Ulrich...the first generation Albions are solid swords; as the others have said, this was before they started making their own blades. Del Tin has a solid reputation and their blades tend to be on the heavier side, but very sturdy as well. I think $350 + $265 is a good price for a sword w/a custom scabbard and rig...there are of course other options out there but for that price, but this is a good choice.
I should warn you, however...when you get a chance to wrap your gauntlets around a Next Generation Albion, you will notice a difference. I know I keep saying that, but it used to be told to me, til I finally got to hold one. So anyway, this is still a step up- be forewarned, from this point on, expect to save longer in order to pay for the more expensive stuff. Windlass blades are, at this point, good for decorative purposes.
Sir Nathan is correct, you need to alter your grip- you can start with a hammer grip but while moving through a cut or practicing forms you'll need to flow into the handshake grip; Normans, Saxons, Vikings, what have you- warriors for over a hundred years used that very same hilt setup- if it were not workable, it would not have been so prevalent during its time.
