I just have to share some "joy of the moment" with you all. As many of you know, Albion has been working on the Discerner Project, recreating the sword of my family ancestry. I've felt very honored that Albion is doing this project and extremely proud of the work Albion is doing on the sword ... and I'm thinking that someday in the not-far-off-future, the Limited Editions of Discerner will be arriving at my door. In the meantime, though, I received a long package from Albion yesterday (along with a smaller more squared one). Needless to say that when a long package arrives from Albion it can only be one thing ... a sword! Well, I fell to the task of opening the box with a speed that impressed even my wife. Inside was not one ... but two swords! Discerner Prototype 1 and Discerner Prototype 3 (the Special Edition prototype). And in the smaller package, a beautiful two-sword wooden sword stand.
The sentimental value of these two particular swords runs deeper in me than any words I could ever express. I was already very familiar with Prototype 1, having had it for a couple of weeks for inspection and tweaking quite some time ago. As a result, Prototype 2 was born, which rapidly turned into Prototype 3. Though I've seen many photos of Prototype 3 (which turned out to be the final approved sword), yesterday was my first time to see the actual sword itself and hold it. The sword is absolutely perfect and has a feel that is unbelievable. As I drew it from the package, well, I sort of became overwhelmed with lots of emotion and my eyes filled with tears with the joy of the moment and the depth of feeling many many things. As I held it for the first time, I couldn't help but wish that my grandfather was alive today to see this magnificent sword. He'd be so proud of it! All the years and hopes for Discerner to "live" again ... and, now suddenly, it's here! If there were only words enough to express all the emotions and depth of meaning that flood through me! As I sat holding it, a great calm came over me and I guess I was just so excited that I was beyond jumping up and down and carrying on sort of thing. It was a very tranquil excitement with a feeling of ... well, that kind of mild shock that sets in when the culmination of a life-long dream is suddenly realized.
I couldn't resist calling Mike at Albion to tell him how wonderful it was ... only I didn't tell him about crying these big crocodile tears full of joy when I pulled the sword from it's packaging. But, *grin* he knows it now as soon as he reads this! Mike, of course, told me that when the sword came to me it was just going to show up on my doorstep ... a surprise package ... and so he let me stew and squirm in pleasant suspense! True to his word, he never told me a thing and then yesterday what a pleasant surprise it was to come home from work and find it waiting for me ... and it couldn't have arrived at a more perfect moment because I'd had the literal day of perdition at work and arrived home feeling down, frustrated and needing a good cheering up ... and, you can be sure the sword did just that!
I've actually rattled on much more than I planned (because I'm in the process of doing a myriad of honey-do's around the house and my wife is eager for me to get back to work on my chores). I haven't even had the chance to really take some good pics of the swords, but I did manage to do a couple and I've included one on here. I'll do some much better pics as soon as I get through with these chores ... feels like I'm living an episode of "Slaves Of Our Wives"! :eek: LOL
Just had to share my happy moment over Discerner's arrival with all my sword buddies here! And render a most heartfelt "THANKS" and deepest gratitude to Howy, Mike, Eric, Jason and all the wonderful folks at Albion for making the Discerner Project a reality and for bringing a proud piece of my family heritage to life again! Albion, you're the greatest! All my deepest and best regards to all of you.
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![Discerner's Arrival 2.jpg](files/discerner_s_arrival_2.jpg)
Just a quick pic of my babies here! Will try to get better pics very soon!