[Markus Haider]

Since we have here a lot of people who visited Albion recently, I wondered if anyone handled the Rouen Hand-and-a-half? How does it compare to others like the Brescia?
It seems to be another sleeper at Albion, since I didn't find much about it on the net.

[Harlan Hastings]

Not much about it yet because it's still fairly new.

It is an amazingly agile sword. It's a bit shorter than the Brescia and just a touch wider at the hilt. Very handy with one hand and lots of room on the hilt for two. Both are relatively stiff blades. I have not cut yet with the Rouen but the Brescia is a demon, easily handling two mat rolls (and I have NO technique to speak of).

[Markus Haider]

Thanks Harlan. How long is the gripable area of the hilt? 6"?
I am still tied between the Rouen (cheaper + economy sale, availiable, hollow ground, I wouldn't hesitate to use it, which I surely would with the Brescia) and the Bresica (longer, PJ-design, beautiful pommel), and there are the hinted new ATrim-swords... - decisions, decisions...

[Harlan Hastings]

I never measured the grip (didn't put it down long enough to do that) but I'd say it should be around 6" . Somebody at Albion could answer better than me.

A couple things to keep in mind - the Brescia is very user friendly. I would not hesitate to cut with one I owned at all. On the other side, both the Rouen and the Orleans were in-house designs that were probably run past Peter before being produced. They have such a great, close relationship that many of the swords that Peter doesn't design directly are still bounced off him for feedback.

I guess it comes down to size/design vs money/hollow grinding. Personally I think Albion's sale is the best deal going right now and I'd be getting a couple things from them if I hadn't already spent my money on stuff from Peter and Rick. If it was me, I'd pick up the Rouen before it went back up in price and come back for the Brescia if I wanted something a little bigger down the road.

Heck, you can never have too many swords!

Harlan

[Nathan Robinson]

I was able to handle the Rouen while visiting Albion and was immediately impressed by it. This sword, designed by Jason Dingledine, appears at first sight to be a hefty, substantially wide bladed monster. Upon wielding it, however, one immediately notices the benefits of the hollow-grinding. It's amazingly light and maneuverable for its blade profile dimensions. To be direct: it's a hell of a sword and replicates many styles history has brought us, but far too few replica makers have attempted to tackle.

I wouldn't compare it to the Brescia, as they're quite different swords. The handling characteristics, and probably intended purposes, of each sword are different from one-another.

As I understand it, the Rouen and Orléans were both designed by Jason, and were the first of the new models that really took advantage of much of the research from the Peter Johnsson/ Albion connection. The benefits of such a team certainly show up in this design.

Here are some photos I was able to take while visiting.



Click on each image, above, to see a full-sized photograph

I'd, personally, love to see the same sword with a fishtail pommel and different guard.

[Joe Fults]

Ditto on the pommel and guard.

[Markus Haider]

Thanks guys you were really helpful, and I think I'll go with the Rouen (just waiting for the new offerings Gus will have).
I agree that it would even be better with a Fishtail pommel (my favourite), but this is reserved for a future custom sword.

[Mac Smith]

This thread really helped me out also since ive been considering the Rouen as well.

[Amy Christensen-Waddell]

Hey Guys... wasn't it the Rouen that sent Allan into a tizzy? One of the most humorous and oddly touching ramblings I've ever heard from a man...

[Harlan Hastings]

[Amy Christensen-Waddell]