I really enjoyed the review of the Templar by Albion Armorers. Is it just me, or does the sword look much better in the review than it does on Albion's website?

The point looks longer, the blade looks slimmer, and the fuller looks better-defined...

Anyway, I can say that I eagerly anticipate these reviews with the monthly updates. Most of them seem to be objective and stringent without being snobbish or degrading to the manufacturer's efforts.

This site is easily one of the most useful, in terms of new sword buyers, what to expect, etc.

Jeremiah, thank you so much for the comments.

You hit a few things on the head there. Your mention of being "objective and stringent without being snobbish or degrading to the manufacturer's efforts" is exactly the line I'm trying to walk. It's an interesting thing publishing these reviews.

Thanks for the feedback Jeramiah.

As I've said before, half the fun of this hobby is sharing it with others. It's really nice to hear that our readers find value in our efforts.

Jeremiah,
Let me add my thanks for the kind words as well. I have to give "props," as they say, to Nathan for making my photos look as nice as he makes them look. :) The Templar is a cool sword for sure!

Yes this site have been wonderful. Wish I had more to contribute but I'm glad I can come here to learn and admire....

Yes you can do a lot to bring out the best in a picture with photoshop (What I know well, at least the older photoshop 5 version, still trying getting used to photoshop 7)

It's a bit Like CSI finding & enhancing the information that is already there. Naturally a good pict to start with helps a lot.

If you want good results photographing swords avoid flashes if you can as the results will be totaly a question of luck.

Soft lighting is the way to go: Think of it as painting with light.

Oh, and the reviews are very much appreciated. Thanks Chad.

On a personnal note: My 84 year old mother is in the hospital and any good thoughts or prayers would be appreciated!
My appologies for bringing forward a personnal problem, thanks all.

Great review of the Templar.
I also think Albion would benefit by re-shooting some of their swords. Some of the pictures are excellent as they are, and some are not. The Regent, for example, is not done justice by the pic on the main catalogue page.

I do hope your mother recovers, Jean.

Brian M

Brian;

Thanks for the the good wishes, she has an overactive thyroid and it seems that she will recover, thankfully all the other stuff they tought it might be, like cancer, turned out negative. She is still weak and will need some therapy to build up her strenght.
Note: I realise that this forum is not for this type of personnal stuff and I appreciate any prayers by people who read my earlier post, but It is not nescessary or usefull to clutter up the forum with replies. I will assume that all those reading about my Mom at least had a good passing thought about it.

BACK ON TOPIC: I also think that better quality photos would do better justice to the Albion products: Have any of you noticed that "Mercenarys' Taylor" photos definitly don't do the product justice, there is one photo of the "Conical Spangenhelm" that looks different and much better than the rest of the photos, it makes it look much more appealling than the other photos!

I suspect that the entire product line looks this good when photographed the same way. (Better lighting with a warm grey cast.)