[Lance K.]

If its possible to answer this question in any way, I would absolutly love to know what design you consider to be the pinnacle of your sword design career?

I know this question may be overly simplistic, ignoring the many considerations by whcih a sword is designed and the given relative framework into which an envisioned sword design is projected, but perhaps there is one sword that has struck, and continues to resonate with, the tune of your heart and mind unlike any other.

Maybe it carries the performance crown, or the crown of elegant beauty. Perhaps it wears the crown of synthesis, of harmony and balance.

If such a sword does not exist, perhaps you could offer a bit of your vision of your personal "dream sword".

Thanks for whatever you can provide us,
Lance

[Russ Ellis]

I won't presume to speak for Mr. Johnsson, but speaking for myself I hope I haven't reached the "pinnacle" of my career yet. Hopefully the pinnacle is still out there somewhere. Preferrably just before I'm dead. I suspect most craftsman feel the same.

[Peter Johnsson]

There are several swords that are special to me, but that is more from personal reasons rather than the swords being especially happy designs.
As far as rconstructions go, there are two that hold a special place to me. The reconstruction of the sword of Svante Nillson was a milestone for me as craftsman. That was now some seven years ago, with a reveisit as the Albion museum line version was developed.
Recently a similar experience was the reconstruction of the XVIIIb from the Bayerisches Nationalmuseum.
Those two swords were special as they offered some challenges and also provided important lessons to learn.

As most craftsmen I try to imporve my work as I move along. I´d like to see the next sword being in some aspects better, than the last one.
My focus and interest also tend to shift over time. It is also as is the nature with any craft impossible to ever reach an absolute goal.

I have a deep fasciantion and love for the blades of the bronze age. That has so far been an unfulfilled love affair.

I also want to incorporate patternwelding in my work. There is some progress there, but I´ve very far to go yet.

Another theme I´d like to explore is the sword from a mythological/symbolical perspective. I´d like to make sword that are not first of all true to historical types/examples but rather explore the sword as it grows beyond the strictly traditional.

It is quite impossible to pick one sword in my rather limited production that is "the best".
I hope I have more years ahead of me doing this, than I have years behind me.

[Tim Lison]