I just want to let everyone know that noted swordsmith Paul Champagne has passed away.

http://www.thearma.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23875

A great lost for the sword community.

Ran

I had gotten the news just recently. This is very sad news. Paul was a damn fine gentleman. He was not only a skilled and knowledgable swordsmith, but was also just a great guy overall. He will be sadly missed. Thanks Randall for posting this here.

That is a huge loss. I have heard a great deal about him from people who knew him and he seems like the best of gents. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family and his friends. He really was too young.

RPM

Sad news indeed. Prayers & thoughts for the Champagne family.

A sad thing and a legend in his own time.

Esperance en Dieu

GC

I am deeply shocked and saddened by this news. I met Paul at the Met last September while visiting to do some research, and was very impressed by him. Thoroughly relaxed and friendly, a real gentleman. I had heard of him over the years through his experimental archaeology work on blademaking from raw ores, and was really pleased to have met someone so dedicated to his craft. He was so young and had so much still to achieve, it is a great loss. RIP Paul, you will be missed.

Why do all the great minds get to die before I ever meet them?

:(

M.

May the Death bring his soul to his rightful rest...

Adelandeyo!

A loss for our hobby but a tragedy for his family.

Very sad and condolences to his friends and family.

I've learned a lot from his articles and video clips, and he was someone I have wanted to meet. This is sad news indeed. My prayers are with his wife and family and close freinds.

Paul's was one of the first names I heard when I began learning about the sword industry. He seemed to be a man of fine reputation, quality work, and a kind heart. A beautiful combination. The world has lost a good soul, and the industry a good swordmaker. I'm glad he was a part of "Reclaiming the Blade." It's nice that he's been immortalized that way.

Albion sends its most deeply-felt condolenses to his family and friends.

Sigh... He used to live a ways up the road from me. My apprentice and I were eventually going to finagle an introduction...

Really a heavy lost for all of us, Mr. Champagne are a living legend in our comunity.
My sincere condolence for the family and friends.

Que descanse en Paz.

I just heard the terrible news. I never met the man but I heard a lot of good things about him and really admired his work. My thoughts are with his friends and familly.