[Patrick Kelly]

The Maximilian finally arrived at my door about an hour ago. Unfortunately my home computer imploded about a week ago and I'm using my agency issued laptop, so as much as I'd like to I can't provide photos. However, other than a black grip my sword is pretty spot on with Albions example.

http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/ne...photos.htm

I was honestly surprised at the swords handling qualities. It's definitely a big sword, enough so there's no doubt as to its status as a two-hander. It also has a definite heft, yet is far from cumbersome. It's actually quite dynamic for a sword this large. Peter stated he lengthened the grip to maximize the swords handling characteristics. I'd say this was an excellent choice as the sword is quite "sweet" in its handling, to use Peters term. I can see this sword being quite the effective cutter, whether on the field or in the back yard. The gip is somewhat larger in circumference than the usual Albion, but this is in keeping with the overall size of the sword and aids in its handling, in my opinion There is quite an incease in the blades distal taper from the end of the fullers to the tip, obviously another detail to control mass distribution. The pommels spherical shape makes for comfortable handling when grasped by the off-hand. Overall the sword has a very solid feel to it.

Aesthetically the sword is very striking. in spite of its size it still carrys a sleek quality about it, yet still powerful. If a typical longsword might be considered a greyhound, the Maximilian could be a Great Dane. The execution of fit and finish is very clean and crisp, typical Albion in that sense. I love the writhen style of furniture used here. It's one of my favorite stylistic choices on swords from this period and replicas thereof, such as A&As German Bastard Sword to name another. The double fullers are a great addition and one of the features that really sets the piece off visually. The grip itself is cleanly done, with the risers being nicely defined and I can't find a seam in the leather.

At the moment I'm recovering from a slight back injury so I wasn't really able to give the sword a good swing-around. All I could do was handle it a bit, sit it in the corner and get back in bed. Bill Grandy is much more familiar than I with the techniques built around this types use and hopefully he'll chime in on that issue in greater detail once his arrives. I for one am quite interested in his opinion.

In conclusion I think Albion has another winner in their stable. The Maximilian follows in the finer points of execution and mechanics that Albion swords are known for and certainly doesn't disappoint. If one is looking for a quality sharp of this type and can handle the freight the Maxmilian should be on a short list of candidates. On the other hand, if one's just a collector and likes big honkin' swords with huge style points and a mile high cool factor, the same applies.

I kinda like it, can you tell?

[Chris Artman]

Mine shipped out Monday, and finally arrives Friday... Black Grip as well. Looking forward to it!

[Bill Grandy]

[Sam Barris]

Oh, wow. That is just amazing.

[Patrick Kelly]

Bill, I love the purple grip. The same pommel cast in bronze would look quite striking with that color. I couldn't decide and went with basic black.

I've never seen a sword come out of the Albion shop that didn't live up to expectations. However, every once in a while they come up with one that becomes something of an industry standard. I think the Maximiliam might be one such sword.

[Ed Toton]

I got a chance to handle Bill's in class last night, and I agree with everything he's said about it. This is definitely a massive sword, but the balance surprises you. I expected a much more blade-heavy feel by the looks of it, but it handles very well. As a comparison, it's a little shorter than the Dane, and yet heavier. This doesn't detract from its mobility since the size and position of the pommel I think helps to keep the distribution of mass reasonable for moving it with relative ease.

[Patrick Kelly]

My back is feeling a bit better today so I was able to do a little more sword handling. I agree, it's definitely a big piece but I find it very responsive. Maybe being a six-foot, two hundred and fifty pound weight lifter has something to do with it, but I don't find the swords mass to be a detriment. Having handled many replicas of the type I was honestly surprised and how well it handles. My eighteen year old son is a lanky six-foot two and I'm going to have him put the sword through some movements when he gets home, so I can get his impression. Overall I think the Albion team has done quite a job with this one.

[Bill Grandy]

I did some tatami cutting with this today. As you might imagine, this thing has no problem sailing through mats.

I received a PM from someone asking if the Maximillian was suitable for techniques within the German Liechtenauer school of fencing. The answer is absolutely yes. For starters, most systems of martial arts are not so narrowly specific that they cannot function with a similar weapon, so any longsword system can be adapted to larger swords with only minor changes in body mechanics. But if that isn't enough, the Maximillian is very much like the swords depicted in the Goliath Fechtbuch. For those unaware, the Goliath Fechtbuch is a treatise that has the texts seen in earlier glosses of the Liechtenauer tradition (such as in the von Danzig fechtbuch) which expand on Master Liechtenauer's verse, so it directly stems out of the earlier German tradition. It was illustrated with people wearing clothing from approximately the start of the 16th century, and the longsword fencers are all shown using very large two handers that are not too different from the Maximillian.(see attached)

[Jean Thibodeau]

Congratulations to the happy new owners of the Maximilian: It seems to be a sword that even exceed the normally high expectations of a Peter Johnsson designed, Albion made sword.

I'm really happy for you guys.

Bill as far as handling is concerned I wonder it you can compare it to the A&A15th century two-handed sword ?
I could be wrong, but I think you may have handled one in the past ?

I'm assuming slightly faster with the Maximilian.

By the way just played with the A&A and I can borderline use it one handed but it's right at the limit: By the way a few years ago I commented that this was very very close to only for one blow and quick transition back to two handed use, but seems much easier now. ( Easy at medium speed but not to sure if I could be fast enough for it to be tactically sounds for more than limited use one handed ).

I must be stronger than a few years ago because it seemed a lot easier for me today ??? I haven't handled my A&A in a while.
( A lot of my swords get neglected as far as handling is concerned as I tend to play more with my most recent purchases ).

Side note: I think that once my collecting matures with time, I start to buy less often and go back to previous favourite swords more often, I do tend to favour the most recent swords in how often I handle them.

Oh, back to the Maximilian: The spiralling on the pommel and guard plus the purple grip is really attractive.

[Bryan W.]

Holy smokes that looks awesome. Nice choice on the purple Bill.

Good things come to those who wait.....looks like it was worth it.

[Chris Artman]

I love the sword. Very happy with the purchase! I placed it on one of my racks, there are about 5 of these racks I believe...

[Patrick Kelly]

Nice looking set up Chris. Where did you get the scabbard for your Svante?

[Chris Artman]

[Sam Barris]

Christian did the scabbard for my Svante as well, and an epic scabbard it is. The chape's cutouts were sketched by me in roughtly the same spirit as those on the scabbard of Peter's Svante, and Christian topped it off with a finial that looks like a miniature Svante pommel; an aesthetic trick I liked so much that I asked him to do the same sort of thing on my Brescia scabbard. I love the man's work. At some point, I still need to send him the rapier I picked up from this thread, but I'm overseas again, so that sort of thing is on hold for the moment.

[Paul B.G]

[Björn Hellqvist]

Looking like a sweet sword! Reading the comments how well it handles, I would say: no surprise! I've yet to handle a Peter Johnsson-designed sword that didn't feel like it wanted to be handled. Peter's knack for combining looks, R&D and function is awesome.

[Bill Grandy]

[Jean Thibodeau]

[Patrick Kelly]

[Bill Grandy]