An interesting study of a pro in action ....... Mr. Vince Evans

I have my name on a new claymore, that was recently born of the fire , out in the Highlands of AZ .

Vince sent me these pic's , and wrote the following ..........

"Hi Mac,

Here are a couple of pictures of me grinding on the claymore blade. It
will give you an idea of how I attempt to maintain straight lines. These
long blades are trickier to grind and keep straight lines as they sag when
held horizonally.

Hope you find these interesting. - Vince"

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Mac,
Congratulations on your newest acquistion. I can't wait to see this one!

Ron

That's going to be a great one Mac!

I always enjoy the photos of Vinnie da'man at work.

I'l be looking forward to seeing this one ! I wonder how far that grinder could shoot Mas's blade out? :eek: Hope you continue to share Mac!!

Seeing this photo makes me wonder if anyone has thought of using a surface grinder (ala automotive head resurfacer) for grinding the flats on long blades.

Basicaly a platen on both sides with a spinning wheel in the center. I guess there is more you can play around with on a belt grinder but for plain cleaning up the flats (after forging, milling), I think it might be viable.

It would, however, make a grinding pattern crosswise as opposed to lengthwise. Hmm.

?8•)

Cheers

Glen

ho boy!

i can't wait to get a look at this one.

-D

I figured you'd be getting a replacement for the A&A Claymore you sold, seems like too big of a hole in a scottish collection without the claymore!

Hi Mac!

Thanks for posting the pictures, very interesting.

Do you have any rough stats for the claymore yet and what are the hilt componets going to be?

dave

As I'd mentioned above ....

Vince is working on a most interesting new Scottish two-hand claymore !

The sword will be based on an original piece that currently resides at the Kelvingrove Museum , Scotland ,
and features a hilt that sports an unusal ball carved into it's extra long grip.
The pommel is also quite unusual , given it's comparitively smaller size, and leaves one wondering
what sort of counter-balencing properties might it have ?
( Mr. Evans wants to know *g* )

Here are a few photo's that Vince took of the original .......

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Next ....

In-Progress shots ........

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"Today's progress includes the rough clean
up of the guard. I still haven't attached the quatrefoils but have them
assembled. The grip is drilled and burned to fit the tang and I started on
the pommel before I quit this evening. The pommel size looks silly but
that's what the original is like. The blade is about 42", maybe a touch
less by the time it's all seated. This should be an interesting sword when
it's finally done, but then, that's the reason I wanted to build it."

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It's gonna be a special sword ! Mac

* All pic's copyright Vince Evans, 2002 -2003 .

Cool claymore, Mac. I've seen pictures of it before and always liked it's design. That grip looks really long. Do you know what it's length is?

The pommel is interesting! not sure if I can tell from the pictire but is it an oval, kind of flattened shape?

She's a beauty Mac! You have my envy!

Hi Chuck

I've not seen a good closeup shot of the originals pommel ..... but I'd say , beyond it's small diameter, it's just your typical round shaped Highland wheel !

Here are a couple new in-progress shots of Vince grinding the pommel for his version !

It's gonna be a-w-e-s-o-m-e , Mac

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Chuck Perino wrote:

The pommel is interesting! not sure if I can tell from the picture but is it an oval, kind of flattened shape?

Here's another shot hot off the presses ......

..... this one showing the "rough grip being planed". The wood , as I recall Vince saying he would use, is ash !

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Dont ya just feel like were in the shop with these wonderful in-progress pic's *g* Too cool , thanks Vince, Mac

Hi Mac
I was in Scoland in 2000, and spent the good part of a day in Kelvinsgrove Museum. More specifically in the arms collection.
I have TONS of pics from that collection, so i will try to post some if you like. I remember that claymore well because its the only TRUE two hander they have/ had on display. I always thought the grip looked a bit odd with the ball, but i must have been staring at the blade because i dont remember making a mental note of the oddly misporpotioned pommel, well it WAS 3 years ago..........
at any means im sure thats going to be a wonderful sword. The original was a sweet one. There are MANY swords in that collection and also at the culloden memorial museum that i wouldnt have minded playing with.......... sweet stuff.

Ok, here it is, i found the picture and scanned it for ya,
It doesnt really add much to the conversation, but its better rez
I took many pics while in Kelvinsgrove, but sadly the ONLY pic i had someone take of me (beside THIS claymore actually) turned out so dark its barely recognizable as me, all you can see is my big smile.......... notworth posting....

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Thanks David ..... appreciate your help !

I received this message from Vince today , and it helps to explain where he is coming from , in regards to this project !

Mac

The sword that I'm building is a combination of two different originals,
one in the Kelvingrove Museum and the other in the British Museum. The
grip in the British Museum I found to be more elegant, although they both
have the small, oval pommel.

I'll send an update picture later on. - Vince"

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As promised .... here are the latest update pic's on the claymore's progress !

You can clearly see how Vince is combining elements of the two pieces, whilest adding his own personal touches to the mix !

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Vince wrote : "Hi Mac,
Here are a couple more pictures. As you can see, it's not quite a ball but
more than the ring. Now I have to clean everything up and do the details
and finish out the blade. These projects seem to drag on and then, all of
a sudden, they look like a sword :) Take care,Vince".

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I can't wait to feel this baby *g* Mac

Is Grace doing the shooting here?