[David Lannon]

I just Ordered the Doge from Albion as my 7th free sword from them. I saw Chads Mercenary with the blue grip and had an idea. How about the dark blue grip with black lines like the Ox-Blood color. I emailed Albion and Mike said they could do it.

At the last moment I chickened out and ordered a Magenta grip instead. So, what do you think, stay with Magenta or go with the "Blue-Blood" grip?

Cheers
Dave lannon

[Nathan Robinson]

I'd think that one needs something dark, dark, dark... I've never seen a sword like that without a dark grip. Black would be my personal choice.

[Aaron Schnatterly]

I'm the anti-black-grip guy - really don't care for black as a general rule. I have it on my Brescia, and it's fine there - shows the detail of the riser quite well. It may have worked in some of the other colors equally well, had it been an option. I have it on the Landgraf - don't like it at all, but still really do like the sword. I would have liked to see it in a dark brown or deep red/brown. All of the rest of my pieces are anything but black.

Having said all this, I may actually have to jump into Nathan's court here - something black or near black just feels right to me on this piece. A DARK blue with black highlights would turn it that almost black. A lighter blue, and it may actually look a bit hokey, in my opinion.

Oh, and isn't that a sweet deal about the 6&1 from Albion for those of us fortunate few who can manage? Applied mine to the Svante... made an unobtainable piece fall within reach.

[Joe Fults]

I have hell with colors (Red Color Defect), so I just do black on eveything to keep it simple.

I know that helps you not a bit, but it does make matching accessories and cloting a bit easier; at least for me.

[Patrick Kelly]

Black, always black.

[Brian M]

David,
Albion's colors (no offense to them) don't always look like you expect, or like they look in photos.
I ordered a custom blue grip once and it came out looking black. So I would stay away from that color.
Here's my personal experience of what the grip colors look like:

Albion Color=What it looks like in person:
Black=Black (duh!)
Blue=Black
Dark Brown=Black
Oxblood=Medium Brown with very slight reddish tint
Red=Darkish Rusty Red. Very nice, actually.

I haven't gotten the Magenta or Campaign Brown yet, so I can't tell you about them. Of the colors I have, I would actually pick the Red for the Doge. I think that would look quite nice.

Regards,
Brian M

[Chad Arnow]

Albion's grip colors do vary quite a bit and have caused some frustration on my end (ask Mike). The blue you see above is pretty reflective of what mine looks like in real life now, assuming you have the same video card, monitor, and monitor settings I do. It came darker than what is shown, however. I lightened it up with by rubbing it with a lightly-alcohol-soaked rag. Then I used a leather conditioner/sealer. The risers remain darker, like it came, since I didn't get them very well, but I like the look. A blue grip on a Templar I saw was basically black unless you held it in direct bright sunlight.

I have Oxblood on my Sovereign. I ordered it before the old Oxblood formula became Magenta, and the new Oxblood is much more brown. Not what I was expecting (I wanted the old oxblood), but I've grown to like it very much. The magenta grip on the Mercenary, which also looks pretty true to real life on my setup, was exactly what I was expecting, though: a rich red with dark "highlights."

The dark brown is pretty dark these days, from what I saw in Atlanta. Even the light brown ("campaign worn") is less bright and mottled looking than it used to be.

Don't expect an exact color when your order. Albion does say "Grip colors may vary slightly due to the authentic processes and natural materials used" but they tend to vary very much. They probably could benefit from a stronger disclaimer about color variations, but that's just my opinion.

[Thomas Jason]

I suggest "Dark Plum".

It's a deep, dark purple that's almost black, but with a purple hue that is simply breathtaking next to a blued guard and pommel.

[Edward Hitchens]

I picked black for my Fiore; I'm not a big fan of brown grips except only on certain swords (like Viking swords).

In my opinion, Dave, definitely black for the Doge (but that's just me).

Hey, you know what would be cool?? Have a link on each NextGen page where you can see what any sword would look like with any of the offered grip colors (or with a fire-blued hilt)! Though I do think Chad and Brian are correct about how the grip colors vary. I'm just thinking out loud.

I know green isn't offered as a grip color, but there wouldn't be a more suitable color for the Kern or Gallowglass! -Ted

[Aaron Schnatterly]

[David Lannon]

thanks for the input guys.....Aaron, I am also in the "anti black grip" camp. I like a little color. (although I saw pics of a yellow grip once and just shuddered. The more I think about this particular sword however I do think DARK would be more appropriate. Maybe a very dark blue or that dark plumb that was mentioned . Anyone got a pic of the Plum?

Nathan, how about a blued pommel an guard? You are the resident expert on these types, were any blued?

thanks, I love making these hard decisions

Dave Lannon[/i]

[Mark Mattimore]

I'm a basic black-and-steel kind of guy but am building up the courage to try something different. Several items that I have in mind I'm thinking of going oxblood or brown. It really depends on the sword, the era of the sword and the overall aesthetic you're going for.

I've seen Chad's blue Regent in person and can say that it is very pretty but darker than I expected. But that is probably a good thing as a lighter blue would just be weird and too "fantasy". I'd be very interested in seeing how a plum or "blue-blood" color would turn out.

[Aaron Schnatterly]

[Thomas Hoogendam]

I only have one Albion (yet;)), with a light-brown grip. Not what I would call light-brown myself, but it looks great.

Although for the Doge it would probably look... well, a bit common. If you could make sure that the guys over at Albion won't make it to dark, a deep Royal Blue would look fantastic on the Doge, IMO.

Have you guys ever heard of the Senseo coffee machines?? They come in different colors, including a very nice Royal Blue. In normal daylight, it's indeed a darker blue. Sometimes, from a certain angle, it's a bit blue/purple, and in a dark corner it looks black.

IMO, a fantastic color for a more 'stately' sword like the Doge.

[Chad Arnow]

[Aaron Schnatterly]

[Thomas Hoogendam]

[Aaron Schnatterly]

[Thomas Hoogendam]

[Aaron Schnatterly]