Late Viking age type XVIa longsword preveiw and questions
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 1:16 pm
This is the XVIa in Micheal Pikulas shop with a mock up of her new fittings, Type AE cross and a Geibig type 18 pommel. The AE cross was a struggle for me and after two weeks of working 10 to 12 hours a day to come home and work for several more hours to keep acheiving a result that did not live up to my vision for this peice, I sent it back to Micheal to let him cutler the sword.... "Retreat hell! I'm advancing the other direction!!"
I'm glad I did, I learned that my use of figured wood for the grip may not have been a good idea on a longsword as the longer grip does flex in a cut somewhat and could've cracked my grip. With that I decided to let Micheal go a traditional route so the grip will be a historically correct composite 9.5" grip, two peice wood core wrapped in leather over risers, similar to my XIV.
Thats the overveiw of the sword now lets talk about the scabbard. In my line of work call backs are important if there is a message on my cell from someone who has a job they need done they can expect a call from me within an hour or two, and if I say 7:30 in the morning I'll usually be there at 7:25, If someone is in business for themselves and cant return a call or keep their word: %^&*'em.
So with that in mind I gave up on figured wood, went to Lowes bought a plank of poplar and ordered a veg tanned calf skin from Waterhouse leather. I have in mind to do an interlace suspension as per Peter Johnssons instructions with the modificaction of a second suspension point to adjust the cant of the weapon. my question is do you guys think this will work? I've never seen an interlace done with a longsword and want some opinions.
Conversely the option is also open to do a strap bridge with interlaced cross strapping which would also require two suspension points but might look better....Opinions, experiences?
I'm glad I did, I learned that my use of figured wood for the grip may not have been a good idea on a longsword as the longer grip does flex in a cut somewhat and could've cracked my grip. With that I decided to let Micheal go a traditional route so the grip will be a historically correct composite 9.5" grip, two peice wood core wrapped in leather over risers, similar to my XIV.
Thats the overveiw of the sword now lets talk about the scabbard. In my line of work call backs are important if there is a message on my cell from someone who has a job they need done they can expect a call from me within an hour or two, and if I say 7:30 in the morning I'll usually be there at 7:25, If someone is in business for themselves and cant return a call or keep their word: %^&*'em.
So with that in mind I gave up on figured wood, went to Lowes bought a plank of poplar and ordered a veg tanned calf skin from Waterhouse leather. I have in mind to do an interlace suspension as per Peter Johnssons instructions with the modificaction of a second suspension point to adjust the cant of the weapon. my question is do you guys think this will work? I've never seen an interlace done with a longsword and want some opinions.
Conversely the option is also open to do a strap bridge with interlaced cross strapping which would also require two suspension points but might look better....Opinions, experiences?