I found this company not too long ago (it's been a few months) and needless to say, I'm very impressed with what I've seen. However, I don't know too much about them aside from the pictures available on the site, and I'm wondering if anyone here has had experience with this company, be it good or bad:

http://yeshuas-sword.com/index.html

...Needless to say, I'm hopeful to hear of good feedback, because the workmanship, again, looks outstanding. I'm very hopeful for companies such as this one, not only due to the relative locale of the company, but for the fact that the aim of the company seems to be on building practical, functional weapons rather than just reproductions (which also happen to be practical and functional). That said, is there anything to note?

My experience with Ernie was nothing but good. He was communicative throughout the process and regularly updated me with photos showing his progress. His work is of a high standard and very reasonably priced for the quality. If you send him an Albion bare blade, he can make you something at least as good as an Albion and at 1/3 the price.

Here are some photos of the sword he made me and a scabbard by Jonathan at Crusader Monk.

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That's absolutely outstanding! Does he do any blade work himself, or just the pommelty and woodworking? I'm thinking that at minimum, I may have to comission a waster from this gentleman in the future if that works in my favor.

Needless to say, I've never considered Albion bare blades before, but that seems to be a great option for the poor swordsman (most likely, most of us, myself included). Considering how expensive Albions are from the launch, the price difference for a treated blade by itself is... most surprising.

...As an aside, I'm not certain why Albions are as expensive as they are. As the manufacturing process is far more mechanized than say, Arms and Armor, it really does make me wonder. At the same time, the up-front cost of that kind of machinery, maintaining it, and what have you, could certainly drive the cost up (as well as any hand finishing). I understand the price for design work as well, which those swords are noted for... but, after a point, all of that data becomes G-code pumped into a milling machine. It's an interesting set of things to consider.

Michael, AFAIK he doesn't make blades from scratch at the moment. He will heavily re-work and finish blades though. The Albion I sent him was 'in the raw', as it were and needed to be finished and have the profile finalized. Ernie will also cut existing blades to new lengths, create a longer tang etc.

I think the level of research and refinement of profile that goes in to an Albion is the chief reason they cost what they do; they really are some of the best in those regards.

I have dealt with Yeshua swords as well and I can't say enough good things about him. Ernie was great to work with. He asked a lot of good questions to make sure he did exactly what I wanted and communicated with me every step of the way. The level of quality was excellent and he finished before his deadline.

Ernie is, in my opinion, the BEST, most TALENTED machinist & craftsman that I have ever had the pleasure of doing business with (multiple times). His machine work is PRECISE, and OUTSTANDING... but there is MORE. Not every machinist is also an artist, craftsman, and knowledgeable in the sword realm. Ernie IS. I have built up multiple swords using items he has crafted, working WITH him to obtain items to insure proper balance and aesthetics.

This man is one of the rare GENIUSES of the sword world.

I'd recommend Ernie as well.

Pleasure to deal with and the work is very well executed.

I had him make me some fittings for a Hanwei Tinker longsword bare blade, which I converted to a hot peen and made a grip for it. Scabbard is in the works.

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I currently have a sword custom with Ernie that will be finished soon. Bought a Bruce Brookhart sword with a Raven Armoury type X blade and sent it to Ernie to remount with Viking fittings I selected from a historical sword. Look forward to the finished product. Communication has been excellent.

Here is a new pommel and guard that Ernie put on a Tinker blunt blade. Great job, good price, done in reasonable time.

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I highly recommend Ernie. I got one of his 1st scabbards, when he sold his ATrim 1520.


And he made me this mortuary hilt sword.






He also made a handle for one of my daggers.

Ernie, as also done work for my friends too. One friend of mine had him put a distal tapper on his DSA.

It looks like he might also me making blades?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=466059240155687&set=a.466059190155692.1073741835.202986696462944&type=1&relevant_count=4

Ernie has repaired a three swords for me and made a scabbard and a handle for an Owen Bush seax. His work is if possible getting even better. But he is getting a real backlog. My latest project has been with him since last spring.

But the work is outstanding and he a nice guy to deal with. His growing backlog of evidence shows proof of is quality and prices.

Robert

Ernie is one of the best and most talented in this business. He can fix, remodel, reshape, change or make from scratch. He also makes blades now.

Ernie is absolutely fantastic. I figure you know that by now, but I wanted to get on the "brag about my Yeshua piece" train, too. I bought an Albion La Tene blade, managed to butcher the last inch and a quarter by trying to hilt it myself, and then found Ernie. I sent him the blade and a sketch based on an image I found on SFI. Less than three months later, my absolute favorite sword arrived on my doorstep. Is it historically accurate? Not sure, don't care, doesn't matter. Ernie gave me EXACTLY what I was looking for, and then had the audacity to thank ME for giving him a project outside the norm! How can you top that? As my father would say, Ernie is a gentleman and a scholar.

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Finished product [ Download ]