Atrim Bastard Sword XVIa.8
Made entirely by Gus Trim in his custom shop in Washington state - this exceptional Bastard Sword features a hand finished Type XVIa blade with a wicked edge. The broad, thin blade tapers to an aggressive point in profile while the complex distal taper keeps the sword moving effortlessly in the cut. Lesser blades would either sacrifice the elegant profile taper or lack distal tapering entirely - creating a heavy wobbly mess of a sword. Further refining the handling are the three fullers - two accent fuller flanking the main fuller running the length of the forte.
From Gus "Atrim":
Years ago, while trying to design the perfect sword, I realized there was no such thing. My aim changed, I wanted to develop "keepers".
Of late, I've been looking at Hexagonal cross sections, building sword blades with variations on a theme. A learning expedition. My search has taken me to the XVIa classification. In the book "The Sword - Form and thought", #15 is a XVI with a hex cross section, a 33 inch blade weighing just over 2lbs. In "Records of the Medieval Sword", XVIa.1 and XVIa.4 have hex cross sections, and XVIa.4 has a 31 inch blade.
In profile, at times I like a long curving taper in the foible. XVI.3 in "Records of the Medieval Sword" has such a profile in the foible.
But it's not just the aesthetic. In a sword I make, I expect excellent handling and very good cutting ability. In my mind XVIa.8 is a "keeper".
The grip is lambskin died in Oxblood coloring over a cord wrapped wood grip. The pommel is attached using Gus's superior threaded nut arrangement for a permanent fit. Guard and pommel are blued steel, made individually by Gus and tuned to perfection to each sword design.
It is unusual to find such an exceptional example of form, function and lethal beauty.
Limited Availability