ATrim XVIIIb.5 by Angus Trim (WIP)
Sept 23, 2017 20:00:52 GMT
Post by Aikidoka on Sept 23, 2017 20:00:52 GMT
ATrim XVIIIb.5 by Angus Trim
Introduction
This ATrim XVIIIb.5 is one of the two swords sent to me by Angus Trim to cut with and give my impressions. The other sword is an ATrim XVIa.4, which I will review separately.
Here are Angus Trim's thoughts on the XVIIIb.5:
"The XVIIIb.5 has three historical inspirations. Wide at the base, and fairly thin in cross section for an XVIIIb is the King Edward III sword. It also had a wheel pommel.
I took the profile close to the tip from the historical Sture. Not the contour, the antique gets much thicker than the XVIIIb.5. But I wanted that profile. And the long grip.
The cross section thickness and distal taper of the XVIIIb.5 is similar to the antique that Arms and Armor used to model their Schloss Erbach. That antique is in Minneapolis, and I was able to get the thickness measurements from Craig Johnson.
To my way of interpreting things, both the King Edward sword and the Schloss Erbach {the antiques} are cutting swords as much as anything else.
I wanted an excellent cutter that would be primarily a fifteenth century sword, and could still be used as a longsword."
Full Disclosure
This sword was loaned to me by Angus Trim and I'm receiving no compensation for this review. After cutting with this sword, I will be returning it to him unless I decide I would like to buy it, in which case I would do so at full retail price.
Initial Impressions
This is a large, beefy sword! As you can see in the stats below, it weighs 3 lbs 5 oz and balances about 6 inches from of the guard. The handling reminds me of a type XIIIa great sword of war. A very interesting sword and not at all what I was expecting!
Statistics
Blade length: 36 inches
Grip length: 9 inches
Overall Length: 47.25 inches
Blade width at base: 2.2 inches
Guard width: 8 inches
POB (Point of Balance): 6 inches
Weight: 3 lbs 5.25 oz
The Blade
The blade on this sword is a very broad type XVIIIb blade. It is 2.2 inches wide at the base and the blade remains fairly wide for most of the length of the blade. There is a hexagonal section at the base of the blade that extends forward for 6 inches.
Here is a photo that Gus sent me before sending the sword:
The Hilt
The red leather grip is nicely done and comfortable in the hand. The shiny protective coating on the leather is a bit slick, though. The blackened guard and pommel look nice and would be easier to maintain than polished steel.
Handling Characteristics
This sword has a lot of blade presence. I wasn't expecting that from a type XVIIIb blade. As I mentioned in the introduction, this sword reminds me of the type XIIIa great swords of war that I have handled. The size, weight and balance are similar to the Albion Duke, for example, although the mass distribution is quite different.
I'll post more impressions after cutting with this sword.
Test Cutting
***** Much test cutting will occur this weekend. Videos will go here. ******
Conclusions
Pros
-
-
-
Cons
-
-
-
The Bottom Line
...........
Introduction
This ATrim XVIIIb.5 is one of the two swords sent to me by Angus Trim to cut with and give my impressions. The other sword is an ATrim XVIa.4, which I will review separately.
Here are Angus Trim's thoughts on the XVIIIb.5:
"The XVIIIb.5 has three historical inspirations. Wide at the base, and fairly thin in cross section for an XVIIIb is the King Edward III sword. It also had a wheel pommel.
I took the profile close to the tip from the historical Sture. Not the contour, the antique gets much thicker than the XVIIIb.5. But I wanted that profile. And the long grip.
The cross section thickness and distal taper of the XVIIIb.5 is similar to the antique that Arms and Armor used to model their Schloss Erbach. That antique is in Minneapolis, and I was able to get the thickness measurements from Craig Johnson.
To my way of interpreting things, both the King Edward sword and the Schloss Erbach {the antiques} are cutting swords as much as anything else.
I wanted an excellent cutter that would be primarily a fifteenth century sword, and could still be used as a longsword."
Full Disclosure
This sword was loaned to me by Angus Trim and I'm receiving no compensation for this review. After cutting with this sword, I will be returning it to him unless I decide I would like to buy it, in which case I would do so at full retail price.
Initial Impressions
This is a large, beefy sword! As you can see in the stats below, it weighs 3 lbs 5 oz and balances about 6 inches from of the guard. The handling reminds me of a type XIIIa great sword of war. A very interesting sword and not at all what I was expecting!
Statistics
Blade length: 36 inches
Grip length: 9 inches
Overall Length: 47.25 inches
Blade width at base: 2.2 inches
Guard width: 8 inches
POB (Point of Balance): 6 inches
Weight: 3 lbs 5.25 oz
The Blade
The blade on this sword is a very broad type XVIIIb blade. It is 2.2 inches wide at the base and the blade remains fairly wide for most of the length of the blade. There is a hexagonal section at the base of the blade that extends forward for 6 inches.
Here is a photo that Gus sent me before sending the sword:
The Hilt
The red leather grip is nicely done and comfortable in the hand. The shiny protective coating on the leather is a bit slick, though. The blackened guard and pommel look nice and would be easier to maintain than polished steel.
Handling Characteristics
This sword has a lot of blade presence. I wasn't expecting that from a type XVIIIb blade. As I mentioned in the introduction, this sword reminds me of the type XIIIa great swords of war that I have handled. The size, weight and balance are similar to the Albion Duke, for example, although the mass distribution is quite different.
I'll post more impressions after cutting with this sword.
Test Cutting
***** Much test cutting will occur this weekend. Videos will go here. ******
Conclusions
Pros
-
-
-
Cons
-
-
-
The Bottom Line
...........