[Nathan Gilleland]

I recently made a wooden scabbard for a sword of mine, but it feels incomplete to me still. Then I realized that it needed a chape. I can make an original myself out of wax, clay, or any other workable material, but would like to mold it and cast it out of pewter.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I should proceed? I am looking for material recommendations, step by step how to's, etc.

Thanks in advance!

[D. Austin]

Hi Nathan,

Having experimented with casting myself, and having been shown the "proper" way to do it (with expensive equipment), I would advise that with anything complex like a chape, you'd be best off finding a local investment casting company and paying them to do it with your wax carving. I use Apecs in Melbourne and they are quite reasonably priced. It may be worth the phone call to a place near you to enquire about the cost of having them do it.

Darren.

[Nathan Gilleland]

Thanks for the reply. That's what I was afraid of. I checked with a casting company already and got some price quotes. In order to put it within my price range, I have to do so much of the work that I became curious if it might make more sense for me to just do the final step as well and cast it.

I'll just continue working with pewtersmith that I'm working with currently.

He's a great guy and I feel that I owe him a favor, so if it's alright, I'll give him due credit:

KC Noble
Noble Casting
Wisconsin