Albion Reeve Test Cutting and Review
Sept 18, 2021 16:25:29 GMT
Post by Kane Shen on Sept 18, 2021 16:25:29 GMT
I did some cutting with my Albion Reeve and here's the full review. The Reeve is a reproduction of a 11th century single-handed sword of Oakeshott type X blade, and the Brazil-nut pommel iconic to the period. The name indicate the hilt design is based on an original piece of Anglo-Saxon sword around the time of the Norman conquest. It features a wide fuller (about half the width of the blade) running 95% of the length of a broad blade with a spatulate tip. The blade is extraordinarily thin (see stats below) but features a proper spring temper so the majority of the blade is surprisingly rigid, except for the top 1/3 of the blade that has noticeable flexibility. It's also 2 ounces lighter than the official design, which makes a rather lively sword for an early High Medieval sword.
I examined the history of the sword and its relevant usage, the handling characteristics and the fit & finish of this reproduction with 4K resolution footage. Unsurprisingly as an extremely cutting oriented sword, it performs very well during the test cutting, but thrust better than I anticipated for a sword with a spatulate tip, which usually indicates forgoing all thrusting capability. Cutting with this sword is quite a pleasant experience, as it is a harmonically balanced sword with a very forgiving blade that strikes the balance between rigidity and flexibility. The type A Brazil-nut pommel with the 3.8" grip is surprisingly comfortable, when I used both a hammer grip or a handshake grip. With all things considered, this is an excellent offering for a rare type on the production market, despite its very important place in the history of swords, that signifies the transition from Viking-age swords to High-Medieval swords.
Stats
Weight: 1066g (2lbs 5.6oz)
Point of Balance: 11.75cm (4.65") from the guard
Blade Length: 30.25"
Overall length: 36"
Crossguard Width: 7.1"
Grip Length: 3.8"
Distal Taper:
3.6mm at the base
2.4mm at halfway along the blade
1.3mm near fuller's termination (2" from the tip")
1mm at 1" from the tip
Profile Taper:
55.9mm at the base
47.4mm at halfway along the blade
33.6mm at 2" from the tip (termination of the fuller)
I examined the history of the sword and its relevant usage, the handling characteristics and the fit & finish of this reproduction with 4K resolution footage. Unsurprisingly as an extremely cutting oriented sword, it performs very well during the test cutting, but thrust better than I anticipated for a sword with a spatulate tip, which usually indicates forgoing all thrusting capability. Cutting with this sword is quite a pleasant experience, as it is a harmonically balanced sword with a very forgiving blade that strikes the balance between rigidity and flexibility. The type A Brazil-nut pommel with the 3.8" grip is surprisingly comfortable, when I used both a hammer grip or a handshake grip. With all things considered, this is an excellent offering for a rare type on the production market, despite its very important place in the history of swords, that signifies the transition from Viking-age swords to High-Medieval swords.
Stats
Weight: 1066g (2lbs 5.6oz)
Point of Balance: 11.75cm (4.65") from the guard
Blade Length: 30.25"
Overall length: 36"
Crossguard Width: 7.1"
Grip Length: 3.8"
Distal Taper:
3.6mm at the base
2.4mm at halfway along the blade
1.3mm near fuller's termination (2" from the tip")
1mm at 1" from the tip
Profile Taper:
55.9mm at the base
47.4mm at halfway along the blade
33.6mm at 2" from the tip (termination of the fuller)