So I've been eyeing the A&A 12th century sword. I've found next to nothing written about it so I guess it's not one of A&A's more popular models? But I guess someone here has owned one at some point and can tell me what it feels like? I guess it's better in two hands than in one? I have two A&A swords already and I know what to expect in terms of craftsmanship.

Original: c. 1100 - 1250 Northern Europe, Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow.

Blade Length: 34.6" x 2", Overall Length 43.3", Weight: @3.3lbs., BP: @5.5"

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Hey Kenneth,

I've got one, I purchased it from Patrick Kelly some years back. As with all Arms and Armor pieces it's a very well done sword. Although it's by no means my favorite A&A piece I think it's a very nice representation of the type, and is a VERY sturdy powerful sword.

You can see a short review I wrote some time back of it here: http://www.tritonworks.com/newpage5.htm

Two answer your question, it's definately predjudiced towards the blade, but I don't know that you can really use it two handed consistently. I don't have the grip length in that review (wrote it before I started including them) but you getting two hands on the grip isn't terribly comfortable as I recall. I'll have to get it out again tonight and see. Been a while since I played with that one so I'll be glad to do that and answer any other questions you might have...

Hey Russ

Sounds like what I want. Except for the uncomfortable grip part.I guess you have to grip the pommel to use it with both hands. It could be a litte longer in the grip but in the pictures the proportions look spot on.

Also on the list is an Albion Duke or a Steward. Interesting how the A&A has the size of the Steward and the weight of the Duke. The A&A must be a pretty sturdy sword.

Is it the latest version you have or an older one?

I guess the sword is modeled after this one, mentioned in the type XIII feature;
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XIIIa.5 From the Glasgow Museum and Art Gallery
This is an example of a sword that does not fit neatly into any single category. The long and narrow fuller of the 35" blade is much like an Oakeshott Type XI, but because of the sword's proportions, it is placed into the Type XIIIa group. The cross-guard is also an earlier style, known as a Gaddhjalt or "Spike-hilt" form, and is most common amongst Viking swords. Oakeshott dates this example early for the type at circa 1200-50, or perhaps even as early as 1100.


So, it's really more a bit old fashioned 13th century sword than 12th... :\

It's a nice sword.

While it does lack some of the dynamic handling qualities found in other replicas of this type it is solidly made from quality materials. There appear to have been some subtle refinements from the older model I sold Russ and the newer one now pictured on A&A's website. (such as the old one having a recess in the pommel face that the newer one no longer has) A&A is constantly improving their product so the newer ones may have better handling qualities. (which are fine with the old one, just not outstanding)

It's a good offering in that price point.

Kenneth;

I started a topic a while back about twohanded use of onehanded swords that probably had posts dealing with swords with short grips or grips at the limit of possible twohanded swords. ( I haven't re-read all the posts yet. )

In any case some of the issues you are wondering about may have been covered there.

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...mp;start=0


( Edited after having a look at all the posts: Kenneth I see that you made a post to that topic, so you probably read all of them before! Still refreshing ones' memory of older posts can be useful. :lol: )

You could always do what I did: ask Craig to make your 12th C. sword with a 7" grip. :D

Gained perhaps an extra inch this way. Comfy for my meaty paws. It has become my favorite sword.

Intresting. Does he give a reason for not using it? I guess you can hit harder, but you would lose a lot of agility...

<shrug> Its a tradeoff, for sure. Apparently most of the later fencers go with the pommel grip.

The point of my comment was anyhow that a sword can be used effectively in two hands even if there isn't room for both hands on the handle propper...