a sevicable crossguard or quillion can be made by going to Home Depot and getting some of there 1/4"x1" wide flat stock and cutting a piece long enough for your needs. drill and file the tang hole and round the ends. You can bend it in a semicircle or leave it flat depending on the design...

Thanks for the clarification!

I'd actually want a Class C, provided it did not have pitting in the blade. Anything else I can deal with, but that would be a problem. Really I only want the blade - I would be completely rehilting it anyway.

I am confused. How does one find and obtain these "seconds"? It was not obvious to me from their website. Do I need to go in person to their showroom (doable, actually, since I am in SoCal)

Check some of the other books here. Sorry if its been posted before I don't remember. http://www.paladin-press.com/category/Sword_Guides_and_Making Hrisoulas' books and videos are very good - I have all of them and highly recommend them. Can't speak to the book on Katana making, though. Looks inter...

You don't find polearms that often, here's two: http://www.ebay.com/itm/261207588161?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 http://www.ebay.com/itm/261207593740?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 What is the link to the first poll arm? The link you provided was t...

Do a fake peened "nut". I take the usual socket bolt thingy make it into a sort of flat-sided blob with a bit 'o weld. This way, it can be tightened if necessary, as every single peened blade I've had gets loose, and you can only go so far in tightening it up before the tang may choose to...

I do find it interesting that Sting is described twice with a old and battered scabbard or sheath. Even being an Elven dagger or knife, (or perhaps a companion piece to Orcrist) one would think it would have a sheath to make the workmanship of the blade. So, perhaps it was used for a time by someon...

Out of curiousity, what swords were actually found at this estate sale? A pity, since I live in LA, that I missed this completely (or perhaps not, depending on what was there). In terms of modern reproduction swords, I pretty much stick with Arms & Armor, Del Tin, Albion, and certain custom make...

ll Ferny's price was twelve silver pennies..." I'm in the market for 900-1200 replica silver coinage to carry...can't stiff your bartender, now. http://www.bytheswordinc.com/c-21-coins.aspx Some good stuff here, we do have a Shire penny around here somewhere. Ken Don't forget the old Shire Pos...

I don't know why I didn't think of this before, but here's a useful description of the Helm of Hador. Here is the Helm’s description from "Narn i Chîn Húrin" found in the Unfinished Tales: "That helm was made of grey steel adorned with gold, and on it were graven runes of victory...

Yeah, that makes sense if my Ranger blade is from old Numenor. The Celts and the Greek were both (In my personal opinion) influences on the Dunedain and Numenor. Where would one find a historically accurate leaf blade? Technically, most of these types are really proto-Celtic, belonging to the Urnfi...

Ah the movie Glamdring, beautiful sword. I have a soft spot for improbable leafblades since I was a kid fascinated with Jim Fitzpatrick's art. Just noticed this - been away from the site for awhile. Not sure what is meant by "improbable" given that they are the only blade shapes that were...

This is an older MRL Norman helm, no frills but the price is pretty good. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reproduction-NORMAN-HELMET-Circa-1050-1100-STAND-Unlined-/120838414142?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2287df3e 18 gauge but with padding it will suffice. Thanks for the tip - after some thought, ...

Brendan from FableBlades made a version of Glamdring that, aside from the brass and white grip, was dead-on for the film-prop. It has since sold but he would be game to make a new one, with steel fittings and the proper grip if one so desired. http://www.fableblades.com/Turgons%20Glamdring.html OOO...

This is an excellent start! I've done something similar for arms and armour, but did not think to delve into ordinary everyday items. I heartily encourage you to continue this!