Albion Saint Maurice of Turin
Nov 19, 2016 13:14:57 GMT
Post by Bryan Heff on Nov 19, 2016 13:14:57 GMT
Overview -
The St Maurice is one of Albion's Museum line swords, which means unlike the Next Generation line it's an "exact" recreation of an actual existing historical sword. It's as close to holding and handling the original as most of us are ever going to get. The Albion site has all the historical details so I won't really discuss them in this review but I urge anybody intrigued by this sword to check out the Albion write up as it is really quite interesting. So what is this piece all about? It's a massive single handed type XII. I can't stress that enough and I will attempt to show the sword in the upcoming pictures up against other pieces for contrast and comparison purposes. It's truly a no holds barred "one shot one kill" type of sword and while it's probably not a sword many people would like, I think it's amazingly interesting.
Purchasing/shipping/disclaimers -
I traded for this sword so I am not the first owner. It had at least 2 previous owners. The sword is in like new condition.
Specifications for Albion
Overall length: 41.38" (105 cm)
Blade length: 36.13" (91.7 cm)
Blade width (at base): 2.13" (5.4 cm)
CoG: 9" (22.86 cm)
CoP: 21.13" (53.66 cm)
Weight: 2.96 lbs (1.34 kilos)
Blade:
It's all about the blade with this sword which probably sounds sort of redundant...it's a sword they are all about the blade. But in this case the blade takes center stage way more than any other parts. It's big, it's wide, it's long and I will say it again, it's massive. It feels massive, looks massive and would I imagine do massive destructive damage if it landed a strike. It's a bit over 2 inches wide but it keeps that width past the half way point before finally tapering some, but it never tapers much. All that width makes for a menacingly powerful sword. It is moderately sharp. I personally really like the inscribed cross and letter H motif that it has towards the base.
Grip:
A very dark brown leather over wood grip. I believe it has some textile under the leather as does the original. The grip is plain, very plain. No risers, no cord over wrap to give it that next Gen look. It's actually quite boring in terms of a grip treatment, but so is the original so there you go. It's a nice grip nicely done but plain. The seam is clean. It's quite short as well but because both the pommel and the cross curve away from the hand there is just enough room for a really solid locked in hammer grip. There is an odd flat spot on the grip about the size of a tic tac. I can't say if it came from Albion that way or not but if it did, I would have to take points off. That being said it does not bother me that much personally but if purchased new directly from them I would be annoyed.
Pommel:
It's a large wide Brazil nut style with slightly chamfered edges where the hand would come into contact with the steel. It's an interesting shape and really adds flair to the piece. The peen is blended and barely can be noticed.
Cross Guard:
The cross is wide and curved. It is also tapered towards the ends so that it's fairly thin in its width dimension. It's basically a curved bow tie style of guard.
Performance:
I have only dry handled the sword. It's not nimble. It's not quick. It has huge blade presence and when you pick it up your forearm and wrist are immediately on the job. It has a POB about 9" from the cross which is significant for a dedicated single handed sword. This is not a cut and thrust or (laugh) a fencing sword. It's a cutter. It is a single purpose brute that you will want to get in motion and once it's moving at speed just sort of let it track all the way through. The short grip of course forces you to handle it with one hand. I think the pommel is perfectly shaped for the huge blade as your hand's bottom will rest heavily against it. This sword seems to almost demand a hammer grip and when gripped that way it feels super secure and very powerful.
Overall:
I like variety in my collection and I like experiencing very different types of swords. That was one of the driving forces for me wanting to get this piece. I read the reviews and the Albion write up (again, read Peter Johnnson's impressions) and really wanted to experience what a monster single hander was like and I have no regrets. This may have been a Crusader's sword and most likely was the side arm of a heavy mounted knight. I can't imagine this piece being used in any other way than as a cavalry sword dropping bombs from above. It's unique, impressive and a little scary in a way. I am glad it's not super sharp. It has of course the right geometry but the edges right now probably could not cut paper, I like that. I am afraid of Saint Maurice and I am not ashamed to admit it.
The St Maurice is one of Albion's Museum line swords, which means unlike the Next Generation line it's an "exact" recreation of an actual existing historical sword. It's as close to holding and handling the original as most of us are ever going to get. The Albion site has all the historical details so I won't really discuss them in this review but I urge anybody intrigued by this sword to check out the Albion write up as it is really quite interesting. So what is this piece all about? It's a massive single handed type XII. I can't stress that enough and I will attempt to show the sword in the upcoming pictures up against other pieces for contrast and comparison purposes. It's truly a no holds barred "one shot one kill" type of sword and while it's probably not a sword many people would like, I think it's amazingly interesting.
Purchasing/shipping/disclaimers -
I traded for this sword so I am not the first owner. It had at least 2 previous owners. The sword is in like new condition.
Specifications for Albion
Overall length: 41.38" (105 cm)
Blade length: 36.13" (91.7 cm)
Blade width (at base): 2.13" (5.4 cm)
CoG: 9" (22.86 cm)
CoP: 21.13" (53.66 cm)
Weight: 2.96 lbs (1.34 kilos)
Blade:
It's all about the blade with this sword which probably sounds sort of redundant...it's a sword they are all about the blade. But in this case the blade takes center stage way more than any other parts. It's big, it's wide, it's long and I will say it again, it's massive. It feels massive, looks massive and would I imagine do massive destructive damage if it landed a strike. It's a bit over 2 inches wide but it keeps that width past the half way point before finally tapering some, but it never tapers much. All that width makes for a menacingly powerful sword. It is moderately sharp. I personally really like the inscribed cross and letter H motif that it has towards the base.
Grip:
A very dark brown leather over wood grip. I believe it has some textile under the leather as does the original. The grip is plain, very plain. No risers, no cord over wrap to give it that next Gen look. It's actually quite boring in terms of a grip treatment, but so is the original so there you go. It's a nice grip nicely done but plain. The seam is clean. It's quite short as well but because both the pommel and the cross curve away from the hand there is just enough room for a really solid locked in hammer grip. There is an odd flat spot on the grip about the size of a tic tac. I can't say if it came from Albion that way or not but if it did, I would have to take points off. That being said it does not bother me that much personally but if purchased new directly from them I would be annoyed.
Pommel:
It's a large wide Brazil nut style with slightly chamfered edges where the hand would come into contact with the steel. It's an interesting shape and really adds flair to the piece. The peen is blended and barely can be noticed.
Cross Guard:
The cross is wide and curved. It is also tapered towards the ends so that it's fairly thin in its width dimension. It's basically a curved bow tie style of guard.
Performance:
I have only dry handled the sword. It's not nimble. It's not quick. It has huge blade presence and when you pick it up your forearm and wrist are immediately on the job. It has a POB about 9" from the cross which is significant for a dedicated single handed sword. This is not a cut and thrust or (laugh) a fencing sword. It's a cutter. It is a single purpose brute that you will want to get in motion and once it's moving at speed just sort of let it track all the way through. The short grip of course forces you to handle it with one hand. I think the pommel is perfectly shaped for the huge blade as your hand's bottom will rest heavily against it. This sword seems to almost demand a hammer grip and when gripped that way it feels super secure and very powerful.
Overall:
I like variety in my collection and I like experiencing very different types of swords. That was one of the driving forces for me wanting to get this piece. I read the reviews and the Albion write up (again, read Peter Johnnson's impressions) and really wanted to experience what a monster single hander was like and I have no regrets. This may have been a Crusader's sword and most likely was the side arm of a heavy mounted knight. I can't imagine this piece being used in any other way than as a cavalry sword dropping bombs from above. It's unique, impressive and a little scary in a way. I am glad it's not super sharp. It has of course the right geometry but the edges right now probably could not cut paper, I like that. I am afraid of Saint Maurice and I am not ashamed to admit it.