Albion Swords Steel [Museum/Next-Gen]

H

High King

Joined
Jan 4, 2013
Messages
235
How does Albion Swords' proprietary steel compare to the sword steel used by other makers? [Custom included]

Are they worth the price? I've heard conflicted things regarding Albion Swords. On one hand, nobody has ever denied that their swords are fantastic, but on the other, some say that some of their offerings are overpriced for what you get (being that it's not custom and all).

All things considered (steel, quality, fit and finish, etc), is it possible to get a better deal from a custom maker?
 
Arms&Armor Armor.com

They use the same steel (6150) as Albion and will build to suit. Waiting time for custom or customizing production models will vary. There is more "in stock" availability overall.

Albion does have a Squire line and Vikingshield has some swords not available direct through Albion. The Squire Line swords can be refined aftermarket to be whatever one wishes.

I don't know the site but Google Ernie and custom swords for updating existing swords, or starting with a blade.

Del Tin also uses 6150

Cheers

GC
 
Are Christian Fletcher swords comparable to Albion? [I read that they're actually Albion blades?]
 
Last edited:
He uses a mostly Albion blades and their models, as well as blades from others. Christian has been around a long time.

Cheers

GC
 
Arms and Armour is the only place you could get work done at a similar price point and quality that I know of.
 
So far as I know there is nothing proprietary about Albion's steel, they have always been pretty up front about what they use and why. As has been mentioned it's also in use with various other production / semi-production shops because it's a nice balance between durability, workability and materials cost.

"Are they worth the price?" Is always a subjective question that everyone has to work out for themselves.

Albion is a production shop. Every sword you get from Albion should be consistently like every other sword of that model that you would get from Albion (minor options aside). You are purchasing a high quality known quantity. Are they pricey? Yes they are, but you do know what you are getting and if something is wrong with it, you can ship it back and get a new one just like the one you had.

You can purchase custom swords in roughly (depending on what you are getting) in the same price range. However, a custom sword by definition is a one off. That means that the consistency in heat treatment, fit, finish, balance etc. isn't there. All of those things may be phenomenal... or they may stink and you don't know until you have the sword in hand. If you don't know anything about sword smith's and their reputation (or even if you do sometimes) you really are rolling the dice. You may win, you may lose.

Think Ruth's Chris Steakhouse vs a local steakhouse. One has a high quality known (and pricey) product. The other may be awesome and far better than Ruth's Chris. Or it may be dogfood.
 
High King said:
Price point aside, any custom swordsmiths with a similar quality?
Click to expand...

None I have done business with. I really think they are your best bet. I've got 6 customs from them, and they will build exactly what you specify.

However I don't think anyone fits to tighter tolerance than Albion
 
I'd go for a Christian Fletcher using an Albion blade. Otherwise an Albion. Lastly a A&A, while A&A can be custom to order they're not made in to the same faithfulness as Albion.
Quality and craftsmanship however are very much equal and are fine weapons none the less, and as weapons are NO less than Albion.
 
Luis G. said:
I'd go for a Christian Fletcher using an Albion blade. Otherwise an Albion. Lastly a A&A, while A&A can be custom to order they're not made in to the same faithfulness as Albion.
Quality and craftsmanship however are very much equal and are fine weapons none the less, and as weapons are NO less than Albion.
Click to expand...

By "faithfulness," do you mean historical accuracy or are you referring to something else?
 
Triton said:
So far as I know there is nothing proprietary about Albion's steel, they have always been pretty up front about what they use and why. As has been mentioned it's also in use with various other production / semi-production shops because it's a nice balance between durability, workability and materials cost.
Click to expand...

Ah, I thought they used proprietary steel because that's what it says on their website: http://www.albion-swords.com/swords-functional2.htm
 
High King said:
By "faithfulness," do you mean historical accuracy or are you referring to something else?
Click to expand...

They study antique swords IN HAND including some museum pieces to help aid in the reproduction of their swords. So yes to the historical accuracy.

This doesn't extent to EVERY sword they make but most were reproduced from an actual sample antique sword not just pictures and history. While ALL museum line up should be straight reproductions of the sword they're meant to imitate.
(keep in mind some of the swords are so old they are rusted and largely worn however they make estimates as to how they would have looked new).
 
Luis G. said:
I'd go for a Christian Fletcher using an Albion blade. Otherwise an Albion. Lastly a A&A, while A&A can be custom to order they're not made in to the same faithfulness as Albion.
Quality and craftsmanship however are very much equal and are fine weapons none the less, and as weapons are NO less than Albion.
Click to expand...
Only the Museum line From Albion are exacting to a specific historic sword. The rest, generally based on swords of the type, with the same blade used in different models. Not dismissing Albion and Peter's efforts but the majority of the Albion swords have some compromises (ie, shared cnc cut blades).

A&A will be as faithful as one wants to pay for, as will Christian. A&A, of course participating and trustees of the Oakeshott Institute (and remaining collection).

Cheers

GC
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top