Albion price hike

[Sir Edward]

Oh?  Ok...I wondered at that...my instructor used or rather, showed us a Lichtenauer- the one without the parrying hooks.  Both of them are listed in the Maestro line up so I just assumed they were both built for our style of combat- considering the thickness on those edges as well.  They are quite thick, and the fuller runs all the way to the tip, which is well rounded and thick as the rest of the edges.  Mayhaps you are thinking of the Squire Line of swords?

No, I know exactly what I'm talking about. There are a lot of folks who use the Liechtenauer. I just personally wish they wouldn't, since they require more control to pull your hits, and/or more safety gear on your opponent, since the edges are about half the thickness of the Meyer. The Meyer even has a lighter feel to it.

Since the prices are the same, I figure you should be kind to your opponents and just get the Meyer:

http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/swords-albion-mark-maestro.htm

[Ian]

Anyone know if they've caught back up yet?  It puts a slightly bad taste in my mouth that they are going to bump up their prices while simultaneously being way behind on orders. They quoted mr 6 weeks on my order, and 6 months later I received a sword, with no updates unless I asked every couple of months.  I love the product, but if the prices are going to go up, it would be nice if they catch up on their orders first. Albion Europe always has swords in stock on tons of models. Albion USA as far as I know stocks 0 swords.  It doesn't help that my first experience them was an incorrect order... lol

[Sir Edward]

I don't know for sure, but it sounded like they were finally catching up. My last order isn't a good test case, since the "film swords" all have to go through one guy, and they do them on different schedule.

[Sir Brian]

I think I'll definitely put a blade on their layaway plan to lock in a price however I do have a bit of a conundrum, as much as I love the feel of the Crecy I have become a bit smitten with the looks of both the Talhoffer and Ringeck blades. Since they are all the same price, cost isn’t a deciding factor. 

Do you happen to have either the Talhoffer and/or the Ringeck blades Sir Edward? 

[Ian]

I think I'll definitely put a blade on their layaway plan to lock in a price however I do have a bit of a conundrum, as much as I love the feel of the Crecy I have become a bit smitten with the looks of both the Talhoffer and Ringeck blades. Since they are all the same price, cost isn’t a deciding factor. 

Do you happen to have either the Talhoffer and/or the Ringeck blades Sir Edward? 

KoA has had a Ringeck in stock for quite some time if you're interested. It's listed under renaissance swords instead of medieval swords, and I think that's why no one sees it. 

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=ANH17&name=Albion+Ringeck+Medieval+War+Sword

[Sir Edward]

Do you happen to have either the Talhoffer and/or the Ringeck blades Sir Edward? 

I do have the Talhoffer. Keep in mind it's a slightly later period sword, more for the end of the 14th through the 15th centuries. It's a good harnessfechten sword, meant for thrusting in the gaps between the plates.

Having said that, I love this sword. It's very nimble, because of the acute distal and profile tapers. It is a mean thruster. Not so great a cutter, though it's certainly still capable, but it's emphasis is on the thrust.

I can bring it with me to VARF and let you look at it.

[Sir Brian]

KoA has had a Ringeck in stock for quite some time if you're interested. It's listed under renaissance swords instead of medieval swords, and I think that's why no one sees it. 

http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=ANH17&name=Albion+Ringeck+Medieval+War+Sword

Thanks Ian! However whichever one I choose will have to come from Albion since I’ll be using their layaway plan to help alleviate the sting of the overall cost.

Do you happen to have either the Talhoffer and/or the Ringeck blades Sir Edward? 

I do have the Talhoffer. Keep in mind it's a slightly later period sword, more for the end of the 14th through the 15th centuries. It's a good harnessfechten sword, meant for thrusting in the gaps between the plates.

Having said that, I love this sword. It's very nimble, because of the acute distal and profile tapers. It is a mean thruster. Not so great a cutter, though it's certainly still capable, but it's emphasis is on the thrust.

I can bring it with me to VARF and let you look at it.

Well I’m not too concerned with it being a century ahead of my current harness as a majority of folks won’t know the difference. I basically want a fully functional and excellent cutter to use for cutting practice as well as a show piece. Well since you have two of the three blades I’m interested in then I’ll make my choice between the Talhoffer and Crecy. 

If it isn’t too much of a bother, could you bring all three this Sunday to VARF? – The Talhoffer, Crecy and your new Albion (so I can drool over it! ).

[Sir Edward]

If it isn’t too much of a bother, could you bring all three this Sunday to VARF? – The Talhoffer, Crecy and your new Albion (so I can drool over it! ).

Sure thing. Ironically these are the three that don't have scabbards, so maybe I'll dig out my gun cases.

But yeah, if you want to do test-cutting, the Crecy is better for that. Unless you want to do test-stabbing instead.   Of course, for raw cutting power, the Baron kicks butt, but it's also a bit more massive. But I think the Crecy is a better "teaching cutter" since it's very controllable.

Interesting anecdote... The Talhoffer was my first Albion. I bought it used on myArmoury a while back. The dude I bought it from took it to his local UPS shop (a Mailboxes Etc or whatever it was), and let them box it up for him. And boy, they were stupid about it. They just threw it in a box with packing peanuts, without anything to secure it's position or cover the tip. In transit, it looked like the tip poked out of the box at least a dozen times, and was still protruding a full inch when the box was left on my doorstep. Remember, the Talhoffer has a needle-like point. Well, the last half millimeter or thereabouts was mashed flat, since it probably had struck something on one of the trucks. I was able to file it down and not really loose anything, so it ended up being OK. But man, it nearly gave me a heart-attack to find it that way on my front step.

[Joshua Santana]

Personally, I would suggest Sir Brian that you go with the Crecy (more period accurate) than the Talhoffer.  But it is up to you anyway. 

But yeah, if you want to do test-cutting, the Crecy is better for that. Unless you want to do test-stabbing instead.   Of course, for raw cutting power, the Baron kicks butt, but it's also a bit more massive. But I think the Crecy is a better "teaching cutter" since it's very controllable.

Sir Edward is right here, the blade shape is designed for cutting whereas the Talhoffer is more thrusting oriented.

Thanks Ian! However whichever one I choose will have to come from Albion since I’ll be using their layaway plan to help alleviate the sting of the overall cost.

That is a good idea.  My preference is KOA since I like their service and their amazingly good prices. 

[Sir William]

Really like that Crecy...the size, shape- I hear it cuts like a laser; for the bastard/longsword series by Albion it was always my favorite as far as aesthetics are concerned.  Sure, there are other, more refined swords in that category but I have always loved the Crecy.

But then...a full on custom is something that I've never had before.

[Joshua Santana]

Really like that Crecy...the size, shape- I hear it cuts like a laser; for the bastard/longsword series by Albion it was always my favorite as far as aesthetics are concerned.  Sure, there are other, more refined swords in that category but I have always loved the Crecy.

You Sir William heard correctly, why here is a video showing the Crecy in action with cutting


(skip to 6:20)

[Sir William]

Would you look at that.  Can anyone tell me if full-on customs are overrated?  I'm reaching here...someone toss me a lifeline!  lol

[Ian]

Would you look at that.  Can anyone tell me if full-on customs are overrated?  I'm reaching here...someone toss me a lifeline!  lol

I own a Crecy and enjoy it a lot.  Haven't cut with it yet though.  That being said, the real draw on a custom sword is the knowledge that it's a custom sword.... It's desirable because of the work that went in to it, and the fact that it's a unique creation by the smith.  Performance-wise though, a custom sword will be entirely indistinguishable from a properly done CNC milling machine made-sword, i.e. the Albion.  So it depends on priorities.  If it's purely aesthetics and performance, go for the Albion or A&A, if it's the intangibles that you're after, or the desire to own a unique piece of functional artwork, commission the custom sword, but expect to fork over triple the cost of an Albion    (Or if you absolutely must have a pattern welded sword, then custom it is!  )

[Sir Ulrich]

Tempts me to get one. I'd prolly go after the Reeve sword cause I like older designs of sword but I just got a new sword so I am kinda saying no.

[Joshua Santana]

Would you look at that.  Can anyone tell me if full-on customs are overrated?  I'm reaching here...someone toss me a lifeline!  lol

LOL!

I own a Crecy and enjoy it a lot.  Haven't cut with it yet though.  That being said, the real draw on a custom sword is the knowledge that it's a custom sword.... It's desirable because of the work that went in to it, and the fact that it's a unique creation by the smith.  Performance-wise though, a custom sword will be entirely indistinguishable from a properly done CNC milling machine made-sword, i.e. the Albion.  So it depends on priorities.  If it's purely aesthetics and performance, go for the Albion or A&A, if it's the intangibles that you're after, or the desire to own a unique piece of functional artwork, commission the custom sword, but expect to fork over triple the cost of an Albion    (Or if you absolutely must have a pattern welded sword, then custom it is!  )

That is good Sir Ian, yes a custom sword is unique and can work to your needs.   

Tempts me to get one. I'd prolly go after the Reeve sword cause I like older designs of sword but I just got a new sword so I am kinda saying no.

That is perfectly fine Sir Ulrich, what ever floats "thy" boat will work.