Kudos to Albion for another drop-dead gorgeous sword and a clear demonstration of committment to all customers! I'm not sure where you folks can go from here in terms of product quality. Is there any "up" left?

Looks great! I can't wait for mine. The wire grip looks nice, but I can't afford it. Is there any chance of you doing this on the Fiore?
:D

Some pics of the original I made a while ago:

http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cengelha/alb.../my_photos

Wow!

I love both versions and would have trouble deciding which way to go. That's sure one elegant and deadly design.

Hello,
I see something like a pattern on the original grip, is it leather or fabric?

I've been waiting for this update for a long time. I currently have $500 credit with Albion, and in the time it's been sitting there have watched the price increase(s?) on the Regent with more than a little chagrin. But besides finances, what really held me off on finishing the purchase was this sword - I wanted to see how it would turn out.

Well, it appears to have turned out fantastic! The decision between the two models is harder than ever, and the addition of a wire grip option is a pleasant surprise to say the least. I look forward to the inevitable reviews, photos, and comparisons. Now I just need to scrounge up the balance... looks like I picked the wrong year to indulge my audiophile hobby :p.

To everyone at Albion: congrats on the sword!
-GLL

I have been hoping something would be added to the sales description about the origin and time period of this sword. I believe Albion attributes this as an Oakeshott type XXVIIIb, mid 15th to early 16th century. In the photos it seems to be grouped near an early rapier/ longsword with ring guard and I am thinking this may actually be appropriate.

Another pleasant surprise as of the last few minutes...
My reserve order for the plain wrap grip Munich has been completed and is now shipping!

The sword is beautiful...I really like it (make that love it).

I have a question, however...why is this particular sword so expensive? There is no hollow grinding or complex pommel that require extensive hand work...in fact from looking at it, I would say that this sword requires no more work to finish than an Agincourt or Talhoffer, and far less, for example, than the Regent or Earl. The Earl requires less than the Regent because of its simpler pommel, and so it is cheaper. Following that logic, the Munich should cost about seven to eight hundred dollars.

Is there something I'm missing from the photos?

Hey Michael!

Good that you brought this point up.

There is one important aspect that puts this sword apart from many in the NG line.
The Munich is built very close to the original sword.
The design benefits from personal researh on the original and the blade is within fractions of a milimeter of the original. Even if it does not meet the standards of the Museum Line, this sword is still benefitting from extensive and expansive research.
You get a sword that is not only a very realistic recreation of a late medieval sword, it is also a paritcularly nice example of the type.
How many swords, production or custom are based on this level of research?

It would not have been posible to make this sword unless countless of hours have gone into the analysis of the documentation material.
The only way to fund original research by making swords is to have the price reflect some of the labour and time that has gone into the development of the piece.

Simple shapes and clean lines might seem pretty straight forward but are often more demanding to produce as there is nothing to hide behind. Everything shows. No mistake can be blurred out. It is like chamber music, where each instrument is a soloist.
Just look at the narrow flat in the upper third of the midrib: it is pretty daunting to grind. You cannot slip or push it anywhere, or the whole blade might be ruined. The point on this blade is also demanding. It is narrow and quite thick: to avoid overgrinding and overheating takes awareness and care.
The S-curved guard demands a steady even motion or there will be ridges and waves in the surface, and nothing to hide them with if you are to avoid overgrinding and destruction of the shape.
Even if the details can look deceivingly simple, it is how they come together that makes or breaks the sword. Everything has to be finished just so.
I would ask you to find any other production sword built with the same level of attention to detial in all stages from original research to dedication in production.
This is what sums up to a price.

The price is higher than many other in the line, but it is really not expensive for what you get.

Hi Peter,

That makes sense. I did not realize it was that closely based on the original. Fractions of a milimeter...that's fantastic! This model sort of blurs the line between your next gen line and Museum lines, does it not?

Quote:

I would ask you to find any other production sword built with the same level of attention to detial in all stages from original research to dedication in production.

Excluding the research portion which I know little about and judging solely on the finished products, I would say it's fairly easy to find production swords that match this one. Just go to the Albion website. :)


Mike

I just found this picture of the original out of its case in the photo archive! I'd never seen it not behind glass. Absolutely beautiful. And the reproduction looks like a worthy successor. :D
http://www.myArmoury.com/albums/photo/962.html