Sean (Shadowhowler)
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No matter where you go, there you are.
Posts: 8,828
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Jan 28, 2015 5:58:28 GMT
The Gotland on VikingShield is on my want list for sure... love the look of that baby and really dug the one I handled.
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jan 28, 2015 6:16:46 GMT
The Vinland and Gotland are nice swords in the regular line but to me, lose a lot of the charm in the squire line. The Clontarf is growing on me but still almost $100 too much for the sharpened version. For Euro type swords, I tend to go with the more subdued and basic designs and the SL Viking is doing it for me that way. That along with the weight, pob and price is making it a front runner right now. I do like some of the DT's but again, maybe too heavy and bulky and there are a couple of DSA that look decent enough but dang those mirror blades and the ones that look better cost too much.
I was also thinking if I could pick up a second hand Hedemark for a good price, maybe I could have someone like Yeshua's remove a little meat to lighten it up just a notch.
The HT fullered bastard is also my favorite(one of the next on my list), then the emshs, so I just might go for the Norman after all. I'd of course change the grip and would like to recover the scabbard or make a new one. Good to know about the pommel, thanks.
-Josh
Does Albion have layaway?
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Post by Bryan Heff on Jan 28, 2015 12:02:13 GMT
Two of my favorite swords in my collection are the SL Clontarf and the HT Norman. Love them both. If you want Viking though I would go with a SL. The Norman is more "medieval"
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 28, 2015 14:43:35 GMT
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 28, 2015 15:08:27 GMT
I really love the look of the Hedemark but I have used it and it's just a bit too heavy for my tastes. If I could find something with the weight and balance of the Godfred but the look of the Hedemark, that would be ideal. I just saw a new design from the CSS which is beautiful but I'm fearing it would be a similar weight as the Hedemark. The Hedemark was covered by Josh himself in the opening post.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 28, 2015 15:49:00 GMT
Okay, so what the big deal about a couple more ounces Albion Vinland 2.375 Lbs., Albion Squire 2 Lbs 10 oz., Albion Huskarl 2 Lbs. 10 oz., H/T 9thC. 2 Lbs 8.5 oz., DelTin 2 Lbs. 14.5 oz. Darksword Viking 3 Lbs. 9 oz and the Hedemark is 3Lbs. 2 oz... So you're talking less than a pound between a Albion and the Hedemark but you're also talking almost a thousand dollars less. If less than a pound is the problem then " grow stronger". If you want less weight and less money than KOA sells a Deepeeka Triple Lobe Godfred at 2Lbs. 7.8 oz. for $139.95 plus $30 for sharpening.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 28, 2015 15:59:37 GMT
KOA Deepeeke Triple Lobe Godred for $139.95 or $169.95 sharp and it's only 2 Lbs 7.8 oz...
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Aaron
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,369
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Post by Aaron on Jan 28, 2015 16:09:59 GMT
It's not about "growing stronger." A few ounces in the wrong spot will drastically change the handling of a sword.
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 28, 2015 16:13:47 GMT
Those few ounces make a difference. I have knives that only weigh an ounce or two apart but the difference in hand is like night and day. It's not even a case of "bigger is better" or "get stronger," swords handle drastically differently with very minor differences in weight. How that weight is distributed plays an even bigger role. Heck, last night I was messing about with some of my own swords, a couple antiques and some "low-end" production stuffs. I couldn't get over how heavy and unbalanced my Dynasty Forge Musha felt. I felt like I was swinging a sledgehammer on a twig. I thought I'd put the stats to on mine here before, as it's a semi-custom I picked up second-hand so some if the measurements may differ from the stock model, but the stock weighs in at 2 lbs 10.5 oz per Kult of Athena. Comparing it to my old Hanwei PK, which now goes by the Practical Katana Classic and lists at 2 lbs 4 oz, just under half a pound different, which feels much lighter, and tracks much more easily. Doesn't hurt my wrist or shoulders after three swings like the Musha. Anyway, can't speak for Josh, but there's definitely more to weight than a few ounces versus strength.
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Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Jan 28, 2015 16:28:09 GMT
Another vote for the Albion Squire line. You're simply not going to get a better (viking) sword for the money.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 28, 2015 16:46:10 GMT
Albion would have been my pick too but the grip length on my Vinland is only 3.5 inches and 3.75 on my Clontarf. If gripped properly it's not a problem but he said he wanted a longer grip.
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Post by randomnobody on Jan 28, 2015 16:46:41 GMT
A thought just occurred to me, the Albions don't come with scabbards, do they? May be a not of a detractor. I personally can't buy any sword or like object unless it has a scabbard, because kids and animals are overtaking what used to be safe sword storage space...
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 28, 2015 16:57:05 GMT
Nope, no scabbards with Albions unless you order them. I kind of like that because all my swords are either on the wall or on a display of some sort. I have a bunch of scabbards that just sit in the closet.
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Post by Arthur Dayne on Jan 28, 2015 17:43:13 GMT
Since we're on the topic of Albion Squire Line, how secure and big does the grip feel in comparison to say the Hanwei Tinker viking model or Windlass viking models? Do they feel like a huge step up from the entry level lineups from other vendors?
Edited:
Also does the Squire Line leather grip wrapping feel thick and substantial and won't fall apart on heavy duty use? The pictures on the Albion site don't convey the sense of detail and depth and since it's black it looks too much like the Hanwei HT grips felt a bit thin to me.
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Post by Bryan Heff on Jan 28, 2015 18:02:06 GMT
Since we're on the topic of Albion Squire Line, how secure and big does the grip feel in comparison to say the Hanwei Tinker viking model or Windlass viking models? Do they feel like a huge step up from the entry level lineups from other vendors? Edited: Also does the Squire Line leather grip wrapping feel thick and substantial and won't fall apart on heavy duty use? The pictures on the Albion site don't convey the sense of detail and depth and since it's black it looks too much like the Hanwei HT grips felt a bit thin to me. Do you mean thickness as in big? My Clontarf and Vinland (used to have) both had thicker grips than the H/T Viking whose grip is ridiculously skinny. Neither of the SL grips was super thick though. My Del Tins have thicker grips than the SL as does my Windlass Ulfbehrt. I find the Clontarf very comfy but its a bit thin, but not so thin as to be a problem like th H/T was, that grip I had to redo.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Jan 28, 2015 18:16:13 GMT
Grips on both my Vinland and Clontarf are 5/8" thick and taper from 1 3/8" down to 1" at the pommel.
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Post by Cottontail Customs on Jan 28, 2015 19:58:24 GMT
Not having a scabbard or the grip needeing work isn't a problem and I would probably redo them anyway just for the enjoyment and persoanlization. If I could wave a magic wand and make my perfect sword(within my $ range of course) I would likely just start with the Hedemark and change the weight. It has the aesthetics I like as well as the grip length but it just felt rather clunky and heavy in my hand. I'm not "Aaahhnold" strong but I'm not really a wimpy guy either, I just like a more lively feeling single-hander. The H/T I owned was decently maneuverable but again the pommel killed my hand.
I guess the SL Viking is also appealing because I'm assuming the basic important things like balance, distal taper, and harmonics are accurate and I wouldn't have to worry about it. Does this tend to be true from Albion?
-Josh
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Post by Bryan Heff on Jan 28, 2015 20:01:57 GMT
I guess the SL Viking is also appealing because I'm assuming the basic important things like balance, distal taper, and harmonics are accurate and I wouldn't have to worry about it. Does this tend to be true from Albion? -Josh I would say this is a hallmark of Albion swords, the SL line included.
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Aikidoka
Member
Monstrous monk in training...
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Aikidoka on Jan 28, 2015 20:17:43 GMT
I had only seen the Squire Line Viking sword on the Albion site. Wasn't even aware of the Albion Squire Line Clontarf Sword. Very nice!
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Paul
Member
Senior Forumite
Posts: 1,771
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Post by Paul on Jan 28, 2015 21:21:04 GMT
You can also use Albions 6month payment plan www.albion-swords.com/payplan.htmI did this when I purchased my Principe, it's ezy and the time flys by..... I ended up finishing my plan a couple of months early as Mike emailed me to say he has a perfect set of castings if I wanted them...... Yes please
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