Alright guys, I'm curious about something.

So it's almost Christmas and let's pretend we can make a Christmas list and add a sword to that list.

What one sword would be on this year's Christmas list?

So as not to be crazy with this, let's assign some rules to this game:

• Pick something you really want and would intend to keep
  
• Santa isn't rich. Stay under a maximum price of $1500 US
  
• Pick a production / semi-production piece and not some custom dream piece
  
• Choose just one thing. I know it's hard. One sword

Be somewhat realistic here :)

Well that's an easy one for me!

It would have been a serious dilemma if the VA Bristol had been released, but since it is not available yet, I'll go for the next generation Henry V sword. I have been told that the second batch with the reinforced tips is to arrive the second week of December, so I will wait for those since being a poor thruster doesn't really make sense for a type XVIII sword. This sword seems to be one of the most attractive sub $300 I've seen lately (I never thought I would buy a gen 2 sword a year ago, looking at their line up, but they surely did a great job on that one and I'm ready to give it a shot).

Cheers,

J

One that I've always stated would love to have in my collection would be the Del-Tin 5155 Gothic Bastard sword.


cheers,

Bill

The Oakeshott from Albion. http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/ne...ott-xa.htm

I have a thing for complex blades that usually manifests in lust for Type XX swords, but that one is just really cool.

Nathan - you did not answer the question yourself. What do you want for Christmas?

Gordon

At the moment I would have to say the Albion NextGen Squire, although it seems almost mundane next to some of the other pieces on my wanted list, I have a gaping hole in my collection as far as classic, knightly single-hand swords that is starting to nag at me.

I would have to say the Albion Kern would make a nice Christmas Present.

Damn, that's a hard choice! Ok, I think I'll have to go with the A&A Town Guard Sword #192. I just love that blade profile and hilt! The Albion Doge is a close second, however. And if I were allowed a bit more money- ok, a lot more- I'd die for Albions' Special Edition Lady Vivamus. I think that's the saber of my dreams....

As it is, I'm getting the Hanwei Mortuary in a couple of weeks for combined christmas and my birthday, and I'm a very happy man!

Marc

Well I for one would like to add any Albion Viking sword to my collection. I especially like the Huskarl and the Knud (Hint, hint, anyone out there!). I also would be quite happy with any of the Del Tin Viking models (Another hint, hint to anyone out there listening!). :D :lol:

An Albion Vinland viking sword. Which I happen to know that my wife has already gotten for me for Christmas.

I'd also love to get a nicely made replicas of: a wasp waisted Roman Gladius, a Tokugawa era Katana, a Native American Indian tomahawk, a Greek Hoplite spear possibly in bronze, an American Civil War cavalry saber, and a Saracen sword typical of the later Crusades. But those will all have to wait for sufficient funds, unless Santa is really deep pocketed. :D

What is on my Christmas list is a Hanwei practical Norman, it's inexpensive and I would like to have one to play with. What I would really like to put on my list is the Valiant Castile. Of course I could probably put a lot more on the list too like any of Christian Fletcher's stuff but musn't be greedy.

It isn't on the market yet, but I'd like to have an Albion Markgraf.

I dream of the day I can get myself an Albion Huskarl. Always been my dream viking sword to get myself.

Oh my... just one? I don't think I can choose. I have a couple pre-orders in with Albion, and several on my current wishlist. I don't think I can just pick one. :)

A&A Serenissima. My current hot topic is Lepanto and galley warfare and I like to put together kits for school presentations and such. Nothing quite sparks a student's interest in an event or period like handling the hardware.

Film recommendation: Dangerous Beauty. A bit costume-y and mixed up on history but entertaining on several levels.
Also, Queen Margot. Related events not among the prouder moments for us Catholics.

JSA

Just the A&A Town Guard sword. Don't want to be greedy! :D

I admire the type and I think it would be a good fit for a Virginia Company targeteer. That scenario is of great interest to me but I have nothing in my collection to represent it.

This was a common type but it's uncommon among reproductions. The A&A TG is the only one I know of, in fact. Like most military swords of this period, it's overshadowed by the narrow-blade civilian rapier in the modern imagination. It's hard to find anyone who has a TGS, so I assume it's not a big seller for A&A. That's a terrible shame, IMHO. A&A is the only company I know of that gives serious attention to the military swords and more robust "rapiers" of this period.

No doubt, an Albion Thegn. Given the budget no one compares with Albion, the finishing is exemplary and the sword just speaks to me, in a West Saxon Shield wall kind of way :).

Albion Baron, blue grip.