Recent Albion issues?

I have no reason to believe that Albion is altering their historically based blade proportions to facilitate better cutting ability. They have built their brand around accurate representation of the historic blade types they reproduce. Some of those blade types have thinner edge profiles than others. My Principe is a very different sword than my Munich.

Many surviving antique European swords have very thin blades at their center of percussion, with very fine edges. Evidence shows that most swords just weren't robust enough handle chopping into an unyielding tree stump or the thick bone of a deer skull without being damaged.

No, but I trust that you will be able to come to a logical conclusion once you have a better understanding of what these historical swords were, and what they were not.

To the OP, any issues people have had with Albion are just that their issues with that specific sword. I know we like to generalize manufacturers on the flaws of their models but the thing is most manufacturers of good reputation literally have a 8/10 ratio on good swords put out on market. But of course those other 2/10 are upset and the loudest online so we get our anxiety up thinking "X" sword is a lemon and "Y" manufacturer is bad.

When the reality is only probably 2 or 3 /10 of those positive sales actually write a review or post something online. While the other 5 or so are just quietly happy with their swords. Which can definitely allude to the misconception that the ratio is closer to 50/50 as there's 2-3 positive reviews and 2 negative.

Thing is Albion is one of if not the most highly consistent European sword manufacturer today. They have their reputation for a reason and you really shouldn't have any doubts about their consistency or quality of product. Even when a few loud disgruntled customers start ranting. Because regardless of consistency Albion are still a production manufacturer and will have a few mishaps.


You know its kinda funny. When a production sword has a mark or flaw its considered a lemon but when a custom sword has the same mark or flaw its regarded as character given to the sword by the Smith.... Just a thought, obviously nobody is going to be praising a custom smith who gives a bad heat treat or other serious flaw. But a slightly twisted guard or crooked pommel is definitely given less a hard time in the custom market than in production market.

All I can add to this discussion is to point out that Albion is the premier swordmaker in the production market today. They do a lot of work to build their well deserved reputation.

If you aren't satisfied with one of their products, the correct thing to do us to call them on the phone and talk to them about it before posting something on the internet. They do care deeply about their products and customers. They aren't perfect because zero defect manufacturing does not exist, so give them the opportunity to service their product if you aren't satisfied.

Also, for these kinds of high end purchases, it's not a bad idea to call them up before making the sale so they can discuss with you what to expect. I've never called any reputable company a not had them to be very happy to talk about their products. Oftentimes they might even throw in some free bit of customization, as I got from Henry Rifles. I've had pro instrument manufacturers (Bartolini) make me left-hand set-ups at no extra cost because it gives them an opportunity to experiment and possibly add a new catalog item.

Albion will work with you if you work with them. Sorry I can't say the same for many of our other sword suppliers.

Even after use, it's important to let the manufacturer know. The information could help them to improve later production models.

And we have many times discussed "abuse". Even swords in the old days chipped broke: that's why armies always had a blacksmith and armorer on staff. I would suspect medieval war is no different from modern war where 99% of the work done in a battle comes after the fighting stops and you have to clean up the mess and fix all your broken toys.

Oh a conversation about this guy's Viceroy review and problems. A lot has already been said and I'll add my thoughts too:






Moth Monma Poppa Bobba Fett Mane III 10 months ago

"This thing cuts like a dream after a little sharpening."


Moth Monma Poppa Bobba Fett Mane III 9 months ago

"Update- If you hit any bone with this softer type of steel you will ding severely to the point it might as well be a chip. Glad the sword has that springyness to it of course, but after personally forging many different types of carbon steels, I do wish Albion used a steel with a better carbon content. I feel the thin rotting deer skull should not have dinged the edge as much as it did, which does call into question this swords heat treat. Also, the grind is uneven. Still, this is a functional badass great feeling sword with excellent fit and finish! Just understand that Albion does use softer steel because its far easier on their CNC bits, and sanders."


I watched this youtube reviewer's videos on the Albion Viceroy and don't trust him. He admitted himself that he messed with the factory edge by sharpening it, probably didn't think the original edge was sharp enough, chips & dings his modified sharpened edge and goes on long verbal rants about it steel/heat treatment flaws blah blah.



Another commentator on his Update video even told him that's what happens when you resharpen the edge to shaving sharp and hit bone with it and owner didn't deny it either. 

kronos1794 1 month ago

"I'm sorry about your handle but the edge issues just happen especially if you sharpen your bladed to be shaving sharp."


Moth Monma Poppa Bobba Fett Mane III 1 month ago

"While i understand your persoective its just not one that I share myself, having forged quality steels by hand and done extensive testing myself with them, with different edge profiles etc."

Moth Monma Poppa Bobba Fett Mane III Long Ass Name is full of crap. Lord Newport posted the other unboxing & first impression videos and that reviewer didn't seem to find any issues to semprini about that time- seemed to love the sword when it was still fresh out the box and not molested yet. Should've just asked Albion to restore original polishing, removing those ugly failed sanding belt scratches and restore factory edge too while they were at it, probably would cost some fees but oh well it is what it is and we get this hilarious video series at least. 

To throw a damper in there when comparing to originals. The originals being compared today are mostly those that survived and questionably so action and no one knows for what purpose a particular blade was designed for, only speculation. What about those that did not survive? Whatever, this thread could go on and on with no confirmed answer only opinions. The bottom line is personally the video does not affect my opinion of Ablion’s swords. It does shed light on how some are used and the reader should form his opinions and everyone seems to be locked into their own mind set.

We have what the individual in the video has said and admitted to, we have what we know to be Albion's product reputation and customer service reputation, we have our own experience with Albion products, I myself have over 15 of them (someone should ask for Christian Short's opinion), we have the videos showing the sword arriving in pristine condition and being closely examined/reviewed by the individual in question WITHOUT COMPLAINT we have videos of the sword being used in a manner that was not part of its design (as an axe) which to me speaks to destructive testing, and we have videos of the complaint and claims against Albion/the sword...all time stamped. We have him discussing Albion's replacement of another sword for someone else that was  found to have issues that in the context of his video, likely indicates he felt his should have been replaced as well. We are all free to come to our on conclusions as I and others have said. 


As for my dubious and pessimistic view on similar topics I have just one response which you and everyoen else can apply to most of the conclusions I come to after reviewing whatever limited evidence we have available to us in the forum on such topics; Occam's razor.

The world can always count on me to speak my mind, recognizing that the logical end result of every critical thought process, by definition, is a judgement.  That said, it does not mean that with more/new information and the resultant additional thought, I may not come to a different judgment. 

im just basing the edge on the way it looked initially and then the video where he said he beat it up and the difference is quite shocking it is clear to me at least that he really screwed that edge up on the grind