Posts: 558 Location: Central PA
Sat 11 Aug, 2007 9:58 pm
Just ordered an Albion...
In my trip up to New Glarus, WI a little over a week ago, I decided to stop in at Albion and handle a few pieces in their showroom. I got to handle an early production Stamford and fell in love with it!
So... Mike took me upstairs to his office, I showed him my credit card, and, in minutes, I had an Albion Stamford, with a dark brown grip, on order!
I'm eagerly-awaiting the long, rectangular box at my front door. The anticipation is KILLING me! :eek:
Other Albion swords I fell in love with:
1) The Count.
-- This will probably be my next purchase. I'm thinking green grip with bronze pommel. This is the fastest dedicated cutter I have ever handled.
2) The Viceroy.
-- Gripping the handle with the flat pommel was every bit as comfortable as the extra-long grip of the Munich. I kid you not. And this thing moves with a perfect mix of agility, precision, control, and authority. When I'm ready for a 15th-century War Sword, this will be my first consideration.
3) The Huskarl.
-- I had to pass this one up this time, due to lack of funds in my bank account at the moment. Its proportions were both bold and elegant. Despite being larger than the "11th-century Trio" (Stamford, Reeve, and Bayeaux), I thought it actually felt a little quicker and more eager. I would have called this Albion's fastest Type X if I didn't handle the Thegn immediately thereafter! :D
4) The Castellan and
Poitiers.
--
"One would be hard-pressed to find a more agile, more controllable, or quicker singlehanded arming sword anywhere." That was how I described the Castellan. So you could imagine how the lighter, quicker Poitiers felt!
5) The Knecht and Soldat.
-- For those of you preparing for the imminent Zombie invasion, you'll want to buy both of these. The Knecht is a much faster weapon than one would expect. The Soldat felt even faster than the highest-grade, well-balanced kitchen knives!
Of course, each of their models had something good going for them, but those were the models that I really grew to like, especially since I honestly didn't think I'd like some of them.
So, while I contemplate my next purchase (hopefully within the next 2 years), I'm eagerly-anticipating my Stamford. I feel like a kid at Christmas!