D. S. Smith wrote: |
I was disappointed not to see any swords that even remotely resembled Albions. So my quest to see an Albion in person has not yet been fulfilled. :\ |
The good thing about Albion is that, if you trust that most of us here know what we are talking about, is that Albion is at the top end of the high quality production swords and where designed to match period swords of the same types in handling but are of more uniformally consistant quality than in period where the quality of the raw material and heat treat would have varied greatly from excellent to attocious.
Anyway, the point being that in buying an Albion you really can't go wrong as to design and quality matching a real sword in period.
I could also add that A&A is also a production maker and also a custom maker to consider as the top end.
Above this there are a lot of very good custom makers that produce equally good or even better, by a small degree, swords.
( If Albions where to be put on a 1 to 10 scale they would be an 8.5 with the very best custom makers being a 9 or 9.5 .... nobody makes a 10 which would have to be perfection itself ).
I would recommend looking to buy your Albion(s) from Kult of Athena as they often have some Albions in stock for immediate delivery and Kult of Athena has a great reputation as a good vendor. Also, they have a good return policy should you not like the sword you chose. ( As long as you return it in the same condition you got it after first making arrangements to ship it back ..... you might still have to lose a bit on the shipping though and best to not buy on a whim or send it back for little reason ).
http://www.kultofathena.com/
http://www.kultofathena.com/albion.asp
Another advantage buying from KoA is that since they are a volume buyer they can probably get you your sword more quickly, if it's not already in stock, and if you want just a simple storage scabbard they can make you one for your sword before shipping it.
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=...+Belt+Frog
NOTE: I have purchased from KoA dozens of times and the quality of service has always been excellent with very prompt delivery of in stock items. ( When they say it's in stock, it is in stock ! ).