Custom Swedish longsword -- myArmoury.com

W. Schütz · Industry Professional

Thought some of you might find my latest finished commision interesting since i was following a thread on the topic here a while back. Its a customization and reworking of an old Albion blade into a Scandinavian/Swedish longsword based on several originals, from museums like the Swedish Royal Armoury, Kulturen and the Historical museum.
All parts are made using traditional techniques, tools and materials.

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

I'm really glad to see somebody make this style. it's not one that gets a lot of attention in modern times, especially online.

Cheers

Jason Elrod · Posted: Sat 27 Nov, 2010 4:48 pm Post subject:

I love it. Could you post pictures of originals?

The dragon headed guard is particularly nice (I assume that is what you were going for). I've seen such stylized dragons & wolves on earlier swords but never on anything so late. It is a wonderful addition.

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Jason Elrod · Posted: Sat 27 Nov, 2010 4:56 pm Post subject:

Aleksei Sosnovski · Posted: Sun 28 Nov, 2010 1:00 am Post subject:

A very interesting project, however I see 2 issues here:

1) Crossguard seems to be much wider than on photos of original ones. Well, I think it is a matter of personal taste.
2) I don't like the handle. Looks too thick, almost round in cross-section. And the pommel end is also too thick. Aesthetically it does not look right with such small pommel. I think it should have handle similar to Albion Dane (also swedish, similar style of wire wrap, etc., but in my opinion looking much better). Is the handle based on well-preserved original, or is it just an interpretation?

W. Schütz · Industry Professional

Yes crossguard, pommel and grip is based on original messurements, and yes it does not have the slender appearance of "the Dane", but not all originals did.

Bernard Delor · Posted: Sun 28 Nov, 2010 4:28 am Post subject:

Very nice work, with interesting historical awareness !

Could you please give more informations about "traditional techniques, tools and materials" ?

Luka Borscak · Posted: Sun 28 Nov, 2010 4:37 am Post subject:

I really like it! It's not extra elegant, but it looks very serious and warlike!

Viktor Abrahamson · Posted: Sun 28 Nov, 2010 7:43 am Post subject:

Really nice work.
I like the surface on the iron. (lagom filad och putsad)
And beautiful photography as well.

/Viktor

W. Schütz · Industry Professional

Bernard Delor · Posted: Sun 28 Nov, 2010 8:43 am Post subject:

Tim Lison · Posted: Sun 28 Nov, 2010 8:45 am Post subject:

Really, really nice sword. I love seeing oddballs such as this come to life. I especially love the grip. Something about the banded look really appeals to me. The guard is cool too. How does it feel? Do you notice the extra weight on the side with the guard? I know it can't be much weight but it must affect the handling...

W. Schütz · Industry Professional

The blade has not been reforged, i would not want to ruin that great heat-treat.

You feel a slight sense of weight-shift in the cut, but nothing that isn't easily corrected. What you do feel tho is a very unusual lively feel coming from the slightly longer grip, relatively small pommel and large cross. These factors counter-act each other in a very interesting way, making it very "choppy" and fast in the cut for such a heavy sword. The curved cross also gives very nice protection in a hanging guard and in the plow guard when your thumb is on the blade.

Scott Woodruff · Posted: Fri 31 Dec, 2010 12:10 am Post subject:

Awesome! I love Scandinavian longswords and am currently working on making one using a modified Hanwei mercenary blade. I had hope to be the first to make a replica of a C-shaped guard sword, but you beat me to it, and what a beautiful job you have done! I guess I'll go for a kringla instead. If anyone has already made a kringla-hilt replica, I would love to see it.

W, you really did that one right, I love that it is true to the original, fat grip and all, modern aesthetics be damned. It looks like a serious no-nonsense weapon. Could you post some measurements and any impressions on handling. There has been some discussion on the balance and harmonics of these really-long-gripped swords and any input you have would be invaluable to me. I have a growing obsession with Scandi longsvards, and my ultimate goal is to make a dozen swords illustrating the developement from the first embryonic great-swords of the 11th c Baltic through the late 15th/16th c longsvards to 17th c Swedish 2-handed rapiers.

Oh yeah, almost forgot, is that a Regent blade? I've thought about buying an Albion for a project blade, but I think I'll stick with cheap Hanwei's until I can refine my tools and techniques a bit.

Scott Woodruff · Posted: Fri 31 Dec, 2010 12:13 am Post subject:

Forgot to ask, how do you do the wire-wrapped sections? Are the wires flattened and pierced for the tack or is the wire just wrapped around the tack a couple of times?