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Post by carsonmcinnish1 on Mar 23, 2020 14:14:21 GMT
I want to get a quality blade. I like VA and I like Albion. I know that Albion is likely a better quality sword, but VA blades are customizable and come with scabbards. In short for anyone who might own or have handled swords from either company I'm asking how disparate is the difference in the quality of the sword itself between the two makers?
In particular I'm looking at the arming swords they offer.
Thanks everybody.
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,625
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Mar 23, 2020 14:23:44 GMT
I think you mean disparate, not disparaging.
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pattyb0009
Member
Getting into antique sabers...
Posts: 1,864
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Post by pattyb0009 on Mar 23, 2020 14:34:46 GMT
Albion has long been the standard for "perfection" in terms of handling and fit and finish, but the offerings from VA have been pretty spectacular of late. Their Craftsman series is pretty top notch (made by Sonny and Zach), and Sonny and Zach Suttles will make it right for you if something is not up to spec. I've spoken to Sonny many times and had custom stuff made; he's a pleasure and very responsive to email in my experience. Even their Chinese made blades are pretty great. Their scabbard work is also pretty out of this world. For my money, the best scabbards around: great detailing, riser work etc.
But Albion is very good in fit/finish and feel in the hand. Plus it's such a storied company at this point that there is a certain mystique to holding one of their blades in your hand. Very cool.
Plus the Albion maker's mark is pretty nifty looking.
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Post by Rabel Dusk on Apr 4, 2020 5:52:02 GMT
I have a number of Albions. They are fine swords. I recently bought a Valiant Craftsman series Castillon Falchion. In my opinion it has the same level of quality as have Albions.
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Apr 4, 2020 11:14:45 GMT
I haven't handled any VA swords, to be clear. I do believe that VA can have swords that look awesome and have fit and finish equal to Albion. But they don't have as much experience with originals as Peter Johnsson has. VA models often has subtle details which betray that. If faithfulness to a historical type is important to you, Albion is safer. If you only want a nice, good handling sword that generally looks like a historical sword, VA is definitely good for that. But if you want a sword that has nothing to stand out in a group of a historical swords of the same type, you want an Albion. For example, VA often has a blade length on a lower end of historical blade lengths for that type. Why their type XI sword has 31" blade if average XI has 34"-37" blade? Why it has a diamond section from the end of the fuller to the tip? It's easier to make. Shorter blade is easier to balance and nice lenticular section is harder to achieve than diamond. Compare VA Norman and Albion Gaddhjalt to see what I mean. They are supposed to be of a same type.
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Post by Dandelion on Apr 4, 2020 13:00:25 GMT
I haven't handled any VA swords, to be clear. I do believe that VA can have swords that look awesome and have fit and finish equal to Albion. But they don't have as much experience with originals as Peter Johnsson has. VA models often has subtle details which betray that. If faithfulness to a historical type is important to you, Albion is safer. If you only want a nice, good handling sword that generally looks like a historical sword, VA is definitely good for that. But if you want a sword that has nothing to stand out in a group of a historical swords of the same type, you want an Albion. For example, VA often has a blade length on a lower end of historical blade lengths for that type. Why their type XI sword has 31" blade if average XI has 34"-37" blade? Why it has a diamond section from the end of the fuller to the tip? It's easier to make. Shorter blade is easier to balance and nice lenticular section is harder to achieve than diamond. Compare VA Norman and Albion Gaddhjalt to see what I mean. They are supposed to be of a same type. Very good example, Luka. Exactly the point.
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Post by mpsmith47304 on Apr 4, 2020 17:52:46 GMT
I assume we are talking the VA craftsman series? I own a couple VA swords and 5 Albions. VA has, IMO, excellent fit and finish. It is close to Albion level. I give Albion a slight edge on the details (for example they do the peen better). On design, I think VA is good, but Albion is clearly superior. The hilt design is better, the shapes are more correct and include subtle, but important detail... things like correct bevels, for example. The blade geometry on the Albions is typically way better than on the VAs. My experience with handling VAs is much more limited. I find them to be decent. I LOVE the handling of the Albions. I think the Johnsson touch shows.
Obviously, the VA’s come with a scabbard and the Albions do not. The VA scabbards are quite good for production scabbards. The don’t measure up to the top notch makers, perhaps, but they are way better than other ‘included’ scabbards in my view. The suspensions are usually pants and I have replaced them on my VAs.
In conclusion, I think they are both good values. Get the Albion if having the best production sword matters the most to you. But for total value, you will not be disappointed with the VA in my experience.
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