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Posts: 967 Location: Michigan

Fri 20 Mar, 2009 2:41 pm

Paul Watson wrote:

Why is the spiral grip the default standard grip for this model? Is this an option that Albion will be looking at for other models, and will the standard grip of other models ever be available for the Vigil?

I agree it would be nice to have the standard option available as the jury is still out for me on the new grip.
Personally I think it would look killer with a grip like my squire's.
Dan
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Posts: 727 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Fri 20 Mar, 2009 2:43 pm

Paul Watson wrote:

Why is the spiral grip the default standard grip for this model? Is this an option that Albion will be looking at for other models, and will the standard grip of other models ever be available for the Vigil?

On that note I wish Albion would offer the small option of grip choice. That being a choice of riser(s), cord wrapped grip, spiral grip, etc. It would go a long way in my opinion.

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Stephan Johansson

Posts: 46 Location: Borås Sweden

Fri 20 Mar, 2009 3:14 pm

I'll find the spiral cord grip having a bit to large thread diameter making the spiral look to coarse.
But if its historically correct I'll can live with that :)

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Posts: 5,739 Location: Wichita, Kansas

Fri 20 Mar, 2009 3:58 pm

Chad Arnow wrote:

A non-black grip? What is this world coming to? :) :p

Hey, I have layers! :D

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Posts: 818 Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA

Fri 20 Mar, 2009 4:33 pm

Patrick Kelly wrote:

Chad Arnow wrote:

A non-black grip? What is this world coming to? :) :p

Hey, I have layers! :D

So you're and ogre?

On a serious note I am still trying to justify getting one with the one still employed only part time as a substitute teacher. Though I guess I could pony up the down payment and see about setting up payments. Or keep saving and have a custom XIIIb made. Decisions decisions. :confused:

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Posts: 395 Location: Upper Hutt, New Zealand

Fri 20 Mar, 2009 4:37 pm

I am with Dan in that the spiral cord grip is yet to grow on me from a purely aesthetic point of view, although I am certain for my tastes it would look fine in a dark colour. This is because the spiral grip gives such bold visual contrast to the grip surface it almost looks too overwhelming in the lighter colour shown, whereas in a dark colour the contrast would be mitigated and the overall effect more subtle.

I would imagine however that ergonomically this spiral grip is better than the standard one due to the material directly under the leather being cord not wood.

As for grip options on swords you always have too keep in mind that Peter always carefully considers what he thinks is appropriate for each sword and the effect of the grip configuration to the swords overall aesthetics and ergonomics. I initially thought a riser at each end may be a solution but on reflection any riser that was thicker than the spiral wrap would probably be too bulky in appearance.

Regardless it is a great sword and I hope to have one sometime. If I did I would probably go for a blue spiral grip and blued fittings.

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Posts: 5,739 Location: Wichita, Kansas

Fri 20 Mar, 2009 5:49 pm

Scott Kowalski wrote:

On a serious note I am still trying to justify getting one with the one still employed only part time as a substitute teacher.

I know what you mean. If this one hadn't been on my "must have" list for years I doubt I would have made the plunge. As it was I had to sell off several lesser pieces to justify it, as well as working a big chunk of voluntary but unwanted overtime. The Kelly family hasn't been hit financially by current events, with both of our jobs being pretty secure. However, with the current climate I just don't feel comfortable spending a lot of money on non-essentials like this. This one's likely to be the last sword added to my collection for quite a while.

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Posts: 5,739 Location: Wichita, Kansas

Fri 20 Mar, 2009 5:55 pm

Paul wrote:

I am with Dan in that the spiral cord grip is yet to grow on me from a purely aesthetic point of view, although I am certain for my tastes it would look fine in a dark colour. This is because the spiral grip gives such bold visual contrast to the grip surface it almost looks too overwhelming in the lighter colour shown, whereas in a dark colour the contrast would be mitigated and the overall effect more subtle.

I don't like the lighter brown color choice and never have, regardless of the model it's used on. I like the cord wrap under the leather covering as it adds strength to the grip structure, but I have to admit it was a bit of a surprise for me on this particular model. I was expecting a grip similar to that in the concept drawing. In the end it's no big deal to me and will add another level of variation in my collection. Although it's a far different sword this is the same treatment used on my Svantes grip and it's one of my favorite things about that design.

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Posts: 5,739 Location: Wichita, Kansas

Fri 20 Mar, 2009 5:58 pm

Dan Dickinson wrote:

Well, it looks pretty close to me compared to another shot. However, I can see a little bit of what you're saying on the right arm.

I think you're seeing an optical illusion caused by the photography and lighting.

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Nathan Robinson

Posts: 11,553 Location: San Francisco

Fri 20 Mar, 2009 6:12 pm

I applaud Albion for adding more grip variety to their lineup. I understand perhaps not offering different options per model, as I can see it adding strain to the production stream and odd product variety in the marketplace, but still am glad to see them pursing variety within their offerings.

Patrick Kelly wrote:

I don't like the lighter brown color choice and never have, regardless of the model it's used on.

I'm not a huge fan of the light brown either, but I love how Howy's personal Next Generation Knight sword looks. It has a "campaign worn" grip and "worn and pattinated" fittings. A really nice effect. I think it could work on other models, too, but not every one.

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Posts: 967 Location: Michigan

Fri 20 Mar, 2009 10:15 pm

Patrick Kelly wrote:

Paul wrote:

I am with Dan in that the spiral cord grip is yet to grow on me from a purely aesthetic point of view, although I am certain for my tastes it would look fine in a dark colour. This is because the spiral grip gives such bold visual contrast to the grip surface it almost looks too overwhelming in the lighter colour shown, whereas in a dark colour the contrast would be mitigated and the overall effect more subtle.

I don't like the lighter brown color choice and never have, regardless of the model it's used on. I like the cord wrap under the leather covering as it adds strength to the grip structure, but I have to admit it was a bit of a surprise for me on this particular model. I was expecting a grip similar to that in the concept drawing. In the end it's no big deal to me and will add another level of variation in my collection. Although it's a far different sword this is the same treatment used on my Svantes grip and it's one of my favorite things about that design.

I agree with Paul and Patrick about the color perhaps ruining the effect for me. I do not personally find most campaign worn grips attractive. In fact ,with the squire, since both the pics in the myArmoury review and on Albion's website were a campaign brown that i found unattractive, i somewhat overlooked the model. However, after seeing a forum member's in oxblood it began to grow on me and is now one of my favorites in the lineup. I think something similar might be going on here as after Patrick mentioned that the grip was the same style as the Svante's I went back and looked at Patrick's pictures....and I found that style growing on me. I'm still a little undecided....but it definately looks better (to me at least) in a darker color....now to see in in oxblood ;)
Dan
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Posts: 727 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah

Fri 20 Mar, 2009 10:53 pm

How about this to ponder:

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Posts: 818 Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA

Sat 21 Mar, 2009 5:21 am

Patrick Kelly wrote:

Scott Kowalski wrote:

On a serious note I am still trying to justify getting one with the one still employed only part time as a substitute teacher.

I know what you mean. If this one hadn't been on my "must have" list for years I doubt I would have made the plunge. As it was I had to sell off several lesser pieces to justify it, as well as working a big chunk of voluntary but unwanted overtime. The Kelly family hasn't been hit financially by current events, with both of our jobs being pretty secure. However, with the current climate I just don't feel comfortable spending a lot of money on non-essentials like this. This one's likely to be the last sword added to my collection for quite a while.

Luckily for me it has not been on my "must have" list. Until now that is. Luckily I have 10 days still to decide, though 3 of those days are weekends leaving only 7! Aargh. Though all the pics that are being posted with the different color grips are really making it tough on me not to go ahead with it. I would just rather maintain peace here in the household though.

Scott

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Stephan Johansson

Posts: 46 Location: Borås Sweden

Sat 21 Mar, 2009 12:06 pm

This grip definitiely looks best in a dark color, even if the Svante looks really good in its lighter color. It would be interesting to see the Svante sword in Oxblood.

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Posts: 395 Location: Upper Hutt, New Zealand

Sat 21 Mar, 2009 12:24 pm

Any chance Brian or Dan you could whip up an image of the Vigil with a dark blue grip and blued fittings?

The grip on this must be even shorter than the Knight, because even though the Vigil has no rivet block the overall sword is shorter but its blade is longer than the Knight. Therefore I am glad it has the pommel it does (similar to the Oakeshott pommel I have said is so fantastic) because this will be so comfortable against the heel of the hand especially when doing cuts with the wrist.

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Posts: 967 Location: Michigan

Mon 23 Mar, 2009 4:47 pm

Well, i heard back from the guys at Albion today. The typical grip will not be available (and a bare wood grip so I could do my own wasn't an option either) so it looks like I'm getting the spiral. I hope I'm right and it grows on me.
Dan

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Posts: 2,307 Location: Croatia

Mon 23 Mar, 2009 5:35 pm

Blue looks really nice. But I like light brown also. Double fullered blade draws looks to it so the grip can also be a bit distinguished without taking the glory away from the blade.

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Posts: 14 Location: Redwood City, CA

Mon 23 Mar, 2009 6:15 pm

Uh oh,

First time I'm seeing this and it's within the special ordering period barely...and I love the double fullers. My Sovereign is among my favorite pieces too and this looks a beaut......

Decisions decisions....

Eric

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Posts: 5,739 Location: Wichita, Kansas

Mon 23 Mar, 2009 6:24 pm

Got mine!

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=15953

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Posts: 14 Location: Redwood City, CA

Mon 23 Mar, 2009 6:33 pm

ARRGH,

Didn't...need...to see...your...review....!

Very nice write up and images.

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