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Rob Miller
Industry Professional
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 Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 10:12 am Post subject: Castle Keep - Finnish Viking Sword |
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I was approached around a year ago to make an interpretation of the Finnish Princess Sword,using a Damascus steel blade and with attention to detail on the grip.I am aware that Albion will be producing their version,but i think i am right in saying that they will be fitting a bound grip rather than the style of the original,so hopefully no toes stepped on 
I have used horn and Masur birch for the grip,with inset bronze panels and a bronze central ring,to reflect the original look which appears to be carved bone.
This is really an ongoing project,as i have made patterns for scabbard mounts that will compliment the sword fittings very nicely.This Sword is at present rough assembled to give you an idea of the eventual dynamics of the piece,the fuller extends to around 3" from the tip,it really has a very elegant and beautiful look to the piece as it stands,i may also make the scabbard in Birch for a nice matching set.
I need to invest in a tripod so that i can get some better shots,but i will try and keep this updated as things progress.
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Jonathan Blair
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| Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 10:20 am Post subject: |
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oh wow  that is beautiful.
I am simply amazed and it isn't even finished (no pun intended) yet.
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." - The Lord Jesus Christ, from The Gospel According to Saint Matthew, chapter x, verse 34, Authorized Version of 1611
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Justin King
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 10:27 am Post subject: |
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That is is a beautiful piece!
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Vegard Stomsvik Pedersen
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| Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 10:31 am Post subject: |
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WOW! Breathtaking sword! I realy like the engravings on the hilt and the finish on the blade!
Skål!
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Jean Henri Chandler
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| Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 11:06 am Post subject: Beautiful |
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Beautiful sword, I'm interested in learning more about that original which is amazing as well, seems in quite good condition. Why do they call it the "princess" sword, was it found buried with a female skeleton?
J
Books and games on Medieval Europe Codex Integrum
Codex Guide to the Medieval Baltic Now available in print
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Mikko Remes
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| Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 11:51 am Post subject: |
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Truly a magnificent sword. Great work.
Jean:
The sword was found in a grave near the village of Suontaka, Finland. In the grave there were some other weapons and a female skeleton in an armour. The grave and the remains have been dated to about 1000 ad. The remains were found while digging routes for water lines back in 1968.
-mr
Hakkaa päälle!
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Jean Henri Chandler
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| Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 11:59 am Post subject: |
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| Mikko Remes wrote: | Truly a magnificent sword. Great work.
Jean:
The sword was found in a grave near the village of Suontaka, Finland. In the grave there were some other weapons and a female skeleton in an armour. The grave and the remains have been dated to about 1000 ad. The remains were found while digging routes for water lines back in 1968.
-mr |
Fascinating, I have to look that up, I have a file on weapons associated with female burials, I can't believe I missed that one. Thanks amigo.
Jean
Books and games on Medieval Europe Codex Integrum
Codex Guide to the Medieval Baltic Now available in print
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Peter Cowan
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| Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 1:36 pm Post subject: |
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Rob,
I wrote you a couple of days ago saying how much I admired your sabre. Well now I am truly bowled over. The Suontaka sword has been a favorite of mine and the job you have done on this is incredible. I take my hat off to you,mate. I am definitly going to get you to make a sword for me as soon as I can afford it.
All the best,
Peter.
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Allen Andrews
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| Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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I do love pattern welded blades, and this one seems especially beautiful! Well done 
" I would not snare even an orc with a falsehood. "
Faramir son of Denethor
Words to live by. (Yes, I know he's not a real person)
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Rob Miller
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you all so very much, I am very happy that this project has received such a favourable response,the original is such an extraordinary Sword,unlike anything else from the time period that i know of,it deserves a thoughtful approach in the interpretation,I look forward to finishing the scabbard too.
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J.G. Grubbs
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| Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 4:18 pm Post subject: |
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Superb work Rob. I'm glad I'm on your list! You're making it hard to settle on a single design! 
"The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour."
Samurai Proverb
James Grubbs
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Tim Lison
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| Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 7:31 pm Post subject: |
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Rob-
You've really been on a roll of great viking swords. First the Balinderry, now this. You get better with each one! Fantastic! Keep them coming.....
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Jean Henri Chandler
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| Posted: Fri 20 Apr, 2007 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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Can you tell me a bit about the metalurgical composition of the blade? The patterns look a bit like there is some nickel (?) in there?
How much does the sword weigh and what are it's dimensions?
How long is your waiting list
Jean
Books and games on Medieval Europe Codex Integrum
Codex Guide to the Medieval Baltic Now available in print
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Rob Miller
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Sat 21 Apr, 2007 3:15 am Post subject: |
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| Tim Lison wrote: | Rob-
You've really been on a roll of great viking swords. First the Balinderry, now this. You get better with each one! Fantastic! Keep them coming..... |
Thanks Tim,
I am going to gradually upgrade my entire line to reflect the new pieces that i am creating,plus rework the stock pieces slightly where it is called for,so effectively i am pushing forward a fresh line of top end pieces,the Website will be rebuilt shortly to reflect that ( I post a lot of ongoing project work on my Forum at. http://forums.castlekeep.co.uk/ )I have been lucky enough to get some Customers who have been prepared to Commission more expensive projects,that have allowed me a fair amount of room to improve my product,that is what really makes the difference,having breathing room to experiment with ideas,and people who are willing to let you indulge yourself in a project
Jean,
I will get some details for you about the blade statistics after the weekend,and post them here.My current waiting time is around 10-12 Months,I do not take deposits as a rule,and it is also worth noting that there is presently a very bad exchange rate between UK and the U.S.A,this is not particularily good for me either,as most of my customers are in North America.
Oh,and on another note,i just e bayed a Tripod for my camera,so i should be able to get some better shots from a distance without the constant Delirium Tremens interfering.
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Steve Grisetti
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| Posted: Sat 21 Apr, 2007 6:31 am Post subject: |
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| Rob Miller wrote: | | ... I am going to gradually upgrade my entire line ... |
Well done, Rob! A beautiful sword! I am very fond of my old Castle Keep baskethilt, which reflects a high level of craftsmanship. But, with this new Princess interpretation, as well as some of the other new pieces that you have shown us recently, it is clear that you have stepped up to another level of artistry. Keep them coming!
"...dismount thy tuck, be yare in thy preparation, for thy assailant is quick, skilful, and deadly."
- Sir Toby Belch
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Hugo Voisine
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| Posted: Mon 23 Apr, 2007 10:04 am Post subject: |
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Amazing job mister Miller. Simply amazing. 
« Que dites-vous ?... C'est inutile ?... Je le sais !
Mais on ne se bat pas dans l'espoir du succès !
Oh ! non, c'est bien plus beau lorsque c'est inutile ! »
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Toni R.
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| Posted: Mon 23 Apr, 2007 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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Absolutely beautiful. For some reason I've missed the original. I have been in a belief that there are not too many viking swords found in Finland. Shame on me. Guess I should do my homework better 
Waiting to see it with scabbard.
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Rob Miller
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Tue 24 Apr, 2007 10:02 am Post subject: |
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| Jean Henri Chandler wrote: | Can you tell me a bit about the metalurgical composition of the blade? The patterns look a bit like there is some nickel (?) in there?
How much does the sword weigh and what are it's dimensions?
How long is your waiting list
Jean |
Jean,
the sword weighs in at 2Lb 14oz
2" wide at the cross
7/8" @ 2" from tip
P.O.B 5"
the steel composition is 5160 and 203E, a high nickel mild steel alloy.
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Laurie W
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Sat 28 Apr, 2007 4:40 am Post subject: |
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Very beautiful! I would love to see your interpetation of it's scabbard and mounts (considering none were found....at least I do not think so)
| Quote: | | The sword was found in a grave near the village of Suontaka, Finland. In the grave there were some other weapons and a female skeleton in an armour. The grave and the remains have been dated to about 1000 ad. The remains were found while digging routes for water lines back in 1968. |
"From Viking to Crusader" has a photograph of this sword along with a few other pieces found in this grave. But the description says nothing about the female skeleton was dressed in armour! I wonder what is meant by that (bits of mail?) Another source, just says | Quote: | | From Suontaka and Pahnainmäki, Häme in Finland were found two richly furnished female graves from the Viking period with two swords placed at their feet. Giving archaeological support to the Sagas describing the independent character of Finnish women who were fatal to Swedish Kings. |
But these two were not the only female graves found with weapons in them. Which lends credence to what few literary accounts of "Warrior Women" (i.e. Saxo, sagas) mentioning them. But that would be going outside of this thread.
Laurie Wise-Fraser FSA Scot.
Kirby Wise-Fraser FSA Scot.& Son
Arms and Armour
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Rob Miller
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Sun 29 Apr, 2007 11:27 am Post subject: |
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the scabbard mounts are ready to form and cast,but i have not made the Scabbard itself yet,this will take some time,but i shall post back on this thread when that is completed.
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