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Post by patrick kelly on Aug 18, 2015 18:49:37 GMT
I'm not going to do a full on review of this sword as that's been done elsewhere, but I will have a little share time. I've been curious about VA's quality for a while now. Sonny Suttles seems to have done a nice job increasing quality since buying the company and I've wanted to check that out for myself. I chose the Actium as my test sample. Mainly for two reasons: I think the Actium is an attractive sword and it's one of VA's lower priced offerings. The latter minimizes my risk when purchasing a test subject.  The blade is loosely based on the older Gladius Hispaniensis and the blade's length is at the upper end of that type. The twin fullers are also a bit of creative license. In terms of the classic Gladii types the sword is more of a Spatha than a Gladius. These aren't criticisms, as the Actium isn't meant to be an historically accurate example of the type but rather an "inspired by" piece.   The hilt and scabbard are fairly straight up 1st cent. AD fare, both are nicely shaped. I had asked Sonny if it was possible to have the hilt components left unfinished as I planned to strip off the clear varnish and white paint from the grip. Sonny replied that the parts came from the factory already finished. However, Sonny did take the time to remove the white paint from the grip, so that saved me some effort. I had intended to stain the grip a light brown, to add contrast, However, the grip had been assembled in two halves, one a lighter hardwood with some figure and a darker piece with no figure. The lighter stain proved to be unattractive so I went with a darker color. Given the sword's price this is the only criticism I have concerning aesthetics. The guard and pommel on my sample are made from a dark hardwood with little figure, perhaps ebony. I stripped off the varnish covering them and applied a few coats of Boiled Linseed Oil. The brass guard plate is nicely set into the guard, unlike many other lower priced offerings that simply butt the plate up against the guard.   The sword has a nice solid feel to it. It's a bit blade heavy, but this is to be expected of any sword with organic hilt components. Still, it handles well and follows the point nicely in a thrust. The edge is nicely sharpened throughout it's length. I find the Actium's quality to be quite good for a sword with a $400 price tag. Far better than any equivalent offering in that range in fact. Superior overall to similar offerings from Del Tin, Museum Replicas, Deepeeka, etc. While I won't compare the quality to an Albion Gladius, the difference is more than acceptable given the price point. The quality is good enough that I think VA should really consider redesigning the Actium's blade. If the sword were given a blade with an accurate Mainz profile I think it would find great acceptance in the roman living history community. As is, it's still a nice romanesque style sword at an attractive price point. |
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Post by MOK on Aug 18, 2015 19:42:36 GMT
Nice review! Neat modifications, too.  I would have to agree on every point - aside from the somewhat strange (though not unattractive!) blade shape it really is one of the very best things out there in this style and price range. |
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Post by patrick kelly on Aug 18, 2015 21:15:07 GMT
The blade is a actually a rather close approximation of the Hispaniensis, disregarding the fullers of course. The hilt is pretty spot on for the 1st century AD and I'd really like to see that mated to a nice Mainz pattern blade.
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Post by Derzis on Aug 21, 2015 22:43:24 GMT
Very nice sword, thanks for sharing
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Post by svante on Aug 22, 2015 9:16:31 GMT
VA is getting closer and closer to being competitive with AA and Albion.
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Post by MOK on Aug 22, 2015 9:40:28 GMT
VA is getting closer and closer to being competitive with AA and Albion. I wouldn't say that at all. Those two exist in fairly different niches, even beyond the different types of swords on offer in their product lines. You might as well say VA has wiped out Lutel or the Hanwei/Tinker line (or Cold Steel, for that matter). |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2015 10:58:09 GMT
VA is getting closer and closer to being competitive with AA and Albion. Thats, please excuse the term, nonsense; it is well known that the Albion Squireline swords are the exact same swords as their NG counterparts. The only differences are a not so fancy finish and polish on blades and furniture, simpler leather gripwraps, and you could run into a lousy sharpening job. Furthermore are all Albion blades made per CNC stock removal, VA import their blades from China if i remember correctly and while Sonnys work is absolutely great at his pricepoint he doesnt match fit&finish of the Squirelines AT ALL! I have the proof right in front of me...;-) |
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Post by svante on Aug 22, 2015 11:08:36 GMT
VA is getting closer and closer to being competitive with AA and Albion. Thats, please excuse the term, nonsense; it is well known that the Albion Squireline swords are the exact same swords as their NG counterparts. The only differences are a not so fancy finish and polish on blades and furniture, simpler leather gripwraps, and you could run into a lousy sharpening job. Furthermore are all Albion blades made per CNC stock removal, VA import their blades from China if i remember correctly and while Sonnys work is absolutely great at his pricepoint he doesnt match fit&finish of the Squirelines AT ALL! I have the proof right in front of me...;-) Good to know, goes to show pictures don't do certain swords justice, from what i have seen in reviews the VA's where looking very good. Thanks for the info. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2015 17:44:00 GMT
You're welcome!
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Post by patrick kelly on Aug 22, 2015 22:48:06 GMT
VA is getting closer and closer to being competitive with AA and Albion. Sonny provides an excellent value in the mid triple-digit price range. However, the quality doesn't approach that of Albion or A&A. By your statement I can only assume you haven't had any actual hands-on experience with either one, or simply don't know what a good sword is. I'd rate Valiant Armoury as below Albion and A&A, but quite a step above Windlass, Hanwei and Del Tin, the latter of which simply aren't worth their current pricing. |
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Post by svante on Aug 22, 2015 23:54:34 GMT
VA is getting closer and closer to being competitive with AA and Albion. Sonny provides an excellent value in the mid triple-digit price range. However, the quality doesn't approach that of Albion or A&A. By your statement I can only assume you haven't had any actual hands-on experience with either one, or simply don't know what a good sword is. I'd rate Valiant Armoury as below Albion and A&A, but quite a step above Windlass, Hanwei and Del Tin, the latter of which simply aren't worth their current pricing. VA i have noticed to have very good attention to value and the products look sound and well finish for the most part ( the peens look dodgy ), i like that they offer a scabbard and you can customize a lot, the latest swords are getting better and better in the tapering department, overall just seems like an emerging player at a attractive price, but i have never had one in hand to compare to Albion or antiques. |
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Post by patrick kelly on Aug 23, 2015 5:21:05 GMT
Over the last few years I've had issue with exactly one Albion sword that's passed through my hands. That one issue was easily and eagerly rectified by the company. This is with product that's actually passed through my hands, not impressions from cyberspace. I've done business with A&A for many years and based upon my lengthly hands-on experience, rather than simply looking at photographs, I find your opinion on that matter completely and utterly lacking in merit. In the field of production rapiers, no one does it better. However, I do share most of your opinions on Valiant Armoury. The product isn't perfect, there are a few aesthetic issues I wouldn't tolerate in a more expensive piece. Given VA's target price point I find them well within acceptability. In fact, I think the over all quality exceeds the price point. The value provided by the total package is outstanding. If nothing else, VA is a testament to how far the industry has come. Today we consider VA swords to be a good midrange option. Fifteen or twenty years ago we would have been awestruck by their quality.
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Post by svante on Aug 23, 2015 8:27:56 GMT
Over the last few years I've had issue with exactly one Albion sword that's passed through my hands. That one issue was easily and eagerly rectified by the company. This is with product that's actually passed through my hands, not impressions from cyberspace. I've done business with A&A for many years and based upon my lengthly hands-on experience, rather than simply looking at photographs, I find your opinion on that matter completely and utterly lacking in merit. In the field of production rapiers, no one does it better. However, I do share most of your opinions on Valiant Armoury. The product isn't perfect, there are a few aesthetic issues I wouldn't tolerate in a more expensive piece. Given VA's target price point I find them well within acceptability. In fact, I think the over all quality exceeds the price point. The value provided by the total package is outstanding. If nothing else, VA is a testament to how far the industry has come. Today we consider VA swords to be a good midrange option. Fifteen or twenty years ago we would have been awestruck by their quality. Comments removed. Unsubstantiated and vendor bashing. |
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Post by MOK on Aug 23, 2015 9:16:38 GMT
Where are these masses of negative comments and reviews? I mean, I do hear about the occasional lemon, prominently discussed precisely because it's Albion and we expect perfection, and the recurring debates about their price range and whether they're worth it, mostly by people like me who can't afford them, and of course there are people who just don't like them for whatever reasons - nothing wrong with that, different people have different tastes - but I can't honestly say I've ever come across "plentiful" complaints from people who actually own them. PS. Also, there is no such thing as an "unbiased" photograph. Seriously. Photos are NOT impartial or even faithful copies of reality, they involve every bit as much interpretation and expression as paintings and drawings, and are in fact vexingly bad at getting across things like the fine detail of the surface finish on shiny metal. |
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Aug 23, 2015 15:16:41 GMT
I have 10 Albions. All of them are great designs, beautifully made. I would have more, but they aren't in my price range anymore. I also have many A&A swords, also great swords. I'd put them half a step behind Albion in the matter of blade geometry. I have one Valiant sword. It's a very good sword for its price range. It is superior to the other mid-price designs of Darksword and Del Tin, but not in the class of Albion and A&A.
Svante, where are all these complaints about Albion that you are referring to? I don't see them on SBG or myArmoury, or on Facebook. How about some links to these criticisms?
Also, about those "deceitfully long" waiting times. I bought a Maestro from Albion last year. They gave me an estimated completion time, before I bought it. I received it within the estimated time. It wouldn't surprise me if deliveries are sometimes a bit late, but that is hardly unusual in the sword business.
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Post by patrick kelly on Aug 24, 2015 7:04:34 GMT
Svante, I'm honestly begining to think I'm having a discussion with a sixteen year old child. Am I a fan of Albion? Yes, but in many ways I've also been one of their biggest critics over the more than a decade I've been dealing with them. Ask Howard Waddell if I'm biased and see what he says. Any comment I've made concerning Albion, or any of the other comapnies mentioned, has been in response to your opinions you seem unable or unwilling to substantiate. In certain circles they call that, "talking out of your ass". Please peovide us with at least a few sources of these widespread QC problems you've referenced.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2015 9:14:57 GMT
Mr. Kelly, i fear we have the far opposite of a 16 year old here...but not less stubborn...;-)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2015 9:16:55 GMT
By the way...VERY nice Actium...far better than mine...better scabbard, different wood colours...
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Post by Bryan Heff on Aug 24, 2015 11:45:23 GMT
Thanks for the review Patrick. A Roman piece is an item I have yet to add to my collection...I am partial to some sort of Spatha, perhaps one of these days I will get one.
Concerning the Albion comments, here are my 2 cents for what its worth. I own 7 Albions and 2 Arms and Armor pieces. The Albions are overall a notch above the A&A items but the A&A are great pieces in their own right.
I have also had many an Albion pass through my hands for scabbard commissions I did and so I have seen a pretty good cross section of brand new Albions from the shop, as well as older pieces that I bought second hand and they were all of the highest quality IMO. Truly. I am not sure where all the negative quality control examples are, to be honest. Sure I have read a handful of posts over the years pointing out some quality issues but those posts seem to be extremely rare. I read of a loose pommel on a SL Knight. Some folks would like the edges to be hair popping sharp. Some leather dye not being completely uniform. The one example I recall most recently was a post at MA about a Cluny piece that had less than top notch leather work. It was returned and the reviewer posted that the second sword was in great shape. No company is going to be flawless...its how prevalent the issue is and from what I have seen through pouring over these forums here and on MA is that the bad quality Albion post is very rare. Maybe all the bad quality swords go to folks who don't post on these forums. The VAST majority of posts you read about Albion quality is that they are at the very top of fit and finish, handling etc.
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Post by svante on Aug 24, 2015 13:26:32 GMT
Svante, I'm honestly begining to think I'm having a discussion with a sixteen year old child. Am I a fan of Albion? Yes, but in many ways I've also been one of their biggest critics over the more than a decade I've been dealing with them. Ask Howard Waddell if I'm biased and see what he says. Any comment I've made concerning Albion, or any of the other comapnies mentioned, has been in response to your opinions you seem unable or unwilling to substantiate. In certain circles they call that, "talking out of your ass". Please peovide us with at least a few sources of these widespread QC problems you've referenced. Yea i don't think we will be speaking any longer, your attitude is lacking in politeness. |
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