I just wanted to share with you guys my latest customization. The basis for this one was Albion's 15th Century Bastard sword from their Squire Line. It is a very nice sword to begin with, but after a few upgrades, i think it is a very nice little sword indeed.
I upgraded the wrap, sharpened the blade and did a little polishing.
Let me know what you guys think,
Dan

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Very nice Dan.

If you don't mind me asking, how were you able to upgrade the leather handle? It looks like it was done at Albion.
Also what did you use to polish the blade?

Thanks for the big compliment :) !
The wrap was done the same way Albion does them with leather, glue, cord etc.
The polish was done with various grades of sandpaper and scotchbrite.
Dan

Now it looks like one of the high end Albions. I'd like to upgrade by Angus Trim like that. How much time did it take?

Thanks again for the kind words Allen, PM sent.
If anyone would like to have something similar done, whether it be to Albions, Atrims, Windlass, etc....or has any questions about what I do send me a PM ,
Dan

Great job! I thought about getting one of those used and doing the same thing but decided it's a bit too early in the 15th c. for my interests. I'm keeping an eye on the Squire line--wish they'd expand it.

I agree Sean, i think adding models would be a good idea as with the downturn of the economy and the necessary price increase, those models would be even more attractive to people.
Dan

A nice longsword in squire line would be great. Something like Crecy, Sempach or Talhoffer. :-)

I like the riser on the grip. It seems to be the most noticeable upgrade. I had to go look at the Albion web site Squire line model to try to compare. The photos probably don't do justice to the before and after polishing improvements.

I had wondered if anyone ever tried powdered machinists' polishing rouge in conjunction with the Scotchbrite buffing?

A really ambitious idea would be to strip the original wood grip off, and replace it with a waisted one. I figure you were tempted to do so, and could have easily pulled it off from the looks of your work! Nice job!

Jared

That's very nicely done Dan. And I second the comment about your wraps. They seem indistinguishable from the ones on the Albion Next Gen swords. Great job!

Ah, my preciousss... :D This will add a real treasure to my collection... just have to be patient a little longer. The grip is what I call a major upgrade, very aesthetically pleasing already on the photos. I'm eager to test the handling. And you even did some polishing without raising the price, Dan? Wow, thank you, that's a service! :)

Jean,

Try Lee Valley, I know that they have the green bar (chromium oxide/0.5 micron abrasive) for next to nothing.

I could be mistaken, but thought the red (iron oxide) rouge was the finest in micron size. I would expect the rouges to do some good with the even the grey Scotchbrite (based on experience with wet stones and slurry of abraded stone improving the coarser intact stone surface's performance.) One could mount a cloth buffing wheel on a gear reduced speed drill mandrel and just touch the buffing wheel to the rouge, then buff the blade. Alternatively, I thought about just grinding some up with a mortar or with pliers, and coating the Scotchbrite with the crushed powder while rubbing an oiled blade.

My local hardware store (Lowes, but also would expect Home Depot and other major brands) carries these machinists' rouges in the tools section. A bar (roughly 20 mm diameter by 125 mm long) costs a little less than $10, and has lasted me over 15 years in polishing carving gouges (at drill speed the green or yellow rouges can go to mirror finish very quickly), pinewood derby "nail axles", etc. I figure the green rouge would be adequate for satin/ low gloss sheen on sword blades. I have not had a need to try it yet since the Albions all came in with a pretty balanced compromise between satin - gloss as originally produced.

Jared: We used to have a traditional hardware store where one could buy anything from sponges to plumbing supplies to bars of tool steel and heavy machinery but the place closed down a couple of decades ago.

Most of the hardware store today seem more Walmart or Home depot types and are fine for finding window blinds but the more weird nuts and bolts widget/gizmo/supplies are not in their stock.

I haven't had to find more rouge since the small 6" long bar of it lasted until now: This stuff can be used up real fast if one is loading up a power buffing wheel but just smeared on a piece of paper a small bar of the stuff will last forever.

The white stuff seemed much harder and difficult to load up the paper with it and wasn't as fine in grit: Liked the red stuff more.

On a shammy the red is great for light polishing where some gentle abrasion is wanted.