Albion Scabbards

[Sir_Edward_ReBrook]

So what gives with the $700.00 Albion scabbards? I've never owned an Albion sword before, but I'm awaiting delivery of the Chevalier and the Agincourt. I'm sure they'll be awesome, as I've heard nothing but great things about Albion, and for the $ I'm spending on them, they damn well better be. But the already high cost doesn't even include a scabbard. So what makes their $700 scabbards worth $700?

[Ian]

I've never seen anyone actually buy a scabbard from Albion before...  But high end scabbards do cost about that much, depending on what you get on them.  A nice, highly decorated period scabbard requires several skilled crafts to complete, sometimes woodwork, leatherwork and metalwork (and not apprentice level in any of those disciplines).  If all one is after is a simple leather sheath for a sword, then you don't have to worry about those high prices, but for a wood-core scabbard, hand stitched leather overwrap with fine carving and decorative brass or precious metal work (and then again for the belt), expect to pay similar prices to the sword itself.

[Sir James A]

Multiple people make scabbards for Albions. They are worth the price, and are a great example of the "you get what you pay for". Historical documents have shown scabbards that were more expensive than the swords.

[Sir Brian]

Apply the same principle if you purchased a very expensive car. You would rather keep it parked in a nice climate controlled garage instead of just under a simple tent carport you picked up at Costco for $150 dollars. 

[Sir Wolf]

just like a gun.

you pay 1000 for one, then are you gonna put a 100 scope on it or a 1000 scope?  put it in a 5$ canvas bag or a 100$ suitcase

[Sir James A]

just like a gun.

you pay 1000 for one, then are you gonna put a 100 scope on it or a 1000 scope?  put it in a 5$ canvas bag or a 100$ suitcase

Are you mocking my $100 scope?

[Sir Nate]

Aye, mostly what needs to be covered has been covered. Again, Wood- Leather- Decor and metal fittings- Belt+Accuracy+good craftsmanship. The scabbard also needs to be fitted to the sword and lined with fur.

[Lord Dane]

Whatever you get made. Make sure it has a wooden or solid core form-fitted to the blade so it fits and can be drawn with ease. Your blade can tarnish just as bad in the wrong kind of scabbard.

[Sir William]

I've not seen Albion scabbards up close either- though I've seen a few for sale on the Armour Archive.  The ones I saw didn't have suspensions built in, they were just simple wood cored leather scabbards.  When I've been able to afford them, I've gone with DBK (www.dbkcustomsword.com) - Brian Kunz is the proprietor.  He and Christian Fletcher probably command the lion's share of the custom scabbard market, with good reason.  The two I had Brian do, one for the Arn and the other for a Crecy that I let go- the Arn was $850 (simpler leather thong tie suspension, some incise work but less metal bits) and the Crecy clocked in at around $950 iirc.  I paid more for the Arn sword than I did the scabbard, but the opposite rang true for the Crecy.  Both have been showcased on the DBK site.  For my next acquisition, however, I'm going to go with Christian Fletcher; of the two I think he pays more attention to historical dimensions and detail, and offers different but no less attractive options for scabbardwork.

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, I too have not had a chance to handle their scabbards. I think they might have had one at their booth at WMAW, but I didn't look closely or ask if it's the same thing they're selling.

But yeah, expect to pay prices like that, or higher, if you want a well-made scabbard from someone like DBK or Christian Fletcher.  I tend to think of it as getting the "other half" of the sword.

There are some less expensive alternatives, and DBK has some nice "campaign" scabbards that are pretty affordable. But if you go full custom, it'll probably be over $1000.

[Ian]

Another alternative if you want a custom scabbard with a particular attention to historical design, consider Tod's Stuff in the UK.  He also has a long list of Albions for which he can make scabbards without you sending him your sword. 

http://www.todsstuff.co.uk/sword-scabbards/sword-scabbards.htm

[Sir James A]

Fletcher, DBK, and Tod's Stuff are listed on the Albion site. Those people make scabbards for Albion but Albion doesn't make or sell them. Buck Bates is also listed on there as making scabbards, but he doesn't take orders. It an "off-the-shelf, if it's there" possibility.

So there aren't "Albion" brand scabbards; what you get are scabbards by different makers that will fit an Albion sword.

[Jon Blair]

just like a gun.

you pay 1000 for one, then are you gonna put a 100 scope on it or a 1000 scope?  put it in a 5$ canvas bag or a 100$ suitcase

Are you mocking my $100 scope?

That's what I have on mine.