Albion price hike

[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

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!  )

I think you've sold me on it, Sir Ian.  While I have always dreamt of owning an Odinblade...I expect it'll perform much the same as an Albion, A&A (I'm lucky in that my acquaintance online w/Marc Ridgeway has afforded me the ability to see some of John's works in very detailed hi-res photos along with cutting videos and the like.)  It is funny...I have never felt a pull for anything Viking-esque...while I can appreciate the beauty of a pattern-welded blade, I have never wanted one.  With that said...

Albion offers a payment plan for those of us who aren't so fiscally endowed.  I'm gonna do it.  I'm gonna do it!

[Joshua Santana]

I think you've sold me on it, Sir Ian.  While I have always dreamt of owning an Odinblade...I expect it'll perform much the same as an Albion, A&A (I'm lucky in that my acquaintance online w/Marc Ridgeway has afforded me the ability to see some of John's works in very detailed hi-res photos along with cutting videos and the like.)  It is funny...I have never felt a pull for anything Viking-esque...while I can appreciate the beauty of a pattern-welded blade, I have never wanted one.  With that said...

Albion offers a payment plan for those of us who aren't so fiscally endowed.  I'm gonna do it.  I'm gonna do it!

That is great! 

[Sir Brian]

I think you've sold me on it, Sir Ian.  While I have always dreamt of owning an Odinblade...I expect it'll perform much the same as an Albion, A&A (I'm lucky in that my acquaintance online w/Marc Ridgeway has afforded me the ability to see some of John's works in very detailed hi-res photos along with cutting videos and the like.)  It is funny...I have never felt a pull for anything Viking-esque...while I can appreciate the beauty of a pattern-welded blade, I have never wanted one.  With that said...

Albion offers a payment plan for those of us who aren't so fiscally endowed.  I'm gonna do it.  I'm gonna do it!

As will I after this Sunday when I have an opportunity to "sample" the wares as it were. Then of course there is the problem of a scabbard for the blade...

[Sir Edward]

Ah yes, the scabbard is a whole additional can of worms. Sure, you could get something really cheap that will be sufficient to carry the sword. But when you're wearing the sword, people will see the scabbard and not the blade, so I tend to want the scabbard to be as much of a work of art as the hilt is, if not more-so. Once you've made that decision, you may have to prepare yourself to spend more on the scabbard than the sword. I'm sure there's a happy middle-ground there somewhere, I just haven't really investigated it much.

[Sir Edward]

Actually i think that's a great plan.

I'm tempted to try my hand at making a scabbard for the "Albion" (with the mindset that in the context of the TV show, it was a bunch of rebellious outlaws living in the woods, therefore not all of their gear would be top-quality). I think it needs a more simple/rustic thrown-together sort of look for the scabbard, despite being a very pretty sword.

[Sir James A]

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

Something else to consider is the nature of a custom sword. If you're picking your own blade geometry, blade length, fittings, grip, etc - it's a prototype. It's a custom prototype, but if you aren't copying an original, it's an untested design. You may really enjoy the look, but what if it's too blade heavy? What if it's too hilt-heavy? What if it doesn't cut like you expect?

There's a lot to be said for getting something "off the shelf" in that (generally) multiple other people have purchased and used the same item, there's minimal variance, and you know what to expect from it's performance. And in some cases, somebody local-ish will have one you can hold / test. Armor and swords are a world of difference; off the shelf armor in a "one size fits all" is a terrible thing unless you're that magical size. Swords, on the other hand, are better bought while knowing the performance of them.

Of course, it's all moot if you're just going to hang it on the wall. But why spend $2,500 or more on something to just hang on the wall and never use?

Ironic that you expanded upon the subject on the cost of an excellent scabbard for I have been considering upon a viable alternative: 

I’m not sure if anyone has posted a link to this site yet but it is very informative at what is involved with making a great scabbard, http://yeoldegaffers.com/project_scabbard.asp which inspired my contemplations to make my own core and then turn it over to an extremely talented local leather craftsman and reduce the overall costs and hopefully bypass the extremely long waiting lists for the top quality/pricy scabbard makers. So do you think my scheming will work? 

Sir Brian, I do like that scheme. I had it in mind a few months ago (and to try my hand at sewing leather...). Now that I've finished making my new wooden bed frame, when VARF is done I'm going to be using the new router table and belt sander to give the wood core scabbard a go. Perhaps a project for you to work on when I have another 'open workshop' day in a month or two.

[Sir William]

I've been pursuing other options for scabbards...in fact, I just got my H/T bastard back yesterday, w/the new scabbard and belts by a buddy on SBG, Odingaard.  The scabbard itself has nice, clean lines but he doesn't sew the backside so it won't pass muster for period snobs- but for ~$200 you can't really complain.  It is a nicely done wood-cored leather covered scabbard done up in black and blue to mimic my arms.  For ~$400 I know VA used to make them for whoever wanted, but I haven't been able to raise Sonny via email and his forums are down, or were last I checked.  Tritonworks is a bust...I have one of his that came with that 13th C greatsword I just got and it is, in a word, trash.  Or it was made for a much larger sword and my sword just got crammed into it, I dunno.  Not to mention I don't think he's even doing it anymore...  So that leaves DBK...or do it yourself.

Personally, I like Ron's how-to, I just don't have tools or talent enough to pull that off.  Besides, I really like DBK's work and I think he can do it w/out having the sword there (if he has one of his own, you're golden- as in the case of Deus Irae, he had one already (ARN) so it was all good).  He is quite pricey though...there's that to consider.

In any case, I emailed Mike at Albion so I'm just waiting to hear back from him.  I imagine his email box is probably pretty slammed.

[Sir Edward]

Don't forget CF as an option for scabbards. Now that he does "swordless" scabbards, he has some cost effective options.

I've found Albion usually takes a day or two to reply to emails.

[Ian]

Don't forget CF as an option for scabbards. Now that he does "swordless" scabbards, he has some cost effective options.

I've found Albion usually takes a day or two to reply to emails.

CF's swordless scabbards are a great deal!  I'm really enjoying mine, and you can make them as expensive/fancy or inexpensive/plain as you want.

Albion's pretty good at answering the phone if you're not getting an email response   

[Sir Brian]

Don't forget CF as an option for scabbards. Now that he does "swordless" scabbards, he has some cost effective options.

I've found Albion usually takes a day or two to reply to emails.

CF's swordless scabbards are a great deal!  I'm really enjoying mine, and you can make them as expensive/fancy or inexpensive/plain as you want.

Albion's pretty good at answering the phone if you're not getting an email response 

Yeah I ran through CF's custom scabbard selections and a scabbard I would settle for would run about $570.00 and that was with a belt he offered I liked the best but definitely not what I would prefer. What I have in mind would be to have the griffin I have on my belt and my Hungarian axe sheath on the scabbard and I know of only one craftsman that was able to do it at a reasonable price. I also would prefer to have the double belt option that DBK offers and I think you have on one of yours Sir Edward. 

[Joshua Santana]

CF's swordless scabbards are a great deal!  I'm really enjoying mine, and you can make them as expensive/fancy or inexpensive/plain as you want.

That is great!

[Sir Brian]

Well I have definitely decided upon the Talhoffer as I greatly prefer a longer handle with my longswords. I don't really care that it is considered a good century ahead of my harness since I am more concerned with a blade I want to feel right in my hands when I wield it and not so much as a show piece/accessory. 

Now to pick up some poplar wood slats and have them milled down to 3/16" thickness to start on the wood core of a scabbard. The craftsman I intend to use for the leather work on the scabbard is very interested in doing the work as he has expressed a desire to expand out into that line of work. Thanks again Sir Edward for the loan of your Talhoffer to use in making the core.

[Sir Edward]

Yep, no problem at all. It's a fantastic sword, and I think you'll be very happy with yours. The question is, which grip are you going to get? They have three options. The waisted grips are kind of nice, but it depends on what you're comfortable with. Mine has the standard (non-waisted) grip.

[Sir William]

Well, I haven't heard back from Mike but I went ahead and ordered a scabbard from DBK...we're going over color options and tooling now.  I'm quite interested in seeing how yours turns out, Sir Brian!  It'll be a while before I can get any tools for that sort of thing as I need to build a workbench first.  Build...me...lol...in any case, so this seemed the way to go for me.  I managed to get the jump since he'd decided to build a Crecy scabbard anyways and I was the first to contact him for one so it'll be mine.  As it stands, I might end up with the scabbard before I get the sword but that's all to the good.  Push comes to shove I may end up getting a used one- just saw one for sale a few weeks ago; probably no longer available but there's always hope, right?  Rather get a new one, though.  Then my sword purchases will be at an end for a while...

[Sir Brian]

Yep, no problem at all. It's a fantastic sword, and I think you'll be very happy with yours. The question is, which grip are you going to get? They have three options. The waisted grips are kind of nice, but it depends on what you're comfortable with. Mine has the standard (non-waisted) grip.

I’ll be going with the standard grip as it feels the best. The Meyer has a slightly waist grip that is tolerable but I’d prefer if it was straight. 

Well, I haven't heard back from Mike but I went ahead and ordered a scabbard from DBK...we're going over color options and tooling now.  I'm quite interested in seeing how yours turns out, Sir Brian!  It'll be a while before I can get any tools for that sort of thing as I need to build a workbench first.

Well it so happens I picked up six ¼” x 3” x 44” poplar slats from Home Depot yesterday and had the wood mill where I work plane them down to approximately 3/16” and then I passed them by a disc sander a few times so now they are ready to be soaked/steamed and formed around a blade. Would you like me to bring a spare set for you Sir Edward so you can work on a scabbard core for your Crecy? 

UPDATE:
Well I took the plunge. I just emailed a 6 month payment plan contract to Mike and he told me it is approximately a 12 week build time from when the full payment is made. I told him I will try and schedule the final payment and his estimated build time to coincide with the completion of my scabbard's completion date, which will of course depend upon Brett @ T-Star leather works. BTW, the custom grip color was $25.00 so YES I went with GREEN!