[Jay Barron]

After reading a thread recently aout Jody Samson swords, I decided to check out what he currently had available. To my utter surprise the sword that I had been drooling over for more than a year had still not sold. So, after much groveling to my long suffering wife and a nice chit-chat with superguy, Mike, the awesome Jody Samson Carolingian sword will soon get a newly sharpened edge and be on it's way from the far side of Albion to it's new home with me. I will post more when I get my greazy paws on it.

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[Robert Zamoida]

Congratulations!! :D :D

[Nathan Robinson]

During our visit to Albion a few weeks ago, Patrick Kelly and I saw each and every Jody Samson sword that Albion currently had in stock. We literally raided their stock room, removed each and every piece from its box, swung it around and felt the balance and heft, examined the details, and carefully put each back.. often wishing we could take it home.

What can I say about Jody's work? Well, let me be blunt and to the point: It's my belief that Jody is at the absolute top of the heap when it comes to fantasy-inspired edged weapons. More info? Yeah, okay, well.. I haven't seen another maker as endlessly creative as Jody. Unless he's making a special production run of a piece (and I'm not really clear if he does this often), each and every piece is unique from the other. He's hugely prolific, working at least 10 hours a day each and every day of the week. His carving ability is second to none, and he's obviously a hell of a grinder. The waxes that surround his shop and storeroom are an art exhibit in itself.

Damn impressive stuff, but none of this surprised me. Being fortunate to live in California and be exposed to his work on the Renaissance circuit here, I've seen Jody's work for many, many years. His stuff has always been sweet.. it would be interesting to see Patrick Kelly's reaction, as I believe this was the first time he's seen Jody's work first-hand.

Hm. I didn't expect this response to be this type of post, but Jody made a great impression during our visit. He was a gracious host, a good conversationalist, and just a damn cool mofo. I hope to get a chance to drink a few beers with him down the road sometime soon.

Jay, that's a hell of a cool toy you're gonna get. The hollow-grinding on the blade, like most of Jody's work, is difficult to really appreciate without being able to handle and rotate the piece yourself. It's pretty damn cool stuff.

[Jay Barron]

Thanks for your input, Nathan. I really respect your opinion and am now even more excited to be getting the Carolingian sword. I have always liked the look of Jody's swords but preferred to own more historical pieces. The Carolingian is the perfect Samson sword for me because It has more of a historical look to it than a lot of his other swords. Plus I'm a sucker for wide body, big fullered, bad ass barbarian migration era blades! :D

[Nathan Robinson]

Here's a few pics of Jody's shop, where your sword was made:

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This is only his shop, and is separated from Albion's other shops! Yes, those are all his grinders!

[Jay Barron]

Too cool. Judging by those pictures Jody must be a neat freak.

[Patrick Kelly]

I can only echo everything that Nathan said. While I had seen a few examples of Jodys work over the years I have never been exposed to such a large sampling at once. One of the most impressive things about Jodys work is that he does it all free hand. No guides or jigs of any kind in all of that hollow grinding. Out of all of the swords that Nathan and I handled there was only one that didn't have an excellent feel to it, and it still wasn't bad. I was very surprised at the nice handling characteristics of Jodys work, and Nathan's right, he got to be the most prolific sword maker around.

Nathan and I both found Jody to be enthusiastic and quite talkative, the opposite of what I had been led to expect from what everyone had told me about him. I was told that Jody either likes you right away or simply doesn't. On our second day at Albion I was also told that Jody had made the comment "Those review guys are pretty neat." I have to say that the feeling is mutual.

[Nathan Robinson]

Here's a photo of Patrick holding a Jody Samson sword, enjoying it thoroughly. Behind Patrick are just a few of the boxes of "in stock" swords that we pillaged through.

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[Nathan Robinson]

Here's another photo from one of the workbenches of Jody:

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[Thomas McDonald]

Congratulations Jay ..... may she serve ye well !

Great pic's Nathan ..... Albion must be doing really well to hire that State Trooper to personally guard all those swords *g*

Mac

[Patrick Kelly]

"Albion must be doing really well to hire that State Trooper to personally guard all those swords *g* "

Kickbacks man, kickbacks :D

[Joel Chesser]

Wow Jay, that sword rocks! I have been admiring it on the web site for a while. You beat me to it! :lol: Congrats dude!

[Jay Barron]

Hi Joel,

I have been admiring that sword fom a distance ever since it was put on Jody's site. I never thought I'd actually be buying it. However, after my fantastic experience with Albion offering to make me a Gaddhjalt to replace the one I bought (off the SFI classifieds) and never recieved, my entheusiasm for sword collecting was rekindled. I really wanted that sword and I also really wanted to support Albion Armorers. So the rest, as they say, is history. I'm expecting to have the Carolingian sword in my hands tonight!!!

[Joel Chesser]

Sweetness! I Hope it is everything you want it to be. you'll have to post pics, and descriptions. I'd be real eager to see them.