Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
- Greg
- Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
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Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
I acquired a tinker longsword blade three or so years ago, which sat unused for a good three years, with various plans floating around it, and none of them really seeming "good enough" or what I really wanted. Not being one to settle, I finally found what I was looking for in a close Rangering friend of mine, the services of Eric Meulemans.
The plan was a 100% specifically designed-for-rangering blade, with nods towards function in the woods as well as carry convenience over long distance and in thick areas, etc. I didn't want to just ditch a dedicated fighting blade for the convenience of a long seax or the like, because Tolkien specifically states Rangers as carrying swords, so this was my compromise.
The blade has had approximately 6 inches removed from the end, making it an arming sword that is about an inch and a half shorter than my Bristol. It's about 1/4" narrower at the shoulders than that blade as well, so there's a small weight decrease overall. The fuller was widened to remove some waves, and the taper was re-ground side-to-side to remove defects and re-define the edge. The polish is flawless and rather stunning. This tip is nasty, in a good way.
The runes were etched in using some sort of fancy electro-chemical process I have little fundamental knowledge in...but they are stunning. It reads Ardeloth, written in Tolkien's Cirth, which translates as "Fearless".
In the following images, the stock Tinker threaded tang is still intact at its full length, which will be altered at its next stage of work.
And one from the artist, which shows off the polish, since my camera can't take a picture of a reflective surface worth a crap.
Next up? Off to Yeshua's sword for fittings! Thanks again to Eric, who made a beautiful and worthy weapon out of a bottom-of-the-stack bare blade.
The plan was a 100% specifically designed-for-rangering blade, with nods towards function in the woods as well as carry convenience over long distance and in thick areas, etc. I didn't want to just ditch a dedicated fighting blade for the convenience of a long seax or the like, because Tolkien specifically states Rangers as carrying swords, so this was my compromise.
The blade has had approximately 6 inches removed from the end, making it an arming sword that is about an inch and a half shorter than my Bristol. It's about 1/4" narrower at the shoulders than that blade as well, so there's a small weight decrease overall. The fuller was widened to remove some waves, and the taper was re-ground side-to-side to remove defects and re-define the edge. The polish is flawless and rather stunning. This tip is nasty, in a good way.
The runes were etched in using some sort of fancy electro-chemical process I have little fundamental knowledge in...but they are stunning. It reads Ardeloth, written in Tolkien's Cirth, which translates as "Fearless".
In the following images, the stock Tinker threaded tang is still intact at its full length, which will be altered at its next stage of work.
And one from the artist, which shows off the polish, since my camera can't take a picture of a reflective surface worth a crap.
Next up? Off to Yeshua's sword for fittings! Thanks again to Eric, who made a beautiful and worthy weapon out of a bottom-of-the-stack bare blade.
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
Beautifully done, in both it's conception and execution!
I can't wait until the project is concluded. That will be a sweet sword to protect and serve such an active Ranger!
Nice work on both your parts!
I can't wait until the project is concluded. That will be a sweet sword to protect and serve such an active Ranger!
Nice work on both your parts!
I am Ringulf the Dwarven Woodsman, I craft leather, wood, metal, and clay,
I throw axes, seaxes, and pointy sticks, And I fire my bow through the day.
Come be my ally, lift up your mead! We'll search out our foes and the Eagles we'll feed!
I throw axes, seaxes, and pointy sticks, And I fire my bow through the day.
Come be my ally, lift up your mead! We'll search out our foes and the Eagles we'll feed!
- Peter Remling
- Athel Dunedain
- Posts: 3735
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Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
That is going to be a beautiful sword. Congrats !
Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
Looks beautiful.
"Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be formidably armed." Richard, the Seeker (Sword of Truth)"
Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
Well done! It is a truly beautiful blade
- mcapanelli
- Haeropada
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Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
Any updates on this? I'd love to see how its turned out.
Winter is coming
- Greg
- Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
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- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
- Location: Eriador; Central Indiana
Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
The biggest current update is that I've acquired the handle material. I hunted down and acquired a block of gorgeous hardwood which will serve as the handle material for this as well as two other matching pieces. I'm waiting on a few funds to come together before it gets shipped out so I can prioritize the too-many-at-one-time commissions I have going on right now.
Nice to see your text, though, Mike! Don't be a stranger around here, now...
Nice to see your text, though, Mike! Don't be a stranger around here, now...
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
- Aaron
- Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
- Posts: 193
- Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:46 am
- Location: Orlando, FL
Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
Did you mean the blade was about 1.5" longer than your Bristol? I can't imagine 6" off the LS making it shorter than the Bristol...It should be right about 29" versus the VA's 26". I like that you removed the flared shoulders, I never liked that design. Overall the modifications make it look like a shorter Rhinelander blade.
Looking forward to what you do with the hilt.
Looking forward to what you do with the hilt.
- Greg
- Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
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- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
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Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
This isn't a stock Tinker production blade...it differs somewhat, and my sources have led me to believe that it's an earlier version he produced in limited quantities or something of that nature. It didn't have the flared shoulders, and may have been a bit shorter than the current production piece. The official dimensions, now measured a bit more carefully during the furniture design process, are 25 1/4" from blade shoulders to tip.
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
- Aaron
- Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
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Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
Ah, that makes sense, my apologies. Good looking blade, nonetheless.
- Greg
- Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
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- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
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Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
I decided to look around again a little, and I think I figured it out.
Pretty sure it started its life as one of these:
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... ith+Fuller
Pretty sure it started its life as one of these:
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... ith+Fuller
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
- Aaron
- Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
- Posts: 193
- Joined: Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:46 am
- Location: Orlando, FL
Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
Not unless you've had that fuller widened. I've owned two of those, and seen many more, and every single one of them has a fuller that's narrow like in KOA's pictures.
- Greg
- Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
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Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
Interesting. The fuller was widened marginally to straighten it, but nothing significant. Eh. Its origins may forever remain a mystery...but no one will care what it came from once they see what it ends up as.
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
- mcapanelli
- Haeropada
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Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
Are you sure it didn't start its life as This ?Greg wrote:I decided to look around again a little, and I think I figured it out.
Pretty sure it started its life as one of these:
http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp ... ith+Fuller
Winter is coming
- Peter Remling
- Athel Dunedain
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- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:20 am
Re: Custom Re-Worked Blade/Sword Build Progress
Nice catch Mike ! That sure looks right.