Hey everyone!

Ive, been quite busy and away from the forum for a while so I just thought I'd take a break for some quick show and tell. :)

This is a new suite just finished for a Jody Samson katana/wakizashi set.


Stats:
Bass wood cores and risers, vegetable tanned leather covers and belts, mild steel fittings and hand-cut nephrite jade cabachons set in the chapes.




Best,
Kevin iseli
Elvenarts scabbard shop

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Beria (protect) and Egleria (glorify). Aptly named (and styled) for ElevenArts. I am impressed. Of course the choice of the proper Sindarin alphabet, rather than the Sindarin/Quenyan hybrid that apears on Tolkien's title pages, meant that I actually had to do some work to read it.

Again, nice work!

-Grey

Spectacular knotwork.

Very nice looking work, Kevin.

Kevin!

That is good and inovative work.

I especially like the way you solved the suspension.
A good eclectic mix.

Peter

Gasp...that is gorgeous!

I agree - this is some incredible work. The knotwork is beautiful, and the way the lettering stands out against the antiqued scabbard collar is wonderfully subtle. And to echo Peter - very smart way to rig the suspension.

I particularly like seeing a knotwork based (rather than integrally woven) suspension.

Please comment on how well this seems to work at holding the scabbard in convienient positions with the sword installed, withdrawn, and how it works out as far as re-inserting the sword.

Absolutely beautiful work!

Ken

Hey, Thanks everyone!!

Grey- I had forgotten to include the translations, but yours was quick and spot on! :eek: :D I'm very impressed. Thanks for that.

Peter- Thanks for your kind words! We were going for something like an elvish samurai look, so it was an interesting challenge.

Jared- I was particularly pleased with this suspension system. The swords are kept at a good angle, and because the whole thing wraps around your hip, they are kept from swinging side to side while walking or jogging. The scabbards stay in the same position when the swords are drawn, and the lower horizontal angle works with the curve of the swords to make re-inserting them easy. I found it easiest to grasp the locket with the left hand and keep the spine of the blade against the top of the locket as it is replaced (with a little umph at the end for that satisfying "click").

My sincere thanks to everyone for all of your kind words! This project was a lot of trial and error, but I was very satisfied with the final product. Again, thank you.

Best,

Very nice at all levels, swords as well as the scabbard: Perfect harmony between the two and it seems very functional as well.

This is at the level of fine art. :cool: :cool: :cool:

Thanks Jean!

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Peter Johnson. He really taught me a lot about working with leather and a bone knife, and he also really got me thinking about functionality and how things were done historically. I'm glad it translates in the fantasy pieces. He definitely changed my thought process for coming up with new suspension solutions.

Thanks Peter!