Introducing... The Vassal Falchion -- myArmoury.com

Howard Waddell · Industry Professional

The guys just finished the prototype of this magnificent, nasty little piece of work... I have never been a huge fan of these, but I have to say that this is a sweet and lethal chopper!

more photos here:

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

Specifications
Overall length: 33.5" (85.1 cm)
Blade length: 27.25" (69.2 cm)
Blade width at guard: 1.66" (4.2 cm)
Blade width at the false edge: 2.3" (5.8 cm)
CoG: 3.75" (9.5 cm)
CoP: 17" (43.2 cm)
Weight: 2 lbs 8.75 oz (1.15 kilos)

Best,

Howy

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

Howy,
That looks pretty nice! It's good to see it in the steel.

Greg Griggs · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 8:43 am Post subject:

Have to admit, I've never been any kind of fan of falchions but this one does have really nice proportions. Really like the nice sweeping curve to the point. Most of them I've seen are made much too wide at the false edge point.

Once again you guys have outdone yourselves, Howy. Lots of new stuff lately and every piece well worth the wait. Congrats!

-Greg

Now tell those guys in the shop to get my Gallowglass done!!!! Laughing Out Loud

Robert B. Allison · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 8:58 am Post subject:

That is beautiful, wonderful piece of work! First the Meister prototype, now the Vassal, can the Knecht be far behind? I'm hoping not, have had one on order for well over a year.

Michal Plezia · Industry Professional

It looks very powerfull.I really like it.

Jonathan Blair · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 9:59 am Post subject:

Well, I think we all know someone is going to be very happy about this... Laughing Out Loud

Another wonderful piece from Albion.

Stephen D. Sharp · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 10:06 am Post subject:

Man, Albion makes it real hard not to want every sword they make Cool

Stephen (Stiubhart)

Bryce Felperin · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 10:31 am Post subject:

Based upon the specs I'd figure that it will be a fast and nimble chopper too!

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 10:31 am Post subject:

I know what a challenge it's been for Albion to get these single-edged swords into production. I'm happy to seem them come to fruition and that fact that these represent something truly unique in the market is an added plus.

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Very nice. It's hard to tell by the photos if the blade geometry on the spine follows close to the design spec drawing. Can anyone confirm if it's been modified?

I have to say how particularily pleased I am to see a reproduction of such a weapon that retains the complexity of the many originals out there. So many of these things on the reproduction market are simplified, as if falchions are supposed to be crude choppers. This is a real treat.

Tim Lison · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 11:10 am Post subject:

WOW! I am very pleased to see this. I really like the cord risers on the grip, it's a nice unexpected piece of detail. I am very much looking forward to receiving mine!!!!!!

Peter Johnsson · Industry Professional

Hey Nathan!

There has been no change from the concept drawing of the spine or any other part of the blade: it has a long false edge along the back from the point via the clip point and back along the spine to about where the fuller fades out.
-Anticipating the question: no, the false edge is not really sharp. It has not been sharp on any of the swords I´ve seen with this feature. The false edge plays a role in mass distribution, stiffness, vibration dampening and not least: to make thrusting more effortless.

The base of the blade has a sort of semi ricasso with a short length of fuller in it. I do not think this feature has been commented on. It is very evident on the sword, but not really visible in the photos.
This feature is acording to a specimen I docmented at the royal Armouries in Leeds. There are several other historical falchions and single edged swords who share this feature. To my eyes it adds character and class to the blade.
Obviously it also good for those instances when you want to finger the guard.

This semi-ricasso produces a section of blunt adge at the base of the blade, well suited for parrying. The sharpness comes about gradually over the first few inches after the semi ricasso.

The adjustments that has been done on this blade during the production development phase is all in the proportions of the cross section: how the spine relates to the edge and cross section in different parts of the blade. No changes has been made to the principle or function of the different parts of the blade, nor any compromizes on the features you can see on a well preserved historical example of this type. It also follows very closely the dimensions of the concept drawing with only minimal alterations.
Some adjustments of initial proportions of the design is normal in the development of a blade: you have to see how your intentions carry through milling, rough grinding, heat treat and final grinding. A small change somewhere along the road can have effects of the final outcome in surpricing ways. When I make single one-of a kind swords in my smithy, this is just part of the making of a blade. In setting up a design for production, you have to make sure everything works together with minimal need for fiddly hand tweaking of each individual blade.
This is something that has had greater effect on this and our other single edged blades simply beacause that the single edged assymetrical blade is far more complex in geometry than a double edged blade: it not only change width, thickness, angles of planes and cross section, but also curves at different rates from base to point.
A single edged blade will also react very differently in heat treat than a double edged blade.
This all has to be made alowances for in the initial blade blank.

Derek Wassom · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 12:37 pm Post subject:

Looks great!

Jeremy G · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 3:49 pm Post subject:

Oh man it looks awesome!! I can't wait to get mine! Great job guys!!!

Chuck Wyatt · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 4:09 pm Post subject:

It's...........Perfect!

Steve Grisetti · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 5:10 pm Post subject:

That is a really beautiful piece of work. Lots of interesting details to draw the eye - the grip and risers, the cross, and, especially the blade. I was going to say that the pommel was a bit boring, but with the other details, it's probably best to keep the pommel on the plain side.

Bob Burns · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 5:11 pm Post subject:

Hurray! Oh Man! You have made my day! Just wondering when I get to drive over to Kult of Athena and pick mine up, it's been paid for in full since early July! Oh I have been waiting for this precious little gem of a slaughter all sword for months!
Since the day I first laid eyes on the concept art and my eyes bugged half way out of my skull and I went TILT with pleasure center overload!
Well Howy, this may not be your sword but it sure as hell is mine! Laughing Out Loud

When Albion came up with this sword I was awe struck!

So when do I go pick it up? Laughing Out Loud

Eagerly chomping at the bit Exclamation

Bob

Bob Burns · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 5:28 pm Post subject:

I am still getting over my state of shock in a very pleasant way of course, oh man I am sooooo happy right now it is hard to even put into words. I just happened to go into Makers and Manufacturers Talk, and there it was the announcement by Howard Waddell that the Vassal is in production and I started yelling "Oh WOW Oh WOW" my wife was wondering what the hell all the excitement was about and I yelled out "THE VASSAL It's Been Announced! Gayle come here you gotta see these pictures!" I mean I completely and totally lost it Exclamation

Incidently, she agrees the sword is beautiful, very beautiful and I can hardly wait to get mine!

Tic Toc Tic Toc

Bob

Brian M · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 5:31 pm Post subject:

Wow, too bad I didn't have the funds to spring for that one.

Brian M

Bryce Felperin · Posted: Thu 21 Sep, 2006 6:17 pm Post subject: