[Matthew R.]

Hello everyone,

This is my first post, but I have been reading the forums for quite some time now. I am very close to purchasing a sword from Albion - either the Baron or Duke as is easily discernable by the thread's title :-).

I read the review of both swords, but I wanted to get some other opinions. Some specific questions I have are: In which aspects does the Duke excel over the Baron and the Baron over the Duke? (eg. Which is the better cutter - from what I have read, it seems the Duke is a slightly better cutter). Which is more visually appealing?

Another question I had is this: Are there any other swords comparable to the Duke/Baron in functionality, visual appeal and price available on the market? There have been a few other manufcaturers that I have come across in my short time as a sword enthusiast - including Angus Trim, Arms and Armour, Armart - that may have similar swords. The Angus Trim's website does show similar swords to the Duke and Baron (specifically, the AT 1562, 1563, and 1415), and perhaps even a bit cheaper, but, as life has taught me, you get what you pay for. So I am wondering what characteristics I would be losing if I purchased an Angus Trim sword, if any. Or if I purchased a similar sword from ArmArt, or Arms and Armour? I am sure manufacturer comparisons like this have come up many times, and I am sorry to re-hash an old subject, but I simply just want to get the best for my money. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. I was very glad to find such a helpful website full of sword enthusiasts!

-Matt Resmini

[Chad Arnow]

Matt,
Hello and welcome to myArmoury. I've handled both swords. My preference is for the Baron, visually and in terms of handling, though I should admit both are personal preferences. I find the guard and pommel both more visually interesting on the Baron.

The two swords handle differently by design. The Duke is the better cutter, but the Baron is more versatile and seemed more responsive in my hands. It seemed to be a better thruster, though neither sword is designed for hardcore thrusting. I think the Baron handles better overall even though the Duke is a slightly more fearsome cutter. If I were looking for cutting power alone, I'd go with the Duke. For more versatility, better looks, and more of a handy feel in-hand, it's Baron all the way.

[Matthew R.]

[Chad Arnow]

Glad I could help. You can thrust with anything if your life depended on it. Hopefully it will never come down to that for any of us. Both the Baron and Duke have points and against lightly armoured or unarmoured foes, they'd do damage. The cross-section of both swords makes them a little too flexible for serious thrusting and the point shapes (especially the Duke) aren't optimized for piercing. But they're sharp and I wouldn't want to get poked with one...

[Craig Peters]

I'd go for the Baron, for the reasons Chad outlines. Generally, I always want my longswords or great swords to have a blend of cutting and thrusting, (though I tend to have a bias towards swords specialized for thrusting). I don't know if you feel the same way, but that would pretty much rule out the Duke for me.

There are a couple of exceptions to this rule. I like Claymores, so I'm interested in the Chieftain, even if it has the Duke's blade, and I also find the Tritonia appealing as well.

[Max von Bargen]

Hi Matthew,

I own an Albion Hospitaller Type XI which has a similarly cutting-focused blade. Yet, in my testing, I've found that it also thrusts surprisingly well. Albion makes their points very sharp, and they'll work well enough.

But I agree with Chad--I seriously hope you never have to thrust with anything for your life!

I'm going to cast a dissenting vote here and go for the Duke based on looks, but I've never handled either.

Enjoy whichever one you end up with!
Max

[Gary A. Chelette]

Having looked at both on the net, I'd say you'd be happy with both! Of course you can only afford one.
I say the Duke.

[Chad Arnow]

Let me throw a wrench into things. How about the Count? The pommel has a flat area for etching/engraving arms. It's better-looking than the Duke (by far, in my opinion) and more nimble as well. It's still a Type XIIIa, just not as big a bruiser. Of course, that means I just spent an extra $100 of your money.

[Scott Hanson]

I own a Baron, and while it's a great sword, sometimes I wish I had opted for the Duke. I do plan to eventually get a Duke at some point, after handling one at Albion several times.

I would have to disagree with Chad's assessment in that I felt the Duke has a better feel in-hand than my Baron. Like preference for looks, this is subjective and I don't think my preference or Chad's makes one sword better than the other. Just thought you might like to hear a second opinion.

[Chad Arnow]

[Jonathan Blair]

[Gary A. Chelette]

[Jeremy V. Krause]

I also like the Duke because I feel that it's design is so historical. Records is full of swords that look very similar to the Duke but I personally haven't seen any that look so closely like the Baron. I also, and this is just me, don't like ingravings as inlays seem much more historical. If I were to get the Baron I would try to find someone to fill in the cross inscription with copper.

The Duke's design- though a bit minimalist- is very historical. Our forefathers appearantly really liked these big spatulate blades.

[Chad Arnow]

[Matthew R.]

Hey guys!

Thanks for your very helpful replies! Jeremy and Scott especially are making me feel better ab out the Duke. I did consider getting the Steward or Count, but bigger is always better isn't it? In all honesty, I think I am going to get the Duke because of its pure ability to cut.

As well, I am going for historical accuracy, so Jeremy's post really helped alot. Money is an issue, but after spending $800 on a sword, I would rather spend the extra $88 on the Duke than get the Steward. But again, you guys have been a big help. Thanks!

[Chad Arnow]

[Matt Doernhoefer]

Hey guys,

As the proud owner of a Duke, I suppose I should step in and defend my sword . I bought my Duke second-hand from Jason, and I couldn't be happier. It feels alive in your hands as it moves, and is a devastating cutter. I have taken it against many targets such as filled 2-liter bottles, small branches (accidental tree trimming) and the results are incredible. I have sliced cleanly through branches, and taken several pieces out of the plastic bottle. The Duke is incredibly sharp, the grip is comfortable and if I could change anything, it would be an increase in the hilt length to accomodate my over-sized monkey paws.

It has a very heavy appearance but is definately very light. The comment I get from my friends is that it looks like it weighs a lot, then they hold it and are surprised. It is my practice tool of choice, mostly because my form training comes from the Lichtenauer school.

I'm trying to get the pictures from my last cutting session. I'll post those and you can see for yourself.

[Matthew R.]

Pictures would be great!

[Craig Peters]

I've got a question: why does the bottom picture of the Duke's on Albion's webpage make the point look so much narrower than the photo of the entire sword below the line drawing? Is it just a weird perspective, or is this actually the tip of a different sword?

http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/ne...photos.htm

[Chad Arnow]