[Sam Haverkamp]

Hello myArmoury,
I was approached by Tom several months ago about a custom project for his Albion Burgundian. I wanted to keep with the late Gothic feel of this fine sword, and attempted several incarnations of this design. In the end this is what we ended up with. I am attempting some difficult designs way past my ability (sometimes to my detriment) .
Tom provided the scabbard, maybe he will chime in and share his thoughts as well.

I would love to get some feedback from the group on likes, dislikes, as I would like to do a few more of these.
Thanks
Sam

[Patrick Kelly]

Oh my. No dislikes from me, that's beautiful work. I can't wait to see the completed rig. Will you be doing a belt as well?

[Nathan Robinson]

I have to be honest, the Burgundian sword has never looked so good. Your photography is great and makes the sword and its scabbard look fantastic.

Thank you very much for sharing with us.

[G. Ghazarian]

Great work and excellent design Sam.

No dislikes from me neither.

May I ask what metal you are using ?

Gabriel

[D. Austin]

Hi Sam,

As one who loves to receive constructive criticism, I'd like to be the first to offer a "dislike" or two. The only aesthetic issue I have, is that perhaps the chape could be more pointy (following the lines of the blade more). Although having said that, it does look good. As for the rest of it, no aesthetic dislikes whatsoever. I love it.

Without knowing how you constructed it, I'm slightly concerned that the rings could break with heavy use, especially as they appear to be either silver or copper, but I'm guessing that you've taken this into account. Overall, fantastic!!! I'm very impressed with both the design and the execution. Well done, as always.

Darren.

[Peter Johnsson]

Sam,

I think this is the best work I´ve seen from you.

The two layer method of applying decoration is very much according to style and done with feeling and elegance.

If I were to point at anything I would like to see another approach to it would be the Chape:
Perhaps if you did a solution where the decoration is not an applied shield, but covered the whole surface down to the point?
Imagine if the decoration "grew" out of the final point of the Chape, rather than "hung" on its front, like a shield on a wall?

Inspired work!
Thanks for showing :-)

[Joel Chesser]

Echoing others I also am very impressed, Fantastic work. I would say though that I agree with Mr. Austin in that I think a more pointed chape that followed the shape more closely would look better. Again, fantastic job.

[Allen Foster]

Anohter beautiful project Sam. You never cease to amaze me.

I think the shape of the chape to some extent is limited by the shape of the wood core if I'm not mistaken. The customer made it and could have wanted it that way. I love it anyways.

Allen

[Addison C. de Lisle]

Very nice work; I enjoy how the pommel and the chape/locket complement each other without using the same motif. I think it suits the sword very well

My only point to nitpick about would be that the rings attached to the scabbard aren't completely circular, but I would guess that originals may not have been either, or that it was intentional.

[Brian K.]

Astounding work. Perhaps my Kingmaker should get the same treatment?

I really, really enjoy seeing your work Sam.

[Sam Haverkamp]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and candid feedback.
I had to pinch myself seeing a posting from Peter J. (Thanks Peter!)
I was trying to think about this project through his eyes and what might make sense for a High Gothic design that would flow with his hardware.
I agree with the Chape suggestion. There are a couple reasons, the scabbard is shaped liked that, and I burned up the point of the design on the first chape while brazing, so I decided to make it longer and give myself more room to braze and shape the end.
It looked fine when heavily blackened, but I do see how it looks odd now thats its been polished up.

Some of the other feedback was,
The rings are not quite round. (These are hand forged, and I actually liked the fact they they were not perfect, and In my eye matched the flow of the design)
Darren mentioned they may bend with heavy use. (I thought about this and did suggest they be allow to move, but this is based on a historical rig so they were made rigid.) I hope they will hold up, I cant bend them with my fingers at all.
Metal used (Copper and Nickel)
Hi Patrick, The customer, Thom R is a very talented craftsman himself, he will be rigging the belt and hanging.

Brian, Thanks Bud, I would be happy to :-)

Lastly, Thanks Nathan for the great forum that allows me to post my work. I really do appreciate all you do for us.
I will be donating a shield or something to the next fund drive, count on it!
Sam