Testing Albion's Maestro line/ Atlanta Blade Show

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Scholars,

ARMA-Appleton was invited by Albion to give thier highly anticipated "Maestro Line", "Liechtenauer" Sparring sword a demo run!

Scholars, Herb Dombroski, Kevin Peterson, Associate, Eric Winkler and I, were asked to put the swords through thier paces. What is exciting to me, is the fact that Albion used this as a research and development phase, of thier production process to make sure these swords are what practitioners will want in a sparring sword. This marks probably one of the first times in recent history, that a company has brought the end-user in to the development phase, and not only requested feedback, but is actively making changes based on the information given by those practitioners.

So, how were they you ask? In a word, "Inspiring". Peter Johnsson, and the whole Albion team, has done a real service to our field. These swords, (which were not the final product yet) were pure joy for us. Kevin and I both thought that they actually inspired our confidence, and allowed us to go a little bit beyond where we would normally feel comfortable.

We are putting together a full break down, including photos etc...for the website. I just wanted to get this out there, and give the big picture for now.

When Albion finishes thier first two production pieces, we were invited back to demo the final version, and then will give the full run-down. I am here to tell you though these are very exciting, finally a sparring sword with us in mind. The configuration of these weapons is such that the technical details of this art really come out, please watch for more on this in our full report later--

John Clements and I will be giving them another test run at the Atlanta Blade Show coming up this next weekend, so his thoughts will also be available on them as well. Albion told me that one of just about every sword, currently available will be with us in Atlanta, so we will have to see how many swords we can get our hands on.

Well, that's it for now, these sparring swords are nearing thier final phase of R&D, so they will be available for production very soon. In the final report we'll have pictures of the weapons, lists of basic stats, results of our specific drill tests, and feedback we suggested for some changes, as well as specifics on the performance of the blades.

ARMA-Appleton wishes to thank the whole Albion Staff for thier usual: a warm welcome, awsome displays of craftsmanship, genuine care for their customers, an unbelieveable dedication to thier products, I just really cannot say enough, thanks again Albion!

[Kevin Peterson]

I would like to take a moment to second Aaron's comments about the Maestro line testing day. The folks at Albion did everything possible to make us feel welcome and answer all of our questions, including a tour of the production process. I would also like to say how encouraging it was to have a sword maker hand you a sword, let you try it, and then ask how they could make it better. I know that all of us at ARMA Appleton are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the finished pieces so we can put them through their paces. Thanks Albion!

Kevin Peterson
ARMA Appleton

[Lance Chan]

Does that mean they have changed to a steel with deeper hardening and finer grain already? If so, are the other lines of their swords changed to that new steel now?

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Lance, that is probably a question for Albion directly, I am sure you can get all the specs on thier steel, grains etc..thanks though, AP

[William Savage]

Way to go ARMA appleton!
it'd be nice if Albion and ARMA could establish a long term development/testing relationship.

PS- are you testing these swords handling/agility or are you test cutting and stressing the blades as well?

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Thanks Will, we are working on a full report soon, with all the juicy details-

[Randall Pleasant]

I am really looking forward to you report. <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" /> It also really burns me that I can't make the Atlanta show. <img src="/forum/images/icons/mad.gif" alt="" /> On the other hand, I just got my Albion Baron in so I do have something to play with.

By the way, the Albion service was great! I order my Baron on Wednesday afternoon and got it at the door on Saturday noon.

[John_Clements]

In related news, Aaron Pynenberg from Appleton, WI, and I gave an hour presentation on "Renaissance Swords: Form &amp; Function," and in a demo of longsword plays, were able to utilize some test models of new “Federschwert” practice swords being produced by [NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST] company.

All I can say, and as Aaron heartedly agrees: fantastic!
These things are incredible.I cannot stress how good they felt and how nicely they handled.
They really enabled us to just go at it.
They permitted everything to be performed with unprecedented clarity. They easily promoted a sensitivity and precision to our moves as one would expect from a real sword, but they hit far safer than any blunt blade.

They allowed a safe intensity in our plays that I found unparalleled in any blunt or waster or padded contact weapon.

They were designed from actual existing surviving specimens of practice swords and entirely blew away any similiar practice swords I have handled.

I cannot wait to own a pair of the final product from [NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST] when available later this year.
Though they will be expensive, we think they will become indispensable as THE preferred training tool.

Their utility really makes us wonder about how common these tools might have actualy have been for sword training in the 15th &amp; 16th centuries.

JC

[david welch]

Have you used the feather swords Jake got us from Poland, and if so how do they compare?

[John_Clements]

As I said, there is no comparison between these and any others I've handled. The one's Jake got were not Federschwerter, they were actually rapier practice blades (!) with extra parts simply welded on. I found those dissapointing and entirely inadequate. These by contrast feel and handle like oridnary greatswords.

[John_Clements]

The unique grind and cross section on these is simply gorgeous.

[Francisco Uribe]

The unique grind and cross section on these is simply gorgeous.

But are these from the albion maestro line? They don't look as federschwerts.

Fco

[Eric Dohner]

http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/alb ... aestro.htm

Those look to me like the "Liechtenauer," albeit the fuller is different -- of course, they could have changed from the concept art. That, and John seems to me to be referring to the Maestro line.

By the way, how much contact is safe when using them, especially when compared to regular blunts?

[John_Clements]

I've never said who manufacturing these.

But the contact permitted with them seemed superior to any blunt or waster I've used. I was very excited by them. I'll be evaluating them much more fully in the future and will have more to say on that then.

JC

[Eric Dohner]

I've never said who manufacturing these.

I didn't mean to imply that you specifically said that. My apologies if I was out of line.