I would like to tell a short and nice story that made me feel good in knowing I helped a guy out. I was at a sword distributor near me today buying myself a Paul Chen Sir William Marshall Sword with Christmas money that had been sent to us, wife and I split it and added a bit to afford each of us a tad over $200, well of course I had to get something medieval.
While I was there, a couple in their early mid thirties came into the store, the guy surveyed the store and as what is quite common, he avoided the Albions and the Hanwei Katanas, that's when I asked the proprietor if I could handle some of the Albions, as I always like to handle the Albions whenever I go there. I picked out the Thegn and played with it a bit and made a few comments to the owner about how this sword makes me feel pleasure deep in my bones and how it was worth every dime, even though it was a tad under $800.00. At this time, the other fellow is over looking at some inexpensive Roman swords, that's when I asked the owner if he still had the Albion Maintz Gladius in stock and could I see it? By this time I had intentionally inadvertantly attracted this fellow's attention and he started asking some questions about why the Albions were so much more expensive. I kept it short so as to not say the wrong thing but I pointed out the perfection of geometry, how the balance of their swords were so properly balanced for each one's individual purpose, be it a thruster or a cutter etc and how each should be balanced accordingly. I talked about how clean the lines of the Albions were, how well the crossguard fit to the blade etc etc. I told him that the sword I was buying was like a "Buick" but that I had several swords by Arms & Armor and how they are high end like Albion. I told him that the Thegn he had in his hand was nothing like my "Buick" sword and that he was holding a Mercedes Benz or a Lexus in his hand.

When I left, he seemed more interested and a bit excited while he studied the Albion Thegn in his right hand and the Albion Maintz Gladius in his left and, wished me happy holidays and thanked me for spending the time with him.

Spiritually, this all felt really good to me and I was more happy for him having discovered the value of an Albion or an A & A, than I was about my Sir William Marshall Sword. It really made my day, as I had been a bit stressed out from a rather arduous day.

Wishing a Wonderful Holiday Season to Everyone!

Bob

That's great! I wish there were some sword shops around me...


Not to derail the topic, but are the Paul Chen swords, in specific the Godfred Viking Sword, any good? I came across them online and wasn't really sure.

The Paul Chen "Godfred" is actually what started me down this path. I picked one up in a gift shop/junk store. I was thunderstruck. I didn't know what a distal taper was, but I knew instantly that every other sword I'd picked up prior to that was inherently wrong. Here was a blade that wanted to move, invited the cut. I really wanted to know what the difference was. Took me two years of on and off searching to find out why. Once I figured that out, I also figured out that thas not the only qualifier for a good sword.

Not that its the best sword ever. Its very nice for the price, though I've heard some questions about the tempering of the blade etc. I think the "damascus" is just acid eched, not really pattern welded. I probably would buy one if I had some spare change, and couldn't wait on an A&A or Albion.