Tritonia scabbard by Russ Ellis -- myArmoury.com

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Tue 21 Feb, 2006 6:16 pm Post subject: Tritonia scabbard by Russ Ellis

Just received my scabbard for my Albion Tritonia that I ordered from Russ Ellis and it looks real good.

Russ made it using his own Tritonia to get the fit for the scabbard: I could have opted to have the Tritonia sent to Russ directly for him from Albion to make the scabbard but I guess I wanted my Tritonia in my hand as soon as possible. Wink

This was a risk, but a small risk as Albion is very consistent in the dimensions of it's swords: I would think twice about it with another brand that may have more variation from sword to sword of the same model.

The good news is that the fit is perfect. Big Grin

The whole ordering / designing process was very enjoyable and efficient. All my E-Mails were promptly replied to.

After a bit of back and forth where I suggested a theme, the Wolf, I just let Russ do his thing un-micromanaged and he did a great job. The whole process from first contact to finish was about 7 weeks.

The main Wolf metal decoration is much more 3D than what the Picts suggest and looks real good. There are also some tiny wolves heads accents on the belt.

I do have other scabbards that are just meant for storage mostly and one from Albion for my Sovereign that is nice but just a campaign scabbard: This is my first custom scabbard and it is a shame that scabbards are often seen as money that could have been better spent on another sword, because a good and attractive scabbard enhances the look of the sword and is part of the whole package.

Russ supplied me with some Picts as I don't have a digital camera yet so that is why there are no shots of the sword in scabbard. Razz

Kenton Spaulding · Posted: Tue 21 Feb, 2006 7:36 pm Post subject:

Nice Jean...guess you could say the Tritonia is a wolf in wolf's clothing. Congrats on a nice scabbard, also, nice work Russ!

Kenton

Edward Hitchens · Posted: Tue 21 Feb, 2006 7:54 pm Post subject:

Wow! That's one of the nicest looking scabbards I've ever seen! Surprised

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Wed 22 Feb, 2006 7:06 am Post subject:

Russ;

I checked and those Picts that got to me don't include details of the suspension system. ( For everybody else F.Y.I. some of the Picts Russ sent got bounced by my internet provider because my IN box was too full at the time and since i had the Picts I needed and Russ doesn't have high speed internet, resending would have been time consuming for him. )

So, Russ feel free to post any Picts that will illustrate what you want to show about the suspension system.

I will enjoy the info and learning more about my scabbard as I haven't studied the subject much so far. Cool

Oh, the books you sent are very interesting. Big Grin

And in perfect shape. ( Bought some Osprey books from Russ, again F.Y.I. )

Also, thanks for the compliments and right back at you. Razz

Your communications were also very clear and your accepting the money very prompt also. Razz

( Joke, couldn't resist. Cool

)

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Wed 22 Feb, 2006 9:09 am Post subject:

Just supplemental about the fit of the scabbard.

The fit is snug but in no way tight: No forcing needed to seat the blade in and not much more than a light tug to pull the sword out. If held upside down the sword stays in the scabbard and only falls out with a sharp but not excessive up and down shake and sudden stop.

Greyson Brown · Posted: Wed 22 Feb, 2006 1:44 pm Post subject:

Jean,

I'm going to have to repeat my comment from a previous post:

Aaaah, it's so cute!

-Grey

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Wed 22 Feb, 2006 2:01 pm Post subject:

Greyson;

Yeah, cute. Sad

I was going for scary Evil

............ Cool

The lighting on it is a bit too frontal, a bit of side lighting would bring out the 3D ness of it better: A full 3D head not a low relief by the way.

Oh, and thanks .......... I guess. Wink

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Okay here are a couple of more pictures. I found this particular suspension system a bit more interesting to do. It was influenced by several sources. The most prominent is the brass of Sir Roger de Trumpington, Trumpington Cambs, c 1326. Also the brass of Sir Robert de Bures, Church of all Saints, Acton Suffolk circa 1331. A simialar scabbard is also found on the effigy of Sir William FitzRalf, Pebmarsh, Essex c 1335. Having said that I have to admit that the suspension is my interpretation. That's really a huge problem when looking at pictures of effigies and brasses... that is what is on the back side of the scabbard? In this case I did what I could see on the front side and then used what I hope was a logical process and a little experience to come up with a good solution for what the "hidden" parts of the suspension would look like. I can't say for sure that the hidden part matches what the original would have been like, however it does provide a secure suspension and I believe it is probably correct.

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

Juts for fun, here is the Trumpington brass (and attached below):

And the de Bures:

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

Here's a closeup of the Trumpington Brass's scabbard suspension.

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

Russ and/or Jean,
Is that Tritonia rig left-handed or are my eyes going bad?

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Thu 23 Feb, 2006 7:40 am Post subject:

Great Picts: Hmmmmmmm ...... This gives me and idea what to do with the belt after it is bucked. Pass it behind the scabbard to the other side of the sword / scabbard before pushing it behind the belt. As the belt is very long to accommodate wearing over armour it is very very long just over a gambison: Worn this way a lot of the extra length is taken up going to the other side and avoids having the end of the belt close to near your ankles if just left to dangle from the buckle. Laughing Out Loud

( Exaggerating a bit. Razz

)

This is sort of like someone in the 30th century doing early 20th century living history and having no idea about how to knot a necktie. Eek!

Funny how seeing a different Tritonia in a Pict makes me fall in love with it all over again. Razz

Gary Grzybek · Posted: Thu 23 Feb, 2006 7:51 am Post subject:

That's very nice Big Grin

I had a simalar idea but with a boar instead of a wolf. The braided wire is an excellent touch.

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Thu 23 Feb, 2006 8:19 am Post subject:

Russ;

No problem, it's all part of the learning process and actually " LOOKING " at the original sources rather than casually glancing at them.

But the extra length does now seem like a + aesthetically rather than a practical nuisance. Laughing Out Loud

Yup, very left handed. Razz

( Chad: As Russ mentioned before I saw your post )

Funny, I think I recently saw original period artwork where a Knight has his shield on the right side like a left hander would use. ( Proof of left handed Knight. Big Grin

No, probably proof of an artist's GOOF. Razz

)( If I see it again I will give a reference to it in a post. )

Steve Grisetti · Posted: Thu 23 Feb, 2006 4:07 pm Post subject:

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Thu 23 Feb, 2006 5:35 pm Post subject:

Steve;

You're right and the only way to get away with being left handed would be being a best friend of a King and / or the best scariest swordsman warrior around. Evil

If I could rub Aladdin's lamp and get 3 wishes I guess if one of the wishes was a time machine, the second wish would be to be the most skilful and strongest swordsman possible and lastly being an immortal of the Highlander kind. Razz

No need for the time machine to come back to the present: Would only have to live through the 800 years or so. Eek!

If you're going to fantasize might as well fantasize BIG ! Wink