Original sword as purchased from MRL - Overall I liked the sword but 2 features bugged me quite a bit. 1) The checkerboard pattern imprinted on the pommel. 2) the grip was super thin, not the profile but the thickness
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii553/bheff1066/005-2.jpg)
Super thin grip, felt very odd
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii553/bheff1066/011-2.jpg)
First thing I did was grind away the checkerboard. Then I blued the fittings some as well as the fuller. I realize the fuller being blued is prob. not very historical, but...
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii553/bheff1066/20130217_104040_zpse203996f.jpg)
And finally I removed the old grip and hand carved a new one. I think I am going to leave it wood, as is to add some variety to my small collection.
Old grip without leather
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii553/bheff1066/20130406_095552_zpse7dcb191.jpg)
I made the new grip Octagonal in shape and then cut in some grooves
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii553/bheff1066/20130407_180815_zps6a39b920.jpg)
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii553/bheff1066/20130409_073150_zps659526f2.jpg)
![Photobucket image](http://myarmoury.com/images/pb/img.php?i=http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii553/bheff1066/83eadbc9-4f82-4f7c-8d39-864737179f64_zps40732890.jpg)