- Joined
- Oct 7, 2011
- Messages
- 68
AlbionRegent
Marc Kaden Ridgeway
Atlanta, GA
8 Dec 2011
Quite a while back I got this sword third-hand from a forumite. I had been wanting an Albion Earl for quite a while, and when the Regent came available I "settled " for it, as I wasn't going to be able to afford a new Earl anytime soon. Now ,all these months later, I don't feel I have settled at all, but maybe lucked out... as I now prefer the Regents aesthetic to the Earl. Of course I say that having never held an Earl....
The Regent is typical of a versatile longsword of Germanic descent in the late 15th century. It is quick and responsive enough for civilian longsword duels, yet robust enough to hold its own on the battlefield. Albion lists the Regent as a XVIIIb on their website, while it is referred to as a XVIIIa on MyArmoury. Also to look at the typologies, it shares traits with a XVIIIc. Not wanting to argue with any of the afforementioned worthies, I will decline classifying it.
Albion Armorers are known for the extensive and exhausting historical research they put into their designs, aided by world reknowned swordsmith Peter Johnsson . Their swords are known to be crafted with attention to minute detail and clean precision. Albion are also known as one of the "Big Three", the other two being Arms & Armour , and Angus Trim.
Having owned Type XVIII longswords from the other big two , I was quite chuffed to get this one , and eager to see how the three big names stack up next to each other.
Specifications
Blade -------------- 37.25 in
Grip----------------- 7.5 in
Hilt ----------------- 10.7 in
OAL------------------ 48 in
Weight -------------- 3lbs. 3.5 oz
Width----------------- 2 in. at guard ; .75 in. 5 in from tip
Cross ----------------- 9.75 in
Pommel---------------- 3 in.
COG --------------------4.5 in
COP -------------------- 22-27 in
Aesthetics ; Fit & Finish
The Regent is constructed utilizing a permanent peen that is practically invisible. The 3 inch pommel is a Type V variant, a stylized fish-tail , and like the cross is cast from mild steel. The cross itself is 9.75 inches and the octaganol quillions flare from a grooved "quillion block". The guard is a variant of a style 2 cross. The castings themselves are crisp and clean, exhibiting none of the pitting that occured on my A&A GBS.
The 7.5 inch grip is bottle shaped with a hexagonal profile. This particular example is wrapped in dark blue leather , and cord risers adorn it at the cross, pommel and in the middle. The entire hilt including furniture measures 10.7 inches.
The 37.25 in. blade is precision milled from 5160 steel and finished in a uniform high satin. It is strongly hollowground for its entire length, and the edge is a secondary bevel, as is correct for a hollowground blade (got to support the edges) . A strong center ridge runs down the blade, making it quite stiff, while the hollowgrinding helps keep weight down. The blade is 2 inches wide at the cross, tapering down to a nice wide COP , then strongly tapering to awl-shaped point. The blade also has a variable rate of distal taper, the rate of taper increasing for the last third of the blade. The entire blade is a great example of complex geometry done well.
Certain design elements really underscore the attention to detail, for instance , the line formed by the center ridge continues through the pommel and handle into the pommel.
The Regent is one gorgeous sword that is well put together and executed cleanly.
Handling Characteristics
It seems so cliche' to say so, but the handling belies the weight. Swords like the Regent are the reasons for the cliche'. The weight , at 3lbs 3.5 oz. is balanced at 4.5 inches from the cross due to well planned mass distribution. The distal and profile taper , combine with the pommel to make a well harmonically-balanced sword, with a tip-ward pivot point that moves quickly and precisely.
The shape of the handle is ergonomically designed to lend a sure grip, and the pommel I have found quite comfortable as a grip extension , though others have reported the opposite.
All sources say that the Regent is a superior stabber... and it seems to be true, though I am a terrible thruster (commence "thats what she said " jokes).
Cutting
I want to preface this section by vetting my qualifications in the use of longswords. My experience is : I think they look cool and I've owned a few. That's it. I have a general understanding of swords, but no training, skill or actual knowledge of proper longsword technique. Therefore the observations I have about the Regent's cutting ability will not be the same as someone like say... Michael Edelson.
That said, I found the Regent to be a good, authoritative cutter, that tracks well , but is fickle. The blade isn't an optimized cutting sword, its more of a do-everything sword , with perhaps a bit of a bias to the thrust. As such , she punishes bad technique, meaning me, but rewards a well executed stroke with a clean cut. The center of percussion is nice and fat...stretching from about 22 inches to 27 inches from the guard.
Here's the video... Its really a better sword than I am a cutter... please give me a break on the belly, I am on a diet ... LOL I've lost 20 lbs, gained back 5 over Thanksgiving, and am now working on 40 more.
[video=youtube;eHUAcL5Ss68]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHUAcL5Ss68[/video]
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
I mean, what am I really supposed to say here? The sword is well assembled, clean , crisp and harmonically balanced. Keen attention is paid to detail, and the complex geometry is well executed. Worksmanship is top notch . I could say that I prefer swords more cut optimized... what does that have to do with the fact that this sword is a good representative of its type. I can say that my AT1508 from Gus Trim, a XVIIIe , is a better cutter... but its a different sword,
The one thing that seemed off is the seam on the handle wrap, that isn't straight, and wanders from one side of the grip arounf to the other... I expected the seam to be more uniform, but it can barely be seen, and cannot be felt, and its do inconsequential that I forgot to photograph it.
What this is, is a $1400 production sword... and it looks it.
Conclusion
I have seen others say that the Regent is the sword that caused them to rethink swords. That the Regent became the standard by which all the other swords in their collection were judged. That it redefined their expectations. Though this isn't the case for me, I can certainly see why it would be so.
The Regent is a sword that gets top marks in handling, performance and fit and finish . It's easy to see how it could change ones ideas about what a sword should be. In fact, If I wasn't blessed to have a collection including Lundemos and Atrims , I would be overwhelmed.
As it is , the AT1508 is still the best handling sword I've ever owned, and a heck of a cutter for its type. My Odin XIIa handles very well for a sword of its size , and is a tremendous performer , as well as a beauty. The Regent is a close second in handling to the 1508 , and aesthetically stacks right up there with custom work.
So how does it match up to the other "Big Two" ? Well in my limited experience, Albion Regent edges out the A&A GBS on Aesthetics and performance, Angus Trim edges out the Regent on performance, while the Albion tops Atrim in aesthetics and historical accuracy. All in all... The Big Three all excell at what they aim for, and the only way to truly choose is to choose to own some from all three.
The Albion Regent is a high end production sword that meets the expectations its price tag creates. Anyone that wonders why Albions costs what they do should get one in hand... the price is justified, and if you can pick one up on the secondary (or tertiary) market, you really come out ahead.
Thanks for reading.
Marc Kaden Ridgeway
Atlanta, GA
8 Dec 2011
Quite a while back I got this sword third-hand from a forumite. I had been wanting an Albion Earl for quite a while, and when the Regent came available I "settled " for it, as I wasn't going to be able to afford a new Earl anytime soon. Now ,all these months later, I don't feel I have settled at all, but maybe lucked out... as I now prefer the Regents aesthetic to the Earl. Of course I say that having never held an Earl....
The Regent is typical of a versatile longsword of Germanic descent in the late 15th century. It is quick and responsive enough for civilian longsword duels, yet robust enough to hold its own on the battlefield. Albion lists the Regent as a XVIIIb on their website, while it is referred to as a XVIIIa on MyArmoury. Also to look at the typologies, it shares traits with a XVIIIc. Not wanting to argue with any of the afforementioned worthies, I will decline classifying it.
Albion Armorers are known for the extensive and exhausting historical research they put into their designs, aided by world reknowned swordsmith Peter Johnsson . Their swords are known to be crafted with attention to minute detail and clean precision. Albion are also known as one of the "Big Three", the other two being Arms & Armour , and Angus Trim.
Having owned Type XVIII longswords from the other big two , I was quite chuffed to get this one , and eager to see how the three big names stack up next to each other.
Specifications
Blade -------------- 37.25 in
Grip----------------- 7.5 in
Hilt ----------------- 10.7 in
OAL------------------ 48 in
Weight -------------- 3lbs. 3.5 oz
Width----------------- 2 in. at guard ; .75 in. 5 in from tip
Cross ----------------- 9.75 in
Pommel---------------- 3 in.
COG --------------------4.5 in
COP -------------------- 22-27 in
Aesthetics ; Fit & Finish
The Regent is constructed utilizing a permanent peen that is practically invisible. The 3 inch pommel is a Type V variant, a stylized fish-tail , and like the cross is cast from mild steel. The cross itself is 9.75 inches and the octaganol quillions flare from a grooved "quillion block". The guard is a variant of a style 2 cross. The castings themselves are crisp and clean, exhibiting none of the pitting that occured on my A&A GBS.
The 7.5 inch grip is bottle shaped with a hexagonal profile. This particular example is wrapped in dark blue leather , and cord risers adorn it at the cross, pommel and in the middle. The entire hilt including furniture measures 10.7 inches.
The 37.25 in. blade is precision milled from 5160 steel and finished in a uniform high satin. It is strongly hollowground for its entire length, and the edge is a secondary bevel, as is correct for a hollowground blade (got to support the edges) . A strong center ridge runs down the blade, making it quite stiff, while the hollowgrinding helps keep weight down. The blade is 2 inches wide at the cross, tapering down to a nice wide COP , then strongly tapering to awl-shaped point. The blade also has a variable rate of distal taper, the rate of taper increasing for the last third of the blade. The entire blade is a great example of complex geometry done well.
Certain design elements really underscore the attention to detail, for instance , the line formed by the center ridge continues through the pommel and handle into the pommel.
The Regent is one gorgeous sword that is well put together and executed cleanly.
Handling Characteristics
It seems so cliche' to say so, but the handling belies the weight. Swords like the Regent are the reasons for the cliche'. The weight , at 3lbs 3.5 oz. is balanced at 4.5 inches from the cross due to well planned mass distribution. The distal and profile taper , combine with the pommel to make a well harmonically-balanced sword, with a tip-ward pivot point that moves quickly and precisely.
The shape of the handle is ergonomically designed to lend a sure grip, and the pommel I have found quite comfortable as a grip extension , though others have reported the opposite.
All sources say that the Regent is a superior stabber... and it seems to be true, though I am a terrible thruster (commence "thats what she said " jokes).
Cutting
I want to preface this section by vetting my qualifications in the use of longswords. My experience is : I think they look cool and I've owned a few. That's it. I have a general understanding of swords, but no training, skill or actual knowledge of proper longsword technique. Therefore the observations I have about the Regent's cutting ability will not be the same as someone like say... Michael Edelson.
That said, I found the Regent to be a good, authoritative cutter, that tracks well , but is fickle. The blade isn't an optimized cutting sword, its more of a do-everything sword , with perhaps a bit of a bias to the thrust. As such , she punishes bad technique, meaning me, but rewards a well executed stroke with a clean cut. The center of percussion is nice and fat...stretching from about 22 inches to 27 inches from the guard.
Here's the video... Its really a better sword than I am a cutter... please give me a break on the belly, I am on a diet ... LOL I've lost 20 lbs, gained back 5 over Thanksgiving, and am now working on 40 more.
[video=youtube;eHUAcL5Ss68]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHUAcL5Ss68[/video]
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
I mean, what am I really supposed to say here? The sword is well assembled, clean , crisp and harmonically balanced. Keen attention is paid to detail, and the complex geometry is well executed. Worksmanship is top notch . I could say that I prefer swords more cut optimized... what does that have to do with the fact that this sword is a good representative of its type. I can say that my AT1508 from Gus Trim, a XVIIIe , is a better cutter... but its a different sword,
The one thing that seemed off is the seam on the handle wrap, that isn't straight, and wanders from one side of the grip arounf to the other... I expected the seam to be more uniform, but it can barely be seen, and cannot be felt, and its do inconsequential that I forgot to photograph it.
What this is, is a $1400 production sword... and it looks it.
Conclusion
I have seen others say that the Regent is the sword that caused them to rethink swords. That the Regent became the standard by which all the other swords in their collection were judged. That it redefined their expectations. Though this isn't the case for me, I can certainly see why it would be so.
The Regent is a sword that gets top marks in handling, performance and fit and finish . It's easy to see how it could change ones ideas about what a sword should be. In fact, If I wasn't blessed to have a collection including Lundemos and Atrims , I would be overwhelmed.
As it is , the AT1508 is still the best handling sword I've ever owned, and a heck of a cutter for its type. My Odin XIIa handles very well for a sword of its size , and is a tremendous performer , as well as a beauty. The Regent is a close second in handling to the 1508 , and aesthetically stacks right up there with custom work.
So how does it match up to the other "Big Two" ? Well in my limited experience, Albion Regent edges out the A&A GBS on Aesthetics and performance, Angus Trim edges out the Regent on performance, while the Albion tops Atrim in aesthetics and historical accuracy. All in all... The Big Three all excell at what they aim for, and the only way to truly choose is to choose to own some from all three.
The Albion Regent is a high end production sword that meets the expectations its price tag creates. Anyone that wonders why Albions costs what they do should get one in hand... the price is justified, and if you can pick one up on the secondary (or tertiary) market, you really come out ahead.
Thanks for reading.
