Just a piece i have made for the shop here,a type XII,13th century French Knights Sword,with etched fuller,straight crossguard and elliptical style pommel.I inset the Silver fleur de lys into the beech grip,which is in turn cord bound and covered with calfskin.
The fullering runs to around 3/4 length.

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One of the most beautiful swords I've ever seen, no question.

Some very interesting elements in the design.

Good work again Rob. I really like the shape of the pommel. :)

However, I'm not sure I like the fleur-de-lys on the grip. Just my personnal tastes, but it seems, well, a bit too much...

Quite beautiful. Is the inscription "Overcome or Die" one that was used historically or is it just one that captured the makers imagination?

Beauty! The Fleur De Lys is a nice touch. :)

This one comes together very nicely, I am not usually a fan of grip insets but this one looks like it belongs there. I really like the pommel too.

I like the form and proportions on this sword,

But WHY OH WHY put etchings on it. Etchings look so modern and, I feel, detract from any sword on which they are applied. Iscribing would be a better choice or ever inlay.
Jeremy

well,we are getting some strong views about this!
as far as i know etching has long been a practice applied to both Swords and Armour.I think if it is freehand and in good script then it looks right,if it is done by machine however then it is too uniform,generally speaking.This blade could possibly have done with a much deeper etch,this defines the edges a lot better.

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I actually really like the etching, it sets the sword off nicely and draws me into its lines

Very nice Rob,
swords are such beautiful things that it's not too suprising to see so many people customizing them to fit there tastes and making them quite personal. A very sharp looking sword (if you'll pardon the pun) :)


....Dan

Thank you Dan,
Its not actually a customers sword,it was just a project that i wanted to put together here for the Gallery,along with the recent Crusader Sword,so its a test piece for form and proportions,maybe too much 'Bling' for some,but that is of course an option for the customer,the Cross and Pommel were my main considerations.

Another beautiful sword from Castle Keep! I (like others) especially like the pommel, and I also like the etching. You guys are doing great work.

thanks Allen,but there are no other guys here,i do everything myself.I'm getting to the grumpy old stage of not being able to trust anyone else with my work,and its too late to take an apprentice,so I am swordsmith,jeweller,leatherworker,woodworker,Photographer and Website Admin,and dont seem to be making much money from any of those things :D
does anyone know of a Sword maker who is not an impoverished and overworked artisan?

Very nice sword. Nice shape to the pommel. Plus, I really like the etching - it seems very well done, to me. And I like the details (cast? filework?) in the cross. As for the inset fleur-de-lis in the grip, I probably would not have deliberately chosen that element of the design, but I think that it came out well. Well done, Rob!

Rob!

Nice to see more explorations of embellished styles of the European sword. I like your choice of combination with the pommel and guard. They complement each other well.
It is inspiring to see good work by a fellow craftsman.
Looking forward to your next one, whatever it may be.

:D

Hi Rob, "Just a piece you had made for the shop"? HOLY SMOKES Rob, that sword is exquisite in it's sheer Beauty :!:
A word for some reason I seem to rarely use, "LOVELY" this sword you have made is Lovely from tip to pommel!
That sword is a Jewel in my opion, a Jewel :!:

Bob