Albion Earl
Jul 4, 2014 7:36:33 GMT
Post by William Swiger on Jul 4, 2014 7:36:33 GMT
I bought this sword from the original owner on another forum. I have no personal or professional relationship with Albion.
Albion Earl:
Total length: 47 3/4"
Blade length: 37 1/4"
Blade width at base: 2"
Grip Length: 7 3/4"
Guard Width: 8 1/2"
POB: 4 3/4"
CoP: 22"
Weight: 3 lbs 5 oz
Style 12 Guard
Type T3 Pommel
Oakeshott Type XVIIIb
Type XVIIIb:
◾Slender blade
◾Extremely long grip of 11-12" (27.94-30.48cm) and of distinctive, waisted shape
◾Usually straight cross
◾Pommel may be of fruit, wheel, or scent-stopper form
Type XVIII blades are broad at the base, They are of flattened or hollow-ground diamond sections. The blades taper to a strong thrusting point and sometimes feature a pronounced central ridge. The blades profile is slightly convex and has a decent width at the Center of Percussion.
History: The 15th century plate armor provided outstanding body protection for those with the means to buy it. To combat this plate armor by sword, it required a strong, acute point that could probe the gaps and also split the mail rings often worn under the armor. On the other hand, many on the field of battle did not have the means to be as well defended as others. The average soldier was often outfitted with helm and jack of plate or brigandine. These fellows were susceptible to thrusts and cuts that could take them out of the fight by amputation, decapitation or devastating wounds.
The battlefield at this time favored a thrust and cut type sword. According to Oakeshott, Type XVIII and its subtypes were "the most widely used swords between c. 1410 and 1510 all over Europe". These types of blades were around in one form or another as long ago as the second century B.C. and as recently as the 18th century.
Albion Description:
This sword is inspired by the beautiful long swords favored in areas of Germanic influence during the mid to late 15th century.
It has a long hollow ground blade with edges that arc gracefully to an acute point. The raised midrib gives this blade a good stiffness for its weight while the keen edges are crisp and well defined.
The blade is a classic example of a type classified as Oakeshott XVIIIb (according to The Sword in the Age of Chivalry), combining efficient width at the cutting section with a strong awl-shaped point. The grip is of hexagonal section and has the typical waisted profile.
The grip is of stabilized birch, wrapped with cord and covered with the highest grade vegetable-tanned calfskin. (see grip color choices below.)
This is the goal for this design: a quick, responsive and efficient cutter with a forward pivot point placed close to the point. A hollow ground blade can have a thick and stiff spine and still be relatively light for its size. This is an important aspect of this design.
Impressions: I bought this sword second-hand and sent it to Brian at DBK for a scabbard and light bluing of the fittings. The hollow-ground blade, S-shaped guard and scent stopper pommel make this a very attractive sword. This sword is primarily a 2-handed sword but could be used briefly in 1-hand. The Earl's pommel is easy on the hand and can be used when gripping the sword. The grip is comfortable and well shaped. This is one of my favorite swords from Albion. I was at one time a strict Type X enthusiast until I branched out into other sword types. While my favorite type is still the Viking and early medieval swords, the later XVIII and subtypes have really impressed me and I have a few in my collection. I highly recommend this sword and all the Albion XVIII and subtypes. They are beautiful, functional and a joy to wield.
Cons: Price for some budgets. You can find good Albion swords on the secondary market as I did with this one.
References:
Albion
MyArmoury
Ewart Oakeshott
Albion Earl:
Total length: 47 3/4"
Blade length: 37 1/4"
Blade width at base: 2"
Grip Length: 7 3/4"
Guard Width: 8 1/2"
POB: 4 3/4"
CoP: 22"
Weight: 3 lbs 5 oz
Style 12 Guard
Type T3 Pommel
Oakeshott Type XVIIIb
Type XVIIIb:
◾Slender blade
◾Extremely long grip of 11-12" (27.94-30.48cm) and of distinctive, waisted shape
◾Usually straight cross
◾Pommel may be of fruit, wheel, or scent-stopper form
Type XVIII blades are broad at the base, They are of flattened or hollow-ground diamond sections. The blades taper to a strong thrusting point and sometimes feature a pronounced central ridge. The blades profile is slightly convex and has a decent width at the Center of Percussion.
History: The 15th century plate armor provided outstanding body protection for those with the means to buy it. To combat this plate armor by sword, it required a strong, acute point that could probe the gaps and also split the mail rings often worn under the armor. On the other hand, many on the field of battle did not have the means to be as well defended as others. The average soldier was often outfitted with helm and jack of plate or brigandine. These fellows were susceptible to thrusts and cuts that could take them out of the fight by amputation, decapitation or devastating wounds.
The battlefield at this time favored a thrust and cut type sword. According to Oakeshott, Type XVIII and its subtypes were "the most widely used swords between c. 1410 and 1510 all over Europe". These types of blades were around in one form or another as long ago as the second century B.C. and as recently as the 18th century.
Albion Description:
This sword is inspired by the beautiful long swords favored in areas of Germanic influence during the mid to late 15th century.
It has a long hollow ground blade with edges that arc gracefully to an acute point. The raised midrib gives this blade a good stiffness for its weight while the keen edges are crisp and well defined.
The blade is a classic example of a type classified as Oakeshott XVIIIb (according to The Sword in the Age of Chivalry), combining efficient width at the cutting section with a strong awl-shaped point. The grip is of hexagonal section and has the typical waisted profile.
The grip is of stabilized birch, wrapped with cord and covered with the highest grade vegetable-tanned calfskin. (see grip color choices below.)
This is the goal for this design: a quick, responsive and efficient cutter with a forward pivot point placed close to the point. A hollow ground blade can have a thick and stiff spine and still be relatively light for its size. This is an important aspect of this design.
Impressions: I bought this sword second-hand and sent it to Brian at DBK for a scabbard and light bluing of the fittings. The hollow-ground blade, S-shaped guard and scent stopper pommel make this a very attractive sword. This sword is primarily a 2-handed sword but could be used briefly in 1-hand. The Earl's pommel is easy on the hand and can be used when gripping the sword. The grip is comfortable and well shaped. This is one of my favorite swords from Albion. I was at one time a strict Type X enthusiast until I branched out into other sword types. While my favorite type is still the Viking and early medieval swords, the later XVIII and subtypes have really impressed me and I have a few in my collection. I highly recommend this sword and all the Albion XVIII and subtypes. They are beautiful, functional and a joy to wield.
Cons: Price for some budgets. You can find good Albion swords on the secondary market as I did with this one.
References:
Albion
MyArmoury
Ewart Oakeshott