Customized Cold Steel Baskethilt
I bought this s a few weeks ago from a fellow forum member, so I would have a sword for my 18th century re-enacting kit. I do not plan at this time to complete a Scottish kit per se. I just wanted to have a proper sword for my 1750s, and 1770s civillian militia kit.

I aged it with a combination of vinegar and salt, then a fine mist of bleach.

The filework was done with a small round file, and a triangle file.

I also decided that the leather needed to match the rst of the sword so a scratched and nicked it with sandpaper, and a small stone. Then I applied a small amount of Fiebings Antique Stain.

Next in line is to finish aging the scabbard to match, and build a proper baldric for it.

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That looks great, Paul! You got a very nice browned finish. Nice "jimping," too.

Looks great Paul! Gives it a whole new improved classy look with your filework :!:

Any chance of seeing an overall shot?

Wow that looks amazing!

Very nicely done filework.

Thanks guys it means alot to me that you think so highly of my work.

All in all it took about 40 min to do the filework, and get it even. I didnt know if there was any evidence to support this being done on baskethilts, but I wanted a unique look to my production piece.

I will do my best to get an overall shot this evening if the rain still isnt hanging around.

I believe the browning went so well because I applied bleach several times and let it get a nice coat of rust before I applied the Brownells Plum Brown.

I learned sometime ago on a browning project that if you let the solution sizzle on the piece it will actually make the browning darker, almost a chocolate colour.

Then I let the browning solution actually form rust for a couple days before I polish it and apply oil.


After viewing these pics and the sword for the past couple of days. I think I am going to buy some Ox Blood leather dye and make the liner darker to fit the scheme of the sword better.

Wow you have been busy Paul.... It is looking very good though. That blade really needed something like the filework on it to add that little extra bit. Keep up the good work.

Shane