ModernChivalry.org
Main => The Armoury => Topic started by: Sir William on 2011-08-09, 19:57:25
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Every now and again, I'll torture myself and check up on a particular smith who makes some AMAZING works; here is one such work. I've never contacted him to ask about price...in looking at this and his other wares, I'm of the mind that if I need to ask...
What I like most about his work is the intricacy, the attention to detail...take this particular one for example, Du Sith, is a civilian longsword. It takes its name from a legendary faerie named Du-Sith (dark elf) who helped a Sir James MacDonald during the battle of Trai-Guinard, Islay, Scotland, 1598. Look at the hand carving of the grip and scabbard....mindblowing. You would not want to cover that in leather!
(http://i670.photobucket.com/albums/vv64/ebonpaladin/Armor/Sword/Powning-DuSith.jpg)
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Lots of artistic license taken, of course, but very pretty!
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In what way? The description, or the sword itself?
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Oh, just the artistic styling. You probably won't find a museum piece quite like that. But then again, they did all sorts of things back in the day. I'm not complaining, mind you. It's quite pretty!
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I concur with Sir Edward. Although to ramp up the Historicity, he could cover the handle and scabbard in leather and tool the designs.
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And ruin all that beauty? I think NOT. Besides, who is to say that it isn't historical? There is much we do not know about what occurred back then.
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We wouldn't cover it up, simply transport the nice design onto leather.
And I have yet to see any sword (Much less one of good quality) not still posses or show evidence of a leather Handle.
The reason you see some wood today is that the leather (very organic) is the first to break down. You still see some evidence in the wood though.
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Yes, but that is not to say that it did not occur. No real way to know that...think about it; of all the swords that must've been produced over the centuries, only a very small handful have ever been recovered, so far as we know.
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While we do only have a small sampling, all the evidence we have suggests that open wood handles would not be seen on a sword.
And while it may have happened, I don't think it would be very plausible. From a practicality standpoint, wood would get trashed by the elements without a leather covering, and it has a habit of splintering on impact.
Anyway, it is a very pretty sword. Although for above reasons, while it may be functional, I wouldn't take it on campaign! (Personally, I think it's too pretty to do so ;))
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We can agree on that point...too pretty for campaign. That is definitely a dress and/or court sword.
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I believe there are historical examples that were bare wood, but they're in the minority.
If I recall correctly, Albion debated leaving a bare wood grip on the Dane, because several of the surviving pieces of that type were constructed that way, but ultimately chose to use a leather wrap since that was also correct for the style, and is simply more durable in the long-run.
It's amazing what the elements and skin oils can do to wood over time.
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I do like their Danish longsword I do...you know whoe else makes a good looking one? I say looking, as I haven't handled it yet, nor do I know anyone who has. It is DSA's XVIIIe; their version is quite comely. And only a fraction of the cost of the Albion.
Granted, the Albion will probably be more beautiful, but how much better would it be? Think we had this discussion before...
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IMO, I think Albion will have to watch their backs. while their product is awesome, if their prices go up, their primary market might decide to spent a tiny but more and go full custom. Some of their stuff is approachign that threshold.
And all the while the more "Lowly" makers product is dramatically increasing in quality. Just look at Valiant Armoury offerings from merely a few years ago. Night and day.
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Granted, the Albion will probably be more beautiful, but how much better would it be? Think we had this discussion before...
That's the thing. Part of the reason the Albions cost so much, is because of the attention to detail they have for the blade geometry. They go to museums and measure the blades all up and down with calipers, to get the thicknesses all over the place, not just to reproduce length and profile taper, but also distal taper, cross section, and so on at various points along the length of the blade. So it doesn't just look authentic, it also cuts authentically.
IMO, I think Albion will have to watch their backs. while their product is awesome, if their prices go up, their primary market might decide to spent a tiny but more and go full custom. Some of their stuff is approachign that threshold.
And all the while the more "Lowly" makers product is dramatically increasing in quality. Just look at Valiant Armoury offerings from merely a few years ago. Night and day.
This is definitely true. The cheaper offerings continue to improve, and Albion is pricing themselves into the custom market, while still being a production line with a fixed catalog and no customization (except grip color). A lot of people are starting to go full custom, or even into antiques as a result.
I'd hate to see them paint themselves into a corner.
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Agreed...and I was sorta in on that when VA turned itself around. I was a member of SBG at the time and Sonny was also, and he'd told us all what he planned on doing years before it occurred. I give him that, he has vision and knew where he wanted to take the company. As you say, night and day between the wares they used to offer compared to today.
Agreed also on Albion's pricing...their museum line swords are at or in some cases higher than full-on customs. One of my favorite bladesmiths is John Lundemo of Odinblades (http://www.odinblades.com (http://www.odinblades.com))...my first full-on custom will come from him, or Brendan Olszowy of FableBlades (http://www.fableblades.com (http://www.fableblades.com)). Leaning more towards John because he was the first custom bladesmith I'd ever really interacted with, and his work is gorgeous. Brenno's work is more fantasy-related so I'll probably get my custom Boromir sword from him some day.
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Yeah, I could see Albion's long-term survival hinging on them keeping up their brand reputation. That is, make them highly sought-after because of the name and "scarcity". You know, something like "you're not just getting a real sword instead of an SLO, but also it's an Albion. And nine out of ten wives prefer Albions in your collection." :) lol
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That's the thing. Part of the reason the Albions cost so much, is because of the attention to detail they have for the blade geometry. They go to museums and measure the blades all up and down with calipers, to get the thicknesses all over the place, not just to reproduce length and profile taper, but also distal taper, cross section, and so on at various points along the length of the blade. So it doesn't just look authentic, it also cuts authentically.
I think part of it, too, is that for the past decade or so they've held the corner of the market for high end production swords. For a time, they were the only resource for that level of finish and detail (and beauty of course), but with houses like Valiant Armoury collaborating with the likes of Angus Trim, and Hanwei partnering up with Tinker Pearce- the quality of lower end production swords has increased dramatically. Windlass has made no changes, no inroads- but they know their customer base so they kind of don't have to. Then you have smaller outfits like DSA and BKS- granted, their QA might not be entirely up to par, what they put out is quite good for the money, DSA in particular has taken steps so that what they make is more historically plausible, and attractive to the likes of us- while still keeping the beater and sword and board crowds happy, and no price increases!
With all of that arrayed against them, I am hoping that Albion either ups their game in their Squire lineup and provide more models, or...well I don't know exactly. A price drop would be welcomed...I do like their 25% off holiday sales, but will it be enough?
Scarcity...as in if they made less, were less available...sure, that'd drive interest up but their overall profit margins down I'd say. I do like the bit about 9 wives out of 10 prefer Albions...thats cute and they should use it.
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Yes, I would also hate to see Albion go, but IMO simply too much of their sales pitch rests on their name! I would really hate to see one bad experience from a customer punch a hole in the name Albion get a lot of publicity and do them under! They really are in a tough spot.
I second Sir William that for their survival, they will need to put some more effort into their Skirmish and Squire lines.
And I personally think DSA is gonna absolutely eat up the Beater market. Their combination of Freakish durability and historicity is really alone in the market. They are even offering scabbards with period accurate belt mountings, In the very distinctive 13th century style!
Lol, Albion=Apple (emphasis on the brand name)
Valiant/Hanwei=Microsoft (we had crap before, but look how we're catching up!)
DSA=Smart phones (We have most of the stuff that computers do, yet you can take us places!)
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LOL, an excellent correlation, Nathan.
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I know, It just struck me as I was typing!
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Gotta love those flashes of inspiration!
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And Bingo Wings ;)
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That still gets me laughing every time I think of it. I have you to thank for putting it in my head! Every woman I walk by now, I'm lookin for bingo wings! LOL
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Haha, no problem! I just wish I had it at hand for the Order Motto contest!
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We could NOT have had that as our motto! lol
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Heh. The Order of the Bingo Wings.
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I can already see the mascot...an armored granny with overlarge cannons on the upper arm to accomodate said wings. LOL
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And Bingo Wings ;)
Azure, a Bingo Wing proper.
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hahahahaha
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hahahahahaha! That's Brilliant! ;D ;D ;D
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Well done, Lord Rodney! Which reminds me...
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OMG lol! Hahaha, that's fantastic. :)
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Add it to the Roll of Arms!!!!! ;D ;D ;D
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And Bingo Wings ;)
Azure, a Bingo Wing proper.
Brilliant! :D
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And Bingo Wings ;)
Azure, a Bingo Wing proper.
LMAO, I just spit my iced coffee all over the screen seeing that lol
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Haha, that's TWO drinks that have fallen prey to the power of the Bingo Wing! ;D