Review: Albion Norman
Feb 22, 2016 19:03:29 GMT
Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Feb 22, 2016 19:03:29 GMT
Review: Albion Norman
This won‘t be a full review, just my impression of this sword. I haven‘t done a review in a long time and it‘s kinda weird since I‘m a sword maker myself as well but I hope you still find this useful.
Historical overview
This sword is a type Xa, popular at the time of the battle of Hastings 1066 and the first crusade. It differs from its cousin, the type X, by having a longer, more slender blade with a more pronounced profile taper. Still very much a cutting-oriented blade, the type Xa offers a point geometry that is more suitable for thrusts into soft targets than that of the type X.
Stats
Overall length: 99cm
Blade length: 83cm
Handle length: 9.5cm
Blade width (at base): 5cm
Blade width 1“ from tip: 1.5cm
COG: 14cm
COP: 55cm
Blade thickness at base: 4.75mm
Blade thickness at CoP: 2.5mm
Blade thickness 1“ from tip: 1mm
Weight: 1070g
Aesthetics
This is an Albion, so fit and finish is very good. As usual for Albions, there is some slight rippling present in the blade bevels from the belt sander but all lines and planes are clean, symmetric and precisely done. Blade geometry is a smooth lenticular cross section with a fine and well executed edge. I did sharpen the blade up some more but it was perfectly serviceable as is.
I really am a fan of this sword‘s understated elegance. The overall proportions are pleasing and graceful. The hilt is very simple but flows wonderfully. It‘s also properly short and doesn‘t suffer from being overly long as is the case with many replicas. The convexity of the Type G pommel is a nice touch, all too often these are simply a flat wheel.
Handling & Performance
Even though the Norman stems from a time period generally associated with big shields, mail clad warriors and powerful cut-oriented swords, I find it to be a rather nimble feeling. It does have a good amount of blade presence and is undeniably biased towards the cut but it doesn‘t nearly pack the punch some other type X and Xa swords do. I find that to be a very good thing :) Recovery is not sluggish at all and the sword flows smoothly in handling. Point control is quite decent as well. I can in fact imagine using it with a buckler and not a kite shield. I may not be ideal for that but it seems entirely possible.
The blade sports substantial distal taper. Starting out at just under 5mm at the base, half way it‘s already down to 3mm, at the end of the fuller it sits at 1.5mm and then goes down to 1mm at the tip. This results in a quite flexible blade, particularly in the foible but it is by no means too flexible. In my eyes it‘s pretty much spot on for how a sword of this type should be.
The thin and fairly wide blade coupled with a fine edge makes for an absolutely terrifying cutter. I haven‘t cut any tatami with it but light targets (i.e. tetra packs and plastic bottles) and some branches up to around 1“ of thickness (green wood, not seasoned). The Norman performed very well on all targets, it cuts with absolute effortlessness. Especially on light targets, it almost feels like cheating. Multiple silent cuts on the same bottle are the norm and it takes very little speed or power to perform the task, the cutting-biased blade only requires being gently guided towards the target. No uncomfortable hand shock or other unpleasant vibrations are felt upon impact.
Here is a short cutting vid on light targets:
Conclusion
The Albion Norman is a well-executed interpretation of a type Xa sword. There are more powerful swords out there, as well as more visually complex ones. But for those looking for an aesthetically pleasing and classic sword design with very attractive handling characteristics and excellent cutting performance, I can whole-heartedly recommend this sword.
Thanks for reading!
This won‘t be a full review, just my impression of this sword. I haven‘t done a review in a long time and it‘s kinda weird since I‘m a sword maker myself as well but I hope you still find this useful.
Historical overview
This sword is a type Xa, popular at the time of the battle of Hastings 1066 and the first crusade. It differs from its cousin, the type X, by having a longer, more slender blade with a more pronounced profile taper. Still very much a cutting-oriented blade, the type Xa offers a point geometry that is more suitable for thrusts into soft targets than that of the type X.
Stats
Overall length: 99cm
Blade length: 83cm
Handle length: 9.5cm
Blade width (at base): 5cm
Blade width 1“ from tip: 1.5cm
COG: 14cm
COP: 55cm
Blade thickness at base: 4.75mm
Blade thickness at CoP: 2.5mm
Blade thickness 1“ from tip: 1mm
Weight: 1070g
Aesthetics
This is an Albion, so fit and finish is very good. As usual for Albions, there is some slight rippling present in the blade bevels from the belt sander but all lines and planes are clean, symmetric and precisely done. Blade geometry is a smooth lenticular cross section with a fine and well executed edge. I did sharpen the blade up some more but it was perfectly serviceable as is.
I really am a fan of this sword‘s understated elegance. The overall proportions are pleasing and graceful. The hilt is very simple but flows wonderfully. It‘s also properly short and doesn‘t suffer from being overly long as is the case with many replicas. The convexity of the Type G pommel is a nice touch, all too often these are simply a flat wheel.
Handling & Performance
Even though the Norman stems from a time period generally associated with big shields, mail clad warriors and powerful cut-oriented swords, I find it to be a rather nimble feeling. It does have a good amount of blade presence and is undeniably biased towards the cut but it doesn‘t nearly pack the punch some other type X and Xa swords do. I find that to be a very good thing :) Recovery is not sluggish at all and the sword flows smoothly in handling. Point control is quite decent as well. I can in fact imagine using it with a buckler and not a kite shield. I may not be ideal for that but it seems entirely possible.
The blade sports substantial distal taper. Starting out at just under 5mm at the base, half way it‘s already down to 3mm, at the end of the fuller it sits at 1.5mm and then goes down to 1mm at the tip. This results in a quite flexible blade, particularly in the foible but it is by no means too flexible. In my eyes it‘s pretty much spot on for how a sword of this type should be.
The thin and fairly wide blade coupled with a fine edge makes for an absolutely terrifying cutter. I haven‘t cut any tatami with it but light targets (i.e. tetra packs and plastic bottles) and some branches up to around 1“ of thickness (green wood, not seasoned). The Norman performed very well on all targets, it cuts with absolute effortlessness. Especially on light targets, it almost feels like cheating. Multiple silent cuts on the same bottle are the norm and it takes very little speed or power to perform the task, the cutting-biased blade only requires being gently guided towards the target. No uncomfortable hand shock or other unpleasant vibrations are felt upon impact.
Here is a short cutting vid on light targets:
Conclusion
The Albion Norman is a well-executed interpretation of a type Xa sword. There are more powerful swords out there, as well as more visually complex ones. But for those looking for an aesthetically pleasing and classic sword design with very attractive handling characteristics and excellent cutting performance, I can whole-heartedly recommend this sword.
Thanks for reading!