The long-awaited Dane is getting closer to completion.

Here are photos of the rough waxes Peter sent along today.

[ Linked Image ]

A few more photos here:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5452201...9838441137

Best,

Howy

I wonder if I'll be the only one that'll click with "Oooohhh, dane axes in manufacturers section!" in mind. And then " Ah, Dane Waxes... Wait, waxes?" ;)

That said, it looks really impressive, blade in proportion to such average room does looks scary.

And as a side effect, I'm contemplating blue sword right now.

It never occurred to me that you could sculpt the parts in wax first! That looks very impressive. I can't wait to be able to sit at my computer and damn the world for my inability to afford any your beautiful work.

I think Wax is how they do all their individual castings.

M.

Hello!

Yes, carving guard and pommel in wax is the normal procedure when I develop swords for Albion. It allows me to shape these so they have the typical shape of forged originals, without actually forging them. Working in wax allows me to add and remove without constrain. It is a material that allows precise shaping and can be worked rather quickly in the rough: you can use rasps, files, handsaws and scrapers but also turning on a lathe or even mill it if you have such a machine.

I work with simple hand tools, just as it lets me get the character of the forged and had filed part looked like on original swords.

Below I attach another image that show the size and proportion of the sword better. It is my half finished old armour. I am 1.84 cm tall and the pommel reach shoulder height when I stand straight. From tip to pommel the Dane is 147.5 cm ( 53"). The blade, including ricasso is about 107 cm (42"). At its widest the blade is 4 cm (1.57"). The point is 0.4 cm thick (0.16").

Even without pommel and grip, this blade is surprisingly agile. With the long grip it is almost halfway to a pole arm. The blade will allow both cut and thrust and the sturdy ricasso can be gripped to shorten the weapon. Is such a grip it reminds me of a pole axe. The point is both sturdy and sharp. It would probably thrust through padding and possibly burst mail rings. It is narrow enough so that it would only have to break one ring and the result would be a deep wound.

EDIT: adding two close up pics showing details of the ricasso and start of the edges.

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In preparation of the Dane, I have looked at quite a few swords of this family. A feature that just about every one of them share is the wire wrapping that is set at intervals along the grip. It is as a rule done in the same way with domed tack holding down the ends of the wire. Some have leather over the wood but under the wire, other have bare wood below the wire wrap. The Dane will have leather under the wire wrap.

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Great pictures!

I really like this bare wood with wire look, especially when it looks somehow "aged" like on the last photo.

Does anyone know why some swords like those had bare wood grips?

Or maybe why most medieval swords had leather grips when bare wood could work too?

I understand that this is probably question like " why some roofs are ceramic and other not", but still I'm curious. ;)

Thank you for your anwser!

Is this tree Alder perhaps?

I found it by roaming trough Wikipedia, so it may be very wrong guess. ;)

Hi Peter, first off I'd just like to say that, so far the Dane is looking awesome, so well done. I was just wondering if Albion had a reason, other than aesthetics, for wrapping the Dane's grip with leather, instead of leaving the wood exposed. This is just my opinion but I think a bare wooden grip, with those sections of wire, would look better, and it would be a unique feature for an Albion sword. Anyway like I said this is just my opinion, and again great work, I can't wait to see the finnished product.

Peter,

A magnificent representation of one of my favorite swords! I can't wait to see the final product.

Thanks guys,

Bare wood can be attractive, but the leather covered grip is going to be both more resilient and wear resistant.
If we made it with bare wood we´d had to establish a new stable wood source and a certain way to get consistent results. Bare wood can shrink and react to varying degrees of humidity. With swords being shipped to different locations around the world you may run into problems.

So, there are possible complications that are avoided by using the proven standard method. We know it works and gives a grip that will last over years and age in a graceful way.

And yes, it will be a wood + complete leather wrap + wire in sections. This will be one strong grip.

I am also looking forward to seeing the first Danes!

:D

So elegant, Peter! Beautiful! I have a long pommel like the one in the first antique photo you show above, and was thinking about using it on my Swedish project. It's great to see one up close. And that faceted grip! I swear I'm not trying to steal your ideas! I didn't know this sword was on the way.

I have had this sword paid off for several years now and, just like I knew it would, the pictures are exceeding my expectations. I'm almost giddy knowing that this amazing sword is going to be ready soon! No I take that back I AM giddy! I know it will be more than worth the wait! What an incredible looking weapon! One question though. Are we going to get a choice in grip color for this beast? Thanks

Fantastic sword! I queried Peter many years ago about commissioning a reproduction of the Svante Nilsson Sture sword and Mr. Johnsson directed me to Albion saying thay had a forthcoming project that would make me very happy. Needless to say, I've been a big fan of Albion since and the Dane is the sword I've most looked forward to.

I want mine with the light brown (Campaign Worn) leather grip--should look great with the wire wrap.

Many thanks to Peter and Albion for all the hard work that goes into these recreations!

This is going to be a big, beautiful beast! :D I am personaly more interested in the Maximilian... I think its going to be stupid beautiful... but I like the look of the Dane as well.