Posts: 106 Location: Clinton, IN USA
Mon 30 May, 2005 7:11 pm
My 2 cents.
1st, I have not seen the photos of Lance's Brescia, so I somewhat lack the aforementioned and all-important context and will let those facts stand as is.
However, until Albion or Peter can respond, here's a little info from me that hopefully won't add to the confusion.
I own an Albion Solingen, and for purposes of testing the sword, I put it through some hard target test-cutting within what I believe to be historical parameters (steel buckler,
maille coif, sword blade flats). The edge was damaged somewhat, though not excessively and not outside of the damage a sword could be considered to receive during use. I sent photos to Albion and Peter, and John Clements has seen the sword in person, and all of them agree that the damage sustained was within historical parameters. (and now that I'm getting over the emotional shock of intentionally damaging a very fine $1000 sword, I can safely say I feel the same way)
The important information here is that in communications with Peter, he told me that the steel of Albion's Solingen is slightly harder than the original. Maybe (possibly) we can assume the same is true of all of Albion's blades and the Brescia's original would have suffered similar if not worse damage.
As has been said before, and if no one minds my repeating, this thread seems to be getting a little worked up, and if we're not careful things will get blown way out of proportion, so maybe everyone should just step away and take a deep breath until Albion or Peter can weigh in on this. (?)
2 cents
David Kite
GFS, ARMA in IN