Hey All,

I know there are endless types of one-handed swords in this price range. I'm a bit disappointed by the lack of detail in many. Anyone have any recommendations of their favorite sword designed specifically for one-handed use?

From Albion, I've been looking at the King-Maker, The Viceroy, The Earl, The Prince, etc.... A lot of swords are all looking the same in level of detail... Do you really have to pay more than $2,000 to get real detail?

Anyway, more specifically, what is your favorite one-handed sword, for whatever reason, in the below $2,000 price range from ANY manufacturer.

Thanks,

Chris

Tinkers great in this price range! he has some great late medieval single handers!

It's falls a little far back on most people's collecting period, but the Albion Thegn is a wicked bit of precise, polished lethality. It is the best handling of the entire 2nd Gen Viking line. Worth every penny. Spot-on point placement, vicious quick blade recovery, practically weightless handling. I love my Thegn.

For what it's worth, the Viceroy and Earl are not one-handed swords. They are at best hand and a half. A good number of folks will almost exclusively use them with two hands.

Can you fill us in on what you mean by "real detail"? Albion's swords have as much detail as the period originals they're based on. While there are more ornate period swords than the ones Albion chose to replicate, Albion is about as detailed as you'll find in a production sword. The detailed, period-correct shapes of the components and blade don't always show in photos, but they are as detailed (or more) as many period swords.

If I were in the market for a one-hander, I'd get Albion's Vassal, which is based on the Thorpe falchion.

Perhaps you mean detailed like this:

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If I could only own one of the one-handed types I would have to keep my Albion Laird, more because of it's unique style than for it's handling or cutting ability. If I were actually choosing a one-handed sword for combat I might choose differently, not that the Laird isn't a lethal little thing. The Squire would run a close second although I have not handled one, it somehow represents the classic medieval sword to me.

For me, it's a toss-up between the Albion Thegn and the Kingmaker. I've never handled either so I'm basing my preference on aesthetics and what I've read about the handling of each.

Like Chad, I'm a bit confused by the mention of lack of detail. I'd say that Albion swords are more "crisp" in their details and lines than any sword maker's products in their price range.

Many products found even on higher-priced custom work are much more "washed out" and lacking of detail than even the most entry-level of Albion's products.

Perhaps the original poster is looking for, as Chad suggests, a different type of item be created than those offered in Albion's catalog? Maybe some of the more ornate Renaissance offerings with engravings, gilding, etching, and whatnot? Custom maker's Patrick Barta of TEMPL Arms and Vince Evans come to mind, but do so at a much higher price point.

I've often thought Albion's products to be a bit too detailed, crisp and perfect for my own tastes. I know that sounds strange and completely contradicts what I would have said years ago, but the more I've seen of antiques, the more imperfections (not caused by age), I've noticed. I've come to find these qualities appealing. Like any product, Albion has had to make their products so that they both meet their own design goals as well as meet their customer's desires. I'd imagine that their customer base wishes for such crisp lines and perfection and would scoff at asymmetry and other such things despite them being found on similar antiques. This is a good example of how taste differs amongst each of us and how modern-made items must be made for modern-made tastes. Having said that, it's much easier and requires much less skill to take an Albion product and "reduce" its details than it would be to take another's "washed out" item and attempt to clean it up and add detail.

All great suggestions: Albion Thegn, Kingmaker, Laird, and Vessel.

Each great for their own unique reason.

I understand what is appreciated with the aesthetics of the Laird, I totally agree.

The Vessel is vey cool, no doubt.

The Albion Thegn and Kingmaker each seem to represent top notch handling.

When I mentioned detail, I just meant that a lot of swords looked rather bland in the pommel, grip, hilt, etc... I didn't neccessarily mean I needed inscriptions, Jewels, or anything decorative per se... I was just having a hard time picking between various swords sine they seemed rather 'ordinary' and 'basic'. I'm probably not making too much sense about that, so let's forget I mentioned that.

Instead, if anyone else would like to contribute some of there opinions on their top two, dedicated one-handed swords in the less than $2,000.00 range, that would be great. Those museum quality Albion's look nice also.

Who is Tinker?

I have to admit, some of the Jody Samson stuff seems very cool looking...

Also, on another topic, I wonder how much it costs to have Ollin Sword design make a functional fantasy one-handed sword? I think that would be really cool: I've drawn up some of the best features I liked about each fantasy sword I've seen, including some of my own thoughts... I think it would be cool...

I'm guessing "lack of detail" here means plainess. I partly agree; I've never been a fan of the overly spartan look, even though it was historically uncommon for swords to be very decorated.

That said, when it comes to Albion you can't really beat the Valkyrja in this regard:

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Another pretty looking one is the A&A Edward III, which Chad posted above.

As for my favourite sword, I do like the look of the Albion Prince; if find it very aestethically pleasing, but still tasteful.

Did you check out the Arn Sword which has engraved crosses and inscription on the guard and blade? a very beautiful sword with a little more detail than just a "plain" sword.

Hey Chris,

So you're looking for ornate one-handed swords? There are several offerings from Arms & Armor in Minneapolis that fall into this category, and none are anywhere near $2K. I think the Medici falchion ($1,100) is the first to come to mind and is their only model with a four-figure price tag. Take a look at it for a new definition of the word 'ornate.'

Also consider A&A's German Branch sword, their St. Maurice-Vienna, Saxon military sword, their Irish sword, and their Town Guard sword. Oh, and they've since redesigned their Henry V with a hollow-ground blade. There are others too that aren't coming to mind at the moment...

If you're leaning towards Albion, I'm surprised no one's mentioned the Kern. The anomalous love-it-or-hate-it hilt is distinctively Irish. And speaking of Albion, consider also their Museum Line's "Tritonia" designed by Peter Johnsson if you don't mind the heftier price tag. I've always wanted to handle a Tritonia! :D

Just my thoughts, I hope this helps. Let us know which one you end up deciding upon!

Ok, so all I need is $25,000.00 and I can get one of all of the above....

All great choices...

By the way, just for fun:

"In the Tower of London resides an enormous bearing sword, 91 inches long. Its 65.5 inch blade is German and dates from the early 15th century, while its hilt is English."

Has anyone replicated the Bearing sword noted above? that would make a fun two handed sword!

I have a 75" Landesknecht sword, but 91" would take the cake! Anyone offer a bearing sword?

(I'm keeping my eye on "The Dane" although it is only going to be about 55-56" long )

Chris, I am just guessing here but could it be that your desire for detail is driven by what you have seen in various media, that may not be truly representative of a historical sword?

Once you have a good reproduction sword in hand you will appreciate the detailing of them. I have examples of wall hanger swords from a well known movie trilogy (and I do enjoy them for what they are)and I also have Albions (with more on order). It is the subtle detailing of a real sword that you will find truly attractive. For example a slender gently flared octagonal guard with incised lines in the right location is much more visually impressive than a thick gaudy guard with uneccessary engravings or insets.

Look at simple wheel pommels. Some are not simply flat, round hunks of steel, but the faces of them can be bevelled, and the transition between the main wheel and the raised middle portion can be an interesting shape in itself.

Even a simple single handed grip like that of Albions Knight changes in shape in different directions, not simply in the profile when viewed from the same aspect as looking at the flat of the blade, but when viewed from the side. This leads to it being an interesting 3 dimensional aspect of the sword in itself, although at first glance it may appear "simple".

If you can appreciate these subtleties then I would suggest you look at a sword such as the Sovereign, it's guard is quite complex for what it is, and the pommel recess can be fitted with a coin. The aforementioned Kingmaker is also a very attractive sword in this respect. All of the type xix's that Albion offer also have quite intricate details on them, some more so than others. I am expecting a Machiavelli to be delivered to me in the next few weeks and I very much look forward to seeing how it looks in the steel as it will be the most complex hilted sword I own.

The agree that the sword Chad showed images of is an attractive "detailed" sword and perhaps something like that is more to your liking. If you are going on consenus that sword is very popular with many people (or at least well known and discussed), so it is safe to say you are likely to be happy with it also.

When I first started the thread, I made a comment about 'detail', however, I quickly left that comment and simply wanted to stick with what people's top two favorites would be in one-handed swords, for any reason. And certainly, every single one of the above mentioned, including the Falchion's are very interesting. Jody Sampson's stuff looks very interesting, combining fantasy and functionality.

I'm probably going to pick up the Kingmaker just so I can at least have one nice handling, light, dedicated single-handed sword. (I really like the look of the Laird so I may pick that up in the future since the Kingmaker would be the performance piece).

I already have a few 2 handed swords already (but that upcoming Dane looks interesting).

At some point, I'll call Ollin and check out a custom design, something really evil looking for sure...

I'm assuming that the Kingmaker is nice and sharp... By the way, I noticed there are a bunch of dfferent handle colors, including some custom ones that you have to call about. I wonder what the custom choices would be? What would you put on your Kingmaker?

I've had the pleasure of handling a Kingmaker. Let me say that you won't be disappointed. It is neither blade-heavy nor hilt-heavy. It just feels "there." In the hands of a trained swordsman (sadly not I), its speed can be comparable to a rapier. In fact, a review of the Kingmaker was done here on myArmoury. Do read it if you haven't already.

If you want a grip color other than those offered, Albion will do that for an extra fee. Ask Mike. If I were getting a Kingmaker, I would have the grip in either black or oxblood. Or how about the color of royalty -- purple! After all, it is the Kingmaker!


:p

I was thinking Oxblood or black, having trouble picking... As far as custom, I'm open to suggestions... other than purple ;) Ha! Anyone order a custom color?