Posts: 149 Location: scotland
Tue 22 Jan, 2008 1:03 pm
French Knights Sword-Castle Keep
Just a piece i have made for the shop here,a type XII,13th century French Knights Sword,with etched fuller,straight crossguard and elliptical style pommel.I inset the Silver fleur de lys into the beech grip,which is in turn cord bound and covered with calfskin.
The fullering runs to around 3/4 length.
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Posts: 21
Tue 22 Jan, 2008 1:24 pm
One of the most beautiful swords I've ever seen, no question.
Posts: 3,646 Location: Midwest
Tue 22 Jan, 2008 4:48 pm
Some very interesting elements in the design.
Posts: 336
Tue 22 Jan, 2008 5:42 pm
Good work again Rob. I really like the shape of the pommel. :)
However, I'm not sure I like the fleur-de-lys on the grip. Just my personnal tastes, but it seems, well, a bit too much...
Posts: 79 Location: Az.
Tue 22 Jan, 2008 7:25 pm
Quite beautiful. Is the inscription "Overcome or Die" one that was used historically or is it just one that captured the makers imagination?
Posts: 149 Location: scotland
Wed 23 Jan, 2008 1:34 am
Hugo Voisine wrote: |
Good work again Rob. I really like the shape of the pommel. :)
However, I'm not sure I like the fleur-de-lys on the grip. Just my personnal tastes, but it seems, well, a bit too much... |
Thanks Hugo,thats a fair comment too,it was just an idea really based on a couple of other studded grips that i have seen,i like it myself,not too conspicuous.
Posts: 149 Location: scotland
Wed 23 Jan, 2008 1:39 am
J. D. Carter wrote: |
Quite beautiful. Is the inscription "Overcome or Die" one that was used historically or is it just one that captured the makers imagination? |
I asked for some advice on the matter,it was going to be either this phrase or 'Dieu et mon Roi',I dont have any precedent,but there are plenty of inscribed blades from the Period,strong religious or monarchist sentiment seems to be a general Theme,rather than 'Sir Norris Luvs Mistress Betty ...Yea Muchly' :D
Posts: 629 Location: Sweden
Wed 23 Jan, 2008 1:53 am
Beauty! The Fleur De Lys is a nice touch. :)
Posts: 551 Location: flagstaff,arizona
Wed 23 Jan, 2008 6:16 am
This one comes together very nicely, I am not usually a fan of grip insets but this one looks like it belongs there. I really like the pommel too.
Posts: 79 Location: Az.
Wed 23 Jan, 2008 10:05 am
Rob Miller wrote: |
J. D. Carter wrote: | Quite beautiful. Is the inscription "Overcome or Die" one that was used historically or is it just one that captured the makers imagination? |
I asked for some advice on the matter,it was going to be either this phrase or 'Dieu et mon Roi',I dont have any precedent,but there are plenty of inscribed blades from the Period,strong religious or monarchist sentiment seems to be a general Theme,rather than 'Sir Norris Luvs Mistress Betty ...Yea Muchly' :D |
To me it seems very fitting for a sword. Again,beautiful work.
Posts: 1,717 Location: Buffalo, NY.
Wed 23 Jan, 2008 11:24 am
I like the form and proportions on this sword,
But WHY OH WHY put etchings on it. Etchings look so modern and, I feel, detract from any sword on which they are applied. Iscribing would be a better choice or ever inlay.
Jeremy
Posts: 149 Location: scotland
Wed 23 Jan, 2008 1:22 pm
well,we are getting some strong views about this!
as far as i know etching has long been a practice applied to both Swords and Armour.I think if it is freehand and in good script then it looks right,if it is done by machine however then it is too uniform,generally speaking.This blade could possibly have done with a much deeper etch,this defines the edges a lot better.
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Posts: 142 Location: Columbus, Ohio
Thu 24 Jan, 2008 4:04 pm
I actually really like the etching, it sets the sword off nicely and draws me into its lines
Posts: 23 Location: Canada
Thu 24 Jan, 2008 5:41 pm
Very nice Rob,
swords are such beautiful things that it's not too suprising to see so many people customizing them to fit there tastes and making them quite personal. A very sharp looking sword (if you'll pardon the pun) :)
....Dan
Posts: 149 Location: scotland
Fri 25 Jan, 2008 1:40 am
Thank you Dan,
Its not actually a customers sword,it was just a project that i wanted to put together here for the Gallery,along with the recent Crusader Sword,so its a test piece for form and proportions,maybe too much 'Bling' for some,but that is of course an option for the customer,the Cross and Pommel were my main considerations.
Posts: 305 Location: Maine USA
Fri 25 Jan, 2008 4:19 am
Another beautiful sword from Castle Keep! I (like others) especially like the pommel, and I also like the etching. You guys are doing great work.
Posts: 149 Location: scotland
Fri 25 Jan, 2008 8:46 am
thanks Allen,but there are no other guys here,i do everything myself.I'm getting to the grumpy old stage of not being able to trust anyone else with my work,and its too late to take an apprentice,so I am swordsmith,jeweller,leatherworker,woodworker,Photographer and Website Admin,and dont seem to be making much money from any of those things :D
does anyone know of a Sword maker who is not an impoverished and overworked artisan?
Posts: 1,812 Location: Washington DC metro area, USA
Sat 26 Jan, 2008 10:12 am
Very nice sword. Nice shape to the pommel. Plus, I really like the etching - it seems very well done, to me. And I like the details (cast? filework?) in the cross. As for the inset fleur-de-lis in the grip, I probably would not have deliberately chosen that element of the design, but I think that it came out well. Well done, Rob!
Posts: 1,757 Location: Storvreta, Sweden
Sat 26 Jan, 2008 1:19 pm
Rob!
Nice to see more explorations of embellished styles of the European sword. I like your choice of combination with the pommel and guard. They complement each other well.
It is inspiring to see good work by a fellow craftsman.
Looking forward to your next one, whatever it may be.
:D
Posts: 1,019 Location: South Indianapolis IN
Sat 26 Jan, 2008 5:33 pm
Hi Rob, "Just a piece you had made for the shop"? HOLY SMOKES Rob, that sword is exquisite in it's sheer Beauty :!:
A word for some reason I seem to rarely use, "LOVELY" this sword you have made is Lovely from tip to pommel!
That sword is a Jewel in my opion, a Jewel :!:
Bob
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