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Post by markitzero on Nov 6, 2019 20:15:46 GMT
I get that Albion and some of the other high end makers are held in much higher regard, but personally having never seen or held one its hard to understand the differences between high end and lower end. I've read a fair amount of posts and reviews but it seems like something difficult to explain via text. (On the same note, Ive never understood the money Colt Pythons bring and the reason always being something like "theyre just the best")
So where did you all see your first Albion, did some of you order one without actually knowing what youre getting?
The sword hobby is pretty niche and I don't actually know any other collectors or cutters in person.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on Nov 6, 2019 20:35:45 GMT
Oh...this is a 3 beer story for any of us. But let me chime in... I was given some junk swords, did some research, learned they were junk. Saved some money, bought the first cheap decent ones...kept saving and got an Albion after selling most of my low end collection that I had at the time. But they are good, and can vary a bit by brand...so truly, it comes with time. Also I have been able to travel a bit and got to the Museum Replicas store in GA. Would love to go to Albion in WI and KOA in IL. Some day...
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Post by nenapkins on Nov 6, 2019 20:41:55 GMT
One thing you can try is your local HEMA or SCA group. Sword collectors are sometimes found in groups like this as well. This past Combat Con in Las Vegas was a rare chance to handle a staggering number of top-of-the-line swords with companies like Albion, Arms & Armor, and Longship Armoury with Angus Trim stuff laid out side by side.
If none of these work your only option is really getting one for yourself. They do have some budget stuff that are very nice but the Albion Museum or Next Gen lines are absolute masterpieces.
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Post by randomnobody on Nov 6, 2019 23:00:11 GMT
Depending where you are, you may be close enough to one of our own who might be willing to let you check out some of their stuff.
Failing that, the only option is to get a bunch of your own swords and compare them.
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
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Post by stormmaster on Nov 6, 2019 23:09:40 GMT
best way to handle alot of swords is to go to a convention, either blade show or some other show, usually some of the big names will be there
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Post by Jordan Williams on Nov 10, 2019 21:53:08 GMT
Well, define high end right? In terms of fit and finish, handling, dynamics etc. at the time of manufacture, I consider my first high end sword to have been some of the antiques I got to handle when I was just starting out.
In terms of modern make, go to conventions or bigger HEMA tournaments and you'll likely see a booth or so of swords. That's how I handled my first Albion.
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Post by Dandelion on Nov 10, 2019 22:56:37 GMT
I dont know much of swords, most of our collection is too heavy for me. But without knowing value or price: when you take them in the hand the sword instantly feels "right"... or "wrong". Simple words, my english is not that good its all finish, balance, construction... I learned: ALL our Albions feel ULTRA right and they look best - but simple. Not ugly, just simple. Or plain? But we also have much cheaper swords that feel right, so its not always only in the higher price segment. Some people also say Albion is looking "too" good, to perfect. Machine like.
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Post by rannh1 on Nov 12, 2019 6:01:15 GMT
I can attest to what Dandelion just said. I handled a few swords that my friends had, at HEMA class and so on. Some were DSA a few A&A and so on. Then I handled an Albion and it felt so nimble and purposeful in the hand, that I immediately felt the difference. It felt much lighter than it's weight and even lighter swords from other productions felt more bulky. But it comes down to how it feels in your hand. Only way to know, is to dry test as many as you can get your hands on.
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Post by Matt KOA on Nov 12, 2019 15:13:15 GMT
If you happen to be anywhere near us at Kult of Athena sometime (Elgin, IL) you can stop by and see a good range of items in person if you wish to get your bearing. No need to worry about buying anything we don't pressure and its not unusual for people to stop by to get an idea of what an Albion, Arms & Armor, Del Tin, etc sword is like before they begin figuring out what they want on their own.
I see you are in SoCal but we get plenty of people who drop by while on a business trip or convention to Chicago or passing through on a road trip. Its also not that unusual for the occasional person to schedule an extended layover between planes since the local airport is a major hub and then drop by to pass some time.
We don't have a big and exciting showroom here, but we don't mind bringing some stuff out of stock and storage for perusal by visitors.
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Post by Cosmoline on Nov 12, 2019 18:24:02 GMT
Ditto the local HEMA group. Nothing against JSA or Kali/Escrima, but in my experience the HEMA people have the biggest assortment of fancy blades of all kinds. Ideally get to a convention like WMAW or CombatCon, where the makers set up booths. But bring lots of money!
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