Albion Knud
Jun 30, 2014 16:04:43 GMT
Post by William Swiger on Jun 30, 2014 16:04:43 GMT
I bought this sword from Albion. I have no personal or professional relationship with Albion.
The Knud:
Total length: 39"
Blade length: 32.875"
Blade width: 2"
POB: 5.25"
CoP: 22"
Weight: 2 lbs 9 oz
Grip Length: 3.5"
Petersen Type AE
Type Xa Blade
Type X: Oakeshott describes the Type X as "A broad, flat blade of medium length (average 31") with a fuller running the entire length and fading out an inch or so from the point, which is sometimes acute but more often rounded. This fuller is generally very wide and shallow, but in some cases may be narrower (about 1/3 of the blade's width) and more clearly defined; a short grip, of the same average length (3 3/4") as the Viking swords. The tang is usually very flat and broad, tapering sharply towards the pommel. The cross is narrower and longer than the more usual Viking kind--though the Vikings used it, calling it "Gaddjhalt" (spike-hilt) because of its spike-like shape. Generally of square section, about 7" to 8" long, tapering towards the tips. In rare cases curved. The pommel is commonly of one of the Brazil-nut forms, but may be of disk form."
Subtype Xa: Oakeshott created a sub-variant he named Type Xa. It has the same broad blade profile as the Type X, but the fuller is more narrower in width. The fuller maintains the same length running out to the tip as the Type X. Oakeshott felt the fuller difference was enough to create the subtype Xa.
Albion Description:
If you are ever visiting the National Museum in Kopenhagen, make sure to study the medieval swords on display. This museum offers a fantastically rich exhibit of objects and it is understandable if one gets distracted on the way to the room where medieval weapons are kept.
Among the swords there is one rare and interesting specimen in a humble place among the others.
The hilt is skillfully forged of iron and is devoid of any embellishment. The design is somehow extreme and is quite expressive: a broad guard with wildly flaring ends and a nicely defined D-shaped pommel. The blade has a fuller of medium width and seems to date after the period we know as the Viking age.
Peter Johnsson was happy for the opportunity to develop a hilt for the Next Generation line that is inspired by the outstanding and unusual original in Kopenhagen.
Jan Petersen, in his work on Norwegian Viking swords, defined the AE type that shares exactly the same kind of broadly flaring guard as the sword in Kopenhagen. The Norwegian hilts mostly or all seem to have U shaped pommels however. Petersen dates this type to the 11th C.
Interestingly, apart from the famous Suontaka sword, there are other weapons with similar hilts found in the Baltic states. Some of these have curling antennae pommels and single edged blades, but other have pommels that are D-shaped, triangular or even trilobate. It seems we are dealing with a type that saw popularity in different places around the Baltic Sea, with quite a bit of regional variation. These swords belong to the end of the Viking period or slightly later.
This was an age of profound and sometimes violent change, that saw the end of paganism with the introduction of Christianity as the established and favored religion. Perhaps this hilt type is an expression of a lingering spirit that harks back to older times?
Impressions: The Knud feels very powerful in hand. The pommel and guard make this a very comfortable sword to use. The grip is 3.5 inches but fits my medium sized hand very well. This is a very unique hilt which does not have very many examples in the production sword market. I am very impressed with this sword and recommend it for someone looking for a late Viking sword with a rare AE hilt.
Cons: The grip may be slightly short for people with very large hands. Price may be more than some collectors can afford. Grip wrap seam on this sword is slightly sloppy.
References:
Albion
R. Ewart Oakeshott
MyArmoury
The Knud:
Total length: 39"
Blade length: 32.875"
Blade width: 2"
POB: 5.25"
CoP: 22"
Weight: 2 lbs 9 oz
Grip Length: 3.5"
Petersen Type AE
Type Xa Blade
Type X: Oakeshott describes the Type X as "A broad, flat blade of medium length (average 31") with a fuller running the entire length and fading out an inch or so from the point, which is sometimes acute but more often rounded. This fuller is generally very wide and shallow, but in some cases may be narrower (about 1/3 of the blade's width) and more clearly defined; a short grip, of the same average length (3 3/4") as the Viking swords. The tang is usually very flat and broad, tapering sharply towards the pommel. The cross is narrower and longer than the more usual Viking kind--though the Vikings used it, calling it "Gaddjhalt" (spike-hilt) because of its spike-like shape. Generally of square section, about 7" to 8" long, tapering towards the tips. In rare cases curved. The pommel is commonly of one of the Brazil-nut forms, but may be of disk form."
Subtype Xa: Oakeshott created a sub-variant he named Type Xa. It has the same broad blade profile as the Type X, but the fuller is more narrower in width. The fuller maintains the same length running out to the tip as the Type X. Oakeshott felt the fuller difference was enough to create the subtype Xa.
Albion Description:
If you are ever visiting the National Museum in Kopenhagen, make sure to study the medieval swords on display. This museum offers a fantastically rich exhibit of objects and it is understandable if one gets distracted on the way to the room where medieval weapons are kept.
Among the swords there is one rare and interesting specimen in a humble place among the others.
The hilt is skillfully forged of iron and is devoid of any embellishment. The design is somehow extreme and is quite expressive: a broad guard with wildly flaring ends and a nicely defined D-shaped pommel. The blade has a fuller of medium width and seems to date after the period we know as the Viking age.
Peter Johnsson was happy for the opportunity to develop a hilt for the Next Generation line that is inspired by the outstanding and unusual original in Kopenhagen.
Jan Petersen, in his work on Norwegian Viking swords, defined the AE type that shares exactly the same kind of broadly flaring guard as the sword in Kopenhagen. The Norwegian hilts mostly or all seem to have U shaped pommels however. Petersen dates this type to the 11th C.
Interestingly, apart from the famous Suontaka sword, there are other weapons with similar hilts found in the Baltic states. Some of these have curling antennae pommels and single edged blades, but other have pommels that are D-shaped, triangular or even trilobate. It seems we are dealing with a type that saw popularity in different places around the Baltic Sea, with quite a bit of regional variation. These swords belong to the end of the Viking period or slightly later.
This was an age of profound and sometimes violent change, that saw the end of paganism with the introduction of Christianity as the established and favored religion. Perhaps this hilt type is an expression of a lingering spirit that harks back to older times?
Impressions: The Knud feels very powerful in hand. The pommel and guard make this a very comfortable sword to use. The grip is 3.5 inches but fits my medium sized hand very well. This is a very unique hilt which does not have very many examples in the production sword market. I am very impressed with this sword and recommend it for someone looking for a late Viking sword with a rare AE hilt.
Cons: The grip may be slightly short for people with very large hands. Price may be more than some collectors can afford. Grip wrap seam on this sword is slightly sloppy.
References:
Albion
R. Ewart Oakeshott
MyArmoury