As many of you might know, I've been very lucky to have several swords created by E.B. Erickson and have shown them before in a forum topic.

I pulled out the swords today and started to play around with them. Some of them, being later period in style, have a threaded tang nut and allow for them to be disassembled. I took them apart and started to mix and match some pieces.

I took photos (with a point-and-shoot camera--please forgive the quality), and wanted to share them here.

The two swords being discussed here Germanic basket-hilts.

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From top to bottom, they are:

Sword #1: E.B. Erickson Germanic Basket-hilt
Another "continental" basket-hilt variety, this sword is a result of a collaborative effort between E.B. Erickson and Angus Trim. The sword is based on an antique in ElJay's own collection. This style of hilt was quite common and this replica is a good representation of the type. It has a tight wire-wrapped grip and long flaring quillons. The blade is a special ATrim back-blade designed for this hilt and roughly based on the original's design.

Sword #2: E.B. Erickson Germanic Basket-hilt
This ia very unique "continental" basket-hilt. The construction methodology is very much like that of a schiavona, having each bar only attached to the cross and knuckle-bow. This piece was based on a few different swords, including an antique in EBE's own collection and another antique found at the Museum of Border Arms and Armour, Scotland. This hilt is mounted on a blade made by E.B. Erickson.


I've always loved the types of baskets shown on Sword #1. They're really interesting to me. While I like the sword, I never really loved the blade mated to the hilt. I don't feel it represents many of the antiques that are known to us. Dynamically, it feels great, but I just don't think it was a good choice for the hilt. It's always bothered me. So I wondered what it would be like if I switched some stuff around.

Sword #1 shown mated to the blade from Sword #2 and its original blade shown unmounted below:

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Taking it further, I wondered how it would look having Sword #1's hilt mated to the other fittings and blade from Sword #2:

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The ironic thing about all this mix-and-match is that each combination feels absolutely great! I don't know what that is other than random luck, but it's an interesting side effect. It's also interesting how different of a character all these combination create.


So, what's the upshot of this whole experimentation? Well, I don't want to screw with Sword #2, as I think it's perfect as it is and won't permanently sacrifice the pieces for the other sword. So, I guess that means I'm going to need to find a way to get a new blade created for Sword #1 that better fits the hilt. I suppose this means I have yet another thing to try to justify in terms of expense, which likely means it will have to wait for quite some time. Oh well!

In my opinion the experiment is worth waiting.Don't forget to post the results! :cool:

I notice the blade for the second hilt has a small indentation to invite the index finger across the guard under the protection of an annelet. Where did that blade come from?

For a new blade for the first hilt, are bare Del Tin blades available anywhere? Does Darkwood Armoruy sell them? They do sell bare blades, but I'm not sure who makes them or if they would work with this hilt.

That blade was created by EB Erickson.


I didn't know that he made blades as well as hilts. Another facet of his artistic genius.

You're right about not importing a pre-existing blade. It would be a hope-to-get-lucky gamble. It might look good, but would likely be unbalanced.