WEll, i finally got a job, yea me! And i have decided to spend the first two paychecks on a sword or two, (oh the pleasures of being 17 and not having to worry about bills and such) and i had originally planned on getting an Albion sword. But not i am sort of *gulp* dare i say it, changing my mind. I have recently considering getting two or three MRL or a DEl TiN or two or may be a cheeper Arms and Armor. Any one have any thought on this, is doing such a thing stupid beyond all human reasoning? :)
any input would be greatly appreciated.

Quantity doesn't equal quality. It isn't like three $250 swords will perform as well as a $750 sword (you might get good balance in one, good quality in the other, and good cutting capability in the third, but not all in one cheap blade). Now, Arms & Armor is another thing, and two A&A blades might be more fun to play around with. Go for quality (A&A or Albion), and get a sword that you will enjoy for many years to come.

If i don't go for an albion, i'm pretty sure im gonna go for an Arms and Armor smallsword and something else. Choices choices.

Björn has it right. I recommend that you take his advice, get a single quality weapon and build a relationship with quality weapons right from the start. This will make a terrible choice of a poor quality weapon less likely later. Now, there are some who actually pick up the crap weapons and mess about with them, or it is all they can afford, so be it. I don't fault them for this, it is just the way it is. You do what you have to do to get where you are going.

I know how this can be... you look at the $800 you're about to spend on an Albion NextGen and say "I can buy two other swords with this!" There's nothing wrong with considering getting two DelTins or ATrims or A&A's in place of one NextGen. They're all quality swords and worth collecting, DelTin's especially given that they are not easily come by. This is one reason I'm looking for a DelTin... not only are they beautiful swords that are made well, but also because you can't just pop onto a website, order one, and have it arrive within a week. ;)

I wouldn't get a MRL (or three) in place of the Albion, though. MRL's are decent but not spectacular and your money would be better spent on something of higher quality.

I can remember the sinking feeling I got when I took the pommel and handle off an "expensive" for the value received

"Battleready" Brave Heart style claymore and discovered the most feeble rattail tang one can imagine.

I don't mind a wallhanger but I want a well made one! (If that is what I am looking for.)

The first 3 inches of the tang was decent, but unfortunately a 1/4 inch rod was welded to it for the rest of the tang.

Worse...... the end of the 3" tang had a 1/4" hole drilled into it just before the weld Holding the whole thing together!
On each side of this hole there was only a 1/32" of steel !

I sort of fixed it by filling the entire inside of the hollow handle with mild steel rods wrapped with nylon cord saturated with epoxy. (Never tested if this would survive any hitting stress, but I feel a bit better about it.)

This was a couple of years ago, my most recent swords is an Albion Next Generation Gaddhjalt. (Very happy about that one) (Just ordered a 12th century & a Viking spear from A&A, wish I could afford the Poll Axe & the Italian Bill.)

My opinion: Go for the best you can afford that is a "REAL" sword!

Yes, buy the best sword you can afford, rather than several cheaper swords. First, a real quality sword will hold its value better than cheap swords, so if you ever decide to sell it you will get most of your money back out of it. Second, as you continue with collecting and become more knowledgeable, your tastes inevitably get more expensive. You will look on any cheapo swords in your collection and say to yourself: "I can't believe I wasted X dollars on this stuff."

Regards,
Brian M

I believe that you have to determine where the point of diminishing returns is for you. What I mean by that is at what point does spending the extra money become irrelevant? If a del tin is everything you desire then get one. However as has been suggested if you stay in this hobby chances are you will regret spending the money on lower end products. Having said that I do NOT consider Arms and Armor to be turning out lower in products. I own more of their swords then any other company in the business.

What I'd probably do:
Get a high quality weapon. Get one you really like, from a maker whose work you trust, and whose design you like. BUT, if there is any money left - buy a good "beater sword" as well, something like one of the better quality windlass, perhaps with a good review posted here or elsewhere.
That way, you get yourself a real value, something to treasure and behold, and at the same time something for more "experimental" cutting, without having to worry about unpleasant scratches on the blade.
But thats only what I'd do...

Well done on your job Joel,
Deltin and up is definately the way to go,
also might skim the forums sale posts and maybe still get a couple of swords at great prices,

It would be complete folly to opt for the cheaper products, period- and I am rarely so dogmatic.

[quote="Lee O'Hagan"]Well done on your job Joel,
Deltin and up is definately the way to go,
also might skim the forums sale posts and maybe still get a couple of swords at great prices,[/quote]


Thanks, I'm really grateful to finally have it. I have been itching to add to my sword collection for so long.

[quote="Bernhard H."]What I'd probably do:
Get a high quality weapon. Get one you really like, from a maker whose work you trust, and whose design you like. BUT, if there is any money left - buy a good "beater sword" as well, something like one of the better quality windlass, perhaps with a good review posted here or elsewhere.
That way, you get yourself a real value, something to treasure and behold, and at the same time something for more "experimental" cutting, without having to worry about unpleasant scratches on the blade.
But thats only what I'd do...[/quote]

I really like this idea. my current thinking is, if i don't go for an Albion, (and i have a list of like eight swords i like) I will go with an Arms and Armor Smallsword, and either a Del Tin, or Windlass. Windlass, i know is lower quality, but they have a several swords that REALLY appeal to me. I agree though that i would probably be happier in the long run with some better quality pieces. I don't know why, but i totaly forgot about Atrim, in the past they had some stuff i liked too, i think I'll stop over at the All Saints web site and take a look at some of those beauties. :)

I concur with the idea of buying the nicest sword you can afford plus a beater if you have enough cash. I recently did it in reverse.

I bought a beater (CASI "battle-ready" hand and a half) at a RenFaire that somehow charmed me into buying it. I got it home and played with it and in doing so realized that I really liked that style of sword. Having it made me have to have a better sword. I almost obssessed about it. Luckily I had been looking into buying a nice sword before buying the CASI.

After research and reading many reviews and posts I ordered an ATrim 1421 from AllSaints (they do have a 10% discount working right now and they have been great to deal with).

I am thrilled to have both swords and the beater certainly has a place in my arsenal. But, I think that if you do buy the lower priced sword first, I'd bet that you WILL want something better sooner than later.

Good luck!

Hmm, thanks for the input Brent, That is an interesting perspective. It makes sense to me because I currently have no idea what style/s of sword I am most attracted too, and what type suits me best. AHHHH so many swords and options, if only money grew on trees. :D

I have to second Joe Fults on this.