NEW AND IMPROVED Albion Crecy Review
Feb 26, 2014 0:44:41 GMT
Post by Alex.Moranz on Feb 26, 2014 0:44:41 GMT
Albion Next Generation Crecy
Reviewed by Alex Moranz
25 February 2014
Introduction
First off let me say this is my first review of a sword on this forum, so any pointers or things I left out would be appreciated. I have been wanting a Albion Next Generation Crecy for a very long time. The first time I saw it on their website a few years back I thought to myself, "that is a sword", it just looks the way a sword should look in my mind. I also really enjoy the fact that it is what many consider to be the "do it all sword". It does well at everything a sword should do, but doesn't truly shine in any one aspect. I should have ordered this sword years ago and it has always been the number 1 sword on my list, but I would always spend the money on impulse swords... and then sell them a short time later. The most recent was an Atrim that I bought on this forum with the money I was going to use to buy a Crecy. Once I got the Atrim in hand I knew it couldn't fill the Crecy sized hole in my heart so I put it up for trade. Lo and behold I got an offer from a fellow by the name of Sam Barris who said he would sell me his Crecy at a very reasonable price so I sold the Atrim, and here I am writing this review. (By the way, Sam was awesome to deal with and very honest. Thanks again ).
Historical Overview
This is a type XVIa sword and was popular during the 1300's. I think the best place to find out the historical overview of this sword is to simply check out the description on Albions website as they sum it up very nicely. Also on the description they say the type XVIa's were a refinement of the early type XII war swords due to the changes in armor. Having just sold a type XIIa I can honestly say that is a true statement. Both of these swords have a certain feel to them and it is very easy to see how the type XVI evolved from the type XII.
Full Disclosure
I purchased this sword second hand and as such have no affiliation with Albion swords or any other manufacturer for that matter. I am writing this review for a few reasons, 1) it is an awesome sword and I wish to tell everybody about it, and 2) the reviews on this forum and its members have truly helped me in the past and this is a small way in which I can give something back. I will say though, I have talked to Mike over at Albion and he is a very nice guy and answered all of my questions honestly and was very friendly doing so. Albion is an awesome company in my book, and they make some sexy damn swords too.
Initial Impressions
Well seeing as this was the sword porn star I looked at/dreamed of the most, there were a lot of emotions going through me the moment I picked up the box and opened it. Those of you who have received a sword you've always wanted know the feelings I'm talking about... yes even the ones were ashamed to admit . She was packaged extremely well in an Albion box and there was no damage at all. She had been well oiled and cleaned before shipping and arrived in as close to new condition as you could want. I am the second owner, but seeing as she wasn't used for cutting at all and shipped in the original box, it was like getting a new one from Albion themselves.
Stats
Well I measured mine and compared it to the stats on Albions website and they were spot on. So I have simply copied and pasted from their website and added a few measurements of my own.
Overall length: 44.75" (113.7 cm)
Blade length: 35.625" (90 cm)
Blade width: 2" (5 cm)
Hilt Length: 9" (22.86 cm)
Grip Length: 6.625" (16.827 cm)
CoB: 4" (10.16 cm)
CoP: 21.5" (54.61 cm)
Weight: 3 lbs 1 oz (1.39 kilos)
Components
Now to the heart of the review, the sword. This is what your reading this for right? Not about how it was packaged, nor my quest to acquire it. Let me be upfront, I do not have as much experience with swords as many other members here so take my observations and opinions with a grain of salt. If there is a discrepancy please point it out kindly and I will do my best to fix it or add more pictures as needed. Thank you .
The Blade
The blade on this sword is simply amazing. It has a nice satin polish that is very even and well done. I have read on other reviews and posts saying that there is a slight secondary bevel on these swords, mine has none that I can see. She is very sharp and the edges are very even and well done, she's not quite paper cutting sharp but very close. It is my humble opinion that the edge on this sword is perfect for what it was designed for, and that is killing men clad in various levels of armor while sustaining minimal damage. The fullers are nice and even and match on both sides. Honestly I can't find anything wrong with the blade, simply gorgeous. As with the rest of the components, I shall let the pictures fill in where my words fall short.
The Handle
The handle is very comfortable to me, I have small/medium sized hands and I can fit both hands on the handle comfortably. It is on the smaller side as far as bastard/longsword handles go, so do your research before buying and measure your hands. I know its size has been a topic on many threads and is the biggest turn off for some people with larger hands. Again I stand 5' 8"' and am of a moderate build and this handle fits me. It is noticeably thicker than other swords I have handled but not in a bad way. It feels very substantial and rock solid, no clicking or ticking in this one. The seam on the leather is simply amazing, the best I have ever seen personally. It does waver slightly but is so well executed you have to really look for it to see it, you cannot feel it at all. Another thing I have heard complaints on is the riser in the middle of the handle is poorly placed. Again I do not have any issues with it, I can feel it on the palm of my dominant hand but it is not uncomfortable but reassuring. The color of the leather is simply gorgeous. I spent a good amount of time admiring the sublet shades of brown, and light and dark patches on the leather.
The guard and pommel
Both are very simple and plain upon first glance. Once you get closer and really look at them you begin to appreciate all the attention to detail Albion puts in each and every piece. I can see no grinding or casting marks at all. The polish is very even and pleasing to the eyes. The peen in next to invisible and it cannot be felt. Everything is rock solid and I have no doubt both guard and pommel would serve as excellent weapons in their own right.
The Scabbard
No scabbard came with the blade as is standard with all Albion swords unless ordered separate. I will however be attempting to make my own so stay tuned for a separate post detailing my progress and all the questions associated with it .
Handling Characteristics
This is the best part of the sword, she handles like a dream. Do you know how hard it is to type a review with only one hand? Especially your off hand? Seriously I cannot put this sword down, I keep swinging it around my house like a buffoon. My printer has had its poor life flash before its computerized eyes more that a few times during this review. Seeing as I got this sword a couple of hours ago and haven't had a chance to cut with it I cannot tell you how it performs in action, but if dry handling is worth anything she will perform admirably tomorrow. This sword in total weighs just over 3lbs and is no lightweight. That being said the way the mass is distributed and the feel in hand make this sword a joy to hold and swing both one hand and two. Now I am not the strongest guy in the world but I have no difficulty using this sword with one hand for any extended period of time. Again tomorrows cutting session should give me a better indication of weight and handling but as I said from dry handling alone I have no complaints.
Test Cutting
Alright first off let me say that this was my first time cutting with this sword with no warm ups, and it was only my third time ever cutting. The first time was a few years ago, and the second was with a katana on a few small water bottles. So naturally I was playing baseball with a sword. I didn't have very many bottles to cut and once I have some more time I'll do another video and add it as well. Please be gentle with the critiques.
Conclusion
For me personally the Crecy has everything I was looking for in a sword. She has enough weight and authority for me to be more than confident that she would have excelled in combat, but is balanced and graceful as well. She's a body building ballerina plain and simple. She flexes very nicely but not overly so, and I think she would be an excellent thruster. I wish I had a tire pell to stab a few times but alas I do not. If you are on the fence about this one, or are like me and have always wanted it but are an impulse buyer, do yourself a favor and stop reading this and go and buy one, I promise you won't be disappointed.
Pros
-Excellent fit and finish
-About as durable as they come
-Great do it all sword
-Affordable for a top of the line sword. ($880 at the time of this review).
-Historically accurate
Cons
-I really can't find any, I am more of a casual collector though and do not have as much knowledge as some.
-If I had to choose one though I guess the price which I listed as a pro is slightly steep for some and can be a deterrent. Also does not come with a scabbard unless ordered which makes the cost higher. For collectors on a budget this may not be feasible.
Alright folks, that was my first review. If there is something I missed or something you would like more information on please let me know, or if something is inaccurate or wrong please be kind and I will fix it.
Reviewed by Alex Moranz
25 February 2014
Introduction
First off let me say this is my first review of a sword on this forum, so any pointers or things I left out would be appreciated. I have been wanting a Albion Next Generation Crecy for a very long time. The first time I saw it on their website a few years back I thought to myself, "that is a sword", it just looks the way a sword should look in my mind. I also really enjoy the fact that it is what many consider to be the "do it all sword". It does well at everything a sword should do, but doesn't truly shine in any one aspect. I should have ordered this sword years ago and it has always been the number 1 sword on my list, but I would always spend the money on impulse swords... and then sell them a short time later. The most recent was an Atrim that I bought on this forum with the money I was going to use to buy a Crecy. Once I got the Atrim in hand I knew it couldn't fill the Crecy sized hole in my heart so I put it up for trade. Lo and behold I got an offer from a fellow by the name of Sam Barris who said he would sell me his Crecy at a very reasonable price so I sold the Atrim, and here I am writing this review. (By the way, Sam was awesome to deal with and very honest. Thanks again ).
Historical Overview
This is a type XVIa sword and was popular during the 1300's. I think the best place to find out the historical overview of this sword is to simply check out the description on Albions website as they sum it up very nicely. Also on the description they say the type XVIa's were a refinement of the early type XII war swords due to the changes in armor. Having just sold a type XIIa I can honestly say that is a true statement. Both of these swords have a certain feel to them and it is very easy to see how the type XVI evolved from the type XII.
Full Disclosure
I purchased this sword second hand and as such have no affiliation with Albion swords or any other manufacturer for that matter. I am writing this review for a few reasons, 1) it is an awesome sword and I wish to tell everybody about it, and 2) the reviews on this forum and its members have truly helped me in the past and this is a small way in which I can give something back. I will say though, I have talked to Mike over at Albion and he is a very nice guy and answered all of my questions honestly and was very friendly doing so. Albion is an awesome company in my book, and they make some sexy damn swords too.
Initial Impressions
Well seeing as this was the sword porn star I looked at/dreamed of the most, there were a lot of emotions going through me the moment I picked up the box and opened it. Those of you who have received a sword you've always wanted know the feelings I'm talking about... yes even the ones were ashamed to admit . She was packaged extremely well in an Albion box and there was no damage at all. She had been well oiled and cleaned before shipping and arrived in as close to new condition as you could want. I am the second owner, but seeing as she wasn't used for cutting at all and shipped in the original box, it was like getting a new one from Albion themselves.
Stats
Well I measured mine and compared it to the stats on Albions website and they were spot on. So I have simply copied and pasted from their website and added a few measurements of my own.
Overall length: 44.75" (113.7 cm)
Blade length: 35.625" (90 cm)
Blade width: 2" (5 cm)
Hilt Length: 9" (22.86 cm)
Grip Length: 6.625" (16.827 cm)
CoB: 4" (10.16 cm)
CoP: 21.5" (54.61 cm)
Weight: 3 lbs 1 oz (1.39 kilos)
Components
Now to the heart of the review, the sword. This is what your reading this for right? Not about how it was packaged, nor my quest to acquire it. Let me be upfront, I do not have as much experience with swords as many other members here so take my observations and opinions with a grain of salt. If there is a discrepancy please point it out kindly and I will do my best to fix it or add more pictures as needed. Thank you .
The Blade
The blade on this sword is simply amazing. It has a nice satin polish that is very even and well done. I have read on other reviews and posts saying that there is a slight secondary bevel on these swords, mine has none that I can see. She is very sharp and the edges are very even and well done, she's not quite paper cutting sharp but very close. It is my humble opinion that the edge on this sword is perfect for what it was designed for, and that is killing men clad in various levels of armor while sustaining minimal damage. The fullers are nice and even and match on both sides. Honestly I can't find anything wrong with the blade, simply gorgeous. As with the rest of the components, I shall let the pictures fill in where my words fall short.
The Handle
The handle is very comfortable to me, I have small/medium sized hands and I can fit both hands on the handle comfortably. It is on the smaller side as far as bastard/longsword handles go, so do your research before buying and measure your hands. I know its size has been a topic on many threads and is the biggest turn off for some people with larger hands. Again I stand 5' 8"' and am of a moderate build and this handle fits me. It is noticeably thicker than other swords I have handled but not in a bad way. It feels very substantial and rock solid, no clicking or ticking in this one. The seam on the leather is simply amazing, the best I have ever seen personally. It does waver slightly but is so well executed you have to really look for it to see it, you cannot feel it at all. Another thing I have heard complaints on is the riser in the middle of the handle is poorly placed. Again I do not have any issues with it, I can feel it on the palm of my dominant hand but it is not uncomfortable but reassuring. The color of the leather is simply gorgeous. I spent a good amount of time admiring the sublet shades of brown, and light and dark patches on the leather.
The guard and pommel
Both are very simple and plain upon first glance. Once you get closer and really look at them you begin to appreciate all the attention to detail Albion puts in each and every piece. I can see no grinding or casting marks at all. The polish is very even and pleasing to the eyes. The peen in next to invisible and it cannot be felt. Everything is rock solid and I have no doubt both guard and pommel would serve as excellent weapons in their own right.
The Scabbard
No scabbard came with the blade as is standard with all Albion swords unless ordered separate. I will however be attempting to make my own so stay tuned for a separate post detailing my progress and all the questions associated with it .
Handling Characteristics
This is the best part of the sword, she handles like a dream. Do you know how hard it is to type a review with only one hand? Especially your off hand? Seriously I cannot put this sword down, I keep swinging it around my house like a buffoon. My printer has had its poor life flash before its computerized eyes more that a few times during this review. Seeing as I got this sword a couple of hours ago and haven't had a chance to cut with it I cannot tell you how it performs in action, but if dry handling is worth anything she will perform admirably tomorrow. This sword in total weighs just over 3lbs and is no lightweight. That being said the way the mass is distributed and the feel in hand make this sword a joy to hold and swing both one hand and two. Now I am not the strongest guy in the world but I have no difficulty using this sword with one hand for any extended period of time. Again tomorrows cutting session should give me a better indication of weight and handling but as I said from dry handling alone I have no complaints.
Test Cutting
Alright first off let me say that this was my first time cutting with this sword with no warm ups, and it was only my third time ever cutting. The first time was a few years ago, and the second was with a katana on a few small water bottles. So naturally I was playing baseball with a sword. I didn't have very many bottles to cut and once I have some more time I'll do another video and add it as well. Please be gentle with the critiques.
Conclusion
For me personally the Crecy has everything I was looking for in a sword. She has enough weight and authority for me to be more than confident that she would have excelled in combat, but is balanced and graceful as well. She's a body building ballerina plain and simple. She flexes very nicely but not overly so, and I think she would be an excellent thruster. I wish I had a tire pell to stab a few times but alas I do not. If you are on the fence about this one, or are like me and have always wanted it but are an impulse buyer, do yourself a favor and stop reading this and go and buy one, I promise you won't be disappointed.
Pros
-Excellent fit and finish
-About as durable as they come
-Great do it all sword
-Affordable for a top of the line sword. ($880 at the time of this review).
-Historically accurate
Cons
-I really can't find any, I am more of a casual collector though and do not have as much knowledge as some.
-If I had to choose one though I guess the price which I listed as a pro is slightly steep for some and can be a deterrent. Also does not come with a scabbard unless ordered which makes the cost higher. For collectors on a budget this may not be feasible.
Alright folks, that was my first review. If there is something I missed or something you would like more information on please let me know, or if something is inaccurate or wrong please be kind and I will fix it.