Engravings on the MRL Ulfberht Sword. -- myArmoury.com

Nicolai Overgaard

This is my first post here and before I get to it I just want to say how much I enjoy reading through the posts here.
I have had my eye on this sword for a while but the only thing that keeps me from buying it is the engravings. So, I was wondering if someone knows of a way to remove the engravings on the Ulfberht sword?

Thanks for a great forum.

David McElrea · Posted: Sun 05 Aug, 2007 3:34 pm Post subject:

Hi Nicolai, and welcome to the forum. I have no wisdom to offer regarding the removal of inscriptions-- if you don't mind my asking, though, why would you want to remove an Ulfberht inscription? I am assuming it is a reproduction... are you not happy with the quality of the reproduced inscription? I only ask because these seem to have been highly desirable blades "back in the day".

Yours,

David

Bruno Giordan

[quote=\"Nicolai Overgaard\"]This is my first post here and before I get to it I just want to say how much I enjoy reading through the posts here.
I have had my eye on this sword for a while but the only thing that keeps me from buying it is the engravings. So, I was wondering if someone knows of a way to remove the engravings on the Ulfberht sword?

Thanks for a great forum.[/quote]

Keep it as it is: original ULFBERTHs had complex engravings, which today could be reproduced only at a price.

But the verision they sell, if I\'m not wrong, is scratched, graffito like: now I have seen an original SININIS sword on exhibit in Aosta whose inscription is graffited.

So the technique of graffito is period, even if probably it is made with laser techniques.

The look won\'t be so bad, the sword seems rather historically correct, at least judging from the pics.

David Sutton · Posted: Mon 06 Aug, 2007 5:03 am Post subject:

Hello nicolai, and welcome to the forum!

I have the Ulfberht sword from MRL/Windlass. Its quite a nice sword though the guard is a little on the thick side and I think the blade could perhaps do with a little more presence, but overall, and for the price point, it was a good purchase.

As to the engravings; Before I bought the sword, I was also a little concerned about the engravings. Knowing what had been previously said about MRL products I was bracing myself for a nasty decal or similar stuck on the blade, but the inscription is quite well done. I'd say, however, that it would be hard to remove as its quite deeply engraved. The letters are (i assume) chemically blued to a deep blue grey. But I decided to give the blade a satin rather than the mirror finnish that it had originally, and the bluing has faded a lot giving just a subtle variation in colour, which I think is more attractive.

To echo David's sentiments though, why would you want to remove the Ulfberht inscription? During the early medieval era, an Ulfberht inscription was seen as a sign of quality, maybe even of almost magical significance. Therefore it was often replicated or faked, and often misspelt or even with characters incorrectly shaped! Its also interesting to note that a surprising number of medieval swords sported blade inscriptions which are not often seen on modern reproductions.

I wasn't that keen on the Ulfberht inscription at first but it has really grown on me and is an interesting aspect which sets the sword apart from the rest of my collection.

Lin Robinson

Nicolai Overgaard · Posted: Mon 06 Aug, 2007 5:12 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the good replies Big Grin

I have come to the conclusion that I will keep it as it is and maybe it will grow on me as well Happy

Nicolai

Dan Dickinson · Industry Professional

David, could you post a few pics of your re-finished sword?
Thanks,
Dan

Jeremy V. Krause · Posted: Mon 06 Aug, 2007 7:46 pm Post subject:

The "inscription" on this reproduction has only a superficial relation to the Iron inlayed +ULFBEHRT+ of historical blades.

I believe this particular reproduction uses an acid etched design which looks completely different than the inlayed designs seen on origonals.

I completely understand why somebody would want to remove this decoration on this reproduction or replica or whatever. .

David McElrea · Posted: Mon 06 Aug, 2007 8:43 pm Post subject:

Stupid me, writing, "I assume this is a reproduction?" I see now that the title of the thread includes the words MRL. Ah well.

Steve Grisetti · Posted: Tue 07 Aug, 2007 4:20 pm Post subject:

Lest there be any doubt, this seems to be the product under discussion:

(image from Kult of Athena.com)

Nathan Keysor · Posted: Wed 08 Aug, 2007 6:35 am Post subject:

I do like the overall shape of the blade but to me the engraving stands out a bit too much against that high polished blade. Maybe if the blade was aged a bit so it was toned down. I would say that is one of that better looking MRL swords (although I am partial to brazil nut pommels so I'm a bit biased)