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Post by wstalcup on Sept 5, 2017 19:50:09 GMT
Are these swords considered top (or near top) of line swords? Any idea of what metal they use? They don't seem to state this. Are they truly functional and do you actually use it if you own one? Would they be considered "heirloom" quality? Hold their value? Are they really worth the extra cost? any other top of line medieval sword companies do you know of? Thanks!
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Post by strigoil on Sept 5, 2017 20:02:17 GMT
I can't speak much for other swords, haven't handled them, but I can tell you Albion is solid quality
Their sharpening can leave something to be desired, they can come anywhere from papercutting to not really, so it's not a horrible idea to know how to sharpen them yourself if you intend to cut, but tbh this goes for any swords if you intend to use them.
They are solidly built swords and I'm pretty sure I've seen pictures of quite old ones that still look in fantastic condition, but as with any sword they require maintaining
I only do light cutting with my own but you can see plenty of videos of wood and branches being cut with them without causing any damage, as long as you cut properly of course.
As for holding their value, I'm not sure? I mean it's swords, you will nearly always go at a loss if reselling it, with Albion the reason you can get at least NEARLY what you paid for it often I recon is because people want to skip their very long wait times.
If you are planning to get an Albion, I would definitely say go for it but expect to wait up to a year or more for it to be done atm, I have two swords being made from them that I ordered in January, the one I do have currently is the Crecy and it feels very lively and great in the hand
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,651
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Post by stormmaster on Sept 5, 2017 20:05:12 GMT
Albions are some of the best production swords, just 1 step below high end customs. Another production sword companies close to them in quality is arms and armor but I think albion is better. They hold their value cause the wait time is insane
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Sept 5, 2017 20:20:21 GMT
They use 6150. Their swords are functional. I've cut with Albions.
They're plain and functional swords. Not ornate. No bling. They're not unique - just one of a production run. That's enough for a lot of people to reject them as "heirloom".
Worth it? That depends on what you value. IMO, the main attraction of Albion is superb historical accuracy, consistently, over a wide range of models, together with excellent build quality. There are many custom makers who could deliver similar accuracy, but they will be more expensive. Compared to them, there is no "extra cost" when it comes to Albion - they're the cheap alternative.
Albion are "extra cost" compared to Hanwei, Windlass, Del Tin, etc. Compared to them, they easily win in terms of historical accuracy. They lose in terms of waiting time and narrow range (compare the variety that Del Tin does). A Hanwei Tinker will have good handling, cut things up well. An Albion will have better fit & finish, and be better in detail, and be more historically accurate, and will also have good handling and cut things up well. For many people, that extra accuracy isn't worth it. For some people, it is.
Other companies? Similar priced or cheaper, but still good: Arms and Armor, and Del Tin. Plenty of custom makers.
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Post by wstalcup on Sept 5, 2017 20:29:34 GMT
Thanks, that really helps a lot! I guess it would be hard to say which is better cutter between Hanwei and Albion? Is there a long wait even for the Albion "squire line"? lastly, so Albion is more historically accurate according to looks, but would say Albion swords cut better, the same or worse than the true original medieval swords ? Thanks!
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Sept 5, 2017 22:12:12 GMT
would say Albion swords cut better, the same or worse than the true original medieval swords ? On average, better. Their blades are harder than most Medieval swords, and will hold a fine edge better. You might need to sharpen it better to achieve that.
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Post by William Swiger on Sept 5, 2017 22:25:21 GMT
I have owned numerous Albion swords over the years. Also samples from many other production makers and some customs. I would say that Albion makes the best production swords out there. I have received some custom swords that were not as nice as Albion for a lot more money. Now getting to the point (ha-ha), there are some good quality swords out there for well below Albion prices. They will not have the fit and finish of Albion. Hanwei makes some decent swords and I like the ones I have. Their entry line of medieval swords are not that great.
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Post by RickDastardly on Sept 5, 2017 23:10:02 GMT
Good information everyone! I was wondering similar things about Albion early today myself.
Not that I can afford one of their swords, but I'm considering ordering a bare blade and finishing it myself. Shorter waiting time that way too I believe.
Just wish the exchange rate wasn't so rubbish recently.
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Post by gruggier on Sept 5, 2017 23:37:43 GMT
My suggestion to you is try the Albion squire line if you see something you like. I have two and I like them a lot. I am however concerned about the resale value of the more expensive line. I saw a Huskarl sell on ebay recently for 950 plus dollars. Its a $1500 plus sword.... That was a bit of a loss....
There are three of their swords that I hope to own one day. The Jarl, the The Gaddhjalt, and the Reeve, but they are $$$. I am alway on the look out for used ones.
I do have a couple valiant armory swords and they are great. Check those out maybe.
In any case good luck with your decision. .
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Post by William Swiger on Sept 6, 2017 10:32:29 GMT
That is one of the bad things about collecting production swords. $950.00 was a great price for a Huskarl. I usually try to stay at a fair price when selling swords but most do not sell. You will almost never get most of your money back on customs as well. It is even worse with the sub-300 stuff. Almost not worth my time to list, sell, package and mail them. Preowned swords tend to sell well when they are out of stock like Albion is on most models or discontinued. Very small market out there for swords......I have many swords I want to move along but most folks want around 40-50% off even for just displayed ones. My collection is much larger than I want because of swords being a hard product to sell for a fair price. Most that leave my collection are passed on to my friends at a steep discount or for no charge.
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Sept 6, 2017 12:50:42 GMT
Well, my good ol' friend....What do you have that you're just itching to get rid of? .....Chris Attachments:
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christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
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Post by christain on Sept 6, 2017 13:04:46 GMT
Now, in seriousness....My take on Albions goes as so: Beautiful, *mostly historically accurate*, well balanced, and highly prized by collectors. They are also highly priced to the *average* collector, such as myself. I've handled a few, and I can't really say that I was any more impressed than when I first took my Hanwei Rhinelander, Cawood Viking, and H/T Norman out of their KoA box. The Norman wasn't as well finished, but--damn--what a cutter. As Albions go, they are made on a CNC milling machine and then hand finished and assembled. At least I can see the hammer waves in the blades of my Hanwei and Windlass swords. ....Chris
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Post by wstalcup on Sept 6, 2017 15:27:28 GMT
ok! I'm sold, I will go for an Albion! Sounds like they are worth it, historically accurate, as good or even better than the original sword. Get the best and cry once! so now, I have to decide which one... narrowed down to the Knight or Reeve.
I like the looks of the Knight(although whats the bump on the pommel for?) Reeve looks good too. I like wide fullers but actually this one may almost too wide!
Anyway I want to be sure I can wield it adeptly..
my only experience is with: katana: 28" blade at 2 lbs 9 ounces (I can easily handle with 1 hand) roven: 38" blade at 3 lbs 5 ounces (can not wield with 1 hand)
the Albion swords are: Reeve: 30" blade at 2 lb 7 ounces. Knight: 32" blade at 2 lb 10 ounces.
so it seems, I "should" be able to handle the Knight ok? Otherwise, the safer bet would be the Reeve!
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,632
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Sept 6, 2017 15:46:18 GMT
The "bump" on the pommel of the Knight is a peen block, and it's purpose is primarily decorative. From what you have previously stated I think you will like the Knight more than the Reeve, but they are both fantastic swords.
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Post by wstalcup on Sept 6, 2017 16:31:27 GMT
UGH! you guys weren't joking! Albion just confirmed the 10 month wait AND they don't even come with a scabbard! Apparently to get a scabbard, I can contact someone who will shake me down for another $500. choosing the perfect sword is proving to be more difficult than finding the perfect wife! LOL Anyway, thank you all for the suggestions! I will just decide between the Albion Knight or just getting the Hanwei Tinker Norman Sword and call it a day.. but then may always wonder "what if I had gotten the Knight"..
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2017 16:43:14 GMT
My 50 cent: Albions have a VERY LOW lemon rate compared to Hanwei, Windlass, Cold Steel, Legacy Arms, etc. etc. ;-) I own three of them: a Bastard, an older Warsword model and a Christian Fletcher Borderwatch with an Albion Crecy blade - i NEVER saw better blade work... perfectly even and straight, superclean peens. And thats the point for some: they look right away TOO perfect!
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Post by strigoil on Sept 6, 2017 16:48:50 GMT
Ah yes, Albions do not come with a scabbard and a good scabbard will often cost you as much as the sword, most swords that come with a scabbard, the scabbard will be generic and fairly horrible but at least it gives you something to put around your waist, if you do ever decide to get a scabbard I can recommend two people I have experience with myself. www.todsstuff.co.uk/www.christianfletcher.com/Your wallet will hurt but they both do fantastic work, I must admit I lean more towards Tod's work but I love my scabbard from Christian, it's the one in my profile picture, with an Albion Crecy. Shop after what your wallet and conscience will allow you, personally I go by the "If I want it and can afford it and it will make me happy I will get it" way of living, but I am also happily single so I don't have a professional rolling pin wielder ready to smash me about if I spend my savings, figure out whats best for you and go from there, you dont always NEED the best, it just feels good to know you have it sometimes
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Post by wstalcup on Sept 6, 2017 17:21:47 GMT
I figured it would have at least come with a basic cheapo scabbard, just to put it in something for protection when not it use. I don't think my wife will let me hang it on the wall! ...although not having a scabbard might be a good excuse now! lol I guess I would have 10 months to check out those websites and decide on getting a scabbard. thanx!
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Post by strigoil on Sept 6, 2017 17:31:09 GMT
Ah that is one thing you need to consider, you don't really keep a european sword in its scabbard for storage, at least I don't and have been recommended not to.
A sword needs to be oiled not to rust, this oil can end up soaking into your scabbards wood and you don't want that, it will eventually destroy or warp the wood
The sword will also be much more prone to rust while trapped inside the scabbard
I definitely suggest reading up on maintenance of blades while you decide / wait for a sword, it's preferable to keep the sword suspended in a way where it's touching as little things as possible, that means a bit away from the wall as well, you don't want rust on your $880+ baby
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Post by Faldarin on Sept 6, 2017 17:49:36 GMT
Wool-lined scabbards are awfully nice - though not all scabbard makers do them, and no production scabbards are. (The only one I own is from a forum-member who did some amazing work for me.)
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