[Howard Waddell]

Due to our rising costs, we are forced to implement a price increase as of August 2, 2010.
Until August 2nd, you can still reserve swords at the old price (either through deposit or payment plan).
All existing orders will be honored, as we always do, at the price at the time of order.

Sorry to have to do this - but we have fought it off as long as we can.

Best,

Howy

[Dan Dickinson]

That is sad news, but I guess you have to do what you have to do to survive. Any idea of how much of an increase we'll see?
Thanks and best wishes,
Dan

[Jonathan Blair]

Guess this means I will have to cherish the one Albion I already have all the more.

Very sad...

[Tim Lison]

Will it affect all models including those not yet in production?

[Wade McManus]

I first saw an Albion sword at BLADE three years ago. I have two of their swords thru good deals on this thread and previously lower prices. The quality of their swords is undeniable. But the reality is...is that they are tough to afford for most of us swordheads.

I hate to see this increase too.

Wade

[Jonathan Blair]

While I am sure that Albion has a good reason to raise the prices (whether it is that new $100,000 piece of equipment to increase production or the pressing need to give their employees a salary adjustment), it matters little. At some point, people will begin to ask themselves "is it worth it?"

Sword making is a niche business for a non-essential luxury item. There are likely only a few million people who would buy swords. Having said that, there are now more sword makers in the world than there have been in centuries. Some are custom shops, others are production shops, all are clamoring for our dollar/pound/euro/yen et al. The average cost of a Next Generation Sword from Albion is $1072.43 with the vast weight toward the higher priced longswords. Assuming a 10% price increase for 2010, that average goes up to $1176.68. The last price increase was 11% two years ago in August of 2008. Assuming a 10% increase every two year period, this means that in August 2014, no Next Generation Sword currently in production will cost less than $1000, except the smaller Roman swords, with the average being $1423.76. This of course does not account for the prices on the Museum Line or other lines.

I'm not trying to pick on Albion here for their price increase. I am simply trying to point out that at the current rate and period of increase, Albion will become too cost inhibitive for the majority of customers much too soon, especially with the increasing quality amongst the lower end sword makers out there.

[Allen Foster]

[Felix R.]

[Rob Stanford]

I agree, the pieces Albion deliver are of good quality, but the economic reality has moved other makers like Gus and Christian into LOWER cost alternates such as the Chimera range. Others like Valiant are offering deals on nicely made swords with quality scabbards that are still under half an Albion. Custom makers seem more willing than ever to make deals to stay in work, and raw material cost and wages for many have stagnated.

Unfortunately for many people like me, would rather 2 VA's in the hand than one perfect Albion in my mind...

[Nathan Robinson]

[Jeremy V. Krause]

Albions certainly are expensive- that's for sure,

I could never plop down that cool grand at one time that's why I have bought all of my albions on payment plans.

Do the less expensive swords from other makers offer payment plans?

Another thought on custom makers- though many produce excellent products- does the research on these blades bring them to the level of historical precedence we found in albions. How much hands on research has the maker spent with antiques? Is historical precedent his/her primary concern or is personal artistic inspiration also a driving factor even if it may depart from what history has left us. Strict historical precedent is my primary interest, hence I seek out products with the highest level of attention given to this area.

This quest has actually lead me to seek weapons in two parallel veins. I will buy albions if I want a faithful representative of a given sword type.

I also will buy swords with a more specialized attention to more historical materials and processes like incorporating iron and using inlay and other specialized construction factors. These will invariably be from custom makers- though I will pick makers with a real passion for producing "more" historically accurate pieces. I say "more" because we all know that we can only approach that elusive "historically accurate" descriptor, but never really claim it.

Nathan once used the phrase "less historically innaccurate." I like that.

Sorry, I guess this does wander off topic a bit- but it does touch upon the kinds of decisions that drive some of our purchasing choices.

[Allen Foster]

[Antonio Lamadrid]

I have never understood Albion’s unbalanced pricing policy. Although I know that many of you will find it quite logical and disagree with me. Also I do not pretend to be so naïve as to think that I would run their pricing policy better than them.

On one side, you have little gems like the Earl or Munich for a very moderate amount. Maybe “cheap” is not the word, but any good swordsmith will charge you more than Albion for a similar custom piece.

Then, on the other, you have other models, like the Cherusker or the Svante, whose prices are, IMO, outrageous, no matter how many hours Mr. Johnsson has spent researching on them in faraway museums, among other factors.


I think in the end it all comes down to the importance you give to historical accuracy. Most of those who appreciate it will think their swords are worth it.

[Michael Edelson]

When it comes to certain kinds of swords, there is nothing like an Albion. There simply is no alternative. So far, even with this increase and a few more, their prices are quite reasonable for what they make. An Albion is like a high end watch, it is an heirloom quality item that will, with proper care, outlive you.

And for those of us who use their swords in our martial arts careers, they are absolute bargains and an absolute necessity. People practicing JSA are used to paying those kinds of prices, and more, for their swords, and they do it gladly, becuase these swords (and my Albions) are an intergral and necessary part of what we do and who we are.

At the end of the day, what matters is what you want. Do you want (or need) the best? Or will you settle for an economy alternative. It is a decision people make all the time in other markets. Jaguar or Kia. Your call.

[Chad Arnow]

[Chad Arnow]

[Felix R.]

That is what I am saying. I bought my Yeoman for 520€, my Crecy and the Fiore were below 600€. Now those swords are above 700€. I would never buy those swords for that price. They are really nice. That is for sure.
When they can´t produce for these prices anymore, well then this is the way it is. But if it is just to increase the margin, then you should better think twice.

[Christopher Valli]

This is horrible! I mean, there isn't any kind of financial crisis in this country, and the cost of living isn't increasing or anything. The nerve that Albion would dare raise their prices! They don't need new materials or equipment! And they definitely do not need to give raises ever to their hard working employees!

I once read that sarcasm is the defense of the weak mind, but sometimes it just feels right

Of course prices go up, that is the way things work. Albion makes some of the finest blades I've ever held, and if they feel its necessary to increase the price, well, that's what they have to do. The quality is worth it.

And honestly, if you can currently afford their sword prices, you can save up a little more and still afford them.

[Paul Watson]

Antonio, the Cherusker is one of their least expensive next gens. Do you see it as being expensive because it appears to be so simple? I bet the blade is quite complex and that is where a lot of the production cost would be.

I wish they cost less but I would not want that at the cost of historical accuracy. Like a lot of people here each price increase makes purchasing more of them less likely for me.

[Michael Edelson]