|
|
Post by randomnobody on Apr 18, 2019 2:55:58 GMT
Wasn't gonna chime in here, but I was excited by the announcement until I saw the price. $900 is, objectively, a lot for a knife. A big knife, granted.
There's not really a lack of seax representation on the market, though the quality of extant pieces is...well, variable.
I, personally, have an old (sadly discontinued) Kris Cutlery broken back seax that is a pretty good piece for the >$150 I picked it up for. There was a very nice seax by Tinker on KoA not long ago, it was still available last I saw it, for about the same price as the Albion. I'd rather have the Tinker, but that's my own opinion.
Personally, I'd consider the Albion much more if it were around $700. I'd absolutely spring for it with a simple sheath at that point, but without it would have to be closer to $500.
This is not discounting Albion and Associates' work, research, etc. A seax is a luxury good. You can charge luxury prices if you provide luxury product. I've not looked at the specs, but I'd have to strongly consider whether it really beats out more affordable, and in my mind more visually appealing, options.
As to why we can't keep vendors, well...a lot of them fell into bad ways with a few vocal members, and decided to excuse themselves. That's their call. Nobody's excessively bashed these yet, but there's a reality to the idea of value that's still to be properly appreciated.
|
|
stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,714
|
Post by stormmaster on Apr 18, 2019 4:14:23 GMT
Albion is the highest end of production luxury swords, I consider them like the Rolex of swords almost, the hrs that went into this seax to make it feel exactly like historical ones was probably in the hundreds if not thousands, it is a painstaking recreation of history so I can understand the price, that being said tho I dont care for seaxs and so I wouldn't pay the asking price but for the discerning seax connoisseurs who want the best that money can buy at production lvls, this is really not too bad, as custom seaxs could easily run double this price, sure with more flare but albion is top of the game in handling already just minus the bling that u get with customs
|
|
|
|
Post by Croccifixio on Apr 22, 2019 4:01:12 GMT
Albion is the highest end of production luxury swords, I consider them like the Rolex of swords almost, the hrs that went into this seax to make it feel exactly like historical ones was probably in the hundreds if not thousands, it is a painstaking recreation of history so I can understand the price, that being said tho I dont care for seaxs and so I wouldn't pay the asking price but for the discerning seax connoisseurs who want the best that money can buy at production lvls, this is really not too bad, as custom seaxs could easily run double this price, sure with more flare but albion is top of the game in handling already just minus the bling that u get with customs Yeah. And here's the rub: going into a discussion thread about a product and chiming in with "that's quite expensive" isn't all that bad. Something being expensive is a subjective thing. A BMW is expensive to me, but to Jeff Bezos it's probably not even on his radar of cars to consider. In the same vein, I consider an Albion pretty expensive despite being in the top 1% of income earners in my country, but a lawyer living in Canada who does minimal consulting work can probably easily afford an Albion. Again, the concept of being expensive is a contextual thing, and not necessarily bad to bring up. Albion knows its market. I am not its market. It sells primarily to middle-upper income earners in highly developed countries who are interested in swords and HEMA. Worth, however, is a different concept altogether. Asking or saying that an item is not "worth" the price being asked by the manufacturer is a piss-poor way of getting one's point across, especially if you set it up by comparing it to something you did. I don't even care if you're Peter Johnsson, but saying that your own work (that you apparently value very little) is equivalent to another's work (the history, context, and background of which you have no inkling of) is thought of quite badly. Eric McHugh had a great reply to someone who stated something similar. When you factor in the time spent doing the research, noting the small details and shifts in geometric shape, mass changes, distal taper, fuller grinds and termination, and everything that basically makes the seax "Albion" quality, then there is really no point in questioning the pricing of the item. Sure, some bladesmiths somewhere in Eastern Europe (or heck, in your own backyard) could conceivably make something that looks like this on the surface for a fraction of the price, but they are not and will not be the same. To sum this all up, it's not a bad thing to say "this is pretty expensive" because that depends entirely on your spending habits, financial capacity, and fiscal responsibility. But to say something is "just like my makeshift bayonet" without any basis for saying so, and questioning the pricing of the blade, is such a tasteless thing to say. Put up, or shut up. PS: No personal disrespect to the one posting about the bayonet, but seriously, don't do that. |
|
|
|
Post by wlewisiii on Apr 22, 2019 11:41:31 GMT
It is a petty piece and given it's huge size. I'd say it's priced like the rest of their products. That said, it is the size that I have trouble with. I'd rather a seax like Tod Cutler makes. Not just for the price, though I prefer that too, but primarily for a knife that can be tucked into my belt and used for actual daily chotes.
|
|
|
|
Post by randomnobody on Apr 22, 2019 13:00:28 GMT
I hadn't even paid attention to the size until the third time I looked at it. Going by memory now, but I think it was 26" blade? That seems rather large for a seax. I would also prefer something a little smaller, 20-22", maybe.
Even still, unless this gets a squire line, it's well out of my reach.
|
|
christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
|
Post by christain on Apr 22, 2019 13:41:34 GMT
For the last time, I will only say this about my 'bayonet' post: If I am guilty of anything, it is using the wrong wording at the wrong time, and for that, I do apologize. I should have added that I once made something similar looking purely as an anecdotal afterthought. No doubt, the Albion seax is 1000% better than anything I have ever or will ever make, and I meant no form of comparison to the quality or to the craftsmen who brought it into being. And...I built my seax before most of you had ever even heard of Albion.
Now, my personal opinion: Beautiful weapon, well made, and well thought out...but as others have said---a bit pricey for my budget, and really too big for a seax as a tool.
Having said that, I hope you all sleep better tonight. |
|
|
|
Post by mcapanelli on Apr 27, 2019 16:26:39 GMT
God, everyones so touchy........lol
Seriously though, I've seen this price discussion time and time again over the 17 or so years I've been involved in this hobby. What I think is missed is the plight of the artist. People need too make a living wage. If they don't then they fall away and get "real" jobs so they can survive. Even Eric McHugh went in to steamfitting to make ends meet. He left the profession because he didn't make enough money....Eric McHugh.....let that sink in. I was frankly very surprised to see him come back, as most smiths I've seen leave don't ever return near the capacity he did, if at all.
When we look at those prices, we're seeing the end product. We add up the materials in our heads, and say "hey, that's like $25 worth of steel. Why is it $1600"? We usually don't account t for labor, and even less often, for all the time and money spent on learning a craft, going on research trips, getting in to museums to take measurements, buying tools, paying electric bills, and all the other costs associated with owning a business. Then that business is selling something that's a niche in a niche market, so the volume sold is small. I'm frankly surprised companies like Albion and Arms and Armor can keep the lights on, let alone pay people at the prices they charge.
Bottom line is this; if you really want to keep this hobby alive and healthy and see lots of great quality offerings, stop sempriniing about prices. If smiths aren't able to stay in this game at 3X Albion's pricing, then that should tell you something. These people need to put food on the table and are trying to offer a quality service doing something they also love and make ends meet at the same time. Chill out on the price comments unless you understand everything that goes in to it.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Thorfinn on Apr 27, 2019 16:58:40 GMT
God, everyones so touchy........lol Seriously though, I've seen this price discussion time and time again over the 17 or so years I've been involved in this hobby. What I think is missed is the plight of the artist. People need too make a living wage. If they don't then they fall away and get "real" jobs so they can survive. Even Eric McHugh went in to steamfitting to make ends meet. He left the profession because he didn't make enough money....Eric McHugh.....let that sink in. I was frankly very surprised to see him come back, as most smiths I've seen leave don't ever return near the capacity he did, if at all. When we look at those prices, we're seeing the end product. We add up the materials in our heads, and say "hey, that's like $25 worth of steel. Why is it $1600"? We usually don't account t for labor, and even less often, for all the time and money spent on learning a craft, going on research trips, getting in to museums to take measurements, buying tools, paying electric bills, and all the other costs associated with owning a business. Then that business is selling something that's a niche in a niche market, so the volume sold is small. I'm frankly surprised companies like Albion and Arms and Armor can keep the lights on, let alone pay people at the prices they charge. Bottom line is this; if you really want to keep this hobby alive and healthy and see lots of great quality offerings, stop sempriniing about prices. If smiths aren't able to stay in this game at 3X Albion's pricing, then that should tell you something. These people need to put food on the table and are trying to offer a quality service doing something they also love and make ends meet at the same time. Chill out on the price comments unless you understand everything that goes in to it. Sing it brother! This is a problem I see all the time with armorers too. They tend to make less than minimum wage for what they sell, and everyone still complains about price. Me included.  |
|
|
|
Post by William Swiger on May 3, 2019 9:57:58 GMT
There are swords in everyone's price range and comfort zone today. Everyone has likes and dislikes as well. I do not like nut constructions on swords where you use a hex tool to tighten them. There are higher end custom makers I don't care for either. Everyone has their own opinions which is cool.
I like the seax Albion came out with. Already have a big one Michael Pikula made me when he was more active. Have a Windlass, Driggers and a couple others as well. Bunch of options out there for everyone in all price ranges.
|
|
|
|
Post by theophilus736 on Oct 1, 2019 17:37:54 GMT
Bill, did you actually end up getting the seax from Albion? Custom makers I'm seeing charge under $1000 for pattern welded seax of similar size and they come with a sheath. Thanks
|
|
|
|
Post by patmourin on Jul 9, 2022 3:03:49 GMT
Not to resurrect an old thread, but does anyone have any experience with this one to review it? The broke back one in particular, but either works.
|
|
|
|
Post by curiomansion on Jul 9, 2022 7:21:09 GMT
I complete forgot these even existed. Haha
|
|
|
|
Post by patmourin on Jul 9, 2022 11:55:49 GMT
the power of google lol
|
|
|
|
Post by randomnobody on Jul 9, 2022 15:05:09 GMT
I complete forgot these even existed. Haha Same. Three years later, I still can't afford one and my interests are elsewhere now, anyway. |
|
Greg E
Member
little bit of this... and a whole lot of that
Posts: 1,354 
|
Post by Greg E on Jul 9, 2022 21:59:06 GMT
Easy to miss these on their website. Not seen anyone with first hand experience with a review. They have 2 axes on the site and at least 3 more coming.
|
|
|
|
Post by alientude on Jul 9, 2022 22:04:29 GMT
If they have one of them at Combat Con, I can give some basic quick impressions.
|
|
Greg E
Member
little bit of this... and a whole lot of that
Posts: 1,354
|
Post by Greg E on Jul 9, 2022 22:28:57 GMT
If they have one of them at Combat Con, I can give some basic quick impressions. Think they have had them there at those events. |
|
|
|
Post by patmourin on Jul 9, 2022 22:57:00 GMT
They usually do, but it is always the standard seax. I hope they have the broke back one this time around.
|
|
|
|
Post by roth on Jul 10, 2022 0:03:11 GMT
It's simply supply and demand free market capitalism.
If people will pay that much for it, then it's worth that much. If you won't pay that much,then it's overpriced. Everybody is right and nobody is wrong.
|
|
|
|
Post by alientude on Jul 22, 2022 16:12:37 GMT
They don't have the broken back seax here at Combat Con, and unfortunately there's not really any room to swing the one they do have around, so can't really give any opinions on it.
|
|
