Mar 6: myArmoury.com news and updates -- myArmoury.com

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Today's update:

Albion Mercenary and Constable Swords
A hands-on review by Chad Arnow

Albion Late 15th C. Bastard Sword
A hands-on review by Bill Grandy

Albion Armorers Talhoffer Sword
A hands-on review by Bill Grandy

Albion Armorers Mercenary Sword
Added to Chad's Collection

Wallpaper: Albion Constable and Mercenary
Created by Nathan Robinson

As always, you can see our Complete History of Updates listed right from our home page.

Edward Hitchens · Posted: Mon 06 Mar, 2006 7:50 am Post subject:

Bill, excellent review of the Talhoffer! As a Talhoffer-owner myself, I couldn't have written it better. The black grip looks cool, but I prefer mine in oxblood. Razz

And Chad, I enjoyed your review as well. For some reason, I've never been drawn to the Merc, but the Constable may be my next. Wink

Ted

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Mon 06 Mar, 2006 8:20 am Post subject:

Bill;

I wonder how the A & A Black Prince compares with the Talhoffer ? For one thing the Black Prince tapers to about 3/8" wide about 1/2" from the point and then curves rapidly to a point as opposed to the needle like strait tapering of the Talhoffer from 2" at the guard to the point.

On the one hand a very aggressive point versus a sturdier one less likely to bend or break off ! ( Maybe )

A small ogival point might be better for tip cuts also ? ( Needle versus spatulate type points where the spatulate is less likely to snag / drag in a cut. )

Oh, the point of balance on the A & A is about 2 1/2" from the guard with the Black Prince. ( Heavier Pommel I think ? )

Good reviews by the way and maybe we will get a full review of the Black prince sometime in the future so my questions should maybe wait then to be answered in full. ( Don't want to steal the thunder away from a future review. )

Greyson Brown · Posted: Mon 06 Mar, 2006 8:58 am Post subject:

Good update! Chad is really making me like that Magenta grip color, too. It's nice to be able to read about both the wide and narrow Albion Type XVa's in the same update.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the Talhoffer review has two Fit and Finish headers. Is there a reason for that? It seems to me that the first one should be taken out, as the info that follows it is related to handling.

-Grey

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Kenton Spaulding · Posted: Mon 06 Mar, 2006 9:40 am Post subject:

Nice update, I was really hoping for a review of the Talhoffer; you guys don't disappoint. Chad, congrats on the Mercenary, that Magenta grip looks ideal (mine is a little brighter than that).

Kenton

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

Thanks for the kind words, guys. The Mercenary is a nice one. Of course, that didn't stop me from selling it for something I wanted more. ) I liked the Mercenary's Magenta so much that I ordered it on my Sempach.

I'm not a big fan of the Constable aesthetically, but that's just personal preference.

Helen Miller · Posted: Mon 06 Mar, 2006 1:29 pm Post subject:

Good reviews, I especially enjoyed reading Pamela's commentary Happy

Glen A Cleeton · Posted: Mon 06 Mar, 2006 11:38 pm Post subject:

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Hi Glen,
The thing about the type XVa is that the broad typology is generally well suited to armoured combat, but quite often some pieces moreso than others. I haven't handled any antiques, but from discussing with other people who've had first hand knowledge, the XVs are definately stiffer than most broad bladed swords, but not necessarily all that stiff. The Talhoffer is a stiff sword, but not as stiff as some other XVs. It's hard to describe in text, but I fully believe that it would stand up to armoured combat fine, though perhaps a little more suited to unarmoured opponents than armoured. The Black Prince sword I'd say swings the other direction. Both are swords meant to be comprimises between the two types of combat. But remember that there is a huge amount of variation within any single typology (typology is just an artificial label, after all), and just because they started appearing around the time of more complete plate armour doesn't mean that they're all going to have the same geometry. Many period originals also have these very fine tips.

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

I guess this is on topic, so I'll post it. Eric Wargo has this short vid that shows some test cutting with the Talhoffer on pumpkins that we did a little while back. The first person in the video is me, second is Eric, and third is Bob "The Butcher" Busch. Happy

http://www.ericwargo.com/sword/about/testcutting.mov

Felix Wang · Posted: Tue 07 Mar, 2006 3:16 pm Post subject:

Bill,

You also did a review of the Sempach and Landgraf Type XVII swords. Numerically, they don't seem that much different from the Talhoffer (but numbers can be deceiving). How do you feel these two types compare?

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Glen A Cleeton · Posted: Tue 07 Mar, 2006 9:16 pm Post subject:

Bill,

I agree wholeheartedly on the broad characteristics of any given typology. If the blade geometry can support a fine point when levered, it may well fit the purpose. I do know that fine points on working cutlery don't survive without maintenance. A point that digs at hard stuff usually ends up somewhat less pointy. Thus my take that some of these offerings might be less suited for heavy can opening.

Chad,

I can appreciate the reasoning for not including the hard data but feel all these reviews could have addressed the stiffness issue more rather than a little. I'm not saying a sword needs to be just so, I'm just left curious for the information.

What's interesting about some XV, XVa blades is that the cutting efficiency is less the foible side of the cop. With some it is a good bit hiltward of it (as in the case of the A&A BP) but the forward rotation point is still well out there.

Cheers guys

GC

I have been eyeing Albion's expansion on the typology and do appreciate the reviews