Albion Talhoffer Review

[@MsHaiducu]

the power and elegance of simplicity,this is probably the best way i can describe this sword.i saved for a year and a half to buy one and all i can say is that it was worth it.I started hema about two years back and i always yearned to learn how the old masters fought.Subtle differences and high quality control make a sword like this one something you can actually depend on in a fight for your life.Not only is it beautiful,it s also practical.

[@krivayne3194]

Love the look of the Talhoffer. Was in my top 3 for my Albion pick.

[@Lightnings]

Which one did you end up with, bachelor?

[@krivayne3194]

@@Lightnings Albion Sempach

[@timothyhayes2726]

You are correct in that the Talhoffer is not really designed as a cutting focused sword. It can cut but as you saw with the sword dynamics chart you really need to cut with it about half way down the blade. There isn't enough mass in the tip of the blade to make it effective at cutting. It really was designed for half swording and armored fighting on this specific blade.

[@kevpkinney1]

Thank you.Because of your review I checked out K.O.A. and actually found the Talhoffer in stock with the light brown "Campaign Worn" handel. Which I believe is what you have. I can not believe how lucky I was to get one brand new with no year long waiting time.Thanks again for the great review

[@JohnMcKLV]

Around 10:30, you discuss holding it with a bit of distance from the crossguard. That's a thing in German longsword HEMA - there are situations in which doing so preserves your thumb!

[@jagerwayz5721]

I appreciate the background music. Well done

[@TripleAAA53]

Outstanding review SIR !! Thx !!

[@fallenstudent1103]

One thing note is that Oakeshott's typology isn't perfect.

[@erichusayn]

Those overhead cutting shots were really cool...

[@sherab2078]

I've subscribed your channel just today. And I think you provide a bunch of good practical info with your reviews and destruction tests. I love it. But... I see mostly katanas and eventually arming swords, and longswords. And this is fine - I assume this is what interests you most. Still, there were other types of swords in history, and they do have some modern equivalents, or "replicas" if you prefer. Hence, it would be nice to see some more saber tests, broadswords, backswords, rapiers, tulwars, falchions/messers, smallswords and so on. ;) Just a suggestion. ;) I'm only theorethician so far, but - step by step, starting from being a katana fan-boy - I've slowly become more and more interested in late-medieval and renaissance swords - backswords mostly. So I would be more than happy to see some rewievs and tests on them. :) Anyway, thx. for your work on those all videos, and best wishes! :)

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I have a few blades outside of Japanese style but admittedly that is what I buy most. As for the destruction tests, those are mostly provided by vendors. Ronin Katana is the only one that has sent me euro style swords. I also feel a little weird talking about other swords.. as you could tell in this albion review. I am not great at using them.

[@sherab2078]

I understand. I only say that for me personally it would be nice if you would test also (more of) another types of swords too. That's all. :) I was big enthusiast of katanas once. I still very like them, but as I wrote, when I've become somewhat more educated in the subject, my interests shifted towards European blades of late medieval and renaissance periods. :) However, due to financial situation (and no HEMA clubs nearby really), I'm only theoretician in the subject. :) And before eventual purchase it would be nice to have some feedback on given producer and model. ;) But I fully understand your standpoint. :) Btw. Only actual "sword" I do have it is a katana - however this only "decorative", Chinese stainless steel blade. ;) Anyway, thank you for your reply to my comment. :) Best wishes again! :)

[@jobdylan5782]

Replica 18-19th century military blades are all shit. You don't want one. Just buy an antique.

[@jobdylan5782]

@@sherab2078 also stop smiling

[@keirfarnum6811]

@@jobdylan5782 😆😂😆😂😆😂😆😂😆😂 “You young whippersnappers! Get off my lawn!” 😂

[@glenralph5123]

Great review, bud.

[@marianiurea6217]

It is very easy to program a CNC to taper the blade so it feels good in hand. As for the fitting assembly they do very good job. No scabbard for the price you can get 2 Tinker Pearce.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

The tinker blades I have seen are usually around $1000-$1500 for a longer blade. I think they are on par with Albion prices. As for how difficult it is to make, I would imagine there are skills required with both production methods.

[@marianiurea6217]

My bad. I should be more specific. There is a line of Tinker Pearce medieval swords made by Hanwei to TinKer specs. Under $300. Granted not same fitting but the business part is just as good. I am the type that uses the blades. If i want to spend thousands on a blade it will be antique piece. Value goes up the older they get. But to each his own. Whatever makes us happy. As far as i am concerned i would spend $1000 plus on a nice family weekend than a sword that gets hanged on the wall regardless the beauty. Also for the Japanese swords i will take a $400 1060 thru- temper blade any day over a $2000 clay tempered. Have you ever cut bamboo with a clay tempered blade and miss the angle. You know what happens. It bends like a pretzel. To me is not worth the money. Beauty or not.

[@marianiurea6217]

Hi Matthew. Got something for you. Take a look let me know what you think. I find this very informative and to the point. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4emiHqtq8inqpY

[@aldor9357]

Just the tip is fine~

[@brokkur7629]

Oh, I lust for one of those1

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I think there are few that have come up for sale second hand. I am probably going to sell this one.

[@ColtonWilson3000]

This sword was offered to me a few times if I think you got it from who I think you got it from. But I’m I an antique buying spree so I passed on it. Glad it went to you though.

[@BogeyTheBear]

Arrrrgh! Don't slide your hand along the blade when half-swording if you enjoy counting higher than the number six!

[@r3771-n2r]

Gotta love any review of the guard that involves hitting yourself in the head with it. Do that for all your sword reviews...

[@zenhydra]

I've read that the leather discoloration comes from an interaction between the leather dye and the glue.

[@kevpkinney1]

Actually I believe its the Campaign Worn light brown handel which does:nt look campaign worn, but does none the less look really cool.

[@ЕленаСпельт]

give me that sword sword

[@yizheliu304]

May I know the width of the blade at the crossguard？

[@evanmorris1178]

Hey Matthew; Are you in Minneapolis? You implied it in your showing Center for Blade Arts. That’s my club too. But I just started a few months ago. We should hang out sometime!-Alastair

[@Matthew_Jensen]

Yep In minneapolis

[@evanmorris1178]

@@Matthew_Jensen Hope to see you at CfBA next Monday. If that was you, I sparred with last Monday, we had a good bout. Look forward to talk more.

[@funkytownjedi]

😎👏🏾👏🏾

[@Nateypxgrey]

where do you get the matts to practice the cutting on?

[@Matthew_Jensen]

I get them from the Toyama Dojo I attend.

[@MulishaKnights]

Omg you mahe my brain hurt

[@MulishaKnights]

Type 26 oak shot

[@zenhydra]

Backyard fungi!

[@fettmaneiii4439]

its a weapon not a tool : )

[@marianiurea6217]

Blade is Cnc machined. If you see any so called ripples along the sword is from grinding. These are not hand forged blades. I don't get why people pay so much for Albion.

[@Matthew_Jensen]

That is fair but they are still sanded by hand. It is easy enough to leave waves in the surface that way as well. Though that may be why there are inherently less. People pay more because they do a good job balancing design and assembly. At least that is my guess.

[@ramblingatease4402]

Lol this guy thinks by hand or by machine is what determines a swords worth

[@mpsmith47304]

What does hand forging have to do with it? It doesn't really matter to the quality of the final product. It really just facilitates consistency in product... that is, 2 Albions of similar model will usually closely match each other in stats. The blade is still finished by hand, including the finish grinding. Ultimately the reason people buy them is because they represent value to the purchaser,. It's that simple. If they seems too expensive to you, by all means, buy all the Hanwei's you want.