There's a bit of a story with this sword- for one thing I'm not quite sure when I started the blade... years ago (7-9?) a member of a local theatrical troupe asked me to make a Viking sword (Thus the mono-temper at approx. HRc52.) I had blithely started this blade without consulting my notes, and when I did was dismayed to find that the customer had specified a sword 2-1/4 inches wide at the base! I set this partially-finished blade aside, thinking I'd just use it for a stock sword later and promptly forgot about it. Things piled up as they do and the blade remained forgotten until this week when I spotted the tang sticking out from behind some miscellenious stuff and pulled it out to see what it was... I immediatly set about finishing the sword.

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Oakeshott Type: Unclassified type
Overall Length: 36-1/4 inches
Blade Length: 30-5/8 inches
Blade width @ Base: 1-7/8 inches
Blade Width 3 inches from point: 1-1/8 inches
Blade Thickness @ Base: .182 inch
Blade Thickness 3 inches from Point: .090 inch
Hilt Overall Length: 5-9/16 inches
Length of Handle: 4 inches
Pommel Type: A
Guard Type: 1
Center of Gravity: 5-1/2 inches from guard
Location of Blade Node (measured from Guard): approx. 21-3/4 inches
Primary Hilt Node: approx. 1/2 inch from cross on handle
Weight: 2lbs

Sword in the style of the late Viking or Early Medieval period. Blade is an Unclassified Type, somewhat between a Type X and a Type XII. Blade is 5160 spring steel hardened to HRc52, then selectively drawn down to HRc45-48 through the tang. The blade has a straight distal taper. The guards and pommel are made from 1018-1020 mild steel. The handle is sandwiched hardwood with risers at the top, bottom and center. The handle is wrapped in real linen cord then covered in brown Chrome-tanned leather. The hilt is secured by passing the tang through the 'Brazil-Nut' pommel and riveting the tip of the tang over the pommel. The sword is currently provided with a Natural leather scabbard reinforced at the throat and chape; A leather-covered wooden scabbard with metal fittings can be provided at additional cost.

Swords of this type were in use at the time of the Norman Invasion of England in 1066. This particular sword has a blade somewhere between a type X and a type XII. While the sword is quite thin in cross section it does not feel at all 'whippy' and has good 'blade presence.' The sword feels very light and agile in the hand and with it's thin cross-section and forward balance should make an excellent cutting sword.

More information here:http://tinkerswords.com/forsale.html

Lovely, and quite fairly priced for a one-of-a-kind work. This is right up my alley (indeed I already have a few like it) and am tempted except for my personal preference for larger, heavier versions of this type. Swords like this seem plain at first glance, but the more you get to know them, the more one appreciates the subtle grace that arises from their brutally simple function. I have been admiring your work for a long time and certainly hope to own one of your originals some day, although currently Craig Johnson and I are involved in a long term sword relationship. :D

Thanks J.D.! Lately I too have had a preference for the larger, heavier versions myself- In fact I just completed a 34 inch blade- 2-3/4pound type Xa very similar to this sword for a customer. It was interesting to work with a blade from a largely by-gone era in my work when I made a lot of very light-weight swords. Once I have some pictures of that one online I'll have to put those up too; it makes an interesting contrast.

I love the fittings on this sword! To my eye, they are austere, beautifully formed and well balanced. Obviously this sword isn't meant for some court dandy, it's simply meant to cut.

Michael Pearce wrote:

There's a bit of a story with this sword- for one thing I'm not quite sure when I started the blade... years ago (7-9?) [...] Things piled up as they do and the blade remained forgotten until this week when I spotted the tang sticking out from behind some miscellaneous stuff and pulled it out to see what it was...

What a wonderful story. I think this was the blade's intention all along as they can be a little naughty and sneaky. It needed time (9 years!) to “ferment”. ;)

I have had the pleasure of handling this sword. While the look would make it seem large or perhaps towards the heavier side, I found it to be light and lively and a real pleasure to hold and move. As it stands, it has been dwelling in my thought, making me think I may have to add it upon pain to my wallet.

Beautiful work! I haven't done many of the earlier period sword designs.