Quite the opposite in fact, but I bet you're paying attention now. :lol:

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The Jarl arrived this evening. Just when I thought today was a no-show it came. I was out in the front yard prepping my house for painting (joy! joy!) when the BBT pulled up.

What can I say except that Albion continues to impress. Earlier this year I purchased a Vinland, which had to go to pay the tax man due to an unexpected FUBAR with my taxes (the states fault, not mine). While there was certainly nothing wrong with that sword the Jarl is several large steps above it. I can definitely say that Steve and Jason have the blade work down since the machining and finish on this blade is a bit better than that earlier Vinland. Everything's precisely machined and finished. Practice makes perfect.

All of Erics frustration (of which I'm told there was quite a bit *g*) while assembling the pommel was well worth it. Quite frankly, it makes the sword visually. The silver wire accents really set the pommel off, and really draw your eye into the swords design details. It's great to finally see a Viking style production sword with an historically accurate pommel. The swords handling qualities are outstanding. It's quick, but I bet it'll bite with quite a bit of authority. I'd hate to be on the receiving end of this big butcher knife. I can't wait to try this one out on a few wara mats.

Last year I was shown the first Next Generation prototype and I made some pretty strong statements immediately thereafter, of which I received more than a few e-mail responses telling me that I was full of a certain odorous bodily excrement. In the last month, or so, I've received three very different Next Gen. swords. So far I've seen nothing to make me retract those earlier statements. The Viking age has always been one of my main periods of interest. Because of this I've owned quite a few production, and custom made, Viking swords. This Jarl is the best one yet.

I hate to use terms like "best" to describe anything since much of this stuff is subjective. On the other hand, I honestly feel that Albion is making far and away the best production swords on the US market right now, in fact, they're the only production swords that I'll consider buying for my own collection. Otherwise it's custom work from the likes of Vince Evans and Peter Johnsson. I'm not trying to take anything away from any other maker with that statement. We currently have quite a few quality makers in the production field, who are working at various price points, and turning out very worthwhile products. However, at the end of the day a definitive statement has to be made in terms of who is on top.

Albion swords are more expensive than much of their competition, but quality isn't free. The Albion teams hard work and research is definitely paying off. In my opinion they are currently offering the whole package of mechanics, construction, and aesthetics, and their doing it better than anyone else in the production field. I've just received one more piece of evidence to support this opinion. Huzzah to Howy and company.

Review to follow.

Funny thing though, I never did get that side of the house scraped. *g*

Congratulations, Patrick! .That pommel really stands out at me. Awesome!

Looking forward to the review.

That looks like a beautiful sword. Honestly, though my interests are more to the early medieval, the Berserker, Jarl, and Hersir are very high on my want-list. I will certainly be purchasing at least one of these three this year.

Regards,
Brian M

gorgeous. being a medieval man myself i could allmost be converted to a viking with a sword like that.

Congradulations Patrick!

That's no doubt, my favorite Viking ;)

Right, piece of crap.

My I have it then? :p

Patrick,

When you describe the Jarl as better by "several large steps" is that in the fit and finish of the blade and furniture or in the handling, balance and dynamics of the sword? I envy your ability to be able to answer this question having owned both.

Mmm. Jarl.

Very cool. If I get up to the 'Buy 6 Swords, Get the 7th Free' point, the Jarl may be #7. I love that silver wire stuff. :)