Albion Reeve

[Sir Ulrich]

Think I could do that, only issue I dont know if I would get it in time for DoK 2.0. My parents just said I should get it sent there to fix the issue, I sorta missed reading it that he'd send it there cause I "speed read" and miss things often, silly me. I just worry the clicking might affect the structural integrity of the sword. My hanwei tinker norman has a clicking noise but works fine, and it usually goes away during the summer and only comes out during the winter. My guess is it's the humidity in the air that causes the wooden grip to swell and contract.

[Ian]

My guess is it's the humidity in the air that causes the wooden grip to swell and contract.

Yep, this is most likely what happened.  So unless it stays in a climate controlled environment forever, it could happen again, but that's just the nature of the beast with wood.

[Sir James A]

I wouldn't worry too much. The clicking, as Sir Ian said, is likely just the wood. The epoxy came loose, that can happen with swinging it. Nothing unusual there. If Albion will fix it for free, I'd say bring it to DoK 2.0 as is, don't worry about the click, and send it to them for the free repair after DoK (if that's an option).

[Sir Ulrich]

Yeah might do that. I just worry it might irritate me with the clicking and feel like it might come apart. Last thing I want is my Albion to break in the middle of using it.

[Sir James A]

Yeah might do that. I just worry it might irritate me with the clicking and feel like it might come apart. Last thing I want is my Albion to break in the middle of using it.

If the clicking is what I think it is, it's just the wood moving very slightly over the tang. The only way for it to break is for the leather to come completely off the handle and for the wood core under the leather to come apart. I've never heard of that happening, even with junky stainless wall hangers.

That's one thing I like with threaded pommels; you can take the pommel off, remove the grip, put some fresh epoxy, then reassemble and tighten it down. Peened pommels, unless you want to grind the peen out (which will shorten the grip slightly), only way I've seen is by removing the grip, separating the two pieces of the wood, then re-epoxy and reassemble the wood and re-grip it; same as you would if you had finished the sword blade and it had no grip on it. Only exception is a single piece handle would slide on before the pommel, but I've only seen two-piece grips; easy to route out a notch on two sides of a pair than to carve a thin long area down a single piece.

Short answer, don't worry about it. Especially if you aren't cutting with it.

[Sir Ulrich]

I do plan to cut with it eventually thats the only issue I have. Maybe I should have him send it back? I am not sure, my parents suggest doing it but they don't know much about how swords work thats why I am asking you guys. I am rather anxious about getting this sword though cause I have wanted it for years.

[Ian]

I do plan to cut with it eventually thats the only issue I have. Maybe I should have him send it back? I am not sure, my parents suggest doing it but they don't know much about how swords work thats why I am asking you guys. I am rather anxious about getting this sword though cause I have wanted it for years.

Sir James was just suggesting that if you want it at DoK just have it sent to you and then you'll for sure have it for DoK, then just send it to Albion afterwards.  The only drawback would be that you'd have to ship it to Albion yourself at a later date.  The sword's not 'broken' it just needs some maintenance.  It's really just the nature of wood and temp/humidity changes.  The grip probably shrunk a little and pulled the epoxy away from the tang.

[Sir Ulrich]

I'm actually thinking of sending it back to them to antique the hilt a bit as well as fix the problem with the clicking. I prefer my stuff to look worn and used, especially for a 1100s sword being used in the late 1200s. Not sure if they'd do that but it's worth a try.

[Sir Brian]

I'm sure Mike would be glad to add the antiquing to your blade and I also agree with Sir James' suggestion. Just have the seller forward you the email he sent to Mike and attach it to your own email to Mike showing him the chain of ownership for the blade. As I understand it, Albion doesn't have any clauses to their warranties concerning the transference of ownership for their products.

The added benefit of taking possession of the sword for a few weeks during DOK is you can make your own wood core for the blade's scabbard and while it is away at Albion getting repaired and antiqued you can have the leather work done to complete your scabbard.

[Sir Edward]

I agree that if you want it for DoK, I'd wait until afterward to send it back to Albion.

Really, there's very little to worry about structurally. All of the strength in the sword's construction comes from the metal parts. The pommel is peened onto the tang such that even if the grip came off, the pommel would remain in place. The guard won't move much, since it's tapped into place. If all of the epoxy failed (which is unlikely), the leather would have to unbind for the two wood grip pieces to come off, and even then all of the metal parts would still be in place. Chances are it's only a small piece of the epoxy that came loose.

What Albion will probably do is completely re-grip it.

[Sir Ulrich]

Payed for it, he is shipping it out today and I should be getting it soon. I am rather excited as this will be my first Albion Next Gen sword that I have wanted for a long while. Glad I nabbed it when I could with no wait time, now to get a scabbard done for it and whatnot. Still have to save up money for my trip to the UK I am taking next year so that may be a while.