I wanted to share a sword that I just finished up today. This is a commission that I am doing with Tim Lison, and there is a scabbard in progress, but wanted to take a few minutes to share the sword since I think it turned out great. It is based off of an original and was my first time working with hollow guards in addition to a hollow pommel. For the grip we decided to use stag and Tim suggested mimicked the carving off a find published in Lech Marek's book "Early Medieval Swords from Central and Eastern Europe" I decided do make the grip as a set of scales since I think it was one way that it could have been done, as well as ensure that the outer layer of the stag wasn't ground through and expose the softer marrow on the inside. I wanted to create a mechanical bond around the scales as an added safety measure, so I decided to add two bands of silver wire around the top and base.

Here are a few stats.
Length overall: 37"
Blade Length: 30.6"
Blade width at guard: 2.5"
Weight : 2lb 11oz
Point of Balance: 4” forward of guard
Point of rotation and forward node: 20" forward of guard

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That is an amazingly beautiful sword! Where was the original from?

Very well done Michael.

Very very nice Michael, looks fantastic!

best
Dave

That's beautiful. You are truly an artist Michael.

Remarkably Celtic! Earlier today, saw a photo of a Del Tin Celtic sword (DT201A, anthropomorphic hilt), and this has a very similar overall visual appearance. If one had bad eyesight, and no glasses, one could mistake one for the other.

I was thinking of this one,

[ Linked Image ]

/Viktor

Very nice reproduction of that sword!

I was looking at it in the museum a while back and wondering if someone's was ever going to make an authentic repro of it instead of the somewhat "inspired" pieces between this one and another similar one we see all over that don't look right, and now you have and in a spectacular manner to boot!
I've seen reindeer antler handle halves very similar to the scales you used, though with a different carved motif, so its definitely most plausible. It also looks great, especially the way it follows the lines of the hilt pieces like that. ;)

Very well done! One of my favorite original swords. Very unique.

Wonderful work Michael!

Brilliant work, Michael! :) Lets get a Tod's Stuff scabbard on that sword, stat! :D

Looks great Michael! This was a fun project to see come together. I love working with Michael as he is really good about communication, providing regular updates with photos. It's really cool to see this sword finished and I can't wait to get it in my hands! Michael will be making a scabbard for it so I still have to wait a bit. Seeing these pictures doesn't help my patience...

Heh. Compare it to Windlass's version: http://kultofathena.com/images/501054_2_l.jpg

One of these is better than the other. I'll give you three guesses as to which one it is, and the first two don't count.

That's a most impressive piece of work - both the original and this new masterpiece. I'm surprised the CoG came out at 4", especially as the hilt furniture is hollow as described. Do we know that the original was hollow?

By the way, I used to have one of those Windlass versions. Other than the poor balance, unhistorical proportions, lousy harmonics, and loose pommel, it wasn't so bad. ;)

OK, I don't understand. Its a breathtaking, wonderfully crafted sword patterned after an existing historical example; why is is "weird"?

Just Wow! You are an inspiration, Michael.