http://www.kp-art.fi/jt/miekat/miekat2_e.html

His works are highly recommended in Guy Windsor's book and I wonder how is his stuff rated by those who actually handled it.

I also just started reading Guy Windsor's book and noticed his endorsement of this company. If anyone has any information on them I would really appreciate it.

Ben

I've been admiring photos of his work for years. I've never seen an example in person though. It would be very interesting to hear from someone who has.

Without handling his swords personally, I can only tell from the photos that there are clearly showing some style differences in the appearance. Just running the risk of over generalization, I found that Peter Johnsson is very clean on lines. Vince Evans is very clean on lines too but some works show more bio-like reflections on the surface (I don't know how to describe it in English... I mean... you can see it's definitely hand work because it's so bio like as if it's a creature). Then JT is the most bio-like among the three.

It doesn't mean anything good and bad, for I found these difference exist in the antiques too. Some swords, especially the most excellent one in the past, have very clean lines like PJ and VE stuff. And then the majority has a very bio-feel of hand work like JT's stuff. Looking at JT stuff I can immediately recall the images of the patina-covered antiques.

So I really wanna know how good they handle. :)

I have heard only good things about him but the pictures of the swords don't inspire me. They seem like swords made for peasants. I like the knives much better.

Yes they are nice. However they don't floor me like Patrick Barta's reproduction of the Sutton Hoo sword for ex. http://www.templ.net/pics/a15av.jpg

I asked JT about a sword last year. I got the impression that the functional aspect is top priority in everything he makes.

I think y'all will appreciate this one--a recreation (sadly) confined to a glass case in Prague. No info about the maker, but I'm betting this is from a Czech maker.

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Thanks Sean!

That's another beauty. I love the detail work on Migration era swords. Their composite construction has always fascinated me too. It shows an ingenious way to make the most of the available materials and technology.

Just a brief impression based on a brief visit.

I've handled a couple of JT's swords, and indeed visited his forge on Wolf Island in Helsinki harbour. They are indeed hand-forged. He is an individual bladesmith rather than a company.
In terms of functionality I think JT could not bring himself to make a non-functional sword. He seems to have a fierce integrity on behalf of weapons.
Two swords in particular I recall handling were a hanger and a longsword.
In terms of feel and handling I was reminded of a couple of the swords in the Wallace collecion. JT's swords are alive - living steel. In handling them they had a similar charisma and character to the Wallace swords, yet with a warmth and energy that was 'younger'{?} than, but similar to, the more venerable swords. Forgive the poetic language but to just say they 'had a good balance' or something wouldn't be getting close...

I'm not going to say too much as I'm talking to him about ordering a sword and I don't want the waiting list to get too long!

I hope this is of help

Best

Mike