In response to requests from our customers for a line of more affordable, but still traditionally constructed and quality swords, Albion is proud to announce a new line -- The Albion Mark Squire Line -- designed by Peter Johnsson with the beginner, reenactor and practitioner of the Western Martial Arts in mind.

These swords will be based on Peter Johnsson's research and on our experience with the NextGen Line, but will have a more economical and utilitarian finish on both the blade and hilt components. The blades will have the same attention to geometry found in the NextGen line, but with subtle changes to account for the flat edges. The hilt components will be more simple in style, but still true to their historical period. As a result, these swords will make excellent "practice" swords for their counterparts in the NextGen line.

All swords will be hot peened and have a simple black leather-wrapped grip. The swords will not be made sharp, but will have "flat" edges suitable for reenactment and swordplay exercise. The swords can, however, be sharpened for cutting practice at a small additional charge.

As with all Albion swords, these swords will be guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship.

We are working toward the release of these models in the early Fall of this year. All swords in this line will be priced under $400.

Thus far in the development, this is what the Squire line will look like:

The Viking (Type H hilt, one piece pommel, Geibig 4 blade) -- $300
13th C Knightly Sword (Type XII) -- $300
15th C Bastard Sword (Type XVa) -- $350
13th C Great Sword (Type XIIa) -- $350

These swords are available for advance reservation. I hope to have concept drawings available soon. Because of the bare bones prices on these swords, they will most likely never go on sale and cannot be included in other promotions.

Best,

Howy

Sounds like a tremendous idea. Will this result in the discontinuance of some of the First Gen swords, or will you then have all three lines available at the same time?

Fantastic news Mr.Waddell ,

I am sure that this new line of swords will bring Albion a whole new line of customers who can see what a great product you are producing . This will also I'm sure increase the overall sales of your other lines of swords as more and more people find out about you .

Good luck and best wishes on your new endeavor .

Howard,
This is a great concept. An answer to the feces which is the lower-end sword market! I'd almost be tempted as I am wary to use my current and future Next Gen's for cutting. So could you guys put a true sword edge on these of would it be a secondary bevel? Jeremy

That sounds absolutely magnificent!

However, there is one question I'd like to ask if I may. Has adding a longer (blade length in the 37 inch range) single hander to the line ever been considered? There might be a market (a somewhat small one, but still) for similar swords (especially if fitted with a basket of some kind - heck, a piece of sheet metal hammered to the shape of a basket would do) among the practioners of Silver's system; at the moment, the only way to aquire such a sword is to go custom, as far as I know.


Rabbe

Edit: Gah, why is it that I can't form a single halfway-sensible sentance anymore?

I presume this line will work for stage combat, as well as reenactment. If so, I will likely buy one, either the XIIa or XVa.

Look forward to seeing them.

Hopefully the pommels will be very grip friendly since the line seems to be designed for practice more than collection.

Another excellent marketing concept by the folks at Albion!

Howy, you're quickly becoming the one-stop-shopping center for all things european sword related. Kind of like Wal-Mart.

Is a name change for Albion in the future?

Howy-Mart perhaps?

:lol:

This IS great news indeed! This will allow those of us on a very limited budget to finally own
one of Albion's fabulous blades.
Look forward to seeing the concepts, mainly the Bastard piece.

Thanks a heep!


William
aka Bill

Howie - you say that there will be a limited number of models for the Squire line. With those four, you have the spectrum pretty well covered. If you are going to add a couple more -

Assuming that your singlehand XII will have a relatively short blade, maybe add a Xa or XIX (ha!) with a 33-34 inch blade.

A longsword with a robusticity (is that a word?) between the XIIa and the XVa - perhaps an XVIIIa or b.

Excellent! :D

I think this definately fills the nitch that many of us have been looking for. A high quality historically accurate training tool at a reasonalble cost is a must for any serious WMA practitioner :D

Thanks again Howy!.

I agree, great move. But I still cant afford it, right now I'm thrashing 100$ czech sword.

I think a good direction to go with this line may be to attach each sword with a style. For example, a mortuary hilt for Silver, a 15th century longsword for Ringeck/Fiore, a XIV for 1.33, an XIIa for Harlien and so on. :)