How about this: let's all decide not to engage in the tired old semantic argument of what "fantasy" means and concentrate on the focus of the original post, the sword.

LOL I think I am gonna tag Patrick "The Hammer" for his bluntness ;) But The Hammer is correct, the beautiful steel is the object here. Ever since I first saw Jake's work I have been impressed by his wood carving. I mean the man has first-class talent in the carving department. I do wonder though how comfortable the grip is Thomas. Please give us a full, if not formal, report on the sword when it arrives. Hehe and remember to include stats so we can all whistle and catcall at this beauty.


Joel

Hammer time! (no, I'm not going to wear genie pants)

The one thing I don't like about this piece is the grip length. To my eye it would look much better as a single-handed sword. That's just a personal preference though. I've always loved the organic appearance of Jake's work. By that I mean his use of natural materials like wood and bone combined with non-ferrous metals like bronze. I love the warm natural look to his stuff.

Actually I think it's great that this sword is making people rethink their definition of "Fantasy". Not many blades have the ability to get people to redefine their views. I think it's a real testament to the power of Jake's art.

A few other notes.

The Eye of Odin on on one side of the guard is an inlay of 400 layer pattern welded damascus that Jake calls "Valkyrie's Hair". This represents the eye that Odin sacrificed for knowledge.

The eye socket on the other side is empty, representing the scar that Odin bears.

The pommel is of traditional 2-piece construction.

Yes, the Hilt is different on both sides.

As for the Hilt length, the proportions of the blade came from the descriptions of some of the swords from the sagas. Most notably the sword Beowulf used to slay Grendel's mother, ie as if "made by giants".

The Hilt also represents Yggdrasil, and it wouldn't really have the same visual effect with the typical 3-4 inch length. The world tree would Yggbonzai instead. =)

This was one of my requests, and I'm sure Jake would make a more historical hilt if asked.

Ash, it could be no other.

As for the guard size, you'd have to ask Jake that.

I love the lines that it makes for the overall size and doesn't seem to be that much smaller than a period guard.

Could even be an optical illusion.

Fantastic looking sword thomas, yet more fine work by jake,
i cant add any comment to the historical or not opinions as i'm yet to really look through viking types,although here and elswhere is beginning to make me sit up and pay more attention, :cool:
i do know i've liked all of jake's work so far though no matter which banner they fall into, :)

My two cents: Damn historical accuracy. I like to see it 'done the old way' as much as anyone, but this is WAY COOL. If I lived in Viking times, I'd want one just like it. Yeah. Mmmm-hmmmm.......shweet. mcm.

A thread on another forum alterted me to some evidence to support that this may in fact be more historical than previously thought.

See page 5:
http://viking.hgo.se/Newsletter/NEWS1.pdf

Thanks for that Thomas! That's a very interesting read.

That is a very looooooong handle on a real Viking sword: So much for the argument that a very long handled Viking sword is pure fantasy.

I wonder if there is a picture of this one showing the whole thing were we would see if the blade was also longer than usual.
( Edited: Just had another look and OOPS the rest of the blade seems to be " GONE ". )

This would be worth bringing to the attention of Peter Johnsson if he is not already aware of it's existence.

Just goes to show that what we know about history depends on what has survived and that although we can't used the " no proof against it " argument to say that something is historically correct. We shouldn't rush to dismiss something as 100% not historical either.

Our certainties can be shaken by the next shovel full of dirt at an archaeological site. :eek: :lol:

Thomas,

I was looking at Mr. Powning's website a few months ago and that particular sword really caught my attention. congratulations on a very very beautiful sword.

Alex