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Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 818
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 Posted: Tue 01 Jun, 2010 6:05 pm Post subject: My next from Michael Pikula/Volund Forge |
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Michael sent me these pictures yesterday of the latest project he is working on for me. The idea is an early glaive from the early 14th century. Basically I told him I was looking for a big nasty cleaver on a stick with a good thrusting point. From the illustration I sent along with a size guideline he came up with this.
Jean, I see you partisan and raise you this. Think we could hold a bridge between the two of us?
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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Scott Hrouda
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| Posted: Tue 01 Jun, 2010 6:27 pm Post subject: Re: My next from Michael Pikula/Volund Forge |
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| Scott Kowalski wrote: | Michael sent me these pictures yesterday of the latest project he is working on for me. The idea is an early glaive from the early 14th century. Basically I told him I was looking for a big nasty cleaver on a stick with a good thrusting point. From the illustration I sent along with a size guideline he came up with this.
Jean, I see you partisan and raise you this. Think we could hold a bridge between the two of us? |
I would be looking for the next ford upstream from you two!
I'm become very taken with Michael's work recently, please share photos of the piece when completed! Can you share dimensions and weight (if known at this point)? What illustration(s) did you use for inspiration?
Thanks,
Scott
...and that, my liege, is how we know the Earth to be banana shaped. - Sir Bedevere
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Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 818
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| Posted: Tue 01 Jun, 2010 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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Hehe. We would be a terrible twosome wouldn't we?
Michael's work is first class and he is also great to work with. His communication is first class and he listens to your ideas and then gives ideas of what is possible and will work for your piece. He is a hidden gem that is really under appreciated at the moment. So I hope to get in a couple of more projects before the wait gets to long!  I have no dimensions of the piece yet so hopefully Michael will either chime in or be getting them to me as he finishes the piece up. I will also see about digging up the inspiration for this particular project.
Regards,
Scott
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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Tim Lison
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| Posted: Tue 01 Jun, 2010 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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Wow! This one looks great! Will this be mounted with langets? I hope so!
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Jean Thibodeau
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| Posted: Wed 02 Jun, 2010 2:17 am Post subject: |
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| Scott Kowalski wrote: | Hehe. We would be a terrible twosome wouldn't we?
Michael's work is first class and he is also great to work with. His communication is first class and he listens to your ideas and then gives ideas of what is possible and will work for your piece. He is a hidden gem that is really under appreciated at the moment. So I hope to get in a couple of more projects before the wait gets to long! I have no dimensions of the piece yet so hopefully Michael will either chime in or be getting them to me as he finishes the piece up. I will also see about digging up the inspiration for this particular project.
Regards,
Scott |
Looks like around 24" / 25" inches long including socket just by the pic showing Michael holding the piece.
Yes we could hold the bridge pretty well together or take turns while the other watches the slaughter while eating fried chicken and fries with sauce and a good 10% proof local micro brewery Belgian Monks styled dark beer.
If they get too close or inside my point a little discouragement with my Cinquedea and alternating by feeding my RavenWolf by Ollin. Or I can grapple and snap elbow joints or break bones just for the exercise ...... " love the sound of breaking joints in the morning " ( To paraphrase " Apocalypse Now " ).
But seriously, looks like an awesome project.  
Oh, just wondering do you plan on having a blunt and narrow false edge for a few inches near the point ! It could be fairly obtuse and not very sharp but a narrow bevel might look nice and I thing one could maintain the top reinforcement at it's maximum thickness as it it now but make the section triangular instead of square as it now seems ?
I just guessing but it looks like there is enough width there to accommodate a false edge maybe just 8" long near the tip ?
This would be a functional design decision but also an aesthetic choice as the piece would look good either way.
You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
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Anders Backlund
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| Posted: Wed 02 Jun, 2010 10:49 am Post subject: |
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Oooh, that's nice. Really nice. I want one of those, and I'm not even a polearm kind of guy. 
The sword is an ode to the strife of mankind.
"This doesn't look easy... but I bet it is!"
-Homer Simpson.
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Michael B.
Industry Professional
Location: Seattle, WA Joined: 18 Oct 2007
Posts: 367
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| Posted: Wed 02 Jun, 2010 11:54 am Post subject: |
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Very nice. Ironically I've been collecting images of glaives and maces for a possible reproduction of one of each. I like this one. Seems like such a good idea, big ol' blade on a stick!
www.facebook.com/bearmountainforge2
Michael Bergstrom
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Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 818
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| Posted: Wed 02 Jun, 2010 1:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Tim Lison wrote: | | Wow! This one looks great! Will this be mounted with langets? I hope so! |
Thank you Tim. Though it loses some points since I decided against langets on it. I know they might be more historical but I was leaning towards a cleaner look with this one. Maybe for my next project.
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 818
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| Posted: Wed 02 Jun, 2010 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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| Jean Thibodeau wrote: | | Scott Kowalski wrote: | Hehe. We would be a terrible twosome wouldn't we?
Michael's work is first class and he is also great to work with. His communication is first class and he listens to your ideas and then gives ideas of what is possible and will work for your piece. He is a hidden gem that is really under appreciated at the moment. So I hope to get in a couple of more projects before the wait gets to long! I have no dimensions of the piece yet so hopefully Michael will either chime in or be getting them to me as he finishes the piece up. I will also see about digging up the inspiration for this particular project.
Regards,
Scott |
Looks like around 24" / 25" inches long including socket just by the pic showing Michael holding the piece.
Yes we could hold the bridge pretty well together or take turns while the other watches the slaughter while eating fried chicken and fries with sauce and a good 10% proof local micro brewery Belgian Monks styled dark beer.
If they get too close or inside my point a little discouragement with my Cinquedea and alternating by feeding my RavenWolf by Ollin. Or I can grapple and snap elbow joints or break bones just for the exercise ...... " love the sound of breaking joints in the morning " ( To paraphrase " Apocalypse Now " ).
But seriously, looks like an awesome project.
Oh, just wondering do you plan on having a blunt and narrow false edge for a few inches near the point ! It could be fairly obtuse and not very sharp but a narrow bevel might look nice and I thing one could maintain the top reinforcement at it's maximum thickness as it it now but make the section triangular instead of square as it now seems ?
I just guessing but it looks like there is enough width there to accommodate a false edge maybe just 8" long near the tip ?
This would be a functional design decision but also an aesthetic choice as the piece would look good either way. |
Good eye on the overall size Jean.
I guess if they got to close for the glaive I would go with my XIIIb Michael made for me and then wing it from there. Maybe my A&A mace or custom axe.
I had not thought of going with a flase edge and at this point the blade has already been heat treated and I like the looks of it so will leave well enough alone.
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 818
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| Posted: Wed 02 Jun, 2010 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Anders Backlund wrote: | | Oooh, that's nice. Really nice. I want one of those, and I'm not even a polearm kind of guy. |
Thank you as well Anders. I would be fine with Michael making anyone who is interested in having one of these made. As long as Michael is willing to make more. Though so far he has not said anything about having any issues.
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 818
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| Posted: Wed 02 Jun, 2010 1:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Michael B. wrote: | | Very nice. Ironically I've been collecting images of glaives and maces for a possible reproduction of one of each. I like this one. Seems like such a good idea, big ol' blade on a stick! |
I would say talk with Michael Michael and see when he could get you on the que. As I said in my reply to Anders I am fine with Michael making these for others.
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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Michael Pikula
Industry Professional
Location: Madison, WI Joined: 07 Jun 2008
Posts: 411
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| Posted: Thu 03 Jun, 2010 10:16 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the feedback so far! Just wanted to stop in and toss a few measurements out,
The socket is 6.75"
The blade is 18.75"
Overall it is 25.5"
And right now it comes in at 2lb. 5oz.
I am in the process of searching for dead meat to take a little bit more weight off without sacrificing strength but don't have too many more places to refine so the weight won't change too much, maybe 1oz. or so.
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Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 818
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| Posted: Thu 03 Jun, 2010 11:21 am Post subject: |
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Glad to see you post and thank you for the measurements of this beauty. I am not to concerned about the weight of this as a little forward weight will definitely be an aid when using this as a chopping weapon from a distance. I definitely do not want an sacrifice in the strength department with this.
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 818
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| Posted: Sat 12 Jun, 2010 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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I once more had the pleasure of meeting with Michael in person. The result being that I now have in my possession this truly awesome glaive. Overall length is around 8 feet with a weight of right around 5 pounds. To say that Michael did an outstanding job would be an understatement in my opinion. Both the fit and finish is outstanding and it balances very nicely in the hand roughly a foot or so behind the head. With the drawing I sent Michael produced exactly the weapon I had in my minds eye. I would also suggest that anyone who is thinking about having Michael make them something do not hesitate and have him do it as quickly as possible. I already have another project in mind for Michael to make for me but that will not be until this fall unless the economy does a huge turn around.
Opinions and questions are of course welcome.
Scott
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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Tim Lison
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| Posted: Sat 12 Jun, 2010 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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As always, beautiful work from Michael! He is a great talent and this glaive certainly affirms it! Enjoy your glaive Scott!
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Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 818
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| Posted: Sun 13 Jun, 2010 8:11 am Post subject: |
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I really agree Tim. Michael is definitely a hidden talent as of right now. His attention to detail is simply superb as is his understanding of how to make things work. Though I hear that your next piece is going to be something a little extra special! I cannot wait to see pictures of it and hear your thoughts on it. I know I will enjoy this immensely and hope to be able to show it off one day!
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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Tim Lison
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| Posted: Sun 13 Jun, 2010 8:22 am Post subject: |
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| Scott Kowalski wrote: | | I really agree Tim. Michael is definitely a hidden talent as of right now. His attention to detail is simply superb as is his understanding of how to make things work. Though I hear that your next piece is going to be something a little extra special! I cannot wait to see pictures of it and hear your thoughts on it. I know I will enjoy this immensely and hope to be able to show it off one day! |
Yes, Michael does have something in the works for me as well. I will keep it a surprise until it's done though. I really like the glaive he made you. I'm looking at some polearms myself and it's nice to see this. Did you make it from a specific example or is it an amalgam?
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Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 818
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| Posted: Sun 13 Jun, 2010 8:36 am Post subject: |
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Well I cannot wait to see what you have Michael working on for you! It seems the arms race continues between yourself, Jean, and I with myself falling slightly behind as my next piece will not be until late fall or even early winter of this year. 
The following is for both you and Scott Tim. This is from the Gaddgedlar website which I believe is defunct now. I also have a knife by Ollin based on the middle one in the bottom right of the picture.
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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Tim Lison
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| Posted: Sun 13 Jun, 2010 9:32 am Post subject: |
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Nice! Have you posted the knife and I missed it? Are you going to build the whole kit?
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Scott Kowalski
Location: Oak Lawn, IL USA Joined: 24 Nov 2006
Posts: 818
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| Posted: Sun 13 Jun, 2010 9:58 am Post subject: |
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I decided to post the pictures here since they have disappeared from my original post on this. Matt and Mark did a really good job with this one. I actually received it the day before I picked up my XIIIb from Michael on Christmas Eve so it was a really Christmas for me! I need to make a sheath of some kind for it in the near future.
Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom
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