Hey Joe-

This is totally off-topic, but maybe that's a good thing here:

Judging by your collection over the years and now your recent martial arts interest, I'm guessing that you've had no more than a passing interest in this earlier period stuff like the Celtic weapons. What I'm curious about is this: Having seen some quality reproductions first-hand, and being exposed to many topics on the forums discussing them, have you found that your interest in the earlier stuff has increased?

For me, I know that I only found this stuff to be vaguely interesting. But having read all these posts by Nate Bell, Peter Johnsson, Kirk Spencer, ertc, I'm finding that my interest is definitely being piqued! I've also found this same thing true for other "earlier" period stuff like the Viking swords and whatnot. It's been really fascinating to me and the passion that these guys convey as they discuss has fueled the subject.

I'm wondering if you, or anyone else, have experienced this, too..

Hi all,

Once again, I've been feeling swamped with work and life in general-- I'm feeling really out of touch with the forum and have been trying to play catch-up (which is oh so hard when there are so many interesting posts).

Like others, the rumours have passed me by, so this is news to me-- nonetheless, I wanted to add my voice to the praise that's been given to Shane's work. Outstanding! I can remember the pics Nathan posted of the sword's progressive creation... seeing it whole is a real treat. Kudos to both of you for making it a reality.

David

Hi everyone.

Many of you offer very good suggestions and helpful hints about "fixing the blade in question, or simply leaving it as-is. With the utmost respect and very great appreciation for your kindnesses, I have to say that it won't work.

At the end of the day, we have a blade with a very hard heat treat all around the edges. I would want the edges to be historically appropriate, so then with a re-grind we are still talking about a blade with a 60 or so Rockwell and very thin edges. And that's what got us the chip in the first place, most likely.

If it were reground or left as-is, I could not really cut any harder targets, even period appropriate harder targets, with confidence. It's just due to the fluky combination of the experimental heat treat and this period design, those don't mix.

Thanks very much for your kind thoughts.

Also, I know Shane is travelling today, but I am sure he will be most pleased to finally see the appreciation of his great work on the sword. And I know the helpful comments are geared toward helping save this nice looking sword, which is yet another compliment. Thanks for that.

N

There was a time when I was very interested in Celtic arms and culture. Talking with Nate B. last month, as well as a few upcoming features we've been working on for myArmoury, has really rekindled my interest in this particular period.

Still waiting to here from Patrick Barta ;)

Nate's definitely right about the standard Albion blades. When he hit the pvc with my Migrationd D it was a full power swing--nothing soft about the hit. Not only was there no edge damage, there wasn't even any noticeable scratching.

Unfortunately, I had to miss this last gathering.

Mark

Nate,

Shane really does deserve some praise for his work and I hope he is able to stick with it.

Eventhough it not my collecting niche, I was really impressed with the care and attention to detail that went into it. The hiltwork was like nothing else I've ever handled and inspected up close. While that is not as grand and sweeping a statement as it may sound; this was still a very memorable piece of craftsmanship that I'm glad both of you shared.

Thanks very much for the kind words everyone.

If this blade had been one that I had forged up in a piled construction, then of course I would put more work into saving it. As it is though it is a basic mono steel blade that would require grinding the edges down, normalizing, checking for cracks, regrinding a new profile taper, to get back to square one. It would never be the same sword again though. Then I still don't know how comfortable I would feeling selling it. The blade was sent to Albion, so unless it comes back I don't expect to see it again. Really though if I did get it back the most I would probably do is take it and do a traditional sacrifice of the blade, then go bury it somewhere for a few years. Not to try to create a fake, but more of a study.

I did get word from Mike that they have sent out the replacement blade and it should be waiting for me when I get back in town.

Thanks again everyone.

Shane

Very nice looking sword in the pics,
Great looking hilt work,
As to the chip thing, first i heard was elsewhere when the moderator to my reading fairly said this isnt worth discussing,the facts are already elsewhere,

The reading seems to point to the experimental heat treat-high rockwell--But is there a chance of it just being a flaw in the steel? reading here and there a few have mentioned of different Kak added to steels in recycling,
making old iron-steel a real bonus when you can find it, or sourcing a newly made clean steel non recycled at higher expense,
just a thought,

Looks nice work Shane,