Yeshua's sword custom XVIIIb
Mar 16, 2014 17:38:46 GMT
Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 16, 2014 17:38:46 GMT
Yeshua's sword custom XVIIIb
By Sean Stevens, Grovetown GA
Introduction
First, this review is a bit overdue. I meant to do this a long time ago... but I dropped the ball.
Every now and then, Albion Swords has what they call a 'moat sale'. This is where they sell of some unfinished blades, fittings, sometimes whole swords to the public. These items are parts and whatnot that just accumulate in their shop over time, and from time to time they need to get them out and make space. The sword in this review began its life as a moat sale blade for the Albion Munich.
www.albion-swords.com/swords/alb ... xviiib.htm
I had owned the Albion Munich before... and I had loved ALMOST everything about the sword... everything except the grip. The Grip was very long (which I like) but VERY thin (which i did not like). I have large hands, and gripping the very thin grip on the Albion Munich just felt off. I sold the sword... but always missed it because aside from the grip it was an amazing sword.
Ernie (Yeshua sword) had gotten a hold of an Albion Munich blade from one of their moat sales. I have had a couple scabbards done by Ernie... and I decided that if he was going to build a sword from the Albion Munich blade, I wanted it. A second chance to own that sword but this time with a thicker grip... and the amazing natural wood that he is known for... how could I pass that up?
Historical overview
This not my area of interest or expertise. However, the XVIII (and its sub-types) sword became popular as armor had begun to grow in effectiveness. With the plate that was available at that time, a cutting sword could do little to harm someone well protected... but a stiff thrusting sword could be used to great effect. That said... the VAST majority of combatants one was likely to face would not have the best plate armor of the day to defend themselves. So, a sword that would excel at thrusting and stabbing... but that could also still cut well would serve well.
The b subtype typically would suggest a long, slender blade and a long grip (handle) as well.
This example fits very well into the XVIIIb category.
Full Disclosure
This sword was bought from Ernie of Yeshua sword with my own sadly dwindling cash. I received no discount in exchange for a review... and in fact have done Ernie a disservice by delaying this review so long.
Initial Impressions
What can I say?
I had owned the Munich, so I knew what to expect from the blade... and I had a couple examples of Ernie's amazing work and had seen pictures of the finished sword before he sent it... but none of that prepared me for the effect this sword had on me when I pulled it out of the box. I was BLOWN away. It was simple, clean, elegant, BEAUTIFUL... but most of all... it felt AMAZING. The grip was VERY long... which I like... and it was much thicker and more comfortable in hand then the Munich. It had an interesting swell to it... where it got thicker in the middle and tapered again at the pommel. The wood was gorgeous... the dark blue metal was perfect.
Its the single most amazing large longsword I've ever had. I loved it right out of the box.
Statistics
This is where this will fail to be a true review. When I got the sword I took measurements... but they have vanished. Also to my great sadness... this sword has found a new home with another forum member to whom I had sold/traded a few of my swords to. I have sold well over a hundred swords to members of this forum... many of which I wish I could get back... but this XVIIIb longsword is in the top 5 of those swords I most wish I had not sold and could get back. :cry:
The sword being gone and me being sad about it is the major reason I put off doing this review.
Perhaps its new owner would like to take some measurements and post them for this review?
Components
The Blade
Long, slender, well polished... a clean sharp (but not super sharp) Appleseed edge... and VERY stiff. Tho capable of cuts this sword is certainly optimized for the thrust, and it thrusts VERY well and tracks perfectly.
The Handle
LONG... and rich with dark glossy brown natural wood. I love how the design in the scabbard continues onto the grip... it creates such symmetry and class on the sword as a whole. The grip feel is perfect for my larger hands... thick enough to get a sure grip on but not so thick as to be awkward of bulky.
The Guard
Everything is fit together PERFECTLY. There are no gaps, no rattles... seamless. The guard sweeps up slightly and is so elegant looking. The bluing is among the best I've ever seen... even and clean all over. Just amazing.
The Pommel
This is my favorite style of pommel... a beautifully done Gothic looking fishtail pommel. The peen is smooth and well finished... and again, no looseness at ALL. The bluing even goes over the peen and matches perfectly with the rest of the pommel.
The Scabbard
Before getting this sword I knew, if nothing else, the scabbard would be a work of art. That is because I had 2 examples of Ernie's scabbard work at that point... both of which just blew my mind at how good they were. This was no exception. It is so well put together and solid, but AMAZINGLY light... it can't be more then a few ounces. Compliments the sword perfectly.
Handling Characteristics
Because of the profile and distal taper... this sword handles very well and is surprisingly quick for such a long blade. The huge handle allows for a lot of leverage as well... which is something I strongly favor in longswords. The point of the sword tracks VERY well... despite its size this sword is surprisingly easy to control. Its a joy to handle.
Test Cutting
I shot this video some time back before the new camera. Sorry.
As you can see on the upwards cut I flubbed it and swatted the bottle. The sword does cut well for its type... I often have trouble with the one stand and its height... only very sharp cutting-optimized swords tend to work well for me on that upwards cut. For stabbing, this sword is hard to beat... and its cutting performance is good enough for fleshy, unarmored targets.
Conclusions
Working with Ernie is always a pleasure. He is in VERY high demand... and for good reason. He does amazing work for very reasonable prices. So... that is the only drawback, he has quite a back-log because people have figured out what great work he does.
...and he keeps getting better!
This sword was an amazing value... much less then a new Munich would cost but every bit as good and, for me, actually better. If your willing to wait a little bit the value for your dollar and the quality of work Ernie does can not be beat. Not with a stick. A REALLY big stick.
Bellow I'm going to address Ernie's work in general, not just specific to this sword.
Pros
AMAZINGLY good craftsmanship.
Custom options hard to find in the production world.
Value is unheard of in custom cutlery work.
Cons
Backlog creates some wait time. No one likes waiting.
There are no other cons with Yeshua sword. I'm serous.
The Bottom Line
I would, and will, deal with Ernie of Yeshua sword again. Many times I hope. Some of the swords I have seen him do since this one have been even more amazing. Working with Yeshua sword allows you to modify or create a custom sword with a quality and value that I don't know anywhere else to duplicate or match. If you have a sword you want modified or an idea for a custom sword... talk to Ernie.
You will not be disappointed.
thanks for reading!
By Sean Stevens, Grovetown GA
Introduction
First, this review is a bit overdue. I meant to do this a long time ago... but I dropped the ball.
Every now and then, Albion Swords has what they call a 'moat sale'. This is where they sell of some unfinished blades, fittings, sometimes whole swords to the public. These items are parts and whatnot that just accumulate in their shop over time, and from time to time they need to get them out and make space. The sword in this review began its life as a moat sale blade for the Albion Munich.
www.albion-swords.com/swords/alb ... xviiib.htm
I had owned the Albion Munich before... and I had loved ALMOST everything about the sword... everything except the grip. The Grip was very long (which I like) but VERY thin (which i did not like). I have large hands, and gripping the very thin grip on the Albion Munich just felt off. I sold the sword... but always missed it because aside from the grip it was an amazing sword.
Ernie (Yeshua sword) had gotten a hold of an Albion Munich blade from one of their moat sales. I have had a couple scabbards done by Ernie... and I decided that if he was going to build a sword from the Albion Munich blade, I wanted it. A second chance to own that sword but this time with a thicker grip... and the amazing natural wood that he is known for... how could I pass that up?
Historical overview
This not my area of interest or expertise. However, the XVIII (and its sub-types) sword became popular as armor had begun to grow in effectiveness. With the plate that was available at that time, a cutting sword could do little to harm someone well protected... but a stiff thrusting sword could be used to great effect. That said... the VAST majority of combatants one was likely to face would not have the best plate armor of the day to defend themselves. So, a sword that would excel at thrusting and stabbing... but that could also still cut well would serve well.
The b subtype typically would suggest a long, slender blade and a long grip (handle) as well.
This example fits very well into the XVIIIb category.
Full Disclosure
This sword was bought from Ernie of Yeshua sword with my own sadly dwindling cash. I received no discount in exchange for a review... and in fact have done Ernie a disservice by delaying this review so long.
Initial Impressions
What can I say?
I had owned the Munich, so I knew what to expect from the blade... and I had a couple examples of Ernie's amazing work and had seen pictures of the finished sword before he sent it... but none of that prepared me for the effect this sword had on me when I pulled it out of the box. I was BLOWN away. It was simple, clean, elegant, BEAUTIFUL... but most of all... it felt AMAZING. The grip was VERY long... which I like... and it was much thicker and more comfortable in hand then the Munich. It had an interesting swell to it... where it got thicker in the middle and tapered again at the pommel. The wood was gorgeous... the dark blue metal was perfect.
Its the single most amazing large longsword I've ever had. I loved it right out of the box.
Statistics
This is where this will fail to be a true review. When I got the sword I took measurements... but they have vanished. Also to my great sadness... this sword has found a new home with another forum member to whom I had sold/traded a few of my swords to. I have sold well over a hundred swords to members of this forum... many of which I wish I could get back... but this XVIIIb longsword is in the top 5 of those swords I most wish I had not sold and could get back. :cry:
The sword being gone and me being sad about it is the major reason I put off doing this review.
Perhaps its new owner would like to take some measurements and post them for this review?
Components
The Blade
Long, slender, well polished... a clean sharp (but not super sharp) Appleseed edge... and VERY stiff. Tho capable of cuts this sword is certainly optimized for the thrust, and it thrusts VERY well and tracks perfectly.
The Handle
LONG... and rich with dark glossy brown natural wood. I love how the design in the scabbard continues onto the grip... it creates such symmetry and class on the sword as a whole. The grip feel is perfect for my larger hands... thick enough to get a sure grip on but not so thick as to be awkward of bulky.
The Guard
Everything is fit together PERFECTLY. There are no gaps, no rattles... seamless. The guard sweeps up slightly and is so elegant looking. The bluing is among the best I've ever seen... even and clean all over. Just amazing.
The Pommel
This is my favorite style of pommel... a beautifully done Gothic looking fishtail pommel. The peen is smooth and well finished... and again, no looseness at ALL. The bluing even goes over the peen and matches perfectly with the rest of the pommel.
The Scabbard
Before getting this sword I knew, if nothing else, the scabbard would be a work of art. That is because I had 2 examples of Ernie's scabbard work at that point... both of which just blew my mind at how good they were. This was no exception. It is so well put together and solid, but AMAZINGLY light... it can't be more then a few ounces. Compliments the sword perfectly.
Handling Characteristics
Because of the profile and distal taper... this sword handles very well and is surprisingly quick for such a long blade. The huge handle allows for a lot of leverage as well... which is something I strongly favor in longswords. The point of the sword tracks VERY well... despite its size this sword is surprisingly easy to control. Its a joy to handle.
Test Cutting
I shot this video some time back before the new camera. Sorry.
As you can see on the upwards cut I flubbed it and swatted the bottle. The sword does cut well for its type... I often have trouble with the one stand and its height... only very sharp cutting-optimized swords tend to work well for me on that upwards cut. For stabbing, this sword is hard to beat... and its cutting performance is good enough for fleshy, unarmored targets.
Conclusions
Working with Ernie is always a pleasure. He is in VERY high demand... and for good reason. He does amazing work for very reasonable prices. So... that is the only drawback, he has quite a back-log because people have figured out what great work he does.
...and he keeps getting better!
This sword was an amazing value... much less then a new Munich would cost but every bit as good and, for me, actually better. If your willing to wait a little bit the value for your dollar and the quality of work Ernie does can not be beat. Not with a stick. A REALLY big stick.
Bellow I'm going to address Ernie's work in general, not just specific to this sword.
Pros
AMAZINGLY good craftsmanship.
Custom options hard to find in the production world.
Value is unheard of in custom cutlery work.
Cons
Backlog creates some wait time. No one likes waiting.
There are no other cons with Yeshua sword. I'm serous.
The Bottom Line
I would, and will, deal with Ernie of Yeshua sword again. Many times I hope. Some of the swords I have seen him do since this one have been even more amazing. Working with Yeshua sword allows you to modify or create a custom sword with a quality and value that I don't know anywhere else to duplicate or match. If you have a sword you want modified or an idea for a custom sword... talk to Ernie.
You will not be disappointed.
thanks for reading!