Type X sword recommendations? -- myArmoury.com

Joshua Waters · Posted: Fri 19 Sep, 2014 10:42 pm Post subject: Type X sword recommendations?

Greetings!

I am looking getting a proper type X sword for my First crusade Norman kit.
I have been collecting swords for a while now, but the swords I have are brands like DSA and Hanwei and a few odd lots, and now that my knowledge of swords has greatly improved since my discovery of this forum I am not quite satisfied with my old swords anymore.
So I am finally starting to wander to the high end sword range. Earlier this year I made an inquiry with A&A, and unfortunately the sword I had in mind was way out of my budget range(college ugh).
I want a good Brazil nut pommel sword for the late 11th / early 12th century, my budget goes up to a $1000, but around $800 is preferable.
The top three I am looking to choose from are the Del Tin 2133, the VA Norman, or the Pavel Moc Hastings. My big question is what is the quality of these swords?
I intend to get a scabbard with any sword I get, so if I do get the DT or Pavel Moc, I will probably look at a Crusader monk scabbard for them.
But please recommend any good Brazil nut type X’s you can think of (things like this bother me until I make up my mind). I also don’t mind ordering from overseas.
I already know about Albion, but I don’t really like the looks of any of their Type X’s except for the Reeve. But for some reason when the prices start getting that high, I don’t really like the idea of paying that much for a CNC milled blade. I am not saying they aren't exceptional in quality, but it just doesn't appeal to me. I like to admire to workmanship that goes into forging the blade at that price level (sorry if that sounds rude, not my intention).
But I am still open to considering getting the Reeve; I think it’s a wonderful sword.

Thank you very much; your opinions are greatly appreciated.

Roger Hooper · Posted: Fri 19 Sep, 2014 11:17 pm Post subject:

The VA Norman is a good sword. To me it looks more like a Xa than a X. The blade is made in China. I'm not sure if it is forged or made via CNC.

I have an Albion Reeve. It is a superb sword with one of the best looking brazil nut pommels. The blade has been described as functioning like a big butcher knife. It's very light and handy.

As for forged vs. CNC, if both are well crafted swords, the end product is exactly the same.

Tim Lison · Posted: Fri 19 Sep, 2014 11:18 pm Post subject:

I think if you're willing to spend the money to get an Albion but not willing to spend the money needed to go full custom, get the Albion.
The Del Tin swords are ok, but are HEAVY and have a secondary bevel if you want it sharp. I haven't seen the VA sword so can't comment. The Pavel Moc Hastings looks way off for a type X to me. The fuller is too broad. It just isn't convincing to me.To me, it looks like the fuller got away from him a bit...
It's up to you but if it were me, I would get the Albion.

Mike Ruhala · Posted: Fri 19 Sep, 2014 11:35 pm Post subject:

A customized Hanwei Tinker Norman is worth considering... forged blade made from good steel and it's hand made, not CNC perfect, so in some ways it's actually more like the originals than many high end pieces. Polish the blade, take the polish off the cross and pommel, redo the grip if you'd like... even if you hire the work out you'll still have money left over for a reasonably accurate scabbard+suspension. The H/T Normans are a diamond in the rough.

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Fri 19 Sep, 2014 11:40 pm Post subject:

This one might be worth a look.
http://myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=30806&highlight=

Mark Moore · Posted: Sat 20 Sep, 2014 2:40 am Post subject:

I second the H/T Norman. That is one badass sword for your money. Big Grin

...........McM

Roger Hooper · Posted: Sat 20 Sep, 2014 9:43 am Post subject:

Josh Wilson · Posted: Sat 20 Sep, 2014 9:54 am Post subject:

I have to cast my lot with the Hanwei Tinker Norman sword as well.

Nicolas Gauthier · Posted: Sat 20 Sep, 2014 11:40 am Post subject:

I was just wondering, is the VA Norman historically accurate for this type of sword ? The fuller seem a little bit narrow, and the blade section after the fuller is diamond shaped. Shouldn't it be flat lenticular ?

Mike Ruhala · Posted: Sat 20 Sep, 2014 3:53 pm Post subject:

I noticed that too, the H/T Norman is probably more historically accurate but the VA Norman SE is still a very good value and the cross section could be adjusted on a belt grinder without too much trouble. You see narrow fullers on Finnish swords but they also generally have smaller pommels.

Max L · Posted: Sat 20 Sep, 2014 5:00 pm Post subject:

Craig Peters · Posted: Sat 20 Sep, 2014 5:29 pm Post subject:

I vote for the Reeve. The VA's fuller is too narrow as others have said, for a Type X, but the bigger problem is the riser near the tip, which screams modern. The Pavel Moc Hastings has a atypically wide fuller which looks odd, as does the pommel to me.

The Reeve handles very nicely, being a Type X designed to hew through mostly unarmoured opponents. It would be my choice.

Max L · Posted: Sat 20 Sep, 2014 5:37 pm Post subject:

I ordered an Albion Bayeux a few weeks ago, which shares the same blade as the Reeve. I'm hoping this will fulfill the Norman-Era type X niche in my collection.

Tomas B · Posted: Sat 20 Sep, 2014 6:40 pm Post subject:

I have an Albion Reeve and I absolutely love it. The brazil nut pommel is executed just right (so many of them look just a bit off). The blade is much lighter then I had assumed so it handles much better then I imagined it would.

Harry Marinakis · Posted: Sat 20 Sep, 2014 7:05 pm Post subject:

I've not handled either the H/T Norman nor the VA Norman, but I will offer my observations.

If you are not interested in historically-accurate portrayals, then read no further.

The scabbard of the H/T Norman is completely wrong for the period. Chapes were not really in use during the late 11th C or the early 12th C. The suspension method (2 straps/rings) that comes with the scabbard did not appear until the 15th C. So you might as well throw away the scabbard and get something else, because it's not even in the ballpark.

The VA Norman looks great. I really appreciate the thong belt instead of buckle belt, that's a really nice touch - and historically accurate. Unfortunately, it too comes with a chape, but I wonder if you can get one made for you without the chape. The tooling is also over the top, such elaborate scabbard tooling did not appear that early. Nonetheless, if I would buy one, if I didn't have to pay for a scabbard commission that is coming due soon.

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...highlight=

EDIT: Also the VA Norman has an offset sword belt, which was not developed until later around AD 1200-1220

Max L · Posted: Sat 20 Sep, 2014 7:10 pm Post subject:

I have no doubt Sonny would do a more simple period version of the scabbard and suspension if requested.

Josh Wilson · Posted: Sun 21 Sep, 2014 11:14 am Post subject:

Jeffrey Faulk · Posted: Sun 21 Sep, 2014 11:16 am Post subject:

I have a H/T Norman and love the heck out of it.

Some small counters to Harry's advice regarding that sword:

Yes, the scabbard is not the best when it comes to historic accuracy, but the chape is still useful and the fiberglass core is good enough to hold the sword until you've gotten it "dressed" to your liking. If you cannot afford a custom or even semi-custom job, it's a simple enough matter to strip the fiberglass core and do it up yourself.

Also, the two straps and rings, on mine at least were not attached by anything but friction. You should be able to wiggle them off.

Apart from all that, the sword itself is one of my very favorites. It handles well and cuts beautifully. The Brazil-nut pommel can be a bit sharp for some people, but it's something you figure out after a while. I would strongly recommend that one as an economy option.

Craig Peters · Posted: Sun 21 Sep, 2014 5:23 pm Post subject:

Well, on this one, I'm going to back Harry. I own a scabbard without a chape and the sword is just fine in it, so I'm not really clear what is meant by "a chape is still useful". Considering it's historically inaccurate, it would be less work for the manufacturer to make a chape-less scabbard. I understand that people want a scabbard that is cheap for their sword, but if they're touting how good (and historically accurate) the H/T Norman is at its price point, which people do, then we'd better take into account the whole package, and not just the sword. The same goes for the VA Norman.

Mike Ruhala · Posted: Sun 21 Sep, 2014 8:00 pm Post subject:

It's still a tough value to beat overall but it's true that the H/T Norman's scabbard isn't very historical, basically it's just a functional blade cover. When I finish my polishing project I intend to do a wood cored, linen wrapped scabbard with a bridge.