The Albion Next Generation Prince Sword is an Oakeshott Type XVI. These type of swords were developed to make good use of an acute thrusting point, while still being dedicated to cutting. The blade of the Prince features a wide base, a deep and well defined fuller and an outer third of the blade that gradually curves to an awl shaped point, making this sword into an efficient cut and thrust design. The gradually diminishing of the mass towards the point results in a sword with a very precise and agile point control. The Prince’s hilt is sculpted in curving planes and facets. The cross is a version of Oakeshott style 8: It has a hexagonal cross section and is very solid in the middle. The arms curve towards the point rather than having sharply turned ends as might be most common. The bronze pommel is a faceted type K, inspired from an original sword in the national museum in Kopenhagen. The grip on this sword is octagonal in section with a riser in the middle.
The blade is hand-ground from high carbon steel to a fine satin finish, sharpened and heat-treated by hand in the Albion Forge Shop. The grip is of stabilized birch, wrapped with cord and covered with the highest grade vegetable-tanned calfskin.
Albion’s premium, heirloom quality swords are some of the best available worldwide. Each limited edition Albion sword is made by hand, one sword at a time, by a group of the most talented blademakers and cutlers in the world. Albion swords are made entirely in America of the highest quality materials — but with a distinctly European flair — starting with painstaking research of period originals and exacting design work by noted Swedish swordsmith, author and researcher, Peter Johnsson. No detail is too small to replicate faithfully. Each sword is hand-made to order with time-proven traditional construction and no shortcuts or compromises, with the time and attention of a master craftsman. Even though swords are no longer used in warfare, Albion still makes each sword as though your life depended upon it.
alientude –
Absolutely stunning sword, and a great representation of an Oakeshott type XVI. I was a little unsure how the octagonal grip would feel in the hand, and I didn’t particularly like it when I first handled it, but after a using a bit more, it grew on me and I ended up really liking the way it felt.
I did a more detailed video review here: https://youtu.be/3CqeAZduxDQ