[Matthew R.]

Hello all,

I just opened my Albion Baron (I received it on the 18th but was forced to wait until today to open it) and I am very impressed by it. You can read the reviews of the sword yourself so I won't bother writing one here.

I do have some minor concerns though. This is my very first sword so please bare with me.

What bothers me the most is the pitting. There are 3 small pits on the hilt and one really large one that you can truly feel if you rub your thumb over it. The pommel also contains 4 small pits. There is also a dent on the side of the hilt. Furthermore, there was what seemed to be oil stains on one side of the pommel that I removed using an eraser, though I had to press somewhat hard. There also appears to be a similar stain on the blade, which is otherwise perfect. I dare not try to remove it from the blade as I am afraid of damaging it.

Is it normal to have this many pits and stains on a brand new piece? I have to admit that it does bother me especially after reading that some swords that are being sold on the forums have no pits even though they are well-used. I know some people like to have a sword that looks used, but I am not one of them, especially one that is straight out of the box. Also, you have to realize that I live in Canada and this sword cost me around $1400 after shipping, duties and taxes, and the exchange.

I wouldn't say that I am disappointed with the sword at all, it is everything I expected it to be. It is really the one large pit on top of the hilt and the dent that bother me the most. If I could just get the hilt replaced I would be truly extatic. But again, shipping to Albion back and forth from Canada is very expensive. I also feel that maybe a hilt with two pretty big flaws should not have gone out.

Again, all these things might be normal. Any opinions would be greatly appreicated.

Happy Holidays!

[Chad Arnow]

Matthew,
I've had a few Albions and some have more pits and issues with hilts than others. My Regent's hilt is flawless. The Sovereign is almost flawless; same with the Gaddhjalt. The Sempach has some flaws/pits. The pommel on my Baron looks like it had a large casting flaw that someone attempted to fill via welding. The end result is noticeable.

I don't mind it or I would have returned it. Some people would be bothered by it.

Some small pits are par for the course on cast fittings. Albions have them, so do Del Tin, A&A and others. A few small pits don't concern me and can add to an authentic look. Too many or too large, and that's a different story. A dent might bother me, depending on where and how much.

Any chance you could post pics?

[Jeremy V. Krause]

Most of my albions have a few pits. You can use the most fine sandpaper and a gray scotchbrite pad to remove the stain on the blade. You will not damage it. You may have to run the scotchbrite over the whole side of the blade to match it up but I don't wory about this as the difference is so negligible. Gray scotchbrites match the finish on Albions.

Jeremy

[Jeff Kaisla]

Might be worthwhile to point out, make sure you run the scotch brite pad from guard to tip.....this way you keep the finish uniform instead of just one small area where it may be noticable. I believe there is a video on youtube that shows an Albion employee polishing a blade. I believe its the "How its Made : Albion Swords" clip.

[Matthew R.]

Hi guys,

I was going to post some pics of the sword on here to augment my post, but a recent discovery has convinced me to return the sword.

I found a small chip in the blade. While some people might just fix the problem themselves, I believe that given the fact I am not equipped, skilled nor do I desire to fix it, I will be returning it. I don't even want my money back, I just want the exact same sword without any of these major flaws.

I might post pics of the chip and the other flaws later. Right now, I have an E-mail to write.

Take care.

[Jeremy V. Krause]

If there is damage to the edge I completely agree that this is the appropriate action and I know that albion will be more than pleased to make you happy.

Jeremy

[Matthew R.]

Yes, I am sure everything will be handled fine, I am not worried about that. I still have the utmost confidence in the company. It is a small chip, but a chip nonethless. I will b posting pics later today.

What hurts the most is that despite these flaws, the sword is the most beauiful thing I have ever seen (next to my girlfriend). I just know it should/could be better.

[Edward Hitchens]

Hey Matthew,

I'm sorry to hear of your sword's flaws and I hope it gets resolved. I've owned quite a few Albions and A&A's over the years and pitting here and there is not unheard of; not even unusual. Though the assembly process of an Albion sword does involve some use of machines, their swords are mostly made by hand. And like any handmade object, there may be some geometrical flaws and pitting.

But I agree, extensive pitting and nicks would bother me. The folks at Albion have always been very helpful. I hope you had a Merry Christmas!

[Matthew R.]

I am also worried about having to ship the sword back to Wisconsin. I live in Canada, and had to pay duties and taxes as well as brokerage fees to get the sword over the border. I hope I don't have to pay these hings again. I do have a receipt for the payments I made, so I am hoping I can just attach it to the box. I also hope I don't have to pay shiping and handling as that is another $100 for me.

Has anyone had any experience wth returning items across the border?

[Jean Thibodeau]

[Matthew R.]

Hi Jean,

Thanks for replying. I was hoping you would as I know you are a fellow Canuck.

I have E-mailed Mike and listed all the flaws with the sword. He always gets back to me in a day, but its Christmas so I am not expecting something soon. I really feel The problem will be handled well.

Minor pitting really would not be worth it. There is just one really deep pit that bothers me and the chip in the blade's edge kind of sealed it for me. Also, the staining which I can't seem to get off.

I would feel bad returning the sword if the damage was caused by a customs person. But there is no evidence that the box was opened as it was strongly sealed with no indication of tape being torn from the surface.

Just another question: To where do you get your swords shipped? Directly to your house or somewhere in the US close to the border? Is there even a border crossing close to you?

Thanks again for replying.

[Jean Thibodeau]

[Nathan Robinson]

Calling a few pits and a small chip "major flaws" is a bit of an overstatement, isn't it? It is, to me.

[Matthew R.]

Hi Nathan,

Yes you are probably right, it is an overstatment. But in the end, I suppose it is all a matter of perspective.

If I had the know-how and tools to fix these defects they certainly aren't flaws at all. If I don't have these tools, and knowledge, they are flaws. Not major, for sure, that was just my emotions getting in the way. But i still feel they warrant a return.

I didn't want to return the sword to Albion without consulting the community first to see if these things are normal. Pits are normal, a single large pit on the sword's guard might be normal, a small chip on the blade might be normal, stains all over the sword's furniture and some on the blade might be normal, a dent on the sword's guard might be normal, an unevenly sharpened point might be normal given that it is done by hand, a piece of leather not securely glued to the handle might be normal, but all these things combined, to me anyway, equal a sword that is not up to par with what I paid for it nor what I have learned about these swords in reviews and statements by others.

Unfortuneately, I can't post picture right now because I don't have the nessecary cables to hook up to my computer, but I will when I go back to my house on the 28th.

This really is a personal dilemma for me. On the one hand, I very much appreciate that companies like Albion even exist. I know they are a small company and I don't want to increase their costs, especially in this economy, by returning the sword. On the other hand, I have come to expect alot from the company both from their prices and the reviews by others on this website. I also want a product i can be proud to give to my children when I am old. If these defects had been caused by me, I would have no problem, and i would simply chaulk it up to wear and tear. But the fact the sword arrived to me in this condition is something that does not satisfy me. I suppose that is all it comes down to in the end: all things considered, I am not satisified though it does hurt me to have to return it.

Jean,

The sword was shipped on the 15th and arrived at my house on the 17th. I opened it on the 25th. Is that enough time for stains to set in? The sword was covered in oil when I got it and I had to wipe it down all over.

[Nathan Robinson]

Matthew-
My suggestion is not to let this stress you out too much. If you're not happy with the product, please feel comfortable returning it to make the manufacturer fix it to your satisfaction.

[Jason Daub]

Matthew,

A company as reputable as Albion should have no problem with the touch-ups, I have seen myself how even the best QC people can miss stuff during the holiday rush. There is one important thing to watch however, make SURE that when the sword is being shipped back to you that the customs paperwork is filled out with the value of the item for insurance purposes and marked WARRANTY - NO CHARGE, or you may get hit for the GST again (PST too?) on the full purchase price. I have had this happen to me on at least two occasions with other material that I had sent to U.S. manufacturers, Canada Border Services Agency saw the value of the item and charged accordingly, missing the fine print.

[Joe Fults]

Also worth putting an address label, letter with shipper and receiver information (or something) inside the box...the ones on the outside can come off.

[Matthew R.]

Thank you Jason and Joe for your advice ;-)

[Jean Thibodeau]

[Bruno Giordan]