Sword Belt/Scabbard Rigs

[Greg]

There’s something to be said for a good, solid sword belt and scabbard rig. There are a wide variety of different rigs and such, all with the same general purpose in mind. This thread is intended to put together an assortment of images of your personal favorites (preferably rigs that you own yourself or have personal experience with) to help do-it-yourselfers assemble a functional rig.

In particular, let's try to discuss rigs that would have a place within Middle Earth, be they for rangering or other applications.

For example:
My personal rig, seen here, just got finished. I took a break from my boot and jerkin projects to update my former rig, which consisted of a single attachment point on the hip. It used to hang straight down, which didn’t seem like a huge problem since my VA Bristol is rather short, but the single attachment point swung around a lot when I walked with it; running was out of the question. It just didn’t feel natural. So this new one holds it at a higher angle, keeping it from bumping off of rocks and such on the ground, gives me a faster draw due to the forward tilt, and makes it more a part of my belt and less an implement swinging along my side.



The new light brown additions were not yet oiled or woodburned when this pic was taken...now, they match the dark leather locket at the throat of the scabbard, and have burned in borders to give them a little character. This evening, I'll be re-wrapping my byknife onto the scabbard, over the lower locket, completing the rig.

[dwayne davis]

Hey not bad at all. have you tried it out on a hike yet, to see how well it allows you to move?

[Greg]

Not yet, but I've been wearing it around the house, up and down the stairs, etc. (much to my wife's chagrin) the last few days to test it out. Tomorrow I'm going to wear the scabbard empty while sparring to see how it does in a combat scenario, and I'll report back.

Do you have any rigs you'd like to post, jolromir?

[Willrett]

Looks good I have a pattern for one I started but have not finished yet.

[Willrett]

This is the one I have http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/43274

[mcapanelli]

Here's some of my scabbards and suspensions.........

[Mirimaran]

Mike, did your Strider belt come from Blades by Brown?

[mcapanelli]

Mike, did your Strider belt come from Blades by Brown?

Why yes it did! I ended up selling the rig because I just didn't connect with the Borderwatch but man do I wish I could score that belt again. I should have kept the belt and kick myself for not doing just that.

[dwayne davis]

I have a feling that suspension system you made will probably work pretty good. it may not flop arround too much. sadly my photography skills are awefull. it's just a standard baldrick design i used on my deltin.

[Greg]

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Gorgeous rig there. How's it handle walking/running/drills, if you've put it through any? Too bouncy, or does it manage well?

[Mirimaran]

Mike I remember seeing the belt offered some time ago at his site. We've actually been in his store in Clemmons, NC. I don't know if he is still in business or not. You have some great stuff there, as does Jolromir!

[mcapanelli]

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Gorgeous rig there. How's it handle walking/running/drills, if you've put it through any? Too bouncy, or does it manage well?

It's rather floppy. I wouldn't want to run in the woods with it. I'm pretty sure the medieval Man at arms or knight didn't really consider stealth or getting caught in the brush very much. t think the next scabbard will be a double belted one. My biggest problem is trying to get something that will work in the brush but still be historical, or some sort of balanced trade off therein. I like your solution though. Does it work well in practice?

[Greg]

So far! I was working through some I.33 with my bristol and an 18" wood/padded buckler last night, doing sequences of cuts on water bottles as targets, and it held in place very nicely. I think the main difference between this and yours that I quoted is that the belt attachment locations are further apart. Yours essentially tries to put the blade in line with the belt, making it a part of the belt. The rear attachment on mine actually intersects with the belt at the center of my back, so it pulls the scabbard in to my side. David's Castile has a similar setup and similar problem, if you remember it. Mine doesn't solve all problems...but it certainly helps.

[Jon]

Awesome gear there, Jolromir

[Axemurderer]

Mike, did your Strider belt come from Blades by Brown?

Why yes it did! I ended up selling the rig because I just didn't connect with the Borderwatch but man do I wish I could score that belt again. I should have kept the belt and kick myself for not doing just that.

Mike was that a Crecy bladed Boarderwatch? Cause I know how you feel. I could never really get to like mine either. My Bresciawatch however is a whole different story.


Mike