Albion Next Generation Crecy Review
Oct 9, 2013 2:29:02 GMT
Post by mcapanelli on Oct 9, 2013 2:29:02 GMT
I’ve been interested in the Albion Crecy ever since I held one at he NY Blade Show a few years back. At the time I had a CF Borderwatch on order with a Crecy blade so I didn’t bother ordering one. When this one came up in the classifieds I knew it was time to take the plunge and finally own a Crecy of my own.
Historical overview
This sword is a type XVIa, which Oakeshott describes like so;
“Type XVIa has a long, rather slowly tapering blade, broad at the hilt and often with a reinforced point. The fuller is often well-marked, extending about 1/3 (rarely more than half) of the blade's length. The lower part is not of diamond but of flat, hexagonal section. The hilt is long, 6" to 9" like the XIIIa and XVa, allowing for a two-handed grip.”
This sword, a subtype of XVI, would have seen service in the 14th century and developed as a response to the increasing use of plate armor on the battlefield.
Full Disclosure
I purchased this sword on the second hand market. I am in no way affiliated with Albion or any of their retailers and paid fair market price for my sword.
Initial Impressions
When the sword was first received I had a hard time unpacking it. Chris, the original owner, practically mummified the thing. There must have been enough tape on it to block off half of City Field. The boxing would explain how it got though customs apparently unmolested.
When I finally got it unwrapped I was treated to the sword and scabbard combination. The pictures don’t do the package justice, especially the scabbard work Julien (The original owner. This sword is something of a world traveler) did.
Removing the sword form the scabbard I was treated to a perfect blade. No rust or pitting or anything I could see off hand.
Statistics
Overall length: 44.75" (113.7 cm)
Blade length: 35.625" (90 cm)
Blade width: 2" (5 cm)
CoB: 4" (10.16 cm)
CoP: 21.5" (54.61 cm)
Weight: 3 lbs 1 oz (1.39 kilos)
Components
The Pommel:
The pommel is a simple type J affair, the central bosses on the side’s hollowed ground. While a wheel pommel, it’s not perfectly round. Neither are the bosses on either side. There are little asymmetries that give the sword a hand made look and feel.
The Grip:
The grip is a simple, continuing the workmanlike aesthetic of this sword. Its somewhat flat by the guard and after the middle riser becomes round. There are three cord risers and the leather grip is given a cord overwrap to provide a textured surface for better gripping.
The Guard:
A simple type 2 guard according to Oakeshott’s “Records of the Medieval Sword”. Hexagonal in shape, the face on either side of the blade is flat. Its very well executed and quite pleasing to study.
The Blade:
The blade, while at first appearing simple, has a somewhat complex geometry upon inspection. Starting off with what appears to be a hexagonal cross section, the blade transitions to a diamond about two-thirds the way down the blade. You can see in the pictures the lines form the hexagonal section surrounding the fuller and how at about three inches past the fullers’ termination point they converge to form the diamond section that reinforces the tip.
The bade when held flat does not bend under its own weight and the corss section does a great job of keeping the blade stiff, just as it should. While it doesn’t seem like much it’s this attention to minute details that give Albion such a good reputation in the business.
Handling Characteristics
What would a review be without talking about how the sword handles.
This sword isn’t a lightweight. Coming in at a hair over three pounds it certainly isn’t light. The weight is felt when you hold the sword out in front of you statically. Where this changes is when you get the sword moving. It handles in a way that belies its weight.
Doing a simple sword exercise of cuts and guard transitions, the Crecy preformed admirably. Transitioning between guards and recovering from cuts with little effort needed. The blade presence is just enough to let you know your cutting but not so much as to hinder your recovery.
Thrusting was done out of the guards plow, longpoint, The ox, and the key guard. All thrusts were on target. Control and recovery were very easy. Transitions between cut and thrust was equally easy, as were transitions in to and thrusts form the half sword. While not as fast as a type XVIIIa or b, it was no slow poke either.
Conclusions
While this sword is on the pricy side of productions ($880 as of this writing) its well worth the added expense. There are details you just can’t understand till you study a good example. If you have the means and like transitional war swords of the 14th century you can’t go wrong with this versatile and well-made sword.
Pros
- Well-executed historically accurate blade geometry
- Preforms well in the cut and the thrust
-Vey high level of fit and finish, exactly what you’d expect from Albion and any sword at this price point
Cons
- Price can be a barrier for some
The Bottom Line
If you have the means and like transitional war swords of the 14th century you can’t go wrong with this versatile and well-made sword.
Historical overview
This sword is a type XVIa, which Oakeshott describes like so;
“Type XVIa has a long, rather slowly tapering blade, broad at the hilt and often with a reinforced point. The fuller is often well-marked, extending about 1/3 (rarely more than half) of the blade's length. The lower part is not of diamond but of flat, hexagonal section. The hilt is long, 6" to 9" like the XIIIa and XVa, allowing for a two-handed grip.”
This sword, a subtype of XVI, would have seen service in the 14th century and developed as a response to the increasing use of plate armor on the battlefield.
Full Disclosure
I purchased this sword on the second hand market. I am in no way affiliated with Albion or any of their retailers and paid fair market price for my sword.
Initial Impressions
When the sword was first received I had a hard time unpacking it. Chris, the original owner, practically mummified the thing. There must have been enough tape on it to block off half of City Field. The boxing would explain how it got though customs apparently unmolested.
When I finally got it unwrapped I was treated to the sword and scabbard combination. The pictures don’t do the package justice, especially the scabbard work Julien (The original owner. This sword is something of a world traveler) did.
Removing the sword form the scabbard I was treated to a perfect blade. No rust or pitting or anything I could see off hand.
Statistics
Overall length: 44.75" (113.7 cm)
Blade length: 35.625" (90 cm)
Blade width: 2" (5 cm)
CoB: 4" (10.16 cm)
CoP: 21.5" (54.61 cm)
Weight: 3 lbs 1 oz (1.39 kilos)
Components
The Pommel:
The pommel is a simple type J affair, the central bosses on the side’s hollowed ground. While a wheel pommel, it’s not perfectly round. Neither are the bosses on either side. There are little asymmetries that give the sword a hand made look and feel.
The Grip:
The grip is a simple, continuing the workmanlike aesthetic of this sword. Its somewhat flat by the guard and after the middle riser becomes round. There are three cord risers and the leather grip is given a cord overwrap to provide a textured surface for better gripping.
The Guard:
A simple type 2 guard according to Oakeshott’s “Records of the Medieval Sword”. Hexagonal in shape, the face on either side of the blade is flat. Its very well executed and quite pleasing to study.
The Blade:
The blade, while at first appearing simple, has a somewhat complex geometry upon inspection. Starting off with what appears to be a hexagonal cross section, the blade transitions to a diamond about two-thirds the way down the blade. You can see in the pictures the lines form the hexagonal section surrounding the fuller and how at about three inches past the fullers’ termination point they converge to form the diamond section that reinforces the tip.
The bade when held flat does not bend under its own weight and the corss section does a great job of keeping the blade stiff, just as it should. While it doesn’t seem like much it’s this attention to minute details that give Albion such a good reputation in the business.
Handling Characteristics
What would a review be without talking about how the sword handles.
This sword isn’t a lightweight. Coming in at a hair over three pounds it certainly isn’t light. The weight is felt when you hold the sword out in front of you statically. Where this changes is when you get the sword moving. It handles in a way that belies its weight.
Doing a simple sword exercise of cuts and guard transitions, the Crecy preformed admirably. Transitioning between guards and recovering from cuts with little effort needed. The blade presence is just enough to let you know your cutting but not so much as to hinder your recovery.
Thrusting was done out of the guards plow, longpoint, The ox, and the key guard. All thrusts were on target. Control and recovery were very easy. Transitions between cut and thrust was equally easy, as were transitions in to and thrusts form the half sword. While not as fast as a type XVIIIa or b, it was no slow poke either.
Conclusions
While this sword is on the pricy side of productions ($880 as of this writing) its well worth the added expense. There are details you just can’t understand till you study a good example. If you have the means and like transitional war swords of the 14th century you can’t go wrong with this versatile and well-made sword.
Pros
- Well-executed historically accurate blade geometry
- Preforms well in the cut and the thrust
-Vey high level of fit and finish, exactly what you’d expect from Albion and any sword at this price point
Cons
- Price can be a barrier for some
The Bottom Line
If you have the means and like transitional war swords of the 14th century you can’t go wrong with this versatile and well-made sword.