:wtf: my original post got lost when I hit the preview after I did the spell correction (which I NEED!) so I am now to lazy and tired to re-write it all over again :evil: so.....its picture time!!

ElJay and his creation
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Hilt #2
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"The Office"
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ElJay your digital infrared...
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Dang..... I am never going to complain about my working conditions again.

wait! did he make that? And with those tools?
I'm extremely impressed if that is the case, and also very inspired.

Ah .... nothing like field expedience to save the day ! The true warrior-craftsman will always find a way !

Wonderful looking pieces, both, Ben ! ( nice work, Eljay ! )
When your typing fingers get re-energized please give us all the details !

Mac

Yesterday I left the house at 0830 and arrived in Morro Bay, Ca at 1030 ( 133mi ) for lunch, show and tell and to pick up 2 rapier hilts that Eljay had made for me.

...Going back a year around the same time I met ElJay for the 1st time in M.B where I gave him some photos that I took of this antique rapier that was hanging on the wall at my local Gun store...after handling the antique rapier for awhile I just fell in love with everything about it from the smell of the old steel down to how alive it felt...never being much of a rapier fan...this one worked it's magic in me good and I was hooked...every time I needed ammo, bluing solution, a new fire stick I would stare and dream about it...

...Yesterday after our show and tell where I brought down my MLR Patton saber, Sarco Patton saber and one of my favorites the LF&c 1918 so Eljay could compare the 3, the Kris Cutlery Viking, Lutel Cinqueda, Armor Class Pappenheimer, and the Paul Chen 2002 GT basket hilt. ElJay brought with him ( and I should have taken notes! ) a Spanish broadsword that I was very surprised at how cumbersome it felt even with a short blade the POB was just way out to the tip, A small-sword that was a beauty ( next on the must get) an American Revolutionary? sword that felt amazing! and a cav. basket hilt that my basket hilt that Eljay has been working on for me will be based on. Having taken a camera down I failed bad in not taking any pics of the wonderful antiques that I was honored in handling...Then off to lunch (thanks ElJay for lunch!) with a nice conversation about all things, got in our cars (***G***) and went to a place where ElJay is seen in the photos above, did some mods to a stock Del Tin rapier blade tang that I bought last year after our 1st meeting from http://www.albionarmorers.com/ and then Eljay put together his creation and oooohhh what a beauty it is! I could not have more please, everything just feels so right...compared to the antique it is pretty much dead on in feeling...just amazing! Even my Wife who understands, supports and feeds my 4 big hobbies really fell in love with my ElJay made rapier, her big grin and twinkle in her Hong Kongian eyes was a 1st for me ever seeing while holding any of my weapons....and that for me was priceless....Thankyou ElJay for making her "See the Light" *g*

Thankyou ElJay and to your Family for taking the time yet again away from your vacation to meet

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Looks great! Makes me even more excited for my S-Hilt coming from him that is in line for this year! :D

Hi Ben,

Congrats on your new toys & thanks for sharing!

ElJay,

Superb work as always! I love the grip on hilt #2.