2005 Albion News Archive

12-30-05
Museum Scabbard Update
Kevin has just finished the first scabbard for the Brescia Spadona.


New In-House Artisan Pieces

Sabertooth by Joe Waites


Seax by Eric McHugh

12-14-05
Holiday Season Greetings from Albion!

We hope that all of our customers and friends enjoy a fruitful and happy Holiday Season and extend our best wishes for a wonderful 2006!

On the Holiday theme - read about the inspiration that led to the creation of Albion Swords, Ltd -- A Christmas Story

12-06-05
Lady Vivamus ©
Albion has been granted the endorsement of the Robert A. and Virginia Heinlein Prize Trust for our limited edition recreation project -- now Lady Vivamus is the official recreation of the sword described in Heinlein's classic, Glory Road!

The Heinlein Prize Trust promotes and awards the Heinlein Prize for advances in commercial space activities.

Robert Heinlein, all text from Glory Road and Lady Vivamus ©2005 The Heinlein Prize Trust, used with permission.

12-01-05
Next Generation Swords Update
New Sword Model In Production --
The protoype sword has been completed for the Senlac Norman Sword



11-28-05
The winners have been announced in the Name That Sword Contest III. Go here for more information.

11-21-05
We are experimenting with offering a secure shopping cart -- right now it is set up as a parallel site. If you like to order on-line, please give it a try and let us know what you think!




11-18-05
Peter Johnsson is here on his historic 10th visit to Albion. On this trip, he is concentrating on R&D for the next sword models to be released and on the swords nearing final development.


Next Generation Swords Update
Peter has been making great strides on the Knecht and Meister during his stay. Here are a few photos.





Pictured here are the Knecht and Meister with test grips fitted and with the Meister pommel wax nearing completion.


Museum Line Swords Update
Saint Maurice
Peter has finished the final waxes for the St. Maurice and a test grind on the blade. The blade is about 80% finished in these photos and the hilt waxes are clayed for molding.

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Maestro Line Swords Update
Peter has finished the first prototype for a Maestro line blade, etablishing proper weights, edge thickness and balance for this new line of practice swords. Now he will move on to final design consultation with Steve Fisher, our CAD designer. Pictured below are several views of the unfinished prototype.






11-10-05
Next Generation Swords Update
New Sword Model In Production --
The protoype sword has been completed for the Hospitaller Medieval Sword



11-7-05
Next Generation Swords Update
New Sword Model In Production --
The protoype sword has been completed for the Reeve Medieval Sword



11-3-05
Moat Sale!
We have added a lot of blades and parts left from Del Tins and FirstGen swords, as well as prototype and discontinued helms that will be going up on our Moat page over the next couple of weeks. Drastic savings on some do-it-yourself parts!


11-2-05
Next Generation Swords Update
New Sword Model In Production --
The protoype sword has been completed for the Thegn Anglo-Saxon Sword



Next Generation Sword Edition Running Out
Less than 10 Vinland Viking Swords remain in the limited edition. Grab one now before they disappear!


10-31-05
Next Generation Swords Update
New Sword Model In Production --
The protoype sword has been completed for the Bayeux Type X


10-28-05
Moat Sale!
We have a lot of blades and parts left from Del Tins and FirstGen swords that will be going up on our Moat page over the next couple of weeks. Drastic savings on some do-it-yourself parts!

10-17-05
Next Generation Swords Update
New Sword Model In Production --
The protoype has been completed for the Talhoffer Type XVa



10-15-05
Next Generation Swords Update
New Sword Model In Production --
The protoype has been completed for the Poitiers Type XV



10-12-05
Next Generation Swords Update
New Sword Model In Production --
The protoype has been completed for the Aquilifer Fulham Gladius



Museum Line Swords Update
New Saint Maurice Blade Prototype--
A new protoype has been completed for the Sword of Saint Maurice blade. This heat treated blank will be sent to Peter in Sweden for testing and final hilt modelling. In the detail photos, you can see the engraving on each side of the blade.





10-7-05
Next Generation Swords Update
New Sword Model In Production --
The protoype has been completed for the Pedite Pompeii Gladius



10-6-05
Next Generation Swords Update
New Sword Model In Production --
The protoype has been completed for the Allectus Mainz Gladius



10-4-05
Next Generation Sword Cutting Demo
Our friend James Williams, president of Bugei Trading Co. and an accomplished martial artist and instructor, recently filmed a cutting session with the Knight..
Go here for to download and watch the videos!


10-3-05
Next Generation Swords Update
New Sword Model In Production --
The protoype has been completed for the Agincourt



9-27-05
Help Hurricane Relief Efforts!
Albion has donated one of the 10 Limited Edition Conan Masters (Father's) Swords to an auction benefitting the American Red Cross Hurricane Relief Effort hosted by Charityfolks.com and Toy Shop Magazine called "Collectibles for the American Red Cross."
Details of the auction can be found here.
and the sword can be found here:

Bid now on this valuable collectable! It is a great way to help those who help others!


Vacation At Albion!
Vocation Vacations has chosen Albion as a Dream Job Holiday. If you have ever wanted to see if you like making swords, here's a fun way to give it a try!
Go here for more information..


9-22-05
New Contest
We've been seeing more and more couples buying swords for their weddings and women buying them as engagement gifts for their man. Albion is considering creating a marketing event around this. We'd like to make it a sincere campaign, and therefore would like to use actual photographs of couples getting engaged and married. Read more about how to enter the contest here!

9-20-05
New Hands-On Review by MyArmoury,com
New hands-on review of the Museum Line Solingen sword at myArmoury -- read all about it here.

9-14-05
New In-House Artisans Piece
Eric McHugh has just finished a sweet custom Grossemesser. Go here for more photos.



John Gage has finished the scabbard for his Hell Bowie.


8-31-05
Albion Mark Next Generation Line Swords Update
We just received waxes for 4 of the new sword models in development:


The Thegn


The Bayeux


The Reeve


The Hospitaller

These will now go on to molding!

8-25-05

Visit us at the
Steel Classics Show
October 28th, 29th, 30th 2005
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada

8-23-05
Next Generation Anniversary Sale Extended!
Two years ago today we announced the first of the Next Generation sword line... To continue celebrating, we are extending the NextGen sale for another month -- $100 off all NextGen swords (even those not in production yet) until September 20th, 2005.

8-22-05
New In-House Artisan
Mike Sigman is turning his hand to making knives -- see more photos of his first project here.


8-15-05
Albion In The News
Albion was honored to be chosen for a search engine facelift by a team of experts for a session at Jupiter Media's
Search Engione Strategies 2005 Conference and Expo in San Jose, California.
The session was entitled Pimp My Site (based on MTV's popular show Pimp My Ride). The session will continue with a report on progress at the Chicago conference in December 2005.
We'd like to thank Jennifer Laycock, Todd Friesen, Dax Herrera, Heather Lloyd-Martin, and Elisabeth Osmeloski for their expert assistance and we look forward to the changes that the next few months will bring!
Read more about it on C/Net.

7-28-05
Albion Mark Next Generation Line Swords Update

The Berserkr is here...
Go here for more photos.


7-22-05
Marketing Contest Update
We have a winner at last! Go here for more details.

7-20-05
Next Generation Anniversary Sale!
It is hard to believe that it has only been two years since the introduction of the Next Generation Line -- so much has happened and so many models have been introduced.

Peter Johnsson and the staff at Albion have done a remarkable job in bringing these swords to life -- successfully combining authenticity, full functionality and custom-level quality at production prices.

On August 17th, 2003, we introduced the first 4 swords in the line -- The Vinland, The Clontarf, The Gotland and The Gaddhjalt. These swords were in production by November, 2003, when we then announced the first of many "next waves" of NextGen swords.

In just two short years, the line of NextGen swords has grown to 28 models in production (that's an average of more than 1 new sword model a month!), with another 32 models (plus a few still "secret" ones) in development.

We appreciate the support of our customers for this landmark new line and want to give you an opportunity to join us in celebrating this achievement:

From now until August 20th, we are rolling back prices for new orders of the 28 models currently in production to their original Introductory Price ($100 off marked prices):

The Vinland
The Gotland
The Gaddhjalt
The Clontarf
The Hersir
The Huskarl
The Jarl
The Norman
The Templar
The Ritter
The Knight
The Laird
The Caithness
The Sovereign
The Squire
The Prince
The Baron
The Duke
The Steward
The Count
The Mercenary
The Castellan
The Constable
The Crecy
The Landgraf
The Sempach
The Regent
The Viceroy

See details on these sword models on our Next Generation Swords page.

(Sorry, but the Anniversary Price cannot be used with other discounts.)

All of these swords are limited editions and are available on a first-come, first-served basis only:

Albion in the News
In Wisconsin, a show produced by Wisconsin Public Television, visited our facility last week for a show airing this Fall.
Part of the filming involved a live destructive test of our blades. Jason pulled a Duke blade from the rack and attacked a steel barrel with no damage to the blade -- you can see the results in the photo below.



7-18-05
New Hands-On Review by MyArmoury,com
MyArmoury has published a new review of an Albion sword -- the Next Generation Ritter

There is also an excellent MyArmoury.com Spotlight Article on the Oakeshott Type XI swords here.

7-1-05
Del Tin Swords
As of July 2005, we will no longer carry Del Tins through our Albion website, but we will still sell some Del Tin models through our subsidiary, Filmswords.com

All pending Del Tin orders through Albion will be filled as soon as the swords are available from Del Tin.

We have a few Del Tin models remaining in stock, available for immediate shipping:

DT202a

DT2121

DT2169

DT5130

DT5143

DT5161

6-22-05
Albion Mark Next Generation Line Swords Update

We are now producing a version of the Count XIIIa in steel as well as bronze pommel. Go here for more photos.

6-16-05
Albion Mark Next Generation Line Swords Update


New Sword Model -- The Steward XIIIa Warsword

6-8-05
Shipping Increase
Unfortunately, as of Monday, June 13th, we are forced to raise our standard domestic shipping and handling price for swords to $30. We have been able to hold our price of $25 for over 2 years, but recent increases in shipping costs and the cost of our boxes and inserts, require us to make this increase. For pending orders placed before June 13th, we will honor the $25 shipping price.

6-8-05
Albion Mark Next Generation Line Swords Update
New Sword Model -- The Munich Sword
This is the NextGen inspired by the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum Sword (which is the next Museum Line model after Turin is complete.) Peter knows the original sword intimately, and it is our goal to bring you a less "gilded" version with the same performance and handling as the original.



Development Update
Peter has completed the waxes for several of the new sword models:


The Agincourt


The Talhoffer


The Poitiers



The Berserker


6-7-05
The Atlanta Blade Show was a huge success -- we met many new and old friends there -- we will be back next year!

6-3-05
Your Chance To Steal a Svante!
Albion donated a Svante Nilsson Sture Sword to the Wisconsin Public Television Auction -- the auction closes this Sunday, June 5th.

Here is a chance to get a bargain and support public television!

Bid on the WPT Svante Sword
scroll down to item #S-7138

Update: The auction was a great success -- the lucky bidder was one of our current customers!


6-1-05
New In-House Artisans Piece
Brett Stark has just finished a very nice new scramseax. Go here for more photos.



5-23-05
New Hands-On Review by MyArmoury,com
MyArmoury has published a new review of an Albion sword -- the Next Generation Hersir.