|
Post by Gregory P. on Mar 24, 2017 15:41:09 GMT
Even KoA mentiones "over a year" wait time,so I suspect a loong time unfortunately. IMHO It's long even for full custom jobs, but for a company it's unthinkable. They should hire some new people/get a second CNC since the demand is high, but the supply low. If their wait time was shorter I too would order something from them but at this point getting a full custom is way easier It does raise an interesting question - whether it's better for Albion to amp up production - or to keep things status quo. Increasing production dramatically would bring lots of new expenses they'd have to pass on to us. And, it would likely introduce more QC issues. Status Quo does lead to some customer frustration and potential loss of business. Not sure which is better.
|
|
|
Post by Brian Kunz on Mar 24, 2017 16:54:13 GMT
Having talked to Albion personally, they have increased staff to start gaining on the backlog. However, when training new employees it is often slower in the beginning before it gets faster.
|
|
|
Post by Grindhouse on Mar 24, 2017 17:52:52 GMT
An update! I just got an email from KOA today saying my Albion is in their warehouse and they wanted confirmation on my address before shipment. Assuming it arrives next week, that will be almost exactly 15 months since I made the order. Very nice ! I also got an email from KOA today, the Senlac i ordered in june 2016 is now ready to be shipped. :) They didn't say a word about the Poitier i ordered at the same time though....
|
|
|
Post by Lukas MG (chenessfan) on Mar 24, 2017 18:01:17 GMT
Though the long wait time really sucks for the customers, it is a good sign for the sword (buying) community I think. Albion seems to do well financially. I don't know how affected they were but there have been some rough times for many sword makers in the last few years, especially American makers. Things may be looking up ;)
|
|
|
Post by seriouslee on Mar 24, 2017 19:49:41 GMT
Growing a business properly is a very difficult balancing act.
|
|
|
Post by cfoarde on Apr 11, 2017 21:26:55 GMT
Just placed an order for a Principe with the hilt blackened and a light brown grip - Mike at Albion quoted 9-11 months for production time. He's been very prompt with his emails.
While I certainly believe nice things are worth waiting for, I think it does raise a question of how the company could scale and cut production times, especially considering they have some strong competition with more and more custom bladesmiths releasing production lines. I joked with a friend that if I had the skills to do so, I could gather the necessary raw materials and forge a sword from scratch in 9-11 months. It's tempting to think of canceling my order and comissioning a custom piece that's exactly what I want, but to be fair to Albion, those production times are likely the same or longer. I reached out to two custom producers, one had a backlog and wasn't accepting new orders, the other never even replied to my email :/
My Albion Lancaster is the finest sword I've ever held or owned, so for now I plan on sucking it up and waiting
|
|
Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,632
|
Post by Zen_Hydra on May 30, 2017 16:38:29 GMT
Update: I placed an order for a Doge with Albion at the end of November 2016. I just got a FedEx notification that it has been shipped and will likely arrive on June/02/2017. That's almost exactly six months and at the low end of what I was quoted when I placed the order (6-9 mos.).
|
|
|
Post by sirdeofwood on Nov 2, 2017 2:57:21 GMT
Any updates from people that ordered recently?
|
|
|
Post by leviathansteak on Nov 2, 2017 3:06:50 GMT
Ordered a principe early oct. Was quoted a wait time of 9-11 months.
|
|
stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,650
|
Post by stormmaster on Nov 2, 2017 3:45:19 GMT
best thing to do is to just order, forget about it and then next year have a pleasant surprise
|
|
|
Post by strigoil on Nov 2, 2017 9:57:52 GMT
Any updates from people that ordered recently? Ordered two Albions late January, contacted them not long ago and was told they should be done late December early January
|
|
|
Post by bob77 on Nov 4, 2017 11:39:54 GMT
I also just ordered late september a beautiful sword from french swordsmith Gael Fabre. The sword is a reproduction of a hand-and-half XIIa type from german origine dated circa 1350. This beauty should be done in october next year. Considering the investment, I think I will simply not buy any Swords during a couple of years. In the other hand I must admit that I have the chance to be very restrictive in my Swords choices.
|
|
|
Post by augustine on Nov 5, 2017 23:22:28 GMT
In case anyone is interested, KoA has an Albion Crecy with black grip, and an Albion Steward with red grip both listed as "in stock." 11/05/17 3:23 PST.
|
|
|
Post by strigoil on Nov 5, 2017 23:24:50 GMT
AHHH tempting, but I already have a Crecy and the Steward is too similar, also no fan of pure red grips, someone will be happy to buy them tho I am sure, good spot and good man for notifying!
|
|
Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,632
|
Post by Zen_Hydra on Nov 6, 2017 0:54:21 GMT
I just ordered a Principe with an oxblood grip and blackened hilt furniture.
|
|
|
Post by strigoil on Nov 6, 2017 0:57:20 GMT
I just ordered a Principe with an oxblood grip and blackened hilt furniture. Niiice, the Principe is ontop of my current want list, it is such a lovely looking blade and from what I heard an astonishing cutter, good choice!
|
|
|
Post by William Swiger on Nov 6, 2017 16:59:16 GMT
Have a Sovereign on order. Wait times don't bother me if I know in advance of the order. Have had some customs run over a year or more late before......
|
|
|
Post by rivvie on Nov 17, 2017 22:54:26 GMT
I just ordered a Brescia Spadona, which will be my first "proper" sword, and was told it'd be 11-12 months. I don't really care about the waiting time, I just know that if I never got my hands on that sword I'd mourn it forever. I've had my eyes on that beauty for many many years now.
|
|
|
Post by 28shadow on Nov 17, 2017 23:57:11 GMT
I just ordered a Brescia Spadona, which will be my first "proper" sword, and was told it'd be 11-12 months. I don't really care about the waiting time, I just know that if I never got my hands on that sword I'd mourn it forever. I've had my eyes on that beauty for many many years now. Good choice.
|
|
|
Post by Faldarin on Nov 18, 2017 0:12:41 GMT
Great choice on the Brescia. If I could only choose one sword ever to have, that would probably top the list.
|
|