Showing posts with label Oakeshott Type XVa. Show all posts

Sunday, 11 May 2014

Custom Oakeshott Type XVa Sword

This sword is a hand made custom ordered sword.

The colors for this particular custom sword are : Antique red Scabbard, Black Grip and Black Belt

Overall Length: 112.5cm

Type XVa Blade 1060. Hand Forged with a Temper of HRC 52 to 54

Blade Length: 88.6cm

Blade Width at Guard : 5cm , Grip Length: 18.25cm

Fittings : Hand made Mild steel

Weight: Around 1.2kgs

This sword is Peened .

Sunday, 4 May 2014

Oakeshott Sword Typology

The distinction between the Type XV and XVa is clear, though the observant reader will note that many actual swords would seem to fall midway between. Much of the means of categorization come from the blade's cross-section and profile taper, and not simply the proportions of its grip. Many swords might have a general appearance of the subtype, but because of the shape of the blade, must be classed as a Type XV.

Both of these types have been regarded by some as highly specialized weapons that completely disregard the cut in favor of the thrust. It could be surmised that their developmental bias went too far into being single-purposed, but the popularity of these swords for well over two centuries goes far into convincing us otherwise.

Though these swords posses a stiff cross-section and reinforced tip, it is clear that the ability to cut was not entirely tossed aside. These very same features that aide the thrust also have the effect of adding strength to the tip-section of the blade, reducing the chance of breakage to the acutely-pointed tip during a cut.

Every sword design must weigh the possible scenarios it may face, creating compromises and picking specifics on which to focus. In this regard, the Type XV and its subtype both seem to have made far fewer compromises than others, while still enjoying versatility in their design. Certainly, this type was not simply effective at its intended purpose, but devastatingly successful.

Available Reproduction in the Market:

Arms & Armor has done a good job at replicating XV.2, shown above, as their model #188 French Medieval Sword. They also have another model, the #086 Duke of Urbino Sword, replicating an Italian sword located in a private collection, Circa 1380-1410. The XVa.3 featured above is available as the #034 Black Prince Sword.
A replica of sword XV.4 from The Metropolitan Museum of Art is available from Del Tin Armi Antiche as their model DT2153 15th Century Sword. They also recreated the XV.5 Monza sword, calling it the DT2150 Sword of Estore Visconti.
Example XV.6 found in The Wallace Collection has been replicated by both Museum Replicas Limited as the "Shrewsbury Sword" and by Del Tin as the model DT5144.
Museum Replicas also has a Type XV available with a strong central ridge that they call "The Guingate Sword".
Albion Armorers makes a few Type XVa models: The Next Generation Castellan, Mercenary, Constable, and Agincourt swords. The Squire Line Late 15th Century Bastard Sword is also a Type XVa. The Poitiers is a Type XV.

Ablion Oakeshott Typology
http://www.albion-swords.com/articles/oakeshott-typology.htm

http://www.oakeshott.org/typo.html

Sword combo for sparring and for cutting

Sword combo for sparring and for cutting

You cant cut properly with a blunt edge blade, and sparring with a sharpened blade is not an option. Therefore you would need two separate swords that handle similarly and is weighted and balanced the same.

For training and sparring you need a blade that is blunt and safe that is intended to take heavy wear.

For cutting you want a quality blade that will keep a good edge, especially if you want cut more than just plastic bottles or kitami mats.

Bastard Sword High-end Combo

I have long been a fan of the European Bastard Sword because of its versatility and functionality. The Bastard Sword is a fantastic example of martial arts evolution. A history of form follows function while still keeping the utility of its predecessors.

If price is not a problem, then the best option would be the combination of Albion Armorers Next Generation Mercenary Sword and the Albion Armorers Squire Line 15th Century Bastard Sword.

The Albion Mercenary for cutting and the Squire Line Bastard Sword for training and sparring.

Specifications and Comparison:

Mercenary:
Total length: 42.25" (108 cm)
Blade length: 33.75" (86 cm)
Blade width: 2.375" (6 cm)
CoB: 4" (10.8 cm)
CoP: 19.8" (49.5 cm)
Weight: 2 lbs 14.2 oz (1.35 kilos)

Blade Type: Oakeshott Type XVa

Edge: Sharp
Price: EUR 535
Links: Albion EU, Albion USA, Kult of Athena

Squire Bastard Sword:
Total length: 42.25" (108 cm)
Blade length: 33.125" (86 cm)
Blade width: 2.375" (6 cm)
CoB: 3.875" (10.8 cm)
CoP: 19.5" (49.5 cm)
Weight: 2 lbs 15.6 oz (1.35 kilos)

Blade Type: Oakeshott Type XVa

Edge: Blunt
Price: EUR 845
Links: Albion EU, Albion USA

Albion Mercenary Specifications EU:

Alternative to Albion Mercenary:
The Albion Fiore (limited edition) Albion EU, Kult of Athena

Blade Type: Oakeshott Type XVa

Edge: Sharp

Standard specification
Total length:	118 cm (46,26")
Blade length:	93 cm (36,5")
CoG:	10 cm (3,86")
CoP:	56 cm (22,01")
Weight:	1500 g (3,307 lbs)
Grip length:	19,2 cm (7,559")