sword project
- RikJohnson
- Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
- Posts: 345
- Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 3:48 am
- Location: Tucson, Az.
- Contact:
sword project
Last year I was at the swap meet and saw the sword dealer selling a cheap chinese Celtic shortsword.
He wanted $30 but settled for $20 because, frankly, cheap chinese stainless....
BUT I wanted the hilt.
Kult of Athena had a Tinker longsword blade (OH2396) on sale so I snapped it up.
It arrived by UPS last night so I got the knob off the s/s and took the thing apart. Yup! as I suspected. Not only a rattail-tang but a short tang with a very poor weld attaching the bolt to the 1" tang.
Blade went into the junk pile, maybe I can make a gift for a friend who doesn't know any better..
The Tinker is much thicker so I will have to file the guard to fit the blade.
Then make a wood handle, oak? cherry?
finally a scabbard.
Something to do this weekend along with my bow projects.
need to re-epoxy my carriage bow and begin work on my horsebow.
He wanted $30 but settled for $20 because, frankly, cheap chinese stainless....
BUT I wanted the hilt.
Kult of Athena had a Tinker longsword blade (OH2396) on sale so I snapped it up.
It arrived by UPS last night so I got the knob off the s/s and took the thing apart. Yup! as I suspected. Not only a rattail-tang but a short tang with a very poor weld attaching the bolt to the 1" tang.
Blade went into the junk pile, maybe I can make a gift for a friend who doesn't know any better..
The Tinker is much thicker so I will have to file the guard to fit the blade.
Then make a wood handle, oak? cherry?
finally a scabbard.
Something to do this weekend along with my bow projects.
need to re-epoxy my carriage bow and begin work on my horsebow.
Last edited by RikJohnson on Mon Jan 12, 2015 6:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Those who give up a little freedom in place of a little security will soon discover that they possess neither.
- Eothain
- Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
- Posts: 273
- Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2013 10:53 pm
- Location: Glenwood, Iowa
Re: sword project
Sounds like you have a lot planned out! I just recently rehilted one of my swords, I may upload some pics of that soon. Have fun!
...in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach.
- grimwulf
- Dúnadan
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2014 11:09 am
- Location: the forest covered hills of NY
Re: sword project
can't wait to see how it turns out.
- Beornmann
- Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
- Posts: 329
- Joined: Fri Jun 27, 2008 1:57 pm
- Location: NE Ohio
Re: sword project
Yes, the handle does have a very Celtic look, much like Hanwei's Celtic Sword. Can't wait to see the finished build.
Near is the hour when the Lost should come forth, And the Grey Company ride from the North.
- RikJohnson
- Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
- Posts: 345
- Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 3:48 am
- Location: Tucson, Az.
- Contact:
Re: sword project
PHASE II (spelling errors corrected on 12 Jan)
A LOT of careful filing on both blade and hilt and it fits!
the tang of the tinker blade was much heavier than the el-cheapo chinese blade so I had to file hilt bit by bit to get the tang to fit through the hilt.
here is the result.
Tomorrow the weather promises to be decent so I will choose some wood and begin on the handle.
once done, the sheath.
A LOT of careful filing on both blade and hilt and it fits!
the tang of the tinker blade was much heavier than the el-cheapo chinese blade so I had to file hilt bit by bit to get the tang to fit through the hilt.
here is the result.
Tomorrow the weather promises to be decent so I will choose some wood and begin on the handle.
once done, the sheath.
Last edited by RikJohnson on Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Those who give up a little freedom in place of a little security will soon discover that they possess neither.
- grimwulf
- Dúnadan
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2014 11:09 am
- Location: the forest covered hills of NY
Re: sword project
looking good. were u thinking of leather wrap the grip or staining the wood?
- RikJohnson
- Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
- Posts: 345
- Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 3:48 am
- Location: Tucson, Az.
- Contact:
Re: sword project
I have not yet decided.grimwulf wrote:looking good. were u thinking of leather wrap the grip or staining the wood?
Here is the next phase.
I still need to finish the fit add the hanger and decide if it will be covered or stained or what. Maybe covered in leather at the ends of the scabbard and stained between???
Should I carve the handle and scabbard Or paint a decoration or what.
I had to add a horn bulb to the tip of the scabbard because it was a tiny bit short... you could barely feel the tip of the Tinker blade on the bottom so added something to decorate and protect it.
Later when the glue is dry, I'll polish the thing and consider making or buying some brass fittings for the scabbard.
I have some red sharkskin I'd love to add but... Period gets in the way<g>.
I also have to find that brass nut for the pommel. I put it someplace safe and it is too safe.
Also re-epoxied my carriage bow and made a few charcoal prefilters for my water filters and recalked the bulkheads in my kayak. With the 3-day weekend coming up, I really need some exercise. My pants are a bit tight from the holidays.
Those who give up a little freedom in place of a little security will soon discover that they possess neither.
Re: sword project
Love how this is shaping up. I'd say leather-wrap is the way to go, on both the hilt and the scabbard, with some suitable decorative risers, etc. But then, I'm partial to that style. I do like the idea of only wrapping part of the scabbard and staining the rest.
Maerondir Perianseron, also called “Mickel,” Halfling Friend - Ranger of the Misty Mountains
- Peter Remling
- Athel Dunedain
- Posts: 3735
- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:20 am
Re: sword project
I'd suggest against carving, the pommel is intricate enough. A carved grip would make it too busy. Try staining the grip to match the scabbard when it's ready.
Looking great so far !
Looking great so far !
- Kortoso
- Haeropada
- Posts: 822
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:37 pm
- Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Contact:
Re: sword project
Wow, really cool, Rik.
There are no safe paths in this part of the world. Remember you are over the Edge of the Wild now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever you go.
- grimwulf
- Dúnadan
- Posts: 64
- Joined: Mon Sep 22, 2014 11:09 am
- Location: the forest covered hills of NY
Re: sword project
that looks great. what are the stats now, blade , handle length . point of balance… I'm needing details lol how does it handle?
- RikJohnson
- Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
- Posts: 345
- Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 3:48 am
- Location: Tucson, Az.
- Contact:
Re: sword project
right now the only thing that is possible is the blade length.grimwulf wrote:that looks great. what are the stats now, blade , handle length . point of balance… I'm needing details lol how does it handle?
everything else will change as I progress. As I finish the handle, it may lighten a bit which will shift the POB a tiny bit. I may or may not shorten the handle a bit or even replace the wood with another kind depending on my mood.
Plus, until I find the brass nut for the pommel, I am afraid to swing the thing as i put a temp-nut on to keep it together.
But when finished, I'll post this all.
you can check with KoAthena for the bare blade stats though.
My weekend plans fell through (Maria had wild bunny sex with her bf and reinjured her back and no one else wants to go kayak camping this weekend in the cold so I may spend the 3-days working on the sword.
Those who give up a little freedom in place of a little security will soon discover that they possess neither.
- RikJohnson
- Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
- Posts: 345
- Joined: Wed May 05, 2010 3:48 am
- Location: Tucson, Az.
- Contact:
Re: sword project
next phase.
Gave the handle and scabbard a final sanding then a light staining.
added leather wraps at a few stress points but may change them to a much darker leather. Or maybe even a sheet of leather?
I am still working on the hanger.
I have ideas but what would be more in Period for the Celts?
ideas?
thoughts?
sorry, I didn't have time to get any weights and measurements.
Daughter's mom is in Peru with her 'doctors without borders' thing saving babies so I am watching her house and demented grandmother and cat until she comes home.
Gave the handle and scabbard a final sanding then a light staining.
added leather wraps at a few stress points but may change them to a much darker leather. Or maybe even a sheet of leather?
I am still working on the hanger.
I have ideas but what would be more in Period for the Celts?
ideas?
thoughts?
sorry, I didn't have time to get any weights and measurements.
Daughter's mom is in Peru with her 'doctors without borders' thing saving babies so I am watching her house and demented grandmother and cat until she comes home.
Those who give up a little freedom in place of a little security will soon discover that they possess neither.
- Kortoso
- Haeropada
- Posts: 822
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:37 pm
- Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Contact:
Re: sword project
Very impressive, bro!
Early swords were so short they could hang straight down without hindering walking. I don't know that this will be practical for this blade.
Early swords were so short they could hang straight down without hindering walking. I don't know that this will be practical for this blade.
There are no safe paths in this part of the world. Remember you are over the Edge of the Wild now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever you go.
Re: sword project
What a fun project! This makes me want to do one similar.
"Lonely men are we, Rangers of the wild, hunters – but hunters ever of the servants of the Enemy."
“My cuts, short or long, don’t go wrong.â€
“My cuts, short or long, don’t go wrong.â€