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Post by mpsmith47304 on Feb 12, 2019 23:57:51 GMT
Those items are more so significant than what I’ve experienced, except the fuller... you are really nitpicking there, IMO. Modern consumers tend to expect mechanical precision, even on hand-finished items.
But I’m kind of with Patrick here. You don’t seem satisfied. And it’s unlikely you will be just because we here tell you that you ought to be.
Send the pics to Albion and tell them you are not satisfied. Maybe you got a “Friday afternoon” sword and they will replace or refund.
Not really interested in that sword right now, or I’d offer to buy it from you.
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Post by slicendice on Feb 14, 2019 4:11:23 GMT
Those items are more so significant than what I’ve experienced, except the fuller... you are really nitpicking there, IMO. Modern consumers tend to expect mechanical precision, even on hand-finished items. But I’m kind of with Patrick here. You don’t seem satisfied. And it’s unlikely you will be just because we here tell you that you ought to be. Send the pics to Albion and tell them you are not satisfied. Maybe you got a “Friday afternoon” sword and they will replace or refund. Not really interested in that sword right now, or I’d offer to buy it from you. Are fuller completely hand ground? I admit I am new but that looks bad. By looks and the Atrim I have I assumed they were milled then polish sanded. My Atrim has imperfections, little more than I expected, but the fuller is machined perfectly. I also bought knowing Atrim doesnt have Albion finish. OP, I am new, less than two months into this hobby. I have ordered Albion Maximillian and Kern and also just received an ATrim XIVa.4 as I wanted a true longsword yet longer grip to learn actual art of handling one and cutting. The XIVa.4 has already won several gold medals in tournaments and Gus designed it to be such at 2lb 14oz, 36.5" blade, 47" overall. Mainly the reasons I didn't go with Albion longsword shorter grip lengths and once getting my hands on the XIVa.4's 9" grip I am happy. Anyway this to say after TONS of reading, like 40+ tabs for nearly two months and discovering who is who, Ive seen literal every pic of Albion sword online 30x lol. I knew Gus swords were a bit 'rougher' in finish, a bit more utilitarian and I braced myself for imperfections. Even then I was a bit surprised at some imperfection I wont get into but I will say none of them are as bad as that offset fuller. ONE THING WE ALL KNOW is pics show maybe half of the issue unless you have ultra 4k spendy cam, it just doesn't show! I tried to get some pics of imperfections with iPhone 8 and cant literally get them to show on cam really. But I have come to accept the Atrim (99% sure) as my long term utilitarian cutting blade that I will personally learn to sharpen and use for years to come. The Albions I had considered cutting with few times in their life but also maybe not, more collector type thing and I would not accept this at all and makes me nervous a bit. Maybe look at Strigoil 's collection. He is great photgrapher and has few pics of Albions and few other brands done with ultra high quality cam and to my eyes look like machined perfection. In my opinion I think your post is fine and don't see why anyone would think anything less. It's an issue, Albion has a reputation for near perfection and charges for it and thats what you should expect cased closed. I do carpentry and things do go wrong, issues have to be corrected and sometimes kinda 'masked.' But there is a point if something happens and it's too bad I scrap it all and start the process over period. I thrive on reputation of high quality, I charge for it and it works. Some want cheaper and they get cheaper, others want better and pay more. I could see a post like this arising minor issues for Albion reputation but then again: THEY SENT it out the door so...
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Post by slicendice on Feb 14, 2019 4:11:57 GMT
This thread made me paranoid that I may have missed flaws in my own Albions. So, I spent some time reexamining them this morning. Luckily, they both seem to be good representations of Albion's positive reputation. I was extra-scrutinizing of the pommel of my Doge because it is such a complex shape, but it's practically perfect. Hopefully, these recent QA/QC lapses aren't a trend. I currently have another in their queue, and at least one more I want to purchase after that one. how is the beautiful detailing on the blade?
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Feb 14, 2019 11:57:17 GMT
This thread made me paranoid that I may have missed flaws in my own Albions. So, I spent some time reexamining them this morning. Luckily, they both seem to be good representations of Albion's positive reputation. I was extra-scrutinizing of the pommel of my Doge because it is such a complex shape, but it's practically perfect. Hopefully, these recent QA/QC lapses aren't a trend. I currently have another in their queue, and at least one more I want to purchase after that one. how is the beautiful detailing on the blade? On the Doge? My Doge is picture perfect. It was my first Albion, so I've spent a lot of time scrutinizing it in the two years I've had it. The custom green color of the grip is darker than I would have preferred, but I was warned when I placed my order for it that the exact shade couldn't be guaranteed. All the fullers are correctly positioned, and terminate consistently. The rear projection is well executed. The octagonal blade shape is centered correctly. Are there any specific details you were curious about?
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Post by dolbrin on Feb 14, 2019 12:19:25 GMT
Hello Ive owned many Albions over time and 70% of them have had lopsided guards. Some so bad,I cant imagine how they missed it in QC.How much trouble is it to put the guard on straight?
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Post by slicendice on Feb 14, 2019 22:58:49 GMT
how is the beautiful detailing on the blade? On the Doge? My Doge is picture perfect. It was my first Albion, so I've spent a lot of time scrutinizing it in the two years I've had it. The custom green color of the grip is darker than I would have preferred, but I was warned when I placed my order for it that the exact shade couldn't be guaranteed. All the fullers are correctly positioned, and terminate consistently. The rear projection is well executed. The octagonal blade shape is centered correctly. Are there any specific details you were curious about? My bad, noob mistake, Its the Machiavelli that has blade like the Kern I ordered. I do really dig the Doge though, that pommel would hurt like a #$%& to get wacked with! And the guard is sweet! I mostly curious out of perspective of the OP of this thread and blades that have lots of detailing. I would be pretty disappointed to wait a year after dropping 3k, get my Kern and Maximillian only to have them have issues like these. I ordered Albion based on reputation for quality, knowledge and execution in flawless blades. It's not crazy custom prices we see but they are also starting from CNC'd blanks which I have read could be superior to hand forging but the point is it helps keeps prices down because less time to make a blade. I imagine a 'rougher around the edges' sword like an ATrim could be made in a day if he really wanted. Well besides Gus's hilt 'setting in' process.
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Post by theophilus736 on Feb 14, 2019 23:08:29 GMT
how is the beautiful detailing on the blade? On the Doge? My Doge is picture perfect. It was my first Albion, so I've spent a lot of time scrutinizing it in the two years I've had it. The custom green color of the grip is darker than I would have preferred, but I was warned when I placed my order for it that the exact shade couldn't be guaranteed. All the fullers are correctly positioned, and terminate consistently. The rear projection is well executed. The octagonal blade shape is centered correctly. Are there any specific details you were curious about? I would just be curious about the handling. Putting up a cutting video soon? I dont think ive found a video of it. Maybe Aikidoka could borrow it . I dont really care for types past xviii but the Doge is the one ren sword I would love to have (besides maybe a landsknecht zweihander)
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Post by mpsmith47304 on Feb 15, 2019 3:32:48 GMT
Did you wind up contacting Albion?
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Post by William Swiger on Feb 15, 2019 9:59:10 GMT
I have owned almost every Squire Line and Next Generation plus a few Museum Line swords. Almost all the swords were almost perfect with very few exceptions. A couple had a slight clicking sound somewhere around the where the grip and guard are. Slight and never developed into anything. A few blades were not as polished as well as the majority I owned. A couple were not 100% uniform on the sharpening. None of these little issues were enough to make me think the swords needed returned. These were exceptions and slight things.
Really, for me, any Albion swords I ever had any real issues with were preowned ones that had faults given to them by the previous owner(s). Things like spotting on the blades or hilts, sanding spots, scratches and even one bought "as new" with a flattened tip.....
I do not expect any sword to be 100% perfect but from my experience, Albion almost always gets it right. If you get one that does not meet your expectations, send it back. At the price point for most of their products, you should not have any major imperfections.
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Post by theophilus736 on Feb 15, 2019 21:02:23 GMT
Thanks for the info Mr. Swiger. I did contact Albion (thought I had posted that somewhere but I could have gotten distracted) and I'll be sending it back this weekend. Hopefully they have a magical fix for the blade appearing to be offset from the hilt due to the mismatched sides of the blade, but other than a new blade I cant think of one..
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Post by theophilus736 on Feb 16, 2019 20:46:47 GMT
Ouchie. Just sent it out for them to assess... since I insured it my local UPS required a certain shipping method. $85. No doubt it will be in great shape when it returns though. I'll update this thread when I get it back, though I anticipate it being a relatively boring update. Nothing so exciting as the recent BKS thread...
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Post by slicendice on Feb 16, 2019 20:56:35 GMT
Well having two Albions on order for 3k I am certainly eager know results. I assume they take care of it and hopefully it just slipped through QC, maybe a newer guy tried to hide it or something, who knows the reasons why it shipped that way. I know sometimes lesser rep companies will ship less that standard items in hope customer will never say anything or keep it atr slight discount. But from what Ive read I can't see Albion doing this unless they truly are having trouble finding quality, talented and steady hand workers.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2019 22:01:15 GMT
That's not what I would expect from an Albion sword, I'd be disappointed and would consider returning it. Albion is renowned to offer a nigh perfect fit and finish (although I'm under the impression that recently they're not quite up there...), that's what I pay a four digit amount of chash for. I feel Albion is falling behind their reputation a bit and others are catching up. You won't see such flaws from Mateusz Sulowski, who's pricing is pretty similar to Albion's... i am with you there, but you will find a lot of Albion "worshippers" (exaggerating!) in here who gonna tell you how historically inadequate and subpar compared with Albion products the work of Sulowski and other eastern european smiths are. I heard that from four people in here. Albion falling a little behind seems to be a well recognized fact on a lot of other sword places though. I personally had no such disappointment so far, but i only had two Albions: a Talhoffer bought second hand, and an Ulvbane - those two were flawless, but bought in 2013. The "falling behind" stories began around 2015 or 2016, if i remember correctly. I think issues like the OP encountered here should by all means discussed and brought to Albions attention. If theres a positive reaction, everything should be fine. But i completely understand the feelings when receiving an Albion sword with such issues. My two remaining Squirelines sure do look better!
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Post by theophilus736 on Feb 16, 2019 22:16:36 GMT
I feel Albion is falling behind their reputation a bit and others are catching up. You won't see such flaws from Mateusz Sulowski, who's pricing is pretty similar to Albion's... i am with you there, but you will find a lot of Albion "worshippers" (exaggerating!) in here who gonna tell you how historically inadequate and subpar compared with Albion products the work of Sulowski and other eastern european smiths are. I heard that from four people in here. Albion falling a little behind seems to be a well recognized fact on a lot of other sword places though. I personally had no such disappointment so far, but i only had two Albions: a Talhoffer bought second hand, and an Ulvbane - those two were flawless, but bought in 2013. The "falling behind" stories began around 2015 or 2016, if i remember correctly. I think issues like the OP encountered here should by all means discussed and brought to Albions attention. If theres a positive reaction, everything should be fine. But i completely understand the feelings when receiving an Albion sword with such issues. My two remaining Squirelines sure do look better! Man that Ulvbane sure looks neat. I always liked the Knud but the Hersir has always been my favorite "Viking era" sword by Albion. I wonder if the Ulvbane would fill out a nice St. Maurice cavalry kind of role, or if it really would serve best as just a viking beefcakes basher.
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Post by William Swiger on Feb 17, 2019 1:17:19 GMT
I don't worship any sword makers but am probably referenced in a previous post as being one of them.....lol I have actually sold many Albion swords as they were just not right for me personally. They were well made but not what I liked after owning them. The thing about swords is there is no magic sword, company or custom maker that will appeal to every buyer. I have something from most budget points. I have owned many others as well. I like some Windlass swords as much as the higher end stuff as an example. Many swords I own are not better swords than the higher end but really good swords for the price I paid. From the few hundred medieval swords I have owned, I will never say something is better than what it is. This is of course from my personal observations from the many ones I have owned and not based on not owning the sword or swords in question. I also do not consider myself a subject matter expert on medieval swords but we do have a couple folks on here that really are a wealth of information. theophilus736 - I did a short impressions review of the Ulvbane sword. sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/37397
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Post by theophilus736 on Feb 17, 2019 3:12:08 GMT
Whoa, that's next to the Knud in those photos? That grip looks longggg. Thanks for the link and your thoughts. I'd say I agree on all fronts.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2019 9:12:55 GMT
I don't worship any sword makers but am probably referenced in a previous post as being one of them.....lol I have actually sold many Albion swords as they were just not right for me personally. They were well made but not what I liked after owning them. The thing about swords is there is no magic sword, company or custom maker that will appeal to every buyer. I have something from most budget points. I have owned many others as well. I like some Windlass swords as much as the higher end stuff as an example. Many swords I own are not better swords than the higher end but really good swords for the price I paid. From the few hundred medieval swords I have owned, I will never say something is better than what it is. This is of course from my personal observations from the many ones I have owned and not based on not owning the sword or swords in question. I also do not consider myself a subject matter expert on medieval swords but we do have a couple folks on here that really are a wealth of information. theophilus736 - I did a short impressions review of the Ulvbane sword. sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/37397 no, you weren't meant at at all with "Albion worshipper"... at least not by me. I cant remember you talking crap about Sulowskis swords either?
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Post by William Swiger on Feb 17, 2019 12:59:03 GMT
I don't worship any sword makers but am probably referenced in a previous post as being one of them.....lol I have actually sold many Albion swords as they were just not right for me personally. They were well made but not what I liked after owning them. The thing about swords is there is no magic sword, company or custom maker that will appeal to every buyer. I have something from most budget points. I have owned many others as well. I like some Windlass swords as much as the higher end stuff as an example. Many swords I own are not better swords than the higher end but really good swords for the price I paid. From the few hundred medieval swords I have owned, I will never say something is better than what it is. This is of course from my personal observations from the many ones I have owned and not based on not owning the sword or swords in question. I also do not consider myself a subject matter expert on medieval swords but we do have a couple folks on here that really are a wealth of information. theophilus736 - I did a short impressions review of the Ulvbane sword. sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/37397 no, you weren't meant at at all with "Albion worshipper"... at least not by me. I cant remember you talking crap about Sulowskis swords either? Honestly, I do think Albion makes the best "production" swords I have owned. Do have swords from Sulowski and Kopciuch and feel the blades are slightly below what Albion offers in quality. The hilts are nicer than many Albion and their scabbards are nice. The two I have came almost blunt but I have read they are doing a better job sharpening them now. Viktor Bebrbekucz makes a really nice budget custom sword that is as good as a Del Tin.
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Post by William Swiger on Feb 17, 2019 13:06:23 GMT
Whoa, that's next to the Knud in those photos? That grip looks longggg. Thanks for the link and your thoughts. I'd say I agree on all fronts. That was a comparison of the normal sized historical sword type (Knud) next to the one designed for the movie (Ulvbane). The Ulvbane is a big sword for sure. It actually handles better than the Museum Line Saint Maurice......lol
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2019 13:16:34 GMT
Whoa, that's next to the Knud in those photos? That grip looks longggg. Thanks for the link and your thoughts. I'd say I agree on all fronts. That was a comparison of the normal sized historical sword type (Knud) next to the one designed for the movie (Ulvbane). The Ulvbane is a big sword for sure. It actually handles better than the Museum Line Saint Maurice......lol wish i kept mine and had it transformed into that ol' two-handed fantasy viking imagination... ;-)
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