Albion Vigil
Jan 22, 2014 1:10:31 GMT
Post by Jussi Ekholm on Jan 22, 2014 1:10:31 GMT
Introduction
I first saw this sword last autumn. And as the previous owner was seeking a possible trade for certain Japanese style swords, I chose to contact him and offer a trade. We met up and both agreed on the trade, and so I was a happy owner of my second Albion.
Historical Overview
You can read the description on Albion page: www.albion-swords.com/swords/alb ... igil-x.htm
Full Disclosure and Dealer Interaction
I traded this, so this is second hand sword. Therefore the issues presented in this review are not to be mistaken something that would occur with brand new sword from the manufacturer.
I just wanted to write this review, and as pretty much every high end production sword I've ever owned has been 2nd hand, I don't think it will affect my views that much. Of course I expect that the reader reads the review and it becomes clear that this is not a new sword.
Initial Impressions
Well as we met up outside in - 16 C weather in dark Finnish winter evening, the initial checkup was bit brief, but as I had seen this sword before I knew what I was trading. After I got to my parents and got a chance to really get an impression of this, I was impressed. Of course there were minor issues in condition, but nothing major in my eyes.
Statistics
Overall length: 97 cm
Blade length: 80,8 cm
Blade width at guard: 5,95 cm
Blade width 10cm from tip: 3,85 cm
Blade thickness at guard: 4,6 mm
Blade thickness 10cm from tip: 2,3 mm
Crossguard width: 17 cm
Grip length: 10,6 cm
Weight: 1175 grams
Point of balance: 11,5 cm from guard
Components
Lets start with the handle this time. The sword has very comfortable light brown leather grip and has spiral wrap under the leather. I have fairly small hands, and this grip length is very comfortable for me. Pommel is slightly oval, and I like it very much. Unfortunately there is quite bit of surface rust on it due to handling. I was able to clean bit of it off with isopropyl alcohol, and the flash makes it look lot worse than in real life. The guard is also very nice, it has thicker midsection which thins out and then flares again at the ends.
The blade is sharp, quite possibly the sharpest European style sword I've ever owned (it's a contest between this and Hanwei EMSHS). I really like the blade profile, this feels like very authoritative sword when held in hand. I like the blade geometry, it's wide and thin, feeling like a beastly cutter when dry handling it. I was really surprised how light and fast this sword can be, as it looks so beefy as it has wide profile. Even though I have never trained European swordsmanship it feels pretty good in my hands, and in trained hands it would definately be a fearsome weapon. I tried to take a picture of the dual fullers, as I think they are very well made. Unfortunately there are couple small rust spots near the guard and at the very tip, but that is of course due to this being 2nd hand sword.
Conclusion
I really like this sword. It feels natural and effortless in hand. I had already planned that I would get a scabbard for this from Tod's Stuff, and I would have a great high end single hander.
Unfortunately everything does not always go as planned... And after doing some calculations, I really can't afford to keep this. But as I mainly collect nihonto, this will have to go in order to help funding future purchases.
On the bright side I try to tell myself that as this is a production sword, getting this again sometime will be possible.
But this will be definately a sword I will be missing.
I first saw this sword last autumn. And as the previous owner was seeking a possible trade for certain Japanese style swords, I chose to contact him and offer a trade. We met up and both agreed on the trade, and so I was a happy owner of my second Albion.
Historical Overview
You can read the description on Albion page: www.albion-swords.com/swords/alb ... igil-x.htm
Full Disclosure and Dealer Interaction
I traded this, so this is second hand sword. Therefore the issues presented in this review are not to be mistaken something that would occur with brand new sword from the manufacturer.
I just wanted to write this review, and as pretty much every high end production sword I've ever owned has been 2nd hand, I don't think it will affect my views that much. Of course I expect that the reader reads the review and it becomes clear that this is not a new sword.
Initial Impressions
Well as we met up outside in - 16 C weather in dark Finnish winter evening, the initial checkup was bit brief, but as I had seen this sword before I knew what I was trading. After I got to my parents and got a chance to really get an impression of this, I was impressed. Of course there were minor issues in condition, but nothing major in my eyes.
Statistics
Overall length: 97 cm
Blade length: 80,8 cm
Blade width at guard: 5,95 cm
Blade width 10cm from tip: 3,85 cm
Blade thickness at guard: 4,6 mm
Blade thickness 10cm from tip: 2,3 mm
Crossguard width: 17 cm
Grip length: 10,6 cm
Weight: 1175 grams
Point of balance: 11,5 cm from guard
Components
Lets start with the handle this time. The sword has very comfortable light brown leather grip and has spiral wrap under the leather. I have fairly small hands, and this grip length is very comfortable for me. Pommel is slightly oval, and I like it very much. Unfortunately there is quite bit of surface rust on it due to handling. I was able to clean bit of it off with isopropyl alcohol, and the flash makes it look lot worse than in real life. The guard is also very nice, it has thicker midsection which thins out and then flares again at the ends.
The blade is sharp, quite possibly the sharpest European style sword I've ever owned (it's a contest between this and Hanwei EMSHS). I really like the blade profile, this feels like very authoritative sword when held in hand. I like the blade geometry, it's wide and thin, feeling like a beastly cutter when dry handling it. I was really surprised how light and fast this sword can be, as it looks so beefy as it has wide profile. Even though I have never trained European swordsmanship it feels pretty good in my hands, and in trained hands it would definately be a fearsome weapon. I tried to take a picture of the dual fullers, as I think they are very well made. Unfortunately there are couple small rust spots near the guard and at the very tip, but that is of course due to this being 2nd hand sword.
Conclusion
I really like this sword. It feels natural and effortless in hand. I had already planned that I would get a scabbard for this from Tod's Stuff, and I would have a great high end single hander.
Unfortunately everything does not always go as planned... And after doing some calculations, I really can't afford to keep this. But as I mainly collect nihonto, this will have to go in order to help funding future purchases.
On the bright side I try to tell myself that as this is a production sword, getting this again sometime will be possible.
But this will be definately a sword I will be missing.