[Steve Grisetti]

No car, huh? Smart move if you can get away with it, since a car is just a hole in the pavement, into which one must throw money. I wish I could get rid of mine! That would make a lot of room in the budget for swords and armour . Unfortunately, then I would have to walk 10 miles to work .

I look forward to your review of the sword!

[Jean Thibodeau]

So here are my impressions and opinions and sort of a review;

First, I am very pleased with the sword and the level of communication from Christian was very good: My e-mails were usually answered within a day or two and my questions answered. The total time from order to delivery was close to a year and maybe about 3 months later than expected, but Christian is careful in not giving hard and fast deadlines so the delivery time was well within the approximate estimate.

The scabbard is nice and thin and very attractive with a moulded thickening at the top where it matches the curves of the guard. The antiqued finish on the guard, pommel and grip ring has a nice darkening and aging one would expect from a sword exposed to the elements on one's sword belt but that has received daily cleaning but no polishing or a blued type of finish that has seen some wear. Oh, the fullers are reflected in the treatment of the scabbard and is very elegant.

The blade has a brushed finished a bit coarser than one sees on an Albion or A & A but the finish is even and has no deep or prominent scratches. The fullers do have a bit of machine tool marks but one has to look closely to see them.

The blade grind looks very regular with no noticeable rippling if one looks with one's eyes close to the blade.

The only minor flaws are that the last section of blade past the fullers and the point have very subtle asymmetry in profile shape and in width of the secondary bevels: I only mention this for those who would be unhappy with any geometric imperfections. The edges were very paper cutting sharp as I got them but are even sharper with just a little careful use of a ceramic hone and the burnishing of the edges with a very hard but smooth steel.

The blade is very stiff as it hardly bends at all if held on it's side when compared to my A & A 15th century twohander.
( not that the A & A bends so much as to be considered whippy, its just that the AT1435 is stiffer in comparison ).

Total length: 49"
Blade length: 37 3/4"
Blade width at guard: 2 5/16"
Blade width at mid point: 1 7/8"
Blade thickness at guard: estimated at 1/4"
Blade thickness about 3" from the point: 1/8"
P.O.B. 6"

General handling impressions/ comparisons:One handed it feels to me like my Gaddhjalt in blade presence but heavier in actual weight. My Tritonia feels a bit faster and is a little lighter. The huge A & A 15th century twohander is heavier but with just a little less blade presence.

Now twohanded the Christian Fletcher/ AT 1435 feels very fast and responsive and not at all ponderous.

In conclusion, to me, its a great sword for twohanded use at the very limit of onehanded usability if rapid recovery is not critical. My A & A twohander is barely useable one handed except under very special circumstances where one would use one hand for an extended thrust or cut and transition back to twohanded use as soon as possible.

Take the handling opinion with a grain of salt though as this is from just holding and slow swings with my swords and not true test cutting or practice swordplay. ( rooms to small in my house for that ).

This sword is for me a using cutting blade dressed up in really nice sword furniture and scabbard and very much what would be true tool of the trade for a period warrior. ( very much a using grade sword ).

( edited once for better clarity as I noticed a few awkward sentences reading it later: Trying to say to much with too few words I guess. )

[Allen Andrews]

Congratulations, I think it turned out very nicely. I like the look of the total package, the antiquing of the hardware, the contrast of the black sword belt to oxblood scabbard, etc.

[Greg Griggs]

Definately one to be proud of in the looks department, Jean. Sounds like it handles has you had hoped. Congrats on a very fine purchase. I'm with Allen on the fact that the overall package just seems to fit together very well. Thanks for sharing the pics and overview.

[Angus Trim]

[Jean Thibodeau]