Albion Crecy vs Gen 2 Black Prince
Oct 10, 2008 21:25:06 GMT
Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2008 21:25:06 GMT
Okay lets see how these stack up .
First the pictures.
First up the gen 2 black prince. As customized by Brian of DBK.
This gem is a facted moonstone I mounted and had Brian put into a deco piece.
Total cost for everything? Around $400.
And now for the Albion Crecy
Price tag for this one? $800 currently, with no scabbard or gems.
Statistics
Black Prince
Total Length: 43.25"
Blade Length: 33.25"
CoB: 3"
CoP: ~18-19"
Weight: 3 lbs 1 oz
Albion Crecy
Total Length: 44.75"
Blade Length: 35.625"
CoB: 4"
CoP: 21.5"
Weight: 3 lbs 1 oz
Fit and Finish
The black prince has a decent mirror finish and some noticable hammer marks. No large grind marks to be seen...however there were some small surface scratches near the tip (all less then 2 mm long). The cross is a bit on the bulky side and the handle because of the ferrule are too thick. Even with Brian's re-shapeing, which helps this sword out considerably. The pommel edges are sharp and so when gripping the pommel, it does hurt a bit without gloves. Also the pommel is on the small side for a good grip. The scabbard however fits is nice and tight. The cross is also flush with the blade and tight.
The albion has a statin finish which is done prefectly. I noticed a very small tiny (less then 1 mm long) surface scratch that did not match the finish near the tip...but unless your that OCD, consider it perfect(and yes I did use my jewelers goggle to looks over my blades...and yes I have OCD). The handle fits perfectly even in my oddly shaped hands and gives good control of the blade. The pommel is a good size for holding...however the edges do dig in a bit like the black prince. The cross guard is nice and flush with the blade as one would expect in a quality sword.
Handling
The black prince handles very much like I expect a XVa to. It is fast and agile with very good tip control for thrust. It is an absolute terror when half swording in the trust. However it acts like a XVa should so it has almost no blade presence and you basically MUST hit at the CoP for your cutting. It will go through light targets like water and milk bottles for tip cuts...but 2 liter bottle and harder foils such attempts for me. So basically it's what a XVA sword should be doing.
The crecy on the other hand moves like lightning in my hands...and it has blade presence as well. That's what a good mass distrubution will do for a sword. The base numbers say that the gen 2 XVa should be faster and more agile...but it ain't. The only thing that the gen 2 sword does better is tip control. The PoB being and inch out further does make this sword a bit harder to control on the thurst...but just a bit.
Structural Intregrity
The black prince's blade is soft...especially closer to the tip. This is most likely because of aggressive grinding in hot tropical weather. My tip I would say is in the low 40s and around mid 40s in the middle of the blade. This makes me worry about metal fatigue somewhat. Other then this issue, everything is fitted in nice and tight and secure.
The crecy has an increadibly tough blade that flexes like there is no tommarow. All the fitting are in nice and snug and secure as well.
Historical Accuracy
The black prince has a cross that is too bulky and a pommel too thin. The handle is once again too thick. The handles should not be thicker then the already bulky crossguard.
The crecy on the other hand is PERFECT...just a bit TOO perfect.
Value for the money
The black prince for $400 is a nice decently fun XVa. And considering I got a decent matching scabbard with gems in it, I'd say it's a pretty good value if you want those extra for the looks. With just the re-grip, the sword is still in the sub 300 group.
The crecy at twice the price before a scabbard I can't say is twice the sword...or even remotely close to that. The high end swords to kinda get slaughtered in this category.
Overall
The thing is, I'm not sure I would buy the black prince again. I can regrind the blade a bit, re-heat treat the blade, re-sharpen it, put a proper pommel, cross and a handle and then I would be happy with this sword...after I put another 300 dollars to do that. And the sad thing is, that's actually what the plan is for this sword. I guess this works for a project sword...kinda like a project car. It has enough where you can get it and enjoy using it right away...and the option to make it really how you want it if you so choose later on. So yeah...I'll end up with a 700 dollar gen 2 sword.... I must be insane .
The albion...I'd buy that again in a heart beat.
First the pictures.
First up the gen 2 black prince. As customized by Brian of DBK.
This gem is a facted moonstone I mounted and had Brian put into a deco piece.
Total cost for everything? Around $400.
And now for the Albion Crecy
Price tag for this one? $800 currently, with no scabbard or gems.
Statistics
Black Prince
Total Length: 43.25"
Blade Length: 33.25"
CoB: 3"
CoP: ~18-19"
Weight: 3 lbs 1 oz
Albion Crecy
Total Length: 44.75"
Blade Length: 35.625"
CoB: 4"
CoP: 21.5"
Weight: 3 lbs 1 oz
Fit and Finish
The black prince has a decent mirror finish and some noticable hammer marks. No large grind marks to be seen...however there were some small surface scratches near the tip (all less then 2 mm long). The cross is a bit on the bulky side and the handle because of the ferrule are too thick. Even with Brian's re-shapeing, which helps this sword out considerably. The pommel edges are sharp and so when gripping the pommel, it does hurt a bit without gloves. Also the pommel is on the small side for a good grip. The scabbard however fits is nice and tight. The cross is also flush with the blade and tight.
The albion has a statin finish which is done prefectly. I noticed a very small tiny (less then 1 mm long) surface scratch that did not match the finish near the tip...but unless your that OCD, consider it perfect(and yes I did use my jewelers goggle to looks over my blades...and yes I have OCD). The handle fits perfectly even in my oddly shaped hands and gives good control of the blade. The pommel is a good size for holding...however the edges do dig in a bit like the black prince. The cross guard is nice and flush with the blade as one would expect in a quality sword.
Handling
The black prince handles very much like I expect a XVa to. It is fast and agile with very good tip control for thrust. It is an absolute terror when half swording in the trust. However it acts like a XVa should so it has almost no blade presence and you basically MUST hit at the CoP for your cutting. It will go through light targets like water and milk bottles for tip cuts...but 2 liter bottle and harder foils such attempts for me. So basically it's what a XVA sword should be doing.
The crecy on the other hand moves like lightning in my hands...and it has blade presence as well. That's what a good mass distrubution will do for a sword. The base numbers say that the gen 2 XVa should be faster and more agile...but it ain't. The only thing that the gen 2 sword does better is tip control. The PoB being and inch out further does make this sword a bit harder to control on the thurst...but just a bit.
Structural Intregrity
The black prince's blade is soft...especially closer to the tip. This is most likely because of aggressive grinding in hot tropical weather. My tip I would say is in the low 40s and around mid 40s in the middle of the blade. This makes me worry about metal fatigue somewhat. Other then this issue, everything is fitted in nice and tight and secure.
The crecy has an increadibly tough blade that flexes like there is no tommarow. All the fitting are in nice and snug and secure as well.
Historical Accuracy
The black prince has a cross that is too bulky and a pommel too thin. The handle is once again too thick. The handles should not be thicker then the already bulky crossguard.
The crecy on the other hand is PERFECT...just a bit TOO perfect.
Value for the money
The black prince for $400 is a nice decently fun XVa. And considering I got a decent matching scabbard with gems in it, I'd say it's a pretty good value if you want those extra for the looks. With just the re-grip, the sword is still in the sub 300 group.
The crecy at twice the price before a scabbard I can't say is twice the sword...or even remotely close to that. The high end swords to kinda get slaughtered in this category.
Overall
The thing is, I'm not sure I would buy the black prince again. I can regrind the blade a bit, re-heat treat the blade, re-sharpen it, put a proper pommel, cross and a handle and then I would be happy with this sword...after I put another 300 dollars to do that. And the sad thing is, that's actually what the plan is for this sword. I guess this works for a project sword...kinda like a project car. It has enough where you can get it and enjoy using it right away...and the option to make it really how you want it if you so choose later on. So yeah...I'll end up with a 700 dollar gen 2 sword.... I must be insane .
The albion...I'd buy that again in a heart beat.