Longship Armoury/Odinblade Custom Type XIIa
Jun 5, 2014 20:45:04 GMT
Post by ThomasW on Jun 5, 2014 20:45:04 GMT
Introduction
Hello everyone,
First review here, so bare with me .
This will be a dual review of the sword made by John Lundemo and James Fang of Longship Armoury and the scabbard made by Christian Fletcher.
I ordered this sword around July 2012 and it was finished about a year later, around what I expected from a custom piece. The scabbard was made in about a month (seems fast to me). Communication was good, both with the guys over at Longship Armoury, as with Christian Fletcher (I might have been a bit impatient at times ^^).
I`ve been into medieval warfare/weapons/armor since I`ve been a kid. I`ve also been a longtime lurker on both SFI, My armoury and SBG (some other sites as well). I won`t tell my entire childhood here, but I always had a good idea of what was the `ideal sword` to me. I never quite found what I wanted in production pieces. I knew by that point I had to go the custom route. That`s when I saw this sword: longshiparmoury.deviantart.com/a ... -174407764 by John Lundemo. I also loved the pomel on Travis Nicko`s Merciless. I contacted John and he was prepared to make me my dream sword.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00351_zps9e1c3b18.jpg
Historical overview
This piece was based on type XIIa swords and some fantasy influences.
My Armoury says it better than I could:
If the Type XII is the archetypical knightly single-handed sword, the Type XIIa might be considered the archetypical knightly two-handed sword. Along with Type XIIIa, these can be considered the "great swords" of popular literature and history. These swords exhibit the same fullers and acute points of the smaller Type XII. (source: www.myarmoury.com/feature_oakeshott2.html)
One deviation from this is the non-historicaly correct diamond cross-section for the upper blade length. But this was one feature I absolutely wanted to incorporate into the design.
Full Disclosure
I have no affiliation with Longship Armoury or Christian Fletcher and I paid full price for this sword and scabbard.
I polished the blade and fittings to a higher polish. And after accidentally breaking of a very tiny fragment of the tip while testing the flex of the blade (I`m talking about a 3 mm piece here that was razor thin; slight stopping of my heart right there) I re-profiled it a bit to be as good as new (slightly thicker now, so it should be sturdier). Before you jump on me, believe me when I tell you I take very good care of my equipment (it was really thin at the tip).
Initial Impressions
Unpacking
The package arrived in a brown carboard box from Christian, as the wooden box used by John was to small to fit both scabbard and sword. When I unpacked the sword I was very exited (mild understatement ). The first thing I noticed was the outstanding level of quality for both scabbard and sword. While I was more then pleased, there were some minor remarks (please don`t hate me for this ^^, I`m a bit of a perfectionist)
- There were still some grinding marks on parts of the edge and in the fuller (I know these parts get the hardest, as I said I`m nitpicking here)
- There is an ever so slight inward curve on the tip section of one of the edges of the weak of the blade. This is barely noticeable, but it`s there (don`t think this will impact handling).
- There is a slight bulge in the tip section of the fuller.
Dry handling impressions
As this is my first non SLO/homemade, I don`t have anything to base this on. The sword felt good with one hand, but it really feels light with both. It really feels like you`re handling a huge scalpel. I did some light bottle cutting, but more on that later on.
Statistics
This data is from Longship Armoury:
Overall Length: 46"
Blade Length: 35.5"
POB (Point of Balance): 4.25"
Weight: +/- 3lbs 2 oz
Components
As pictures tell more then words, I`l let them do the talking:
Blade
Overview
Type XIIa blade.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00394_zps3554a5a5.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00389_zpsd1ff0a94.jpg
Fuller
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00396_zpsa39696ff.jpg
Tip
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00401_zpsa16bd771.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00381_zpsddbcf3c1.jpg
Handle
Very comfortable handle with a tight seam, as to be expected from an Odin piece.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00393_zps2d5d6ca6.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00357_zps4da0b65f.jpg
Guard
Oakeshott style 2 guard, simple but elegant in my eyes.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00424_zpsf16bee0b.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00409_zpsad85bc5c.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00360_zpsc58a589c.jpg
Pommel
This is a fantasy type T2 scent-stopper pommel. Fantastic work from John. It`s very slightly tilted off-axis but it doesn`t bother me at all.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00354_zpsf950c9ae.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00355_zpsb362b32e.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00353_zps48c24998.jpg
Peen
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00390_zpsc44bb07c.jpg
Scabbard
This scabbard was made by Christian Fletcher (Oxblood, Seneschal belt, raised fuller, custom chape). Very nice quality, and it fits like a glove.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00368_zps97dd30b1.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00428_zpsee5e1e11.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00426_zps7ec054a6.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00366_zps46caa12c.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00363_zpsb9a2011b.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00364_zps16eb8517.jpg
Handling Characteristics
Can`t comment much more on this than what I mentioned before: it handles very well in my opinion.
Test Cutting
I did some light target test cutting on milk and water bottles. I followed safety precautions.
She rang like a bell and went trough with no effort at all (the edge dug into the cleaned willow branch I used to hold up the water bottle (it hang from a rope) and I didn`t even notice it going in).
Conclusions
Everything I wanted in my dream-blade. I`m very glad I went with both makers. I can recommend both!
Pros
Everything except the cons , it would take a long while to list everything I like about this set. Let`s just say they are both incredible pieces of craftsmanship and the makers should be proud of them, I know I am .
Cons
As mentioned before, I`m nitpicking here:
- There were still some grinding marks on parts of the edge and in the fuller (I know these parts get the hardest, as I said I`m nitpicking here)
- There is an ever so slight inward curve on the tip section of one of the edges of the weak of the blade. This is barely noticeable, but it`s there (don`t think this will impact handling).
- There is a slight bulge in the tip section of the fuller.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00370_zps100e4346.jpg
The Bottom Line
Would you recommend this sword? Hell yes! Very glad I went the route I did and went full custom.
Hello everyone,
First review here, so bare with me .
This will be a dual review of the sword made by John Lundemo and James Fang of Longship Armoury and the scabbard made by Christian Fletcher.
I ordered this sword around July 2012 and it was finished about a year later, around what I expected from a custom piece. The scabbard was made in about a month (seems fast to me). Communication was good, both with the guys over at Longship Armoury, as with Christian Fletcher (I might have been a bit impatient at times ^^).
I`ve been into medieval warfare/weapons/armor since I`ve been a kid. I`ve also been a longtime lurker on both SFI, My armoury and SBG (some other sites as well). I won`t tell my entire childhood here, but I always had a good idea of what was the `ideal sword` to me. I never quite found what I wanted in production pieces. I knew by that point I had to go the custom route. That`s when I saw this sword: longshiparmoury.deviantart.com/a ... -174407764 by John Lundemo. I also loved the pomel on Travis Nicko`s Merciless. I contacted John and he was prepared to make me my dream sword.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00351_zps9e1c3b18.jpg
Historical overview
This piece was based on type XIIa swords and some fantasy influences.
My Armoury says it better than I could:
If the Type XII is the archetypical knightly single-handed sword, the Type XIIa might be considered the archetypical knightly two-handed sword. Along with Type XIIIa, these can be considered the "great swords" of popular literature and history. These swords exhibit the same fullers and acute points of the smaller Type XII. (source: www.myarmoury.com/feature_oakeshott2.html)
One deviation from this is the non-historicaly correct diamond cross-section for the upper blade length. But this was one feature I absolutely wanted to incorporate into the design.
Full Disclosure
I have no affiliation with Longship Armoury or Christian Fletcher and I paid full price for this sword and scabbard.
I polished the blade and fittings to a higher polish. And after accidentally breaking of a very tiny fragment of the tip while testing the flex of the blade (I`m talking about a 3 mm piece here that was razor thin; slight stopping of my heart right there) I re-profiled it a bit to be as good as new (slightly thicker now, so it should be sturdier). Before you jump on me, believe me when I tell you I take very good care of my equipment (it was really thin at the tip).
Initial Impressions
Unpacking
The package arrived in a brown carboard box from Christian, as the wooden box used by John was to small to fit both scabbard and sword. When I unpacked the sword I was very exited (mild understatement ). The first thing I noticed was the outstanding level of quality for both scabbard and sword. While I was more then pleased, there were some minor remarks (please don`t hate me for this ^^, I`m a bit of a perfectionist)
- There were still some grinding marks on parts of the edge and in the fuller (I know these parts get the hardest, as I said I`m nitpicking here)
- There is an ever so slight inward curve on the tip section of one of the edges of the weak of the blade. This is barely noticeable, but it`s there (don`t think this will impact handling).
- There is a slight bulge in the tip section of the fuller.
Dry handling impressions
As this is my first non SLO/homemade, I don`t have anything to base this on. The sword felt good with one hand, but it really feels light with both. It really feels like you`re handling a huge scalpel. I did some light bottle cutting, but more on that later on.
Statistics
This data is from Longship Armoury:
Overall Length: 46"
Blade Length: 35.5"
POB (Point of Balance): 4.25"
Weight: +/- 3lbs 2 oz
Components
As pictures tell more then words, I`l let them do the talking:
Blade
Overview
Type XIIa blade.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00394_zps3554a5a5.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00389_zpsd1ff0a94.jpg
Fuller
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00396_zpsa39696ff.jpg
Tip
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00401_zpsa16bd771.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00381_zpsddbcf3c1.jpg
Handle
Very comfortable handle with a tight seam, as to be expected from an Odin piece.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00393_zps2d5d6ca6.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00357_zps4da0b65f.jpg
Guard
Oakeshott style 2 guard, simple but elegant in my eyes.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00424_zpsf16bee0b.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00409_zpsad85bc5c.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00360_zpsc58a589c.jpg
Pommel
This is a fantasy type T2 scent-stopper pommel. Fantastic work from John. It`s very slightly tilted off-axis but it doesn`t bother me at all.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00354_zpsf950c9ae.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00355_zpsb362b32e.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00353_zps48c24998.jpg
Peen
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00390_zpsc44bb07c.jpg
Scabbard
This scabbard was made by Christian Fletcher (Oxblood, Seneschal belt, raised fuller, custom chape). Very nice quality, and it fits like a glove.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00368_zps97dd30b1.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00428_zpsee5e1e11.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00426_zps7ec054a6.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00366_zps46caa12c.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00363_zpsb9a2011b.jpg
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00364_zps16eb8517.jpg
Handling Characteristics
Can`t comment much more on this than what I mentioned before: it handles very well in my opinion.
Test Cutting
I did some light target test cutting on milk and water bottles. I followed safety precautions.
She rang like a bell and went trough with no effort at all (the edge dug into the cleaned willow branch I used to hold up the water bottle (it hang from a rope) and I didn`t even notice it going in).
Conclusions
Everything I wanted in my dream-blade. I`m very glad I went with both makers. I can recommend both!
Pros
Everything except the cons , it would take a long while to list everything I like about this set. Let`s just say they are both incredible pieces of craftsmanship and the makers should be proud of them, I know I am .
Cons
As mentioned before, I`m nitpicking here:
- There were still some grinding marks on parts of the edge and in the fuller (I know these parts get the hardest, as I said I`m nitpicking here)
- There is an ever so slight inward curve on the tip section of one of the edges of the weak of the blade. This is barely noticeable, but it`s there (don`t think this will impact handling).
- There is a slight bulge in the tip section of the fuller.
full size:
i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg543/Thomas_W/IMG-20140605-00370_zps100e4346.jpg
The Bottom Line
Would you recommend this sword? Hell yes! Very glad I went the route I did and went full custom.