The only Albion sword I own is the Migration type D, which I'll bring. Don't know how helpful that will be since Albion discontinued their 1st generation line.

And yes, I'll have 50 some pool noodles and some plastic milk jugs.

Mark

I've sent out more info to the attendees. If you didn't receive it, please let me know.

Looking forward to this weekend. :)

Just wanted to thank everyone for a good time. We had 9 people show up, and it was a lot of fun.

Thanks everyone who attended and to Albion for sending the box of goodies!

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The group, minus Mark Mattimore.

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The carnage.

A good time was had by all--except possibly the unfortunate pool noodles.

We tried to find some peasants, but they all went into hiding.

Thanks again, Chad.

Mark

Looks like it was a good shindig! Nothing brightens a day like seeing the pool noodles litter a stricken field.

So.... tell me about that Crecy. I have already ordered mine, but even once it gets shipped, it is going to my family in Colorado, and I won't get to visit it until Christmas. While I'm waiting, I have to live vicariously through slightly more fortunate souls.

-Grey

Thanks for another great RT party Chad! The weather was far better this time than it was in March. A smaller group than last time, but at least we weren't stepping over each other's persons and swords. ;) -Ted

Good gathering, good weather, a good time.

Now for the opinion part of this post. This is my opinion only and is colored by my preferences. It idoes NOT represent the opinion of anybody other than me!! :-)

The Crecy...

...I think its a bit of an oddball. I also think it represents on of the best values in the Next Gen line. Especially for a beginner who is working to difine sword preference. It is a solid value and an ideal starter sword. The Crecy is not a single hander and it is not a longsword either. It sits on the fence between the two, with all the benefits and drawbacks of being there. That's why I think its a good starter sword. If you're not sure what you like this is an affordable Albion to start with. I think it will grow with you no matter what direction you ultimately go, for a while. However, when I used it as a single hander I wanted a bit less sword. As a Longsword I wanted a bit more sword. Unfortunately it does not mesh with my preferences NOW. I want something distinctly single handed, or distinctly Longsword. A year or two ago this sword would have been a dream for me though.

Many people are going to lovethe Crecy though for very good reasons. It does a reasonable job addressing requirements that are usually met by very different and distinct tools, at a reasonable price point.

Joe,

Thanks for the opinion. What you say seems very valid and thought out, but does raise a question in my mind. Namely, to what extent will the size of the person using the sword affect how they view it? As a small guy (5' 7", 140 pounds), I might find it to fit into the longsword catagory more. I know that very small people can comfortably use very large swords, but I have found that I have a personal preference towards swords of a more moderate scale.

Either way, I know I will like it for what it is, and when the time comes to get a sword that is more definatively single- or two- handed... well, that is why they have the collector's club.

-Grey

Just wanted to say that I had a really great time at my first Albion round table. Thanks to Chad and the guys for making it a truly awesome experience. Also, if there really is a number of people in the eastern ohio, western pennsylvania area that are looking for a round table event, I would love to learn how to put one together. If I was to do so, it would not be until next summer, but I know it would be a lot of fun. Thanks again guys, Aaron and I had a lot of fun!
Charles

As the attendee who ordered the Crecy, perhaps I should weigh in with my impressions.

First, I would not discount Joe's opinions at all. When he talks about a beginner, I would fit that category. Joe has done some training with the longswords, and of course that will color his opinion on any piece in that category. I have not had the benefit of any training, so all my impressions come down to subjective, uninformed feel. This sword felt good to me, and I cut with it as well as I could cut with anything (my technique seemed to involve beating, rather than cutting, the pool noodles).

I am also shorter than Joe, at 5'8, so we can assume that enters into the preference to a degree. I also prefer a somehat lighter sword than Joe does, but this is because as the old man of the group I have some issues with tendonitis. This makes the heavier swords, or those with extreme blade presence uncomfortable for me to wield.

The other sword present that I liked, and considered ordering was the Laird, but most of my other swords are single handers so I opted for a hand and a half style. The price point was the final deciding factor.

The other attendees had good impressions of this sword also, so it should make a good seller for Albion.

Mark