Albion Duke Review
Aug 14, 2023 5:05:22 GMT
Post by theevilgoat on Aug 14, 2023 5:05:22 GMT
Hi everyone,
First and foremost, am honored and fortunate to be among those who own an Albion.
I purchased mine from Kult of Athena, with the utmost appreciation of the selfless help of alientude's vigilance, and keen eye.
It's been about 2 weeks owning it so far and my experience just gets better.
I know some people may find it interesting that I jumped straight to the upper premium level, being that this is the first sword I've ever owned before owning other "lesser" premium swords.
But I rather own 1 premium and expensive object (sword) than owning many that are cheaper and of lesser quality.
However, I have handled a couple of swords owned by friends and family before, so at least I have a small pool of experience to compare to.
I understand that I'm a beginner compared to the knowledge and experience some of you guys have here, but I figured I'll give my 2 cents anyways...
Enjoy the review!
And please leave a comment about what you think.
Feel free to correct any misnomers or faults on my behalf.
Let me know if you would like more details or better pictures.
Thanks for your input!
All the specs and measurements of this sword are listed on the official Albion website:
www.albion-swords.com/The%20Duke.html
GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS SWORD
There's nothing more that I, a mere mortal can possibly add to the great and exceptional reputation Albion has, so I'm informally going straight to the meat and potatoes:
The way it magically swings in your hand is UNREAL.
Just holding it in your hand is enough to make even the most boorish person gasp in awe, the balance of it is incredible.
The sturdiness and symmetry allows one to feel as if the Duke is an extension to your body.
I have given it to some experienced sword handlers for a blind test and their faces lit up with the way it felt balanced in their hand.
Albion is known to shock everyone with the perfect counter-balances their pommels and geometry provide.
It turns out that crafting a sword is more than making just a sharp metal baseball bat.
I truly am still dazzled by the beauty and grace the sword has to offer.
THE DISAPPOINTING THINGS ABOUT THIS SWORD
Now, I know that I may be a bit too overcritical in regards to the following things, but if the sword is being priced at $1,085 PLUS tax $99.87 PLUS shipping $40.30 For a total of $1,225.17, I am entitled to a voice my complaints about its imperfections.
Scruffy and rough finishes throughout the sword, here is an example of one occurrence
The inner side of cross guard has imperfect saw grinding marks (*chomp chomp*)
The most disappointing imperfection: There is a small but noticeable dent/nick/bend/thinning in the metal of the upper cutting part of the blade, its a very slight and subtle dent that is more readily visible in real life than camera, it did catch my eye and those who have handled it pretty quickly due to its prominence.
It looks as if it were dented then re-finished and crafted to cover up the irregularity.
It's most noticeable when the light passes over it during handling.
Here are the pictures:
The pommel is slightly off centered as seen below in picture which in turn makes the leather on the handle off centered
First and foremost, am honored and fortunate to be among those who own an Albion.
I purchased mine from Kult of Athena, with the utmost appreciation of the selfless help of alientude's vigilance, and keen eye.
It's been about 2 weeks owning it so far and my experience just gets better.
I know some people may find it interesting that I jumped straight to the upper premium level, being that this is the first sword I've ever owned before owning other "lesser" premium swords.
But I rather own 1 premium and expensive object (sword) than owning many that are cheaper and of lesser quality.
However, I have handled a couple of swords owned by friends and family before, so at least I have a small pool of experience to compare to.
I understand that I'm a beginner compared to the knowledge and experience some of you guys have here, but I figured I'll give my 2 cents anyways...
Enjoy the review!
And please leave a comment about what you think.
Feel free to correct any misnomers or faults on my behalf.
Let me know if you would like more details or better pictures.
Thanks for your input!
All the specs and measurements of this sword are listed on the official Albion website:
www.albion-swords.com/The%20Duke.html
GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS SWORD
There's nothing more that I, a mere mortal can possibly add to the great and exceptional reputation Albion has, so I'm informally going straight to the meat and potatoes:
The way it magically swings in your hand is UNREAL.
Just holding it in your hand is enough to make even the most boorish person gasp in awe, the balance of it is incredible.
The sturdiness and symmetry allows one to feel as if the Duke is an extension to your body.
I have given it to some experienced sword handlers for a blind test and their faces lit up with the way it felt balanced in their hand.
Albion is known to shock everyone with the perfect counter-balances their pommels and geometry provide.
It turns out that crafting a sword is more than making just a sharp metal baseball bat.
I truly am still dazzled by the beauty and grace the sword has to offer.
THE DISAPPOINTING THINGS ABOUT THIS SWORD
Now, I know that I may be a bit too overcritical in regards to the following things, but if the sword is being priced at $1,085 PLUS tax $99.87 PLUS shipping $40.30 For a total of $1,225.17, I am entitled to a voice my complaints about its imperfections.
Scruffy and rough finishes throughout the sword, here is an example of one occurrence
The inner side of cross guard has imperfect saw grinding marks (*chomp chomp*)
The most disappointing imperfection: There is a small but noticeable dent/nick/bend/thinning in the metal of the upper cutting part of the blade, its a very slight and subtle dent that is more readily visible in real life than camera, it did catch my eye and those who have handled it pretty quickly due to its prominence.
It looks as if it were dented then re-finished and crafted to cover up the irregularity.
It's most noticeable when the light passes over it during handling.
Here are the pictures:
The pommel is slightly off centered as seen below in picture which in turn makes the leather on the handle off centered