” (29.21 cm)
Guard Width: 11.5” (29.21 cm)
Components
The Blade
The blade is huge and the twin fullers make it very elegant looking. The polish is typical of Albion blades... very clean and just short of a mirror polish. Its a wide cutting blade with very little profile taper. A massive slashing beast.
The Handle
There is more then enough space on the grip to control this massive sword. The grip is well shaped and very comfortable in the hand. The twin risers in the center segment the grip and add some 'style'. Very well executed here.
The Guard
The guard, like everything on this sword, is BIG. I love the twisted, writhen look of it. The blade is fitted very well to the guard, there are no rattles. Wicked cool.
The Pommel
Beautiful. Continues the twisted writhen look, very elegant. The peen is very clean, a trademark of Albion swords in my experience.
Handling Characteristics
Lets be honest... this is a BEAST. While its more nimble and better balanced then some other really huge swords I've handled... its still a handful. You have to commit to a swing... and your blade is out of line for a bit while you muscle it back into position. If you do not hit what you are swinging at, you WILL be vulnerable to counter attack. Also, given the size of the sword and the strength required to swing it... it took me a bit to get used to controlling my swing and positions.
The Dane was actually a little more nimble... but the grip made the Dane VERY difficult for me to use. Overall, I prefer the Maximilian. My hands are much more comfortable on it, and that helps me control it better.
Test Cutting
The first bit of cutting I did with the Maximilian didn't go well. It took me a bit longer and a bit more handling with this sword to become comfortable with it then is normal for me. This sword is SO big its just not natural to swing it. With a little practice, adjustments on hand position and how I move it... I found it started to cut VERY well.
Conclusions
All and all, I was SUPER impressed with the Maximilian. I knew it was going to be a massive Great Sword and not a nimble long sword... and tho it took more adjusting then I expected to be able to handle it, in the end I am very happy with it.
Its a striking, beautiful, and imposing weapon... and it fills my Great Sword niche very well. Add to that the great customer service from Albion and I am one VERY satisfied customer.
Pros
- Albion Quality and Fit/Finish.
- Rare under-represented style of Sword
- MASSIVE cutting beast of a sword. High 'Cool' factor.
Cons
- Expensive. Well beyond the reach of many casual collectors.
- Difficult to wield and cut with, takes some adjusting and work to learn.
- No Scabbard. Many swords that cost a lot less come with a scabbard.
- Possible Wait time. Some Albions if not in stock may take weeks or months.
The Bottom Line
I didn't buy this one... but I WANTED to. It perfectly fit a 'hole' in my collection... and has impressed me a great deal. I'm very happy with this sword and with the people at Albion. I'd buy it again, and I have at least a handful of other swords I intend to buy from Albion in the future.
Thanks for reading!
Sean O. Stevens -- Grovetown GA
Introduction
I was interested in this sword long before it was actually made. With Albion swords, there is often quite a lead-time between sword concept and sketches of the sword being made available till the actual sword is made in steel. This was the case with the Maximilian. I saw the sketches and knew this was the Great Sword I was looking for. I loved everything about it. I waited patiently for it to be made.
When I saw the first pics of it... I feel in love with it even more. The Writhen look to the pommel and guard, the twin fullers, the sheer SIZE of the weapon! I had a Hanwei Lowlander sword... which was impressive but just a bit too big to work for me, and I hoped that this weapon being a bit smaller and being from Albion, would handle better and be a more useable Great Sword.
Alas, I didn't have the money to buy one and was not on the per-order list, sow as worried I would not be able to get one. Little did I know my wife, the most wonderful woman in all of the world, had arranged to buy one and hid it in the house... awaiting my birthday. Imagine my surprise when she brought out the huge Albion white box!
I am a lucky man.
Historical overview
Historical recreations are an Albion niche, something they do very well. This has never been my primary field of interest... so I'll just let them speak to this aspect of the sword.
(Taken From Albion's Website)
"The Maximilian is inspired by the many examples of smaller zweihander (zweihander = two-hander) swords carried by the Landesknecht, or German mercenaries of the 15th and 16th centuries. The term Landsknechte was first coined by Peter von Hagenbach, recorder for Charles the Bold of Burgundy, meaning "servant of the country (land)," and first began appearing in common use in approximately 1470. The appellation was given primarily to the mercenary soldiers from the areas of Alsace, Baden Wurttemburg, and Austrian Tyrol who were trained to fight with pikes, zweihanders and later with the early firearm, the arquebus.
Maximilian I was the German king (1486-1519) and Holy Roman emperor (1493-1519), who established the Hapsburg dynasty as an international European power. In 1477 he married Mary, daughter of Charles the Bold, duke of Burgundy, but his right to the Burgundian realm was challenged by the French king, Louis XI. Maximilian successfully defended his wife's inheritance in a war with France that lasted until 1493.
Maximilian I is also credited with the creation of the Landsknechts, which he formed in order to uphold his claim to the Burgundian legacy of the Netherlands and to control his future territories in the east.
The first Landsknechts were recruited in 1487, to protect the Swabian alliance (1487-8) and keep the powerful princes of Bohemia and Bavaria at bay. Maximilian owed much of his success of his Landsknechts to the Lord of Mindelheim, Georg von Frundsberg, who is regarded by many as the true "father of the Landsknechts."
This new military force was closely modeled on the fierce and well trained halbardiers and pikeman of the Swiss Confederation: the Swiss Mercenaries. The face of war was changing dramatically during this period. The Burgundian Wars (1476-7) had shown that heavy cavalry was virtually useless against well trained pike formations, and the cost of training and equiping mounted troops was becoming too much of a burden on the European nobility. This new mobile infantry of pikemen were more easily trained in large numbers and quickly became the main body of mercenary armies throughout Europe.
The Landsknecht army would have been a fearsome sight to behold -- thousands of men wearing what would appear to be brightly colored rags and hats with many gaudy, brightly colored feathers. Their clothes, taken from their fallen opponents and not always fitting properly, was slashed and tied together to fit the new owner -- a look that would later become the trendy fashion among the nobility.
The very last time Landsknecht were utilized was on the 14th of March, 1590, at Ivry. 6,000 Landsknecht and other Catholic League soldiers faced 10,000 troops belonging to Henry IV of France. The battle was decided by the cavalry before the infantry even could come to blows. The Landsknecht, left in the center of the field, surrendered and were slaughtered.
The Maximilian's blade design post-dates Oakeshott's typology range, which stops at the tapering multiple-fullered blades of Type XXII. Similar to the long examples of Type XX, XXI and XXII blades, the Maximilian blade is long, double-edged and has two fullers, but has a very gradual profile taper and the fullers extend further down the blade.
The sword was designed for broad, sweeping cutting blows (such as clearing a line of pikes) and then for thrusting by using a "half-swording" technique (gripping the hilt in one hand and the blade in the other) in close-quarter fighting. Landesknecht and Swiss Mercenaries are often depicted in period woodcuts as carrying a shorter sword (often a katzbalger) as a sidearm in addition to the zweihander, presumably for use in close-quarter combat."
Full Disclosure
I have no business relationship with Albion Swords, and received no favors or compensation for a favorable review. My wife purchased the sword as a present for me as would any other customer.
I will note that they treated my wife VERY well. She has tried to buy swords for me before in the past, and she is not as knowledgeable about them as many of us are. She has been treated poorly by other sword companies and vendors in the past. The guys at Albion treated her with respect and gave her great customer service. This makes me VERY happy, as she did not buy me a sword for some time as a result of the bad experiences she had with other vendors... the awesome treatment she received from the guys at Albion make it more likely that I might receive another such gift in the future.
That makes me VERY happy.
Initial Impressions
The sheer SIZE of the Maximilian impresses you first. This is a big boy sword for sure. Next the fittings, which to me are VERY attractive. Then the twin fullers.
When you pick it up and hold it at first you find the weight of it daunting. Move it around a bit and while it is nothing even close to fast or nimble... you can tell its well balanced and a weapon. Its MUCH more comfortable as such then the Hanwei Lowlander was.
Much like the Dane, this is now a sword designed for man on man duels or true sword fighting. Its intent is to smash lines, brush aside pikes, and intimidate the &^%$ out of anyone on the other end of it.
Its a very impressive sword.
The fit and finish is what I have come to expect of Albion... the fittings are well cast, there are sign of casting flaws here and there but they are minor and do not detract from the beauty of the weapon. The blade is very well finished and the edge blended well. Its sharp, but not too sharp... a serviceable edge. The grip is tight and feels good in hand.
Statistics
Overall length: 55” (139.7 cm)
Blade length: 41” (104 cm)
Blade width: 2.1875” (5.56 cm)
COG: 4.5” from guard (11.43 cm)
COP: 22” from guard (end of fullers) (55.88 cm)
Weight: 5 lbs 1 oz (2.3 kilos)
Grip length: 11.5” (29.21 cm)
Guard Width: 11.5” (29.21 cm)
Components
The Blade
The blade is huge and the twin fullers make it very elegant looking. The polish is typical of Albion blades... very clean and just short of a mirror polish. Its a wide cutting blade with very little profile taper. A massive slashing beast.
The Handle
There is more then enough space on the grip to control this massive sword. The grip is well shaped and very comfortable in the hand. The twin risers in the center segment the grip and add some 'style'. Very well executed here.
The Guard
The guard, like everything on this sword, is BIG. I love the twisted, writhen look of it. The blade is fitted very well to the guard, there are no rattles. Wicked cool.
The Pommel
Beautiful. Continues the twisted writhen look, very elegant. The peen is very clean, a trademark of Albion swords in my experience.
Handling Characteristics
Lets be honest... this is a BEAST. While its more nimble and better balanced then some other really huge swords I've handled... its still a handful. You have to commit to a swing... and your blade is out of line for a bit while you muscle it back into position. If you do not hit what you are swinging at, you WILL be vulnerable to counter attack. Also, given the size of the sword and the strength required to swing it... it took me a bit to get used to controlling my swing and positions.
The Dane was actually a little more nimble... but the grip made the Dane VERY difficult for me to use. Overall, I prefer the Maximilian. My hands are much more comfortable on it, and that helps me control it better.
Test Cutting
The first bit of cutting I did with the Maximilian didn't go well. It took me a bit longer and a bit more handling with this sword to become comfortable with it then is normal for me. This sword is SO big its just not natural to swing it. With a little practice, adjustments on hand position and how I move it... I found it started to cut VERY well.
Conclusions
All and all, I was SUPER impressed with the Maximilian. I knew it was going to be a massive Great Sword and not a nimble long sword... and tho it took more adjusting then I expected to be able to handle it, in the end I am very happy with it.
Its a striking, beautiful, and imposing weapon... and it fills my Great Sword niche very well. Add to that the great customer service from Albion and I am one VERY satisfied customer.
Pros
- Albion Quality and Fit/Finish.
- Rare under-represented style of Sword
- MASSIVE cutting beast of a sword. High 'Cool' factor.
Cons
- Expensive. Well beyond the reach of many casual collectors.
- Difficult to wield and cut with, takes some adjusting and work to learn.
- No Scabbard. Many swords that cost a lot less come with a scabbard.
- Possible Wait time. Some Albions if not in stock may take weeks or months.
The Bottom Line
I didn't buy this one... but I WANTED to. It perfectly fit a 'hole' in my collection... and has impressed me a great deal. I'm very happy with this sword and with the people at Albion. I'd buy it again, and I have at least a handful of other swords I intend to buy from Albion in the future.
Thanks for reading!