Albion Next Generation Reeve
Oct 24, 2013 17:16:41 GMT
Post by Bryan Heff on Oct 24, 2013 17:16:41 GMT
Overview
The Reeve is a late Viking age Oakeshott type X sword with a brazil nut pommel, in a word, "classic" in terms of design. Its fairly short but broad blade is a cutter pure and simple. Every time I pick it up the word "slash" comes to mind because in my mind that is what this nasty little sword was born to do.
Purchasing/shipping
I purchased this from ebay and it was advertised as being new. Upon delivery in the original Albion box a quick inspection revealed to me that this was indeed a new sword, if it was not, it was kept in a perfect new state. Disclaimer - I have no affiliation with Albion and purchased this with my own funds after winning an ebay auction, as mentioned above.
Specifications
Overall Length: 35 3/4"
Blade Length: 30 1/4
Blade Width at guard: 2 3/16"
Overall Grip Length: 3 3/4"
Cross guard Length: 7 3/16"
Pommel: 2 3/4" Wide x 1 1/2" Long x 1 " thick
Weight: 2 lbs, 4 oz
PoB: 5"
031_zps4011c985 by warspite15, on Flickr
20131021_165925_zpsa763145a by warspite15, on Flickr
Blade:
As already mentioned this is a type X blade and it is broad and wide with only slight profile taper. The fuller is wide and shallow and is expertly straight. It runs nearly the full length of the blade ending about 2 inches from the tip where it gracefully fades and blends into the final tip which is of flat lenticular shape. The profile has a smooth convex curve that Albion does so well on a lot of its models that are of blade types that one could expect to see this shape. It's actually one of my favorite features of the sword. The edge is extremely sharp. I own an Albion Senlac which is a similar sword to the Reeve and its edge is not this keen. I was able to shave a few arm hairs with the Reeve. Its SHARP. One thing that struck me right away was the overall thinness of the blade stock. I don't have calipers but eyeballing it against a ruler its barely 3/16", I would guess just under. Again, compared to the Senlac it appears to be a bit thinner, again using the eyeball test only. This thickness I mention of course is measured at the cross. The blade gets thinner as you progress towards the point, another hallmark of Albion swords, excellent distal taper. This thin blade makes for a flexible sword that I would assume cuts light targets like nobody's business. I don't plan on cutting with this sword as that is not really my thing, but other reports elsewhere indicate it is a strong cutter. The edge and thin blade support those reports. I can only imagine how dangerous a slasher like this would be in the hands of mail clad Norman with a bad attitude against an unarmored or textile armored opponent.
20131021_170432 by warspite15, on Flickr
side by side with HT Norman
20131026_164358 by warspite15, on Flickr
Grip
The grip is red, almost a brick red and I think it works really nice with this sword. Here and there you can see some darker reds, almost black in a few spots probably where glue may have bled through. I love the grip color. Perfect for this sword. The sword in hand is extremely comfortable. I have several brazil nut pommel swords and most are fairly comfortable in hand, some not quite as much but the Reeve's design is the best I have held. The 3 3/4" grip may seem short but in hand coupled with this pommel type you instantly realize how perfect that combination is. The downward slope (away from the hand) of the pommel rests perfectly against the bottom of my palm and really gives a secure and comfortable feeling while gripping.
Pommel
The pommel is very well done. The upper section where it meets the grip is rounded and smooth while the under side tapers down to a thinner section towards the peen. Overall a very nice shape that suites the sword very well. The peen is blended in and is nearly invisible when you try and find it.
Cross Guard
A very simple cross guard completes the sword. It is basically rectangle in shape around the blade that then tapers to a square cross section as it reaches the ends. I compared it to my Senlac and they are essentially the exact same guard. However the hand finishing and grinding that Albion performs on their swords can be seen in the variation between the 2 guards, the Reeve ends up being a tiny bit thicker at the ends.
20131028_140538 by warspite15, on Flickr
Performance
The Reeve is a light sword, or at least it feels light. Mine weighed in at 2 lbs 4 oz (as weighed on a kitchen scale) lighter than Albion's website, which I found interesting. I was really surprised at the quickness and lack of heft this blade has, not to say it has no blade presence, but its like a giant razor blade affixed to a sword hilt. The thin blade I am sure accounts for a lot of this feel. The super comfortable and solid grip does as well. The locked in feeling you have when wielding this sword coupled with the thin, short and fairly light blade makes it feel like and extension of your arm.
20131021_170204 by warspite15, on Flickr
Overall
I am super pleased with this sword, for the price if I ended up not feeling super pleased I would be pretty disappointed. I have always loved the look of this sword, such a classic profile and great proportions for a 1 handed behind a shield cutter. I found no flaws with the fit and finish, none. Albion really does make fantastic swords, but obviously that also comes with a big price. I don't think I am breaking news here. They are not cheap. Granted, I did not pay full direct from Albion prices but it was expensive. I can see where people may blanch at the thought of spending so much more on this sword than say a H/T Norman which I also own and is a very similar sword in dimensions and type to the Reeve. Before every handling an Albion I had similar thoughts - "those are beautiful swords Albion makes but are they really worth it?". Is the Reeve worth the almost 3 1/2 times the price tag of say the H/T Norman, which is a fine sword in its own right? Hard for me to say as its a personal and subjective choice for the buyer and all consumers ultimately have to answer that question for themselves. I personally have no regrets on either sword having purchased both swords at vastly different price points. I love them both and think both are deserving of what I paid for them.
Concerning the blade - I was a bit torn at first around whether or not I loved the thin blade. I almost think a touch more thickness to give it a bit more heft and perhaps a bit more stiffness would be personally more appealing to me. My H/T Norman is thicker and stiffer and I really like that aspect of that sword. However I am also a bit in awe of how difficult in must be to get a sword to feel and handle like the Reeve. Its light as I have mentioned but at the same time that lightness does not make it feel weak or meek, it feels *dangerous*. While my initial going in position for a sword is a personal preference for a thicker blade, every time I pick up the Reeve I think I "get it" more and more. The thin blade and overall design makes for a vicious attack dog of a sword. It really IS a giant razor blade attached to a sword hilt and I highly recommend it for those interested in the early medieval period.
20131106_152302_zps7e6280ba by warspite15, on Flickr