The Aureus Alexander II is a phenomenally good training tool that allows for technical fencing as well as making high-intensity competition a much safer situation. I have been using it for a few months and enjoy the ability to project attacks at my training partners at a higher intensity without compromising on safety.
This review: motivation and transparency
I received this sword as a gift. There was no request for a review, but I would like to write one after using the sword for training and sparring over the last several months, because I feel that this is an excellent model of sword.
Dimensions
The dimensions are as follows:
- total length: 128 cm
- blade length: 97 cm
- grip length: 25 cm (excluding pommel)
- grip length: 30 cm (including pommel)
- pommel: small, slim wheel (comfortable to hold)
- weight: around 1.34 kg
- point of balance: around 6 cm in front of the hilt
The sword is long and slim, and is reminiscent of swords from the 15th and 16th centuries in general. It could be used quite reasonably in practices following any of the 15th and 16th century longsword sources.
Weight & Handling
At less than 1.4 kg, the sword is exceptionally light and moves quickly. It is agile, easy to control, gentle on the joints in the arm, and it flows well from one motion to the next.
There is just enough mass in the blade to have presence in the bind so that I can “hold the bind” against an opponent’s sword. However, because it is a light sword, it can be overwhelmed by a heavier sword in the bind.
Flexibility
The blade is incredibly flexible. By measuring the dynamic flexibility using the method outlined in this article, the measurement is 6.5 kg.
The point is thickened and has quite a large surface area. Combined with the flexibility of the blade, this is probably one of the safest swords I have with regard to safety of thrusts.
Price
The price for a current model of the Alexander longsword from Aureus Swords would be €425. It is quite expensive, but it is definitely one of the better training tools and one of the safest swords if you employ a lot of thrusts against your training partners. I think this is quite reasonable if you want a high-end sword for high-intensity training and competition.
Conclusion
The Aureus Alexander II is an excellent training sword that also performs very well for sparring and competition. It does not hit as hard as many other swords and feders, and it has significantly better flexibility and safety for the thrust. It is also an excellent tool if you need a slightly lighter sword due to previous injuries. Finally, it has very elegant lines, making it a very aesthetically pleasing sword!
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Keith Farrell teaches HEMA professionally, often at international events (why not hire me to teach at your event?), and has an interest in coaching instructors to become better teachers. I teach regularly at Liverpool HEMA, and help behind the scenes with running HEMA in Glasgow at the Vanguard Centre.
I have authored Scottish Broadsword and British Singlestick and the award-winning AHA German Longsword Study Guide, and maintain a blog at www.keithfarrell.net where I post regularly.
Thoughts about interpreting the Anonymous Unicum