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Ulf Lidsman
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Posted: Mon 05 Sep, 2016 5:12 am Post subject: Top 5 modern swordsmiths |
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In your opinion, witch would the Top 5 modern swordsmiths be?
To clarify this question I would like to apply these
1. By swordsmiths I mean those who actually make the swords by hammering (by hand or machine) steel, not those who uses machines to form the blade. Albion for example are swordmakers not swordsmiths (IMHO).
2. Now living and active.
3. Who makes swords after or inspired by historical originals.
4. Make European swords, let's say from the migration, medieval and renaissance periods.
5. From all over the Globe.
Last edited by Ulf Lidsman on Mon 05 Sep, 2016 11:03 pm; edited 3 times in total
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Lance Morris
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Posted: Mon 05 Sep, 2016 5:37 pm Post subject: .... |
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I'm gonna miss a few but here goes
They all use modern tools and steels - and they don't forge a blade they do stock removal
Angus trim
Tinker Pearce (his custom work)
Albion
Who am I missing fellows?
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Patrick Kelly
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Posted: Mon 05 Sep, 2016 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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In what niche, which genre?
Your question's far too vague and subjective.
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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Edward Lee
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Posted: Mon 05 Sep, 2016 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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By swordsmith as an individual, I'd say it's Peter Johnsson. Leo Tod's stuff makes good swords too, and also Mateusz on this forum shows very promising work.
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Tim Lison
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Posted: Mon 05 Sep, 2016 6:23 pm Post subject: |
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I can give you my top 5, but it won't be everyone's top five! Here is my top 5:
1. Peter Johnson
2. Robert Moc
3. Patrick Barta
4. Leo Todeschini (Tod's Stuff)
5. Michael Pikula
All of them are high end custom smiths, which is what I like!
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Joe Fults
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Posted: Mon 05 Sep, 2016 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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Can't really see that Albion is a smith, to me, its a firm. But if you're claiming them, to me, you're pretty effectively saying Peter Johnsson. So sure, I can get on-board with that opinion even without qualification of why. If we're just throwing names, I think Vince Evans has to be in the mix.How about Patrick Barta? If self promotion, fan-i-tude and price count for anything then you have to slot Daniel Watson someplace. His stuff is pure pants to me but his fans are REALLY fans and they REALLY pay for his products!
Then there is everyone from the Eastern spectrum doing some amazing work that I have too little appreciation for.
So to Patrick's point...
Best in America?
Best in Europe?
Best in Japan? China? India? Pakistan?
Best doing custom work?
Best production work?
Best working mono-steel? Folded? Wootz (at least claimed)?
Best currently working?
Best in the 21st century?
Best in the 20th and 21st century living or retired (for any reason)?
Best in the modern era?
Best at $500?
At $1000?
At $2500?
At an unlimited budget?
.
"The goal shouldn’t be to avoid being evil; it should be to actively do good." - Danah Boyd
Last edited by Joe Fults on Mon 05 Sep, 2016 8:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Posted: Mon 05 Sep, 2016 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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I always answer these questions with, "Best at what?"
There's a lot of top-notch makers out there who can make the very best of the best of a particular type of sword but who lack the research or technical abilities to make other types with any degree of accuracy.
Ferrari makes a hell of a super car, but if one's needs have them looking for a daily driver in a snowy climate for a family of four, Ferrari just won't cut it.
.:. Visit my Collection Gallery :: View my Reading List :: View my Wish List :: See Pages I Like :: Find me on Facebook .:.
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Ulf Lidsman
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Posted: Mon 05 Sep, 2016 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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I have clarified my question:
1. By swordsmiths I mean those who actually make the swords by hammering (by hand or machine) steel, not those who uses machines to form the blade. Albion for example are swordmakers not swordsmiths (IMHO).
2. Now living and active.
3. Who makes swords after or inspired by historical originals.
4. Make European swords, let's say from the migration, medieval and renaissance periods.
5. From all over the Globe.
Last edited by Ulf Lidsman on Mon 05 Sep, 2016 11:02 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Ulf Lidsman
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Posted: Mon 05 Sep, 2016 10:59 pm Post subject: |
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Tim Lison wrote: | I can give you my top 5, but it won't be everyone's top five! Here is my top 5:
1. Peter Johnson
2. Robert Moc
3. Patrick Barta
4. Leo Todeschini (Tod's Stuff)
5. Michael Pikula
All of them are high end custom smiths, which is what I like! |
Tim, are Robert Moc related to Pavel Moc?
/Ulf
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Ulf Lidsman
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Posted: Mon 05 Sep, 2016 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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Patrick Kelly wrote: | In what niche, which genre?
Your question's far too vague and subjective. |
Patrick, I have fixed the vague part. I'll guess that the answers will be subjective, but I don't think that a question can be that. Thank's anyway for pointing out the vagueness
/Ulf
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Mark Griffin
Location: The Welsh Marches, in the hills above Newtown, Powys. Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 802
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Posted: Tue 06 Sep, 2016 6:55 am Post subject: |
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I'll preface this with a related phrase from one Dr T. Capwell.
'there are many armour makers, but not many armourers'.
So I'll drop Josh Davies, Mark Vickers and Paul Binns into the mix. I have handled and own items of theirs, all fab.
Currently working on projects ranging from Elizabethan pageants to a WW1 Tank, Victorian fairgrounds 1066 events and more. Oh and we joust loads!.. We run over 250 events for English Heritage each year plus many others for Historic Royal Palaces, Historic Scotland, the National Trust and more. If you live in the UK and are interested in working for us just drop us a line with a cv.
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Roger Hooper
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Posted: Tue 06 Sep, 2016 10:30 am Post subject: |
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I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Kevin Cashen and Vince Evans. I'm not sure if they use a forge or a CNC, not that I care. IMO, the end product is more important than how it got there.
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Mercer L. Blaire
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Posted: Tue 06 Sep, 2016 10:58 am Post subject: |
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id also add John Lundemo and KC Lund to the list
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J. Helm
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Location: WA, USA Joined: 17 Jun 2011
Posts: 33
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Posted: Tue 06 Sep, 2016 11:18 am Post subject: |
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[withdrawn]
Last edited by J. Helm on Wed 07 Sep, 2016 11:12 am; edited 1 time in total
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Ulf Lidsman
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Posted: Tue 06 Sep, 2016 12:20 pm Post subject: |
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J. Helm wrote: | I am not knowledgeable enough to rate one smith over another. That said, I badly want one of Patrick Bárta's celtic pattern-welded swords. I also drool over many of Mateusz Sulowski's works. |
I second that. Mateusz is an artist and a nice chap.
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David Wilson
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Location: In a van down by the river Joined: 23 Aug 2003
Posts: 802
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Posted: Tue 06 Sep, 2016 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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1. Vince Evans
2. Patrick Barta
3. Jake Powning
4. Robert Moc
5. Leo Todeschini/Mike Pikula/Peter Johnsson/Kevin Cashen (four-way tie because I couldn't make up my mind)
David K. Wilson, Jr.
Laird of Glencoe
Now available on Amazon: Franklin Posner's "Suburban Vampire: A Tale of the Human Condition -- With Vampires" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072N7Y591
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David Wilson
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Location: In a van down by the river Joined: 23 Aug 2003
Posts: 802
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Posted: Tue 06 Sep, 2016 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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Roger Hooper wrote: | I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Kevin Cashen and Vince Evans. I'm not sure if they use a forge or a CNC, not that I care. IMO, the end product is more important than how it got there. |
Both forge. The closest to modern powered equipment they would get would be power hammers.
David K. Wilson, Jr.
Laird of Glencoe
Now available on Amazon: Franklin Posner's "Suburban Vampire: A Tale of the Human Condition -- With Vampires" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072N7Y591
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Christopher Gregg
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Posted: Tue 06 Sep, 2016 7:01 pm Post subject: |
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I'll add:
Kyle Willyard of Old Dominion Forge
Glenn McClain of Westfork Forge
Vladimir Cervenka
Christopher Gregg
'S Rioghal Mo Dhream!
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Nathan Robinson
myArmoury Admin
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Tim Harris
Industry Professional
Location: Melbourne, Australia Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Posts: 168
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