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Alex McCracken
Location: Columbus, Ohio Joined: 03 Sep 2003
Posts: 107
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 Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 5:50 am Post subject: My Vince Evans Sword Has Arrived |
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My Vince Evans sword has arrived! Hoo boy... Words don't
describe it...
I hope to take pics today or tomorrow, assuming that
I can find a disposable camera that takes sharp pictures
close-up. Yet more incentive to buy a digital one! I can
tell you that this basket feels, as Tom MacDonald said
quoting Oakshott, like a fishing pole that was alive in
the hand. It was strange, but the grip slid perfectly into
my hands when I held it. Like Excalibre, but without the
cheating wife or annoying enemies. The weight according
to Vince came out at almost exactly 3 pounds. I thought
that might be a bit too heavy for my womanly arms, but
the balance, about 2 inches from the front of the basket,
compensates nicely for the extra weight. Vince did a great
job on this one aesthetics-wise, and indeed this sword
made a pitstop in Toledo to be professionally photographed.
Don't be surprised if you see her in some magazines. I need
to find a Gaelic name for her now, as this is most certainly
"The Captain's" sword.
Below are some new photos courtesy of Vince Evan's
Picture Trail website.
Alex
    
Pray, n:. To ask that the laws of the universe be
annulled in behalf of a single petitioner
confessedly unworthy.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)
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Gary Venable
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 5:57 am Post subject: |
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Congrats Alex she is beautiful. I hope to see some more pics later on.
Gary
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 6:14 am Post subject: |
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Gorgeous .... just gorgeous !
Congratulations, Captain Alex !
A most worthy claidheamh mor for our Captain !
I look forward to hearing all it's stats, and of course more pictures *g*
Here are those 2 pic's a little larger ( so as to show off the detailing better) .
Alba Gu Brath , Captain Alex , Slàinte, Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 6:51 am Post subject: |
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Hi Alex
Being the impatient soul that I is *g*
I asked Vince if he had any shots of the grip, on that new baby of yours, as curiousity was killing me ;-)
He sent me this pic (which I cropped & enlarged a tad, so excuse the fuzzies :-)
Very, very, nice ..... a most elegant ,& sleek looking, handle I must say ! Has that Royal touch *g*
( * notice too how the brass panels are riveted in , awesome ! )
Again, Congrats Alex , and super job all around , Vince ! Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Alex McCracken
Location: Columbus, Ohio Joined: 03 Sep 2003
Posts: 107
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 7:42 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the assist Mac. The tapering that Vince used
on the grip really makes a positive difference. It's very
comfortable to hold, and the sanded rayskin feels just
awesome. It's weird too, in that when I pulled the sword
from the scabbard the first time, it just screamed "I am a
weapon". She wanted blood, so I made sure to stay away
from the dog, wife, and the cats. While this sword may look
like a pretty boy in brass and steel, it's not. It's all business.
The rivets are well done as you said. VERY unobtrusive,
yet solidly attached. The attention to detail on this piece is
very, very good.
Alex
Pray, n:. To ask that the laws of the universe be
annulled in behalf of a single petitioner
confessedly unworthy.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)
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Chuck Perino
Location: Roseburg, Oregon Joined: 22 Aug 2003
Posts: 107
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 8:05 am Post subject: |
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Beautiful!
Thanks for the pic on how the brass is attached Mac.
The first picture of the basket shows how his workmanship is so precise, it looked as if the brass and steel were fused together almost.... like looking at a homogenious brass/steel piece of metal.
You are a lucky guy Alex! 
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Alex McCracken
Location: Columbus, Ohio Joined: 03 Sep 2003
Posts: 107
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 8:43 am Post subject: |
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Chuck,
| Chuck Perino wrote: |
The first picture of the basket shows how his workmanship
is so precise, it looked as if the brass and steel were fused
together almost.... like looking at a homogenious brass/steel
piece of metal.
You are a lucky guy Alex! |
Thanks. It's hard to believe it's been almost 2 years since I
first asked Vince if he would take the commission, but it has
been worth the wait. Like Pat Kelley's "Milestone", this sword's
arrival signifies a lot of change for me, but hopefully the beginning
of a fine new year for the Old Lady and myself.
You're right about the way the brass and steel are blended. The
brass bars and steel are magificently fitted to each other, and
only the colour and blackening residue show the lines. Vince
said it took a lot of work on his part, which are definately evident
in the finished piece.
Alex
Pray, n:. To ask that the laws of the universe be
annulled in behalf of a single petitioner
confessedly unworthy.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914)
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Patrick Kelly
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 9:13 am Post subject: |
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Alex,
This is really a beautiful piece of work. It's definitely an heirloom quality sword. I love the way that Vince combines the steel and brass, it's really striking. Congrats on a real beauty.
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 9:29 am Post subject: |
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| Chuck Perino wrote: | Beautiful!
Thanks for the pic on how the brass is attached Mac.
The first picture of the basket shows how his workmanship is so precise, it looked as if the brass and steel were fused together almost.... like looking at a homogenious brass/steel piece of metal.
You are a lucky guy Alex! |
Hi Guys
I was talking with Vince alot during the time period he was working on Alex's basket .....
He experimented with a few different methods of welding the brass in, but he found nothing would be as strong as using the original rivet method , that 'ol Walter Allan had employed , so he went with that !
One of the wonderful things about re-creating some of these old pieces is the learning process .....
Why did the smiths of old do things a certain way, in a certain order ? What were the obstacles he faced , and , given the tools of the time, how did he overcome them to achieve the strength , performance, & beauty , that these pieces exhibit !
Vince just loves the journey that each sword project takes him on ! , Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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William Goodwin
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 9:38 am Post subject: |
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Alex,
She's a beaut! Much congrats to you and accolades to Mr. Evans for another work of art.
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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Alex posted this larger pic, full-view, which shows off the scabbards detail nicely !
Such a beauty , *sigh* , Mac
 Attachment: 35.71 KB
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Chuck Perino
Location: Roseburg, Oregon Joined: 22 Aug 2003
Posts: 107
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Thomas McDonald wrote: | | Such a beauty , *sigh* , Mac |
Serves ya right to be jealous!  After the years and years of "Mac's sword porn" that you have posted! 
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Chuck Perino wrote: | | Thomas McDonald wrote: | | Such a beauty , *sigh* , Mac |
Serves ya right to be jealous! After the years and years of "Mac's sword porn" that you have posted!
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Yeah, I hear ya Chuck ..... I deserve a good slap down every once in awhile *g*
;-) Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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I have a personal affinity for the early-period basket-hilts. As such, my favorites that Vince has created tend to be those pieces like his SW11 variant and my own lowland-styled piece...
But this piece of Alex's.. wow.. wow.. it's absolutely stunning. I'd say, other than the early styles, this is by and far my favorite piece Vince has created. In fact, I dare say it's the most visually beautiful piece he's made.
Amazing work... just amazing.
.:. Visit my Collection Gallery :: View my Reading List :: View my Wish List :: See Pages I Like :: Find me on Facebook .:.
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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Vince just added this new pic to his site .....
Attachment: 34.93 KB
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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Jay Barron
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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That's awesome, Alex. I love how there are so many little details to discover on the sword. there's a lot of stuff going on, yet it doesn't seem stuffy, over done or gaudy. All hail Vince Evans.
Constant and true.
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Stephen S. Han
Location: Westminster, CA Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Posts: 211
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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Alex,
Wonderful piece. I particularly like that fact that the basket is something we have not seen before. As do the others I love the smooth melding of the brass and steel. Marvelous workmanship.
*Sigh* Just when I thought I'd be satisfied with ONE VE baskethilt...
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Steve Maly
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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Congrats Alex! Incredible...simply incredible!
"When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to resemble a nail." ~A. Maslow
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Joe Fults
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| Posted: Wed 03 Mar, 2004 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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Alex,
Now you're going to have everybody in the midwest trying to get you to the Rose and Thisle again! 
"The goal shouldn’t be to avoid being evil; it should be to actively do good." - Danah Boyd
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Thomas McDonald
myArmoury Alumni
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| Posted: Thu 04 Mar, 2004 6:38 am Post subject: |
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Alex
What are your plans for a liner ? ( I know Vince spaced this one so you could add one )
It's gotta be something nice, now *g* ;-) Mac
'Gott Bewahr Die Oprechte Schotten'
XX ANDRIA XX FARARA XX
Mac's PictureTrail
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