Jörg Sprave Pocket Ulfbehrt
Aug 8, 2021 18:01:19 GMT
Post by The Owlbear Jew on Aug 8, 2021 18:01:19 GMT
Introduction
Full Disclosure
I am a rank amateur when it comes to higher quality swords, and even more rank when it comes to backyard cutting, but I bought this with my own money, and my review will be as impartial as possible.
Initial Impressions
The package sat in customs for like three weeks and finally arrived yesterday, and upon opening it up to find a nice little box with a foam insert cut to size for the blade, I was surprised at how big it actually was. Like, i saw the measurements from the website, but it's one thing to see the numbers and another to hold it in your hand. It has a nice heft and the handle is textured subtly to provide grip without feeling like sandpaper. And that first time flicking it open... Oh my god does it feel nice!
Statistics
Give some hard data on the sword's specifications:
Blade/Nagasa Length: 4.75" from tip to grip
Handle/Tsuka Length: 5.25" from guard to the end of the pommel
Overall Length: 10.75" open 6" closed
Guard/Tsuba Width: 2.75" wide x 0.75"
POB (Point of Balance): 3cm behind the blade
COP (Center of Percussion): n/a blade is straight and stiff... ladies
Weight: 370g
Components
The Blade/Nagasa
The single edged D2 tool steel blade is about 4cm wide and 6mm thick, with a 7mm wide fuller . It is definitely a beefy blade. Crossguard is part of the blade and also used for single handed opening and closing of the blade. very sharp right out of the box. As stated, it is only single edged, which did cause some slight confusion for me once or twice, as the blade is otherwise quite symmetrical.
We live in uncertain times. Potential dangers lurk around every corner. In less "enlightened" times, a man with any sense wouldn't dare venture forth without his trusted sword. And yet, here in 2021, who among us leaves their home for the day in a state where they can truly say they are properly armed? Regrettably, I could not. I couldn't bring myself to face the judging looks of my neighbor's children as i would go forth, brandishing my blade proudly, ready to go forth and seize the day. No, this just wouldn't be an option for me, and I would just have to wander aimlessly, my dinky 2 1/2 inch Leatherman pocket knife in hand, mocked by the populace and tazed by police for walking around with a weapon in my hand. Not an option, that is, until today!
Jörg Sprave (from The Slingshot Channel on YouTube) knew well of my plight, and set out to create an EDC sword for the common man! Something you can carry with pride, unjudged by that 9 year old semprini Jeffrey, unmocked by a frightened and confused populace, but still incredibly tazed by the police for carrying a weapon in public: The Pocket Ulfberht!
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Historical overview
The pocket Ulfberht is based upon, you guessed it, the Ulfberht sword.
The pocket Ulfberht is based upon, you guessed it, the Ulfberht sword.
The Ulfberht swords, per the esteemed Wikipedia, are about 170 medieval swords found in Europe,[3] dated to the 9th to 11th centuries, with blades inlaid with the inscription +VLFBERH+T or +VLFBERHT+. That word is a Frankish personal name that became the basis of a trademark of sorts, used by multiple bladesmiths for several centuries.
The Jörg Sprave version is something he's been working on with Solingen knife manufacturer “Böker” for the past few years and released in a limited quantity. It was designed to be a folding pocket sword.
Full Disclosure
I am a rank amateur when it comes to higher quality swords, and even more rank when it comes to backyard cutting, but I bought this with my own money, and my review will be as impartial as possible.
Initial Impressions
The package sat in customs for like three weeks and finally arrived yesterday, and upon opening it up to find a nice little box with a foam insert cut to size for the blade, I was surprised at how big it actually was. Like, i saw the measurements from the website, but it's one thing to see the numbers and another to hold it in your hand. It has a nice heft and the handle is textured subtly to provide grip without feeling like sandpaper. And that first time flicking it open... Oh my god does it feel nice!
Statistics
Give some hard data on the sword's specifications:
Blade/Nagasa Length: 4.75" from tip to grip
Handle/Tsuka Length: 5.25" from guard to the end of the pommel
Overall Length: 10.75" open 6" closed
Guard/Tsuba Width: 2.75" wide x 0.75"
POB (Point of Balance): 3cm behind the blade
COP (Center of Percussion): n/a blade is straight and stiff... ladies
Weight: 370g
Components
The Blade/Nagasa
The single edged D2 tool steel blade is about 4cm wide and 6mm thick, with a 7mm wide fuller . It is definitely a beefy blade. Crossguard is part of the blade and also used for single handed opening and closing of the blade. very sharp right out of the box. As stated, it is only single edged, which did cause some slight confusion for me once or twice, as the blade is otherwise quite symmetrical.
The Handle/Tsuka
The handle is about as subtle as it can be for a beast like this. textured aluminum grip feels nice. The three bolts holding it together don't feel uncomfortable, and nothing digs into my hand.
The Guard/Tsuba
The guard, as msntioned, is just a couple protrusions from the base of the blade section, seemingly placed to act as both the opening and closing assist, as well as to add to the "sword" look of it.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Pommel is an extension of the grip,just rounded to look more like the pommel of the sword. I feel like it may have been made a touch too bigbut not so much so that it ruins anything about the blade overall for me.
The Scabbard/Saya
It's a foldingknife sword, sooo..... the internal section between the grips looks pretty nice. actual edge doesn't touch any part of the inside, so that's good for edge retention.
Handling Characteristics
Traditional Ulfberht swords, much like more common viking styled blades, were designed to be wielded one handed with a shield, with good weight and balance. By comparison, The Pocket Ulfberht is definitely a single handed blade. the handle is just long enough that you could use a second hand if you grip the pommel section, but why would you do that? It's not a two handed blade. Stop it, you look ridiculous.
The handle is about as subtle as it can be for a beast like this. textured aluminum grip feels nice. The three bolts holding it together don't feel uncomfortable, and nothing digs into my hand.
The Guard/Tsuba
The guard, as msntioned, is just a couple protrusions from the base of the blade section, seemingly placed to act as both the opening and closing assist, as well as to add to the "sword" look of it.
The Pommel/Fuchi-Kashira
Pommel is an extension of the grip,just rounded to look more like the pommel of the sword. I feel like it may have been made a touch too bigbut not so much so that it ruins anything about the blade overall for me.
The Scabbard/Saya
It's a folding
Handling Characteristics
Traditional Ulfberht swords, much like more common viking styled blades, were designed to be wielded one handed with a shield, with good weight and balance. By comparison, The Pocket Ulfberht is definitely a single handed blade. the handle is just long enough that you could use a second hand if you grip the pommel section, but why would you do that? It's not a two handed blade. Stop it, you look ridiculous.
It feels nice in the hand and because the balance point is JUST above where it feels comfortable for me to grip, the balance is almost perfect. It feels good to hold this knife sword. (5'10, 225lbs [about 50/50 muscle & fat at this point] for reference)
Test Cutting (if applicable)
I still don't have much in the way of space for test cutting, but it was able to cut through the cardboard shipping box it came in almost like it wasn't even there, even with my completely untrained edge alignment. It can be a bit easy to mix up which side is sharp, so i did slam the box across my apartment a few times trying to cut with the unsharpened side, which was still fun. The couch was uncut this time...
Conclusions
Alright, so, I'm well aware that the Pocket Ulfberht is just a big pocket knife, but dammit, it's billed as a pocket sword, so I decided to review it like one. I don't have formal training and little experience with high end swords, but this thing certainly feels like a sword-like object. The price wasn't insane, about $120 USD, and it was a limited edition, so i feel special about owning it.
Pros
- nice comfortable grip
- Good amount of heft
- beautiful blade with nice straight fuller
Test Cutting (if applicable)
I still don't have much in the way of space for test cutting, but it was able to cut through the cardboard shipping box it came in almost like it wasn't even there, even with my completely untrained edge alignment. It can be a bit easy to mix up which side is sharp, so i did slam the box across my apartment a few times trying to cut with the unsharpened side, which was still fun. The couch was uncut this time...
Conclusions
Alright, so, I'm well aware that the Pocket Ulfberht is just a big pocket knife, but dammit, it's billed as a pocket sword, so I decided to review it like one. I don't have formal training and little experience with high end swords, but this thing certainly feels like a sword-like object. The price wasn't insane, about $120 USD, and it was a limited edition, so i feel special about owning it.
Pros
- nice comfortable grip
- Good amount of heft
- beautiful blade with nice straight fuller
- Feels like a pocket Sword
Cons
- If the pommel had been just a tiny bit smaller, or cut to be more like the half circle-esque shape of most viking style blades, the balance could have been improved.
- a bulky fit in the pocket.
- Too much awesome
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that I love this gimmicky blade. It's probably impractical for EDC on most jobs, but i'm taking it hiking later, so we'll see how it goes. I would definitely buy it again if it wasn't sold out. Oh yeah, it's sold out by the way... so... I guess this review is just me bragging about getting one before they sold out... Sorry about that. Keep an eye on EBay i guess, because you should get one.
- If the pommel had been just a tiny bit smaller, or cut to be more like the half circle-esque shape of most viking style blades, the balance could have been improved.
- a bulky fit in the pocket.
- Too much awesome
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that I love this gimmicky blade. It's probably impractical for EDC on most jobs, but i'm taking it hiking later, so we'll see how it goes. I would definitely buy it again if it wasn't sold out. Oh yeah, it's sold out by the way... so... I guess this review is just me bragging about getting one before they sold out... Sorry about that. Keep an eye on EBay i guess, because you should get one.
Here's some pictures!