Small question here:

I've heard recently that the Albion Ritter and Hospitaller share the same or very similar blades. Is this true? if so, do they handle similarly? The reason why I ask is that I am planning on buying this type of sword, but they are $80 appart. If they are both about that same I'd have to go with the Hospitaller, even though I'd slightly prefer a cocked hat pommel.

Thanks!!

Grayson,

I believe they do have same blade. Even with the same blade, they probably handle a bit different because of the different hilt components. Maybe someone who has handled them both can comment, but if not, give Mike at Albion a call and ask him.

I like those "cocked hat" pommels too. I say if you want the Ritter... get it. What's 80 bucks if you are already spending several hundered? And then you have the sword you really want! But that's just me talking.

I have to agree -- if you really want the Ritter over the Hospitaller -- find a way to save up the extra $80, even if it means delaying gratification a little longer. You may not buy another sword for a while, so get the one that is going to give you the greatest satisfaction. The $80 will seem trivial after you have it.

Brian M

Thank you Aaron, I'd be grateful if you did ;)

It's not so much that I want the ritter more than the hospitaller. It's more that I would ever so slghtly prefer the cocked hat pommel as it seems to have a bit more personality to it.

I can only echo what Aaron has said about the Ritter. It's an unusual sword to the modern eye, but very interesting and it grows on you aesthetically. I like it very much myself. It's handling qualities are a bit surprising as well. It's a far more agile sword than you'd suspect when looking at it. I'd hold out for that one if I were you.

I too bought a Ritter and find it to be one of the best handling out of the next Gens...
its a hellava cutter...

Hi Grayson,

I think the Hospitaller looks really great in it's austere beauty. I also think that the Ritter looks great but I have a sense that the Hospitaller has more of a historical precedent. I can think of several swords of the 12th c. that share a type 1 guard and disc pommel.

The Ritter, Peter has stated, is based on a group of Germanic swords of the 13th c. though the Ritter has a smaller blade than these.

Also when looking at the pommel of the Ritter I find myself questioning whether cocked hat pommels in period had such a strong and defined shape as that on the Ritter. Looking at the historical specimen- the pommels don't look quite so bold and defined. I am no expert of any kind and this may be due to the effect of errosion on the pommels but this is a question for me. I know that Patrick Barta has mad a swrod with a cocked hat pommel with a more rounded/blended character.

The Hospitaller could be found at the height of feudalism and during the First Crusade while the Ritter post-dates this period. But take my sentiments for what they are as my interest in A&A is closely tied to the millitary and non-millitary history of the period, also I named the Hospitaller. ;)

Jeremy

Hmm. looking at the photo of the original and the Ritter pommel- perhaps the shape is consistent. I still am inclined to ask if a more rounded shape is called for- especially on the "face" of the Ritter pommel.

I think that Albion did an excellent job on the disc pommel of my Norman. It has a nice organic feel to it- and I suspect this may exist too for the Ritter if handled in person- which I have not done.

If I were in your position I would go for the archtypical Hospitaller as a mainstay of the collection. It depends how you want to build your collection- some folks desire the typical and some the exotic. Me- i'll first get the typical- then later get the more spectific examples. I think it's also improtant to note that what we think of as the typical historically may in fact not be- for example during the period 1050-1175 the brazil nut and tea cozy pommels which many think of as more specialized and original shapes would seem, based on period examples, to have outnumbered the disc and wheel pommel family which many think of as quite plain and normative.

Each person decides what to buy based on what they want in a collection. I wonder, does anyone out there buy one sword and go "okay now I have the sword I wanted- I'm done." :) Now that would be something!

Jeremy

Hi...

if you really like the ritter style sword. check out armart. its 418$

http://www.armart.antiquanova.com/

right now they have these sword ready to send.


i think up armart is top quaility 2.

I checked out armart. That blade was nice but the opmmel seemed too...off. Thanks for the try though Katie.

I think I'm going with the ritter, thoguh $80.will be a pain to raise. I have a deal with my parents that I have to equal the amount into my college fund ($1400 plus double shipping) so money is quite tight here. I've seen some convincing arguments here that I need to buy a sword that I'd be absolutely happy, so I don't waste any money. Jeremy, I see what you mean about the hospitaller being the centerpiece of my collection, but I probably won't buy another sword after this for a while at least. I tend to lean more toward the exotic without going into absurdity (i.e. final fantasy, etc.). I have a passion for straight european blades, but I like them to have a certain flair.

Aaron, thanks for the review, I grateful for the time you took to help me!

Thanks for everyone's help.

EDIT: Aaron, I just searched up the ritter in the forum history - I saw yours and was very impressed. you pictures have led me to solidly say that I want one :lol:

on a similar note:

What color grip would be historically accurate and look best on the Ritter?

The discussion of ArmArt is completely off-topic to this topic. Please save it for its own topic. This one is about the Albion Ritter and Hospitaller swords.

Thank you.