We did a few of these way back under the name Monarch with Gus Trim made blades though I had always intended this to be one of our regular production models. I have tweaked the design of the fittings and the blade is shorter than the original version. The scabbard design is not quite ready to be revealed yet but the blades for these have already landed here in Dallas and I am only waiting to get my fittings back from the foundry.
These will be hot peened assembled. For the fittings I made wax prototypes by hand and then made molds from the waxes. They are then sent to a foundry right here in the US. These are mild steel not stainless so I can now offer these in the regular finish, antiqued or blackened. This is a real step up from what we have done before so the scabbard designs will be a higher level as well. I would really appreciate your thoughts on this model.
I actually have a several new models that I will introduce this Summer so I will only be taking a few orders on each model so I can work on all of the new swords without becoming overrun. I figured the best way to do this would be to release a Pre-Production run limited to just 10 swords each model. I will take pre-orders up to 10 on each model and after I have completed the first 10 on each model I will then open up the rest of the swords to be sold. These will be available exclusively through the custom sword shoppe for the first runs. I should have the cart updated for the pre-orders by this coming weekend. After a model has been proven as a viable production design I will add it to my regular line. This way I wont have assets tied up in a slow moving design.
This is my new business model going forward. I think this is the best way for Valiant Armoury to grow in these economically hard times.

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That looks very good, Sonny. Of course, it looks very much like Records, XVIII.1, the Henry V funerary achievement sword.

I look forward to seeing the other new models.

Valiant Armoury had a Crecy sword long before I ever bought the company. Not a favorite design of mine but I have always liked the name. That is why I have no apprehension using that name again even though there is another well known maker using Crecy as well. Mine will be built on a type XVa blade. This one uses the same recessed pommel as the new Monarch but has a wide down-turned bow tie guard that I think goes well with the overall concept I am shooting for.


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I am not competing with Albion. You don't compete with Albion with Blades forged in China. What I have been planning for years and am now doing is redesigning old models from Valiant Armoury before I bought the company. VA had a Henry V for many years before. We had also done the Monarch with Gus Trim at one time This is a combination of those 2 swords. They are inspired by the Henry V so of course they will look similar. I just happened to want to use the name Monarch rather than Henry V for this one.

Thanks for your thoughts


Edited to remove an unfair assumption on my part ;)

There are lots of people who would love to buy an Albion Kingmaker, but can't afford one. They can probably afford the Monarch. In my opinion, Valiant fills an important niche - selling real swords at mid- level prices. Just about every other sword by other makers at this price level has serious weight, blade geometry, and harmonic balance flaws.

The Crecy looks awesome, Sonny! Can't wait to see it in steel, and these other designs in the works, sounds like you've been busy! Will it have a diamond cross section or hollow grind?

Very nice Sonny. I've always thought that Records XVIII.1 was one of the most attractive swords ever. As to the comparison to the Albion Kingmaker, so? After all, Arms & Armor has had the Henry V in its lineup, I think, longer than anyone. It is a beautiful sword and the availability of quality interpretations of the design at several price points is something to be lauded.

By the way, Albion's Kingmaker isn't based on the Henry V sword. Same family, different specs, and different source of inspiration.

Hi Sonny,

I did not mean to imply that you purposely copied an Albion model. I also realize that reproduction of swords based on the Henry V (or sisters swords as they are a bunch) will ultimately share common features. To some extent. Just think the previous signature models had a more distinct visual identity (Bristol, Actium etc).

Sonny Suttles wrote:

This is one of the reasons I rarely post on this forum. Everyone here is Albion centric and few companies are taken as they are without that comparison.

You seem to have made up your mind already, however I don't believe that's true. I myself couldn't afford to be "Albion centric" if I wanted to. I've shown interest in the valiant signature line on more than one occasion on this very forum. In fact I think the VA signature and the Hanwei tinker are among the most interesting production lines around these days (teaming with renowned makers, making their design affordable to many etc.).

I'll leave it at that, and for what it's worth, I like your Crecy design quiet a bit.

J

Sonny - will the peen blocks be separate or forged into the pommel?

Actually I built molds both ways. I have to wait until I get the fittings back before I decide which way I plan to go for the peen blocks William.

Here is another remake.
The Valor

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Nice. Looks like a bigger Bristol?

Wowowowow, I really like the Valor sword! Two quick questions for you: When will these swords and specifically the valor be available and will you be using a distributor based in the EU to sell these swords or would I have to order directly from the states?

Thanks!

The blades have landed here in Dallas so it will be pretty quick for these. The pre production run of these will be available exclusively through the Custom Sword Shoppe here:
http://www.customswordshoppe.com/shoppe/index.php?cPath=1
They are not up yet but will be soon and when they are, we do ship to Europe :)
Thanks
Sonny

Np Sonny. To be fair and reading my initial post again I find it rather clumsy and not particularly constructive.
The valor looks pretty awesome.

J