So here I am, wanting to expand my collection, or rather, wanting to start a collection, as having one piece hardly counts as a collection. I have been looking at some Albions, but those are at the upper end of my price range

So, assuming an upper limit of 1000 U.S.D., here are my options.

The Crécy from Albion

The Albion Caithness

Del Tin 5173 Schiavona ( I am particularly interested in this piece)

Armour Class Mortuary Hilt Sword

A&A Saxon Military Sword

or a custom made side or Cut and Thrust sword.

I would especially like opinions from owners of these swords, or from people who have handled them.

I include the Crécy because I like it, but I already own a longsword, the Albion Talhoffer, and I would like to get a single hand sword next.

Advice?

I am also interested in the Albion Liechtenauer, for practice purposes.

Hello there,

as for the swords you mention I am glad to own several Albions now thanks to Soren who brought them to us.

The Crecy is a really nice hand and a half, which is relatively short compared to perhaps the Thalhoffer (I have the fiore, same blade, different fittings). Though it is really quick and seems a lot more cut orientated than the former. The design is nice, though the fuller converting into the diamond shape blade is not perfectly done.

For the single hander I only have the Yeoman, which is really a beast of a sword. It is short and quick but has even enough blade presence not to make it thrust orientated. Which I would consider it useful only as a second task against light to non armoured enemies as the blade is really wide.

The Liechtenauer is a nice training sword that I can only compare to my DelTin 5143, the latter is really unsuitable for partner training, it is much too soft in the blade and the fittings are not so refined as in the Albions. Though my Liechtenauer gives some strange clicking sound in partner work it is still and absolutely tight, I just imagine the where metal contacts metal there is always slight movement even if parts are wedged into place. To make a long story short. I like the Liechtenauer as a trainer very much, it is quick enough, the turning points seem to be good for me, it is not overly flexible, nor is it too stiff, the handle is a little on the long side, which is good for a trainings weapon. Though some people said it might be heavy, or has too much weight in the blade, this is just the taste of people I think.

I just got a Crecy. I recently ditched all my non-Albion swords and won't buy any other production swords. I'd rather have two of these than 10 Windlass swords. (Just personal preference). I like the look of the Patrick Barta custom stuff but that is in a different price league. I have the Albion Agincourt as well as a few others. I don't think you'll be disapointed with any Albion that you go for.

Wow, you've made quite the diverse list and each item on it appeals to me in a different way. I'm not sure I can make a quick decision immediately after reading this post but wanted to reply and say that the A&A Saxon Military Sword is a real interesting piece from many perspectives. It's quite a nice sword and much more versatile than one might immediately presume it to be. I've had mine for well over a decade and have cut many things with it.

I see you have the Armour Class Mortuary listed......as you can tell from my review of it, my avatar and from many past posts...

this is the gem of my collection...if had to part with all my swords( both repro & vintage) my A-C mort. would be the only one
I'd never let go. Everyone that has ever picked up my A-C mortuary has been gob-smacked with how if handles and cuts.

Lots of of other excellent choices you have listed....this is the only one I can comment on. Good luck on your quest.

Cheers,

Bill

Upon further consideration I have chosen my next sword, the Albion Norman. It fits what I am looking for at the moment and is well within my range.