| Author |
Message |
Nathan Keysor
|
 Posted: Tue 26 Aug, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject: Albion Bayeux |
 |
|
A few days ago I received the second of two swords I ordered from Albion before the price increase. Both showed up in less than a month! They must have their noses to the grindstone so to speak. Here is the second of the two a Bayeux with antiqued hilt furniture. I agonized between this and the Reeve and Senlac. I think this is a sword that the pics on the Albion site just don't do full justice to. It is somewhat plain at first glance but it feels great in the hand and has become one of my favorites. The antiquing adds a lot of character. I'm debating antiquing the blade still.
 Attachment: 134.35 KB
Attachment: 78.14 KB
[ Download ]
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!"
|
|
  |
 |
|
Mike Arledge
|
| Posted: Tue 26 Aug, 2008 1:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
awesome, I almost got that same setup but instead went with a Yeoman. Maybe I am due to get that soon then!  Congrats on a fine weapon!
Mike J Arledge
The Dude Abides
|
|
 |
|
|
Kenton Spaulding
|
| Posted: Tue 26 Aug, 2008 1:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
Not one for shiny hilts, are you Nathan? Both this and the Ritter look great.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chris Lampe
Location: United States Joined: 07 Mar 2005
Posts: 211
|
| Posted: Tue 26 Aug, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
That's a great looking sword! All business!!
This is the second sword (The Reeve being the first) that hadn't really kindled any real interest for me until I saw the photographs that new owners have posted. I think Albion's photos don't do justice to a lot of their swords.
|
|
 |
|
Justin B.
|
| Posted: Tue 26 Aug, 2008 6:35 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yay for agonising! 
I did it with the Yeoman. Now I kinda wish I'd put something down on a Stamford also, but whatever, that's not why I posted...
Nice sword! I always think "Nah, I don't want to get a sword pre-patinaed," but then I see something like this. It's quite fetching, and I can't help but feel that it's a little more accurate towards what you'd expect to see in the hand of a campaigning solider.
I'd have to agree that Albion's stock photos just don't do their work justice.
|
|
  |
|
Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
|
| Posted: Tue 26 Aug, 2008 7:00 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wow. The Bayeux shown here looks great. Get a worn scabbard and a bit of wear to the blade (from use, hopefully!) and you'll have a damn fine set up. It reminds me of Howy's (from Albion) knight that has a real nice "slightly worn and used" appearance. Sweet.
| Justin B. wrote: | | I'd have to agree that Albion's stock photos just don't do their work justice. |
I'd be happy to photograph Albion should they, or any owner, want to send me the swords to shoot. Muhaha...
.:. Visit my Collection Gallery :: View my Reading List :: View my Wish List :: See Pages I Like :: Find me on Facebook .:.
|
|
  |
|
|
Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 818
|
| Posted: Tue 26 Aug, 2008 7:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
That just looks great Nathan. The way I look at it is as long as Albion continues to turn out great swords there pictures can stay the way they are. I like the antiquing as the others have said and agree with Justin's point about that is what you would expect to see a soldier on campaigns weapon looking like. I also like the grip, what color is that?
Scott
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc Pengryffyn
Location: Canberra, Australia Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Posts: 72
|
| Posted: Tue 26 Aug, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Nice sword! Congratulations!
For interests sake, what's the grip length [guard to pommel]? I love these earlier swords, but I have large hands, and I always wonder if my hand could fit in what looks like a smallish space. Being stuck here in the antipodes, I rarely get a chance to see or handle actual examples.
Cheers
Marc
Tradition is the illusion of permanence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeremiah Swanger
|
| Posted: Wed 27 Aug, 2008 1:01 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Marc Pengryffyn wrote: | Nice sword! Congratulations!
For interests sake, what's the grip length [guard to pommel]? I love these earlier swords, but I have large hands, and I always wonder if my hand could fit in what looks like a smallish space. Being stuck here in the antipodes, I rarely get a chance to see or handle actual examples.
Cheers
Marc |
I have large hands as well, and I own an Albion Stamford, which is very much like the Bayeaux, but with a different guard and pommel. If you use a period-correct grip (grip it like a handshake instead of a hammer), it is surprisingly-comfortable. The points of the pommel nestle themselves neatly in the heel of my hand, creating a very secure grip that allows for quick wrist movements and strong, shearing blows.
"Rhaegar fought nobly.
Rhaegar fought valiantly.
Rhaegar fought honorably.
And Rhaegar died."
- G.R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marc Pengryffyn
Location: Canberra, Australia Joined: 21 Jul 2008
Posts: 72
|
| Posted: Wed 27 Aug, 2008 2:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Jeremiah Swanger wrote: |
I have large hands as well, and I own an Albion Stamford, which is very much like the Bayeaux, but with a different guard and pommel. If you use a period-correct grip (grip it like a handshake instead of a hammer), it is surprisingly-comfortable. The points of the pommel nestle themselves neatly in the heel of my hand, creating a very secure grip that allows for quick wrist movements and strong, shearing blows. |
Thanks Jeremiah. I'd never use a "hammer-grip" with a sword, although it's just the thing for a mace I've read a lot of references to the "handshake" grip, but have never been sure whether the thumb is supposed to wrap around the grip, beside the index finger, or line up parallel to the edge, fencing style. I've always assumed it's the former, since the latter is more appropriate for thrusting, but I've never seen it defined very explicitly (my experience is all with much later sword styles). The early-medieval swords I have had the opportunity to handle, mostly of viking pattern, have all felt a bit uncomfortable in my hand with that grip, the pommel digging into my palm. But then, these weren't top-end swords! And perhaps their grips were especially small.
Thanks
Marc
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeremy V. Krause
|
| Posted: Wed 27 Aug, 2008 9:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
Actually I have noticed that lower end viking and high medieval swords ted to have grips that are too long! For some reason many times even higher end custom smiths makes viking swords with lonker than normal grips- I suspect they are appealing to the customer base.
In any case Nathan- love your sword- owning the Norman, Reeve, and Templar it seems we have similar tastes!
Jeremy
|
|
|
|
|
Brian K.
Industry Professional
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Joined: 01 Jan 2008
Posts: 727
|
| Posted: Wed 27 Aug, 2008 10:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
Anything Albion makes is stunning. But I still like your Ritter the best. But I wouldn't kick this one out of my own collection if I were to aquire one.
Brian Kunz
www.dbkcustomswords.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ken Berry
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Joined: 17 May 2008
Posts: 31
|
| Posted: Wed 27 Aug, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
Just curious is the grip colour "light brown"? I just ordered a Talhoffer from albion with light brown grip, I hope it comes out like yours/
|
|
|
|
|
Nathan Keysor
|
| Posted: Fri 29 Aug, 2008 7:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks guys for all the positve comments! The grip color is dark brown and it is approx 3 5/8" long. It really is a no frills weapon pure and simple. It's true I'm not a big fan of shiny hilts or black leather grips for that matter. I think they remind me of the cheap swords of my misspent youth (money-wise). Also, I have my swords displayed close together so I try to have varied grip/hilt colors to add a little variety to the mix. Here is a pic of my Crusades-era collection. (Sorry for the poor quality but the weather won't cooperate with me)
Attachment: 128.18 KB
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!"
|
|
|
|
|
Darrin Hughes
|
| Posted: Fri 29 Aug, 2008 8:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
That is a great selection of swords and finishes. I was originally going to get my Reeve with an antiqued finish, but backed out because the process seemed too variable. I think, seeing this, that what I saw as a problem actually gives each sword it's own character. Very nice.
D.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is a standard topic