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Post by enkidu on Nov 19, 2009 0:41:52 GMT
Personaly i would go anyway with Mike's advice. Sonny's team has put up some impressive work lately and for a fraction of Christian's price. Having gone trought the big wait to get a CF's custom and seeing what Sonny can do... choice is easy. Just for the dedication that Sonny showed since taking over VA Its worth sending some jobs his way Chris, its funny what you say about edge aligment with your Atrim, the custom i got from CF was a ATMMXIII triple fullers and i noticed the exact same thing, i've got more home-runs with this sword than i had in all my baseball matchs alltogether. I've been looking at that MMXVI for a while... one day i'll get one of those or an Albion mercenary for sure
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2009 0:45:13 GMT
I'll concur with the general feeling - I don't think this is a change for the better...
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2009 1:01:24 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2009 16:27:44 GMT
Doesn't bother me a bit, really...if I have questions, I'll ask him and I know he'll answer. I guess stats are nice on a site but they generally don't tell the whole story and we all know that whatever we do get from the CF/AT collabo is bound to be worth it.
Yea, Tom, what's up on that Antioch? Dying to read the review and see the pics!
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Nov 19, 2009 16:40:46 GMT
Antioch review is in the works. I have been too busy to do anything more than snap a few quick shots. soon I promise. cutting will probably have to wait though.
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Post by kidcasanova on Nov 19, 2009 23:24:57 GMT
Wait wait wait. You have the Antioch already? That's waaay ahead of schedule, cool stuff!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2009 16:39:49 GMT
Yea, I was just kidding...I thought it was still months off.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Nov 20, 2009 17:27:38 GMT
yup the original ETA was MARCH 2010. I only waited about 4 months for it.
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Post by shadowhowler on Nov 20, 2009 17:46:33 GMT
Doesn't bother me a bit, really...if I have questions, I'll ask him and I know he'll answer. I guess stats are nice on a site but they generally don't tell the whole story and we all know that whatever we do get from the CF/AT collabo is bound to be worth it. The thing about it that bugs me is... listing all the swords gave me a very good idea of what I wanted in the future... and how to plan to get it. There were 3 Atrim swords on my wish list... and I knew what they where and how much I would need to get them. Now they are gone... one of them was a named sword, and the other I recal the number on... but the third, I have forgoten the number designation on it. Having the pics and stats on all the swords was VERY useful for you to look em over and see what you like... and then Mr. Fletcher said it was also usefull so that people could request a perticular sword... and if he got a few requests for that sword, he would let Gus know, and Gus would make a couple of those, since they were in demand. Those two things were very useful I think... this change is not good to my opinion.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Nov 20, 2009 18:10:02 GMT
I agree with you on this Sean, it was like having a portfolio to look through. I knew that the swords wouldn't be exactly those stats I mean heck most production swords in our price range have some pretty large variables to them that's a concept we are used to but I suppose Mr. Fletcher has to think about the people who are accustomed to shopping at Albion and their ilk who will want EXACTLY what is listed. I think a win-win answer would be to put up the pictures and stats and stick a disclaimer on the page that stats will vary with each sword due to tweeking of the model, experimentation, etc. and then not have a order button at all. the other option would be to move the listings out of the sword shop area and have a "Sword Portfolio" area that is specifically designed and designated as a "here's what we've done in the past" wet-your-appatite type of teaser. I too had some ideas brewing in my head about what I wanted in the future but I needed the visual ques to keep it straight. I know that Mr. Trim can make just about any sword type and style ever seen but I also know that some of his established models are unprecedented successes andI would like to be able to see those. after all if I were as good of a sword designer as Mr. Trim or Mr. Fletcher then I wouldn't need them to do it for me.
my suggestion: Send Christian Fletcher emails at his website asking for the specs and pictures to be brought back. I bet if he gets enough requests he'll re-think his decision. unless his plan is to 100% do away with the old ATrim models and replace them all with CF Prestige or whatever he has in the works models. in that case I may just have to cry. Mr. Fletcher makes great swords but Mr. Trim's solo work fills an important niche in both price and performance.
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Post by shadowhowler on Nov 20, 2009 18:26:24 GMT
my suggestion: Send Christian Fletcher emails at his website asking for the specs and pictures to be brought back. I bet if he gets enough requests he'll re-think his decision. unless his plan is to 100% do away with the old ATrim models and replace them all with CF Prestige or whatever he has in the works models. in that case I may just have to cry. Mr. Fletcher makes great swords but Mr. Trim's solo work fills an important niche in both price and performance. I agree... I will send a letter ASAP. I also agree that having Mr. Trim's work and Mr. Fletchers as well served to cover both ends of the spectrum for sword buyers... much as the VA Practical line and VA signature line does for production swords.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Nov 20, 2009 19:04:35 GMT
thanks Sean, I hope he reconsiders. maybe if he sees this thread. . . who knows. . .
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Post by enkidu on Nov 20, 2009 22:16:00 GMT
I'm on your side guys, i dont know how many times i just stopped on CF's website just to look at the differents ATrim models, it made me buy one and made me want to buy some more. I was particularely found of the new Maker's mark line...
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Post by Christian Fletcher on Nov 21, 2009 1:17:53 GMT
Archive photos of old Atrim models will be available in the Galleries on my site shortly. No stats, unfortunately, but that's just as well. Angus is in the process of phasing out his old models in favor of new, more refined designs that take advantage of his latest innovations. It won't be possible to place advance orders for the old models but some of them will still show up on my site occasionally whenever he does decide to make one or two. That will likely happen less and less frequently as time goes on.
The new designs will also feature new guard and pommel designs, upgraded grips and probably permanent assembly.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Nov 21, 2009 1:50:25 GMT
well that's both good and bad news.
thank you for the info Mr. Fletcher, much apreciated.
I know there are some ATrim models that have been favorites for a long time and I'm wondering if they will evolve into the new lines.
so does this mean there will be no more low-mid cost ATrim swords now? are the days of "almost budget" high performance swords at an end?
the Valiant Armoury swords you gentlemen have been involved in designing are very good for their price range but they do not replace the performance swords made by Mr. Trim.
The Prestige and valiant's Regal lines are very good but in no way budget. for a long time now ATrim swords have been the top end of what we like here on SBG so if the $450-$550 range of ATrim swords goes away we are going to lose out favorite top end performance swords here.
SBG will be sad
I sure hope there's a plan to keep a basic lower cost ATrim sword model available.
I have recently branched into higher priced swords but not many folks here would want to make the jump from Sub$300 swords to $800+ swords. the base line ATrim swords were a great bridge for people like us to move from low-end beaters to mid-high end quality swords. that's my main concern = the loss of that bridge.
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Post by Christian Fletcher on Nov 21, 2009 2:06:31 GMT
Sadly, those $450 swords have never earned Gus a living wage so it is probable that they'll be replaced over time by improved (and yes, pricier) designs. Market demand will, as always, influence these decisions. As things are going, however, Gus and I are both excited by the potential of these new forthcoming designs.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Nov 21, 2009 2:31:57 GMT
I understand the man's need to eat, it's just a shame both wants cannot be met. given the choice, I'd prefer Mr. Trim make a living so he can continue making great swords. thanks again for all the info, even if it wasn't what we were hoping.
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Post by shadowhowler on Nov 21, 2009 5:57:00 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2009 6:11:13 GMT
Awww, that really is a shame. However, I'm sure the new blades will be spectacular. It's just... they'll be just-out-of-reach spectacular.
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Nov 21, 2009 15:56:59 GMT
Mr. Fletcher:
Thanks so much for the information, sir---even if it isn't what we'd hoped to hear. One of the things I most prize about the SBG forum is the participation of vendors and craftsmen, and the chance to hear "the straight word" concerning ongoing developments.
In a sense, we're cursed by the ongoing revolution in the Western sword market. Although I am only recently arrived, I know that the collaborations between Valiant Armoury and you, Mr. Trim and Mr. Lundemo, and the work Mr. Pearce is doing with Hanwei, are significantly increasing the performance, appearance and durability of "entry level" swords, and that's a good thing. I can understand why you and Mr. Trim would want to correspondingly raise the bar on your own work, and I hope you'll excuse a touch of grumbling that the price is going up.
Thanks again for the information.
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