I am fortunate enough to be receiving a custom "flat front" Sterling basket hilt from the hands of a well known figure on the Forum, the talented Mr. ElJay Erickson in a few days. The gentleman originally engaged to make the blade and "slip" it to fit the hilt is unfortunately otherwise engaged until the Fall. Fellows, I want my new toy and I want it now! Everyone gets that sentiment I hope...at least on this Forum!!

I need your advice: my hilt needs a blade. Can you recommend a bladesmith who could reproduce an accurate blade for a Walter Allen style Sterling hilt? I am envisioning a classic backsword blade with one or two fullers. Weight and basic blade handling characteristics such as the "spring", etc. would need to be as correct as possible.

I know there are numerous very worth bladesmiths out there but I am wanting someone who has the feel for this type of blade and has studied originals if possible.

Your advice is, as always greatly appreciated. If anyone is interested in this project personally, I'm sure Nathan and Chad would appreciate you "PMing" me rather than post here. See you all at the Blade Show Friday (God willing!)

Thanks to all.

I'm unaware of anyone making bare blades who I can suggest that has handled the real things and can use such experience to create an accurate reproduction for you. I have the same need you do, however, so would like to have a list presented to me, too :)

My recommendation would be Ollin. They were able to take a swiss sabre hilt that was built around an Atrim blade and make a more historically accurate blade and peen the whole thing together flawlessly. The sword is absolutely perfect now! They are priced well and, although I don't know what their current backlog of orders is, they have completed the projects they've done for me in very good time. They are also a pleasure to work with, giving updates with photos. There is a link to their website in the "links" section here at myArmoury. You can find pictures of the sabre I mentioned above on the site. Make sure to post pics of your finished baskethilt no matter who does it for you!!!!

I talked to Scott at Darkwood one about having a triple-fullered blade custom made once for a basket hilt. He gave me a reasonable price but I'm not sure if he is terrible familiar with historical basket hilts and the blade styles that were common to them. You may have to be very specific about the geometry if you have him make it, or provide a good example of what you want. Then again, I don't know, he may surprise you. It might be worth dropping him a line.
There was a discussion of SFI not too long ago in which Paul Macdonald of Macdonald Armory offered to make a blade along similar lines, I don't have any experience with him but he's in the right place...
I hope to be in this same position as you next year sometime, looking for one of these rather particular style blades for a custom hilt. I would be very interested in seeing and hearing about what you come up with. I recently took a DT blade to the grinder and fullered it myself to get the "right" blade for another basket hilt project...