Albion Crecy review
May 6, 2020 21:35:26 GMT
Post by hermannvonsalza on May 6, 2020 21:35:26 GMT
Specifications
Overall length: 44.75" (113.7 cm)
Blade length: 35.625" (90 cm)
Blade width: 2" (5 cm)
CoB: 4" (10.16 cm)
CoP: 21.5" (54.61 cm)
Weight: 3 lbs 1 oz (1.39 kilos)
Hello everybody,and welcome on this review.
This is my first review on the forum, since it is my first "real" sword, worthy of the name.
It is a first time, so it is possible that I make mistakes or that I lack the appropriate vocabulary, please be indulgent!
Introduction:
A little over a year ago I ordered this sword. The Crecy was really my love at first sight in terms of sword.
The shape of the blade, its dimensions, its aesthetics, and also the context evoked by its name really appealed to me.
Other blades like the Baron or the Duke had hesitated me, but ultimately, the compromise between a blade cut for the edge and for the thrust won.
I add that at the time of my purchase, the firm Albion had on me the effect of something legendary. Everywhere, whether on youtube or on the forums, I only saw good things coming out of it, so I had a very high level of expectation.
For almost 10 months I had to look at his photos almost daily. And yet ... when I received it, two months in advance, what a surprise! I was struck by several things: firstly, and it didn't last long, I found it smaller than I imagined. And at the same time heavier! I believe that on the weight, I had been influenced by several videos that I had seen, and I expected to find a really ultra light sword.
The last thing that struck me was the quality of the work. I really felt the difference between a simple sword replica or a decoration and ... a weapon.
Everything here was perfectly assembled, cut, as if in one piece. No frills, but a powerful impression of strength and efficiency emanated from this object.
Suffice to say that, I did not telework much that day.
Blade : The blade: It is really the element that I liked the most. It is simply very elegant, and I think that, as has already been said on this forum, that it lies in the transition between the fuller part and the diamond part.
This blade is really very agile, but also very powerful. I also do not find that the tip is so fragile as has already been mentioned. It would depend on the target, but I must admit that I found the blade surprisingly solid.
Regarding its cutting edge: when I took it out of the box I found them sharp, but I had this impression of "not enough" although I am completely new. I would say more about its performance below. On the other hand a first detail which one could call negative appeared to me: in some places, one saw distinctly the marks of sharpening that the blade had undergone, and these marks were not very regular, more or less visible according to the places. It is not a big defect but it had the merit to be mentioned.
Regarding the flexibility of the blade, I found it perfect, just enough to absorb shock but hard enough to cut effectively. I accidentally hit my wooden target, and I found that the blade reacted well.
To finish: I found no other defect on its surface, it was immaculate and sublime. Satin polishing was also very well done.
When you tilt the blade you can see that the two dishes are very smooth, but not "perfect", which I prefer, because it gives it that little "imperfect" dimension specific to swords of the time made by hand .
The guard :
I will be briefer nevertheless I must say that it is often on this part that high-end swords such as those from Albion stand out.
Very often in the less well made swords, the guards are very large, and coarse, without finesse, they also have a too modern aspect!
Here again everything fits perfectly, the design is really very well executed. The bevels on the angles give the guard this simple and distinguished class which does not need there too frills to stand out.
The pommel:
It is currently the form that I prefer. My second choice would be the one of the Principe or the Ringeck.
When I opened the box I found it smaller than what I expected. However, it plays its role well because the sword is very well balanced. The finish is well done there too no complaints, it is perfect.
In practice, because I train every day, it is not very easy to get started at first. It requires some adjustment and I think that putting on gloves is a significant plus.
Handling : This is where I will give my feeling on "the short grip of the crecy". Well as far as I am concerned, there too I changed my mind. The first days I said to myself, one or two centimeters more would have been nice. But as the days went by I learned to position my hands and from now on I don't get in the way or hurt my fingers while handling it.
On the contrary, I would say that, in its one-handed position, it is rather an advantage ...
Test cutting :
Now here is more information regarding the sharpness of the sword.
I told you that when I first got hold of it, my first feeling was: not enough.
And during my first cutting test, I suffered some setbacks. In good grumpy French, I blamed the sharpening which most certainly had not been pushed enough.
But I persisted, because it must be said that I had no choice and I wanted to practice in any case. And it was after 3 days of testing that I got my first satisfactory results.
In fact the cutting edges are sharpened as Albion wishes: they are functional. They are not sharpened like razors, but they do their job. And finally, for a war sword, which is likely to meet very hard surfaces like steel, wood, a sharp edge would undoubtedly weaken it.
In addition, after several days of practice I had acquired a good edge alignment which allowed me to make very clean cuts on light targets. So obviously I am not yet cutting a shred of an empty bottle but, I am nevertheless satisfied with the sharpness of the cutting edges.
Descending cuts are the easiest to make, horizontal revenge cuts require more concentration. For the moment only the rising cups resist me but I train.
Conclusion :
Well I can say that Albion lives up to its reputation. If the price was not as high, especially for importing into Europe it is clear that I would order others without hesitation. I am really satisfied with my purchase, and I recommend Crecy to all those who, like me, devour it with their eyes.