[Gabriel Lebec]

Albion Swords exhibited at the New York Custom Knife Show today and yesterday. I couldn't pass up a convenient opportunity to examine their wares firsthand and decide between the Regent and the Munich, so I paid a visit. I had the pleasure of meeting Mike Sigman and Harlan Hastings, who handed me more blades than I can recall.

I'll post my brief impressions of those I do remember, but a quick disclaimer: as I am fond of repeating, my principal focus is nihonto (Japanese blades) and I am less than expert at western-style A&A. Also there was obviously no way to do forms in the middle of a show, so these really are impressions in the strongest sense of the word. Still, I was impressed by the aesthetics and feel of Albion's swords, which surpassed my expectations from photographs and reviews.

Maestro Line

I:33 - This single-hand practice blade was the nimblest of those I handled. The treated handle is very grippy, which is a good thing in a practice piece. It gave the impression of being every bit as solidly constructed as a "real" sword and looked more or less like one as well.

Next Generation Line

The Baron - big, wide, and thin; vibrated just from being picked up (or smacked repeatedly on the handle ). Because of that thinness it still felt as well-balanced as many other swords despite it's imposing visuals. Not my kind of sword but that's a matter of personal taste.
The Sempach - The hexagonal cross section blade with fuller was handsome, as was the unique pommel. Among the nicest handling of the longswords but somehow it did not speak to me.
The Gallowglass - Gorgeous! A very light and elegant long sword with tons of character. I particularly appreciated the crisp lines of the blade engravings. This shot way up to the top end of my favorites list.
The Vassal - The numerous bevels, fullers, edges, points and contours of this wide blade were a lot of fun. It felt a bit substantial in just one hand, but not excessively so.
The Soldat - Zippy; felt good in one hand. The hilt construction was clean and flush from surface to surface. Not my favorite blade shape but super responsive.
The Earl - The blade, same as on the Regent, was Grand - best way to describe it. The hollow grind was actually quite subtle yet lent the blade a distinguished appearance even from a distance. It was stiff and had threatening blade presence. I liked the crossguard style, and the pommel seemed comfortable enough to grip.
The Regent - see above for the blade. I prefer the appearance of this sword's pommel to that of the Earl, but it might be uncomfortable to hold without gloves. I definitely liked this sword as much as I thought I would. However...
The Munich - Before seeing this in person I was leaning towards the Regent for my purchase. Not anymore; the Munich just spoke to me. The proportions and feel give it a noble yet vicious character - it wants to attack. The half-wire grip seemed fine without gloves (though I'd order it without wire) and the sword as a whole felt very comfortable for my build (tall and thin).

Museum Line

The Brescia Spadona - this was my original favorite of the museum line, for the beauty of it. It was indeed lovely in person, except for the flat crossguard terminations. Despite it's accuracy I never really liked that element, but it actually distracted me more firsthand than I expected. In any case a responsive and pretty blade.
The Svante - WOW. I never really "got" this one from photos. Harlan (I think; I was distracted as you are about to hear) handed it to me and the moment my hand closed on it I Understood. Not only is it an incredibly impressive looking sword with superb detail in the pommel, tooled leather rainguard, and grip, but it feels amazing. It's an outright beast, but floaty, balanced very far back. Harlan (or perhaps Mike - again, distracted) quoted the weight (4 lbs) and I did a double take. The long grip and large pommel doubtlessly add to this effect, but it does not feel like a huge 4 lb sword. It instead feels like a huge... not-4-lb-sword. Sorry, it's hard to describe. This is one red-blooded, take-no-prisoners, monumental weapon of war, but all of that is married to refinement, balance, and art. It's dangerous: you pick it up and suddenly want to destroy something. Maybe a pumpkin. Preferably a tank. I definitely did a 180 on this one; awesome, in the biblical sense.

Well, there you have it. Thank you again to Mike and Harlan for exhibiting in NY, it was great meeting both of you. Questions and discussion welcome.
-G.L.L.

[Andy Bain]

Gabriel, I know exactly what you're talking regarding the Svante. I met Mike and Harlan and the knife in Eugene, OR earlier this year. I got to handle a lot of the stock they had brought, and boy did my eyes light up when I held the Svante. It went from being a sword that I had admired and thought would be nice to own one day to being right up there on the next-to-buy list. Mike kept putting it back in my hands with a little smirk on his face. He knew exactly what he doing. I ended up ordering one before I left.

Did you get to handle the Laird, Solingen or Thegn? All three of those impressed me as well.

[Gabriel Lebec]

Hi Andy,

No, I don't think so; I'm pretty sure the above list covers most or all of the pieces I handled, though they naturally brought many more to the show. But yeah, that Svante is a serious risk to one's bank account.

-GLL

[Bob Burns]

Hi Gabriel, I am one of the lucky one's to own the Vassal and yes it is an amazingly magnificent sword
Oh Yes, the Svante, isn't that a beauty! If I could have the opportunity to own just one Museum Line, Albion Sword, it would most definitely be the Svante!
I can't even imagine how good that sword must feel in one's hands! Glad you had the opportunity to feast your hands on an abundance of Albion Swords.

Best

Bob