Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
- Bumr Blackbrand
- Wayfarer
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2018 1:22 am
- Location: Southern California
Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
A few months ago I lamented the lack of Dwarven swords available on the market. I had eventually settled on an Albion that would have worked well enough, but still wasn’t totally satisfied. By recommendation of Greg and Elleth, I hit up Odigan and he drafted up this guy:
This is basically exactly what I’m looking for. It’s a 30†blade with a primary and two secondary fullers. Etched on one side will be the name of the sword in Khuzdul runes. “NALAUMKHAH - U ATHUK RA ‘URD†translates to Pathfinder, of Mine and Mountain.
Guard and pommel will both be an iron and bronze composite and the handle itself will be a wood or bone(probably bone) with a bronze grip ring and bronze bolsters.
Still working on etching designs for the hardware, aside from the typical geometric designs Dwarves are known for. I’m also thinking of having Odigan add a stylized bee into the pommel, the logo of my favorite meadery and something I think pretty befitting of a Dwarf to represent on his sword.
It’s still a work in progress and I will post updates as Odigan provides them, but attached is a photo of the absolutely stunning blade blank.
This is basically exactly what I’m looking for. It’s a 30†blade with a primary and two secondary fullers. Etched on one side will be the name of the sword in Khuzdul runes. “NALAUMKHAH - U ATHUK RA ‘URD†translates to Pathfinder, of Mine and Mountain.
Guard and pommel will both be an iron and bronze composite and the handle itself will be a wood or bone(probably bone) with a bronze grip ring and bronze bolsters.
Still working on etching designs for the hardware, aside from the typical geometric designs Dwarves are known for. I’m also thinking of having Odigan add a stylized bee into the pommel, the logo of my favorite meadery and something I think pretty befitting of a Dwarf to represent on his sword.
It’s still a work in progress and I will post updates as Odigan provides them, but attached is a photo of the absolutely stunning blade blank.
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
Thank you for posting the additional information here! I am really looking forward to seeing this finished. It looks fantastic so far!!
- Iodo
- Thangailhir
- Posts: 2112
- Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
- Location: North west england UK
- Contact:
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
That's an amazing design (although I wouldn't expect any less from Odigan ), I can't wait to see it finished
Cool nameBumr Blackbrand wrote: This is basically exactly what I’m looking for. It’s a 30†blade with a primary and two secondary fullers. Etched on one side will be the name of the sword in Khuzdul runes. “NALAUMKHAH - U ATHUK RA ‘URD†translates to Pathfinder, of Mine and Mountain.
Thinking about the name Pathfinder, of Mine and Mountain maybe you could design something that's more of a line art picture, of a path between a mine and a mountain depending on how much space you have to work with of courseBumr Blackbrand wrote: Still working on etching designs for the hardware, aside from the typical geometric designs Dwarves are known for. I’m also thinking of having Odigan add a stylized bee into the pommel, the logo of my favorite meadery and something I think pretty befitting of a Dwarf to represent on his sword.
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
- Bumr Blackbrand
- Wayfarer
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2018 1:22 am
- Location: Southern California
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
Thank you both! I’m really excited for this thing and I absolutely cannot wait for it.
I love the idea of the literal name of the sword being displayed in artform, but I’m not sure how detailed it could get on a smallish pommel like I imagine it’ll have. If not the pommel, maybe some leather tooling on the scabbard would be more appropriate.Iodo wrote: Thinking about the name Pathfinder, of Mine and Mountain maybe you could design something that's more of a line art picture, of a path between a mine and a mountain depending on how much space you have to work with of course
- Peter Remling
- Athel Dunedain
- Posts: 3742
- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:20 am
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
Very nice so far, can't wait to see it completed !! What do you plan on doing for the scabbard. Maybe the scabbard would give you a bigger canvas for the line art picture than the pommel.
- Bumr Blackbrand
- Wayfarer
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2018 1:22 am
- Location: Southern California
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
I’m not sure! That’s kind of what I was thinking though. I’m definitely gonna have the scabbard commissioned. I’m not afraid of trying my hand at making one but a sword of this caliber deserves something professionally done.Peter Remling wrote:Very nice so far, can't wait to see it completed !! What do you plan on doing for the scabbard. Maybe the scabbard would give you a bigger canvas for the line art picture than the pommel.
- Iodo
- Thangailhir
- Posts: 2112
- Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
- Location: North west england UK
- Contact:
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
Using the scabbard is a good idea, you could even put it on your sword beltBumr Blackbrand wrote: I love the idea of the literal name of the sword being displayed in artform, but I’m not sure how detailed it could get on a smallish pommel like I imagine it’ll have. If not the pommel, maybe some leather tooling on the scabbard would be more appropriate.
You have probably seen Greg's work before, but I'll link the thread anyway: https://www.ranger.budgetauthenticity.o ... f=9&t=3085Bumr Blackbrand wrote: I’m definitely gonna have the scabbard commissioned
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
- Elleth
- êphal ki-*raznahê
- Posts: 2940
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:26 am
- Location: in the Angle; New England
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
Wow!
That's gonna be fascinating - I can't wait to see how it comes out!
May I ask more about the artwork? Is it going to be one of those blocky knotwork patterns or the like?
That's gonna be fascinating - I can't wait to see how it comes out!
May I ask more about the artwork? Is it going to be one of those blocky knotwork patterns or the like?
Persona: Aerlinneth, Dúnedain of Amon Lendel c. TA 3010.
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
Looks like great work so far, Odigan!
Bumr B., you say that a bee is "something pretty befitting of a Dwarf to represent on his sword." I was curious if you could you elaborate on what informs this choice of decoration? (I personally wouldn't associate dwarves with beekeeping, so I would like to hear more!)
Bumr B., you say that a bee is "something pretty befitting of a Dwarf to represent on his sword." I was curious if you could you elaborate on what informs this choice of decoration? (I personally wouldn't associate dwarves with beekeeping, so I would like to hear more!)
Personae: Aistan son of Ansteig, common Beorning of Wilderland; Tungo Brandybuck, Eastfarthing Bounder, 3018 TA; a native Man of the Greyflood, c.850 SA
- Bumr Blackbrand
- Wayfarer
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2018 1:22 am
- Location: Southern California
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
I meant less the bee and more of a Dwarf putting something referencing his favorite type of alcohol. In which case, the bee is the logo of a meadery I’m a fan of.Udwin wrote:Looks like great work so far, Odigan!
Bumr B., you say that a bee is "something pretty befitting of a Dwarf to represent on his sword." I was curious if you could you elaborate on what informs this choice of decoration? (I personally wouldn't associate dwarves with beekeeping, so I would like to hear more!)
- Elleth
- êphal ki-*raznahê
- Posts: 2940
- Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:26 am
- Location: in the Angle; New England
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
There's an interesting observation in this article and comments:
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/mead-ev ... dle-earth/
... which seems to suggest mead had more noble connotations that grain-based drinks, both in Middle-earth and in the cultures that inspired it.
I don't know what that suggests for your sword, other than it might imply relatively rich ornament would be suitable.
regardless, neat!
https://middle-earth.xenite.org/mead-ev ... dle-earth/
... which seems to suggest mead had more noble connotations that grain-based drinks, both in Middle-earth and in the cultures that inspired it.
I don't know what that suggests for your sword, other than it might imply relatively rich ornament would be suitable.
regardless, neat!
Persona: Aerlinneth, Dúnedain of Amon Lendel c. TA 3010.
- Iodo
- Thangailhir
- Posts: 2112
- Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
- Location: North west england UK
- Contact:
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
If you want it as a leather tooling design, then maybe something similar to thisBumr Blackbrand wrote:Thank you both! I’m really excited for this thing and I absolutely cannot wait for it.I love the idea of the literal name of the sword being displayed in artform, but I’m not sure how detailed it could get on a smallish pommel like I imagine it’ll have. If not the pommel, maybe some leather tooling on the scabbard would be more appropriate.Iodo wrote: Thinking about the name Pathfinder, of Mine and Mountain maybe you could design something that's more of a line art picture, of a path between a mine and a mountain depending on how much space you have to work with of course
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
- Bumr Blackbrand
- Wayfarer
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2018 1:22 am
- Location: Southern California
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
I'll have to consider what noble implications that has for this sword as I was planning on the Dwarven equivalent of a Ranger - the fells-ward.
Iodo, that tooling design is absolutely incredible! What type of Khuzdul are you using to translate? I'm using the Dwarrow Scholar and what I assume is Pathfinder along the bottom looks pretty different. I'm not sure which I like better.
Iodo, that tooling design is absolutely incredible! What type of Khuzdul are you using to translate? I'm using the Dwarrow Scholar and what I assume is Pathfinder along the bottom looks pretty different. I'm not sure which I like better.
- Iodo
- Thangailhir
- Posts: 2112
- Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
- Location: North west england UK
- Contact:
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
The runes are the ones Tolkien uses in the hobbit to "represent" dwarvish, there not your best choice for an accurate interpretation, I use them in most of my stuff because I learn't them from The Hobbit book when I was young and can read/right them from memory, I drew that at work (don't tell my boss) and didn't have any notes to work from so couldn't use anything elseBumr Blackbrand wrote: Iodo, that tooling design is absolutely incredible! What type of Khuzdul are you using to translate? I'm using the Dwarrow Scholar and what I assume is Pathfinder along the bottom looks pretty different. I'm not sure which I like better.
Your right that along the bottom it says "Pathfinder"
Then on the left: "of mine"
And on the right: "and mountain"
I didn't intend that you use exactly this (although you can if you want), just use it for inspiration
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
Re: Nalaumkhah (Odigan WIP - Updates to Follow!)
Wow! This is just stunning! What an awesome project! And I just looked up the discussion about the dwarven title of "Fells-Ward" as well, and I think that's absolutely brilliant! Can't wait to see how this turns out!
Maerondir Perianseron, also called “Mickel,” Halfling Friend - Ranger of the Misty Mountains