Hello, i`m interested to learn, step by step, about how the Baskethilt of a Baskethilt sword are made.
And what tools you need to bend the materials.

I have a link to Vince Evans picture trail that gives an idea of it.
Don`t know if there is more on this subject on the web.

Thanks for any help.

Eric

Hello Eric,
Vince's site is the only photo tutorial I'm aware of, and you really don't need much else in the way of how to put things together. To bend hilt elements, all you need for most items is a ball peen hammer, and a vice ( a fairly hefty one) upon which to whack things into shape. The only hilt elements that you'll absolutely need to heat to red hot for bending would be the forward guards: those loop-like structures at the front of the basket.

If you want to capture the feel of the originals, you'll need to make all the pieces separately, and shape and position them carefully before welding them together.

Unless you're trying to replicate a military basket of the later 1700s, don't just cut the hilt out of sheet and attempt to bend things to the right shape; it just won't look right!

Hope this helps a bit! --ElJay

Thanks for your reply :).

May i ask what type of welding equipment do u use?

I use an arc (stick) welder, but I've used MIG welders, too. Vince Evans uses a gas welder; I use gas for antique repair. Any type of welder will work for hilt making.

--ElJay

Thanks again :).

A good question, and some good answers too. I've been contemplating giving it a go myself, but haven't quite got my head wrapped around the complexities of that hilt yet. How hard/soft would a historic basket be? Are they hardened at all, or do the 'welds' provide enough stiffness? How much might a basket (hilt components) weigh? Interesting discussion, and thanks for the kind help.

Brass & Steel baskethilt by Vince Evans

Overall length - 39"(including button), Blade length - 33 1/4", Blade width - 1 1/4"(at hilt),Blade Thickness - 3/16" (at hilt), Fuller - 5/16" x 31 1/2", False edge - transition starts 13" back from tip steadily getting sharper to tip, Blade steel - 5160, Hilt steel - mild steel w/brass panels & wristguard, Weight - 2 lbs. 15 3/4 oz., POB - 2 5/16" (out from hilt), Basket width - 3 1/2", Basket length - 4 1/4", Basket height - 4 1/2", Grip length - 3 3/4"(including ferrules), Grip material - rayskin over wood w/ braided silver wire, Pommel diameter - 1 3/4" , Scabbard - leather over wood w/steel & brass fittings (weighs 10 1/2 oz.)
Component weights: Hilt - 1 lbs. 15 oz., Blade - 1 lbs. 3/4 oz.(Pommel - 8 1/2 oz., Basket - 1 lbs. 4 oz., Capstan nut - 1/4 oz., Grip - 1 3/4 oz.). Construction assembly - Takedown hilt (theaded tang & capstan).

Silver inlayed Stirling baskethilt by E.B. Erickson

Weight - 3 lbs. 2 oz., Overall length - 39 3/4", Blade length - 33 7/8", BW - 1 5/8", Blade thickness - a hair over 1/8 thick on the spine., POB - 4 3/8" out from hilt, Fuller length - 24 1/8", Fuller width - 3/4", tapering steadily. False edge - 8", blended smoothly.
Basket - 1 lb. 1 1/2 oz.
Pommel - 7 oz.( about 1 3/4 dia.)
Grip - 3 7/8" (weighs - 1 3/4 oz.)
Capstan - 1/4 oz.
Scabbard weight - 10 3/4 oz.
The blade is a modified Del Tin (possibly DT 2132) that was reworked by Eljay. The bare blade weighed 1 lb. 7 1/2 oz.

---

 Attachment: 62.66 KB

Mac - Those two "examples" are gorgeous! Now THAT is how to make a baskethilt!

Wonderful stuff Thomas, thank you so much. I am quite stunned by the overall weights, the blades make up a surprisingly small portion of the weight! They must make for wonderful cutting machines, I am convinced that I must have one, somehow.

Another question, if I may take up some more time; what is the purpose (or signficance) of the red felt liners seen in some baskets?

Excellent, thanks Thomas.

Those swords look amazing.