grip length on Albion Soveriegn and Vigil? -- myArmoury.com

Michael Brudon

Hi I am interested in getting one or both of these swords next and wondered what the grip length is like for big hands? I am a big guy with really big hands and can struggle with smaller grips, or rather I prefer a bit of room. One review said the vigil had quite a compact grip. If so I don't suppose albion can customise the length? I assume they are not a custom outfit but anyhow.

Roger Hooper · Posted: Thu 21 Aug, 2014 8:43 am Post subject:

Albion Europe shows the grip lengths of all their models.

Vigil = 3.858 inches
Sovereign = 3.819 inches

Lloyd Winter · Posted: Thu 21 Aug, 2014 9:28 am Post subject:

I have fairly large hands and I never had a problem with my Sovereign. No experience with the Vigil so I can't help you there.

Michael Brudon · Posted: Fri 22 Aug, 2014 5:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks gents and for that link. They are a bit skimpy for me Sad

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Fri 22 Aug, 2014 5:16 pm Post subject:

I have a vigil and really can't imagine hands that would be too big to prevent martial usage. I am thinking how large said hands would need to be.

My hands are not small and I have plenty of room to spare. This grip isn't like a Viking or even a shorter brazil-nut grip.

The wood core on the Vigil give the grip a "full" feeling as compared to my other single-hand Albions- Norman, Solingen, and Reeve. THe grip on the Vigil is a bit "bulgy" in the middle.

Greg Ballantyne · Posted: Sat 23 Aug, 2014 9:02 pm Post subject:

I also have large hands. I have a Viking reproduction sword with a 4 1/4" grip that my hand fits snugly. Of course the lobated pommel is fairly large with a slight curve against the heel of the hand when held in the infamous "hammer grip". As the grip transitions between " hammer" and "handshake" the pommel also moves in relation to the hand,
A wheel pommel on a 3/8" to 1/2" shorter grip would end up with the wheel partially gripped in the "hammer" and transition in a similar manner. Might not be a problem for a large hand. I have been wanting an Albion Caithness for some time. It also has a little shorter grip. I wouldn't mind holding one to see how it feels, but my first thought is that the grip length would be fine.

Michael Brudon · Posted: Mon 25 Aug, 2014 12:31 am Post subject:

Agree no doubt still can use the swords martially, but just my personal preference to have more room on the grip and less contact with the pommels etc. I have 4.5" wide knuckles and even fatter palms( think labourer with a 6'7" reach). I believe type XIV came in grips as long as 4.5" historically so I'm not the only big guy who must have wanted a larger one Happy

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Mon 25 Aug, 2014 5:52 am Post subject:

J.D. Crawford · Posted: Mon 25 Aug, 2014 11:29 am Post subject:

One-hand swords from a slightly later period tended to have slightly longer grips. So, for example the Albion Squire and Oakeshott swords are still in the general ball park of the ones you like, but have grips of 4.25".

Michael Brudon · Posted: Wed 27 Aug, 2014 10:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies gents, I will investigate some of those options