Im a little bit excited, a rather large box arrived at my office this morning :) I signed for it at my reception and took it back to my office and closed the door ;)

Ok first off, thankyou Australian international / domestic Customs nobody else could have bastardised the packaging any further, the box looks like it has been opened a number of times fully unpacked and then stuffed back in, they didn’t even put the moulded protection back on the blade, just put back into the box, ill post some pics later tonight when I get home. Also I assume that Albion does not send the wooden boxes for international orders as mine has come in just a cardboard box??

Ive only really had a one min look, keep in mind that this is the 1st sword that I have ever held, but im pretty happy with my quick look, ill fully unpack it tonight and ill post a real post with my full impression.

Cheers - Paul

Other than customs hitting me up with fees mine arrived safe and sound but I did get it shipped in the plastic gun cases that albion sell. I purchased another Albion second hand and that just shipped in the normal box and that also arrived fine.

Did they leave you a little note in there? the one time I have had customs go through one of my packages they put a note in there to say it had been inspected.

Can't wait to see the photos Paul!

So Brian, does that mean if I order the Arn sword I'll get a crate?

Thanks Guys, guess I was just hoping for the wooden box that I’d seen in a few posts, not to worry ;)

No note from customs just a sticker stating that it had been repacked. Ill post some photos tonight but they really did take it apart, they have ripped out the foam inserts that appear to have been glued to the box, probably done sword in hand and they didn’t even reinsert the foam back around the blade. Doesn’t appear to be any damage, but I will fully inspect tonight ;)

Cheers - Paul

Ok finally home and had a chance to take a few photos with the iPhone (sorry) Ill get a chance on Sunday to take some better shots in natural light, to many reflective surfaces to take photos at night time.

Have to say that I love this sword, its feel fantastic in the hand, its just how I imagined it would be. Also have to say a big thankyou to Adam from roninswords.com.au for making this such an ezy process.

You can see from the pics that the packaging treatment is a bit disappointing but the sword was none the worse for the treatment. There are a few minor imperfections and some staining on the guard, but I still have to give it a good clean up, wipe off the oil etc.

And while I think of it, would you all recommend renaissance wax to look after it??

Sorry ill take some better pics on Sunday ;)

[ Linked Image ]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
[ Linked Image ]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
[ Linked Image ]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
[ Linked Image ]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
[ Linked Image ]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
[ Linked Image ]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
[ Linked Image ]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
[ Linked Image ]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I love that sword.... It has always been one on my to buy list.

It might just have been your postal service. I have been in many countries and have had some very 'interesting' experiences. One time I got a Indiana Jones collectors edition of all the DVDs and the box had been scalped and was crushed and the shoe tread was still visible. When I complained as it was insured they said I needed to prove they had damaged it...... I asked if I could go and look at their shoes. :lol:

At least the sword is in good condition right!

RPM

WOOT! (want one of those)
It looks like there's some oxidation on it. The problem with other people playing with your toys is that they don't have the presence of mind to wear gloves or whipe it down after putting their greasy fingers all over it.

I like the cardboard boxes from Albion. Having purchased shipping boxes in the past (a little 12x16x16 was like $7 US!!), I can tell you that though it is "only" cardboard, It is a very durable box. But at the same time it saves on shipping weight which translates to cheaper shipping costs to you. I'm saving my box, because it's easily a $20-$30 cardboard box.

The one to Australia looks like it's seen much better days. I think it must have been used as a rudder to steer the boat that got it there.
If you want a wooden crate, I'm sure that Albion will sell you one if you ask, but you'd be better off commissioning one locally, with the costs of shipping sky rocketing. The shipping alone would pay for a crate.
-Terry

Still a great sword and still looks like better work than almost anybody else.

Does customs get excited about the packages they inspect?

The repack almost looks like the customs boys took it out for some swinging in a bit of haste then tried to put it all back in the box again (real fast) so nobody would find out what they had done, and then couldn't figure out how to put it all back together again.

Just a quick question guys, you will notice in my 6th photo looking down the blade at the hilt that it has a pretty rough finish in the insert, is this normal or am I expecting a bit to much? ;) apart from this minor rough finish the sword is pretty much floorless.

Just been giving it a clean up and about to use some WD40 on the blade untill i can get something a bit better ;) and ill try and take some better pics ;)

I'd call it normal for most vendors. Abnormal for high end custom. Not what I have normally seen from Albion over the years, BUT I've seen much less of their work first hand for the last two or three years.

Hmmm it’s the same on both sides of the blade, it doesn’t really detract from the sword but nonetheless its still a pretty rough finish. Its more surprising as I thought that the hilts were cast and as such shouldn’t really need that much tooling, lol says the Accountant with no experience in this field ;)
[ Linked Image ]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us/URL]
[URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/18/img0534ev.jpg/][ Linked Image ]

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I just got my Crecy about a week before you and mine has the same flaws. It's unfortunate, but probably something that only I will notice.

Yeah, I'd say that looks a little rough,

It's unfortunate that you are all the way in AUS. If that was on a sword Albion sent me I would send it back to be fixed but I live in the US. Still, this amount of imperfection is consistent with some period examples I would think, though doesn't quite match the nearly perfect symmetry of the rest of the sword.

I'd be a little annoyed.

I think this is mostly going to come down to personal expectation for the product. Some roughness in that area is almost always par for the course from almost any vendor, although it is admittedly much less usual for Albion (in my experience). The roughness is most likely only going to be noticeable on very close inspection (or when specifically looking for it) and it should not adversely impair the performance of the sword in any way. It honestly looks purely cosmetic and very minor.

That said, if you're concerned, you need to contact Albion and see what they say about it. This may or may not be within their acceptable finish standards. Only they can tell you that and only they can remedy the issue if its not within specification.