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Mike Arledge
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 Posted: Sat 15 Sep, 2007 11:10 am Post subject: My First Commission Piece: Landseax by Sam Salvati |
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Stats:
Weight: 1 lbs 15.6 ounces
Overall Length: 25 inches
Grip: 5 and ½ inches
Blade Length: 19 and ½ inches
Point of Balance: approx. 5 inches from guard
Center or Percussion: n/a
Distal Taper
At Crossguard n/a
At COP n/a
Initial Impressions:
Looks fresh from the forge, dangerous, shield-splitter
This is a review of the first custom sword commission I have placed. The smith was Sam Salvati. My original specs to him were vague to let him have control of the process as much as possible. I told him roughly 20 inch blade and 4 inch grip, bolstered grip around the tang. Langseax appearance, modern flair. For the name of this piece, I have chosen Gullinkambi. In Norse mythology, Gullinkambi is the rooster whose crowing woke the warrior’s of Valhalla every morning, additionally his crowing will signal that start of Ragnarok.
Appearance:
It came out perfect, what can I say? The finish has a rough feel to it, straight from the forge. I really like the polished edge and the unfinished spine. The wood Sam used for the grip is beautiful, and the brass tang pins are a good color for the piece. The shape is ferocious. I think I will leave the pics to speak for themselves. The leather sheath is awesome.
Handling:
I won’t begin to guess if this handles like historical pieces. What I can say is that it is handy as a long knife or short sword. It is hefty, but it is not too large, not is it slow. Its certainly a chopping and slashing weapon, a real shield biter. It cuts through light targets like butter for such a small weapon. The 5160 steel should keep a good edge, and I hope to try it on some harder targets in the next few days.
What you should expect:
Working with Sam was a pleasure. We both were flexible as timelines changed to accommodate new ideas. I hope Sam felt the process went well. If Sam gives me the ok, I will mention the final cost, but I feel I got an incredible value, and I truly have a weapon I do not foresee selling. I am completely 100% satisfied with this commission.
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Mike J Arledge
The Dude Abides
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Ben Sweet
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| Posted: Sat 15 Sep, 2007 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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Outstanding! Congrats on your new piece!
Sam ... Great work!
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Harold R.
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| Posted: Sat 15 Sep, 2007 12:52 pm Post subject: |
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It does look very nice. I am thinking about having something similar made after I do some more research and most importantly, after I can afford it. 
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Hugo Voisine
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| Posted: Sat 15 Sep, 2007 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations, this one looks like a very nasty cutter. 
I like the modern elements incorporated in the piece, they're giving it a very unique look. Can I ask how thick is the back of the blade ? Does it have some kind of distal taper ?
« 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 ! »
Last edited by Hugo Voisine on Sat 15 Sep, 2007 7:19 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Bruno Giordan
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| Posted: Sat 15 Sep, 2007 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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Brut de forge is pretty much in vogue in Europe too.
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Mike Arledge
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| Posted: Sat 15 Sep, 2007 7:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Hugo Voisine wrote: | Congratulations, this one looks like a very nasty cutter.
I like the modern elements incorporated in the piece, they're giving it a very unique look. Can I ask how thick is the back of the blade ? Does it have some kind of distal taper ? |
Hugo,
I will try to get some pics up tomorrow and get the calibers out to get some more precise measurements. I don't know how much of a taper it will have though.
Mike J Arledge
The Dude Abides
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Mike Arledge
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| Posted: Sun 16 Sep, 2007 6:12 am Post subject: |
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Took some measurements of the spine. It is .65inches at the base, about .6 inches at the midpoint, and a touch under .6 inches near the tip. I will get some pics up later of just the spine with something near it for perspective.
Mike J Arledge
The Dude Abides
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Mike Arledge
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| Posted: Wed 19 Sep, 2007 7:50 am Post subject: |
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I wanted to add that the more I have handled it, the more pleased I am with it. The orientation of the handle and blade give it a very "kukhri-like" feel when being swung. It really powers through targets. I took it to a pumpkin the other day and was pleased with the ease of the cuts for a relatively short weapon.
Mike J Arledge
The Dude Abides
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Jean-Carle Hudon
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| Posted: Thu 20 Sep, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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Mike,
two questions: is Salvati found anywhere in our links and do you place your thumb in that position (first picture posted) when you are trying out the blade for its' cutting properties ?
Bon coeur et bon bras
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Mike Arledge
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| Posted: Thu 20 Sep, 2007 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Jean-Carle Hudon wrote: | Mike,
two questions: is Salvati found anywhere in our links and do you place your thumb in that position (first picture posted) when you are trying out the blade for its' cutting properties ? |
In answer to your first question, Sam does not yet have a website that I am aware of. He posts regularly here, swordforum and the donfogg forums.
In answer to your second question, my thumb position in the photo was totally arbitrary. I cut with it using a handshake grip.
Mike J Arledge
The Dude Abides
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Mike Arledge
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| Posted: Thu 20 Sep, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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here are some cutting photos with it. Enjoy
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Mike J Arledge
The Dude Abides
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Jean-Carle Hudon
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| Posted: Thu 20 Sep, 2007 6:08 pm Post subject: |
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Nice pics, what is it the pumpkin said exactly?
Bon coeur et bon bras
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Jean Thibodeau
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| Posted: Thu 20 Sep, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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Brutally impressive seax: Really nice work.
You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
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Mike Arledge
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| Posted: Fri 21 Sep, 2007 4:08 am Post subject: |
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| Jean-Carle Hudon wrote: | | Nice pics, what is it the pumpkin said exactly? |
The pumpkin said cut me please, it will be fun.
Jean, that is the most accurate and succinct way of describing it!
Mike J Arledge
The Dude Abides
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This is a standard topic