So, it's gotten to the point (with ME at least) where the multiple manufactured swords are just not keeping my interest, plus, my main interest being Irish swords, the choices are even slimmer.

So, I've decided that home-customized swords are the way to go.

I HAVE a good smith to work with for creating the hilt furniture I'm designing, along with options such as www.yeshuas-sword.com to craft simpler hilt furniture. I can do the grip, scabbarding and suspension myself, but, I'm having a very hard time finding a bare blade source.
I could have my smith craft them, but, costs would make this option unreasonable for my needs. SO, I'm looking for sources of bare blades.
I keep a good eye on The Moat, of course and they are glorious, but, is there more options? I LOVE Del Tin blades and I see all sorts of folks building off of bare Del Tin blades, but, the only re-hilted Del Tins I've done were by buying the finished, manufactured swords and having them re-hilted myself.
That can't be the only option.

Right now I'm looking to build an XV bastard sword and the only XV blade I've seen that I LIKE, is the A&A Henry V. I just don't want to buy a Henry V just to re-hilt it. So, I'm trying to source some options.

Any good answers?

Murphy :cool:

http://www.albion-swords.com/bareblades.htm

Thanks Chris, I do have that source bookmarked. Thank you though.

Murphy :cool:

http://triedandtruearmory.com/zc/index.php?ma...mp;cPath=2

Far as I'm concerned, at under $500.00 what you are getting is an awesome blade with some basic furniture thrown in so you can use it. If you call or e-mail they might be able to get you an XV from Gus. They are backed up at the moment, but it never hurts to ask. My blade was "off menu".

A&A will make you a bare blade. They're a custom shop along with being a production/catalog shop.

For what it's worth, fuller notwithstanding, I've always thought the Hanwei/Tinker longsword could pass for a XV at a pinch with some careful filing of the edges to make them straighter... it's only $131 at Kult of Athena, regrettably back ordered though. Something to consider when they come back?

the h/t blades are wonderful for projects!

Ahh yes. See, I came across that KoA page of bare blades in my scouring for sources. How aggravating.

The weird thing is, I happen to have a pile of Deepeeka XV blades, but, they're all too long and narrow for the specific project I've started.

As it stands, I sent an e-mail to Arms and Armor at their posted e-mail address (AA&armor .com) and it was bounced back at me. But, I think the blade I want is from the French Medieval Sword from A&A.

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I just hope they can extend the tang 3 inches for a hand-and-a-half grip.

And I hope the price doesn't over-extend me.

Murphy :cool:

other options to add,
people i've asked in the past and have been interested in helping your side of the pond,
BKS, John at Odinblades, Mark Morrow,morrowblades,
Rick Barrett,a bargain pops up now and again in his sales,or enquire as to unfinished on the shelf,
Tinker, might have something to hand,i know he hasnt been too well of late,but he was a pleasure to deal with when i did,
Al Massey,again,pleasure to work with,also seems to notably underprice his work,imo,
ollinsword,Michael Pikula, alot of good people,
my side of the big water,
Rob at Castlekeep,had three or four blades,always a top gent,
Mark at St George Armoury,again,excellent chap,
Owen Bush,great bloke,
just a few to add to the option's,pretty sure i'm missing a good few people too,
alot comes down to budget,shipping etc,
rehilted a del tin blade,that was nice to work with,in your position i'd at least send an email to Fulvio,or ask a del tin stockist nearish to you to bundle your order with their's.
jfyi,:)