Pamela,

You've done it. You've pushed me off the edge. I was going to rewrap mine based on your SL Bastard Sword, but now I really have to re-do my SL Knightly.

That looks very nice, and definately see improvement from your first grip. I would recomend not going with the "instant shine" sponge, however. On smooth leather, like dress shoes or combat boots, it can cause the leather to crack (the "polish" dries out quickly, and dries the leather with it), and does not provide any real protection to your leather. If you go with the normal wax polish, that will smooth out your leather, and provide a limited amount of water resilience. Wax also does not dry out nearly as quickly (the instant polish sponge will normally last about 5 minutes, a good job with wax polish on a pair of combat boots can easily last a week). The neutral polish is probably the best choice, as it should not alter the color of your grip. Also, the dyes in other colors of polish can wear off on your hand.

-Grey

Hey Miss Pamela,

Thanks for letting me see it in person!!! Like I told you before I am totally impressed! Could you wrap one of my swords??? :)


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Helen

Grey, Thank you for the advice (again!)! :) I did try many different coatings on scrap pieces before I tried it on my sword. I tried neutral shoe polish, spray on leather protector and even a beeswax blend that I use for making lip balm. I let the pieces sit for a couple of days and I just liked the feel and looks of the instant stuff best. It's okay if it doesn't last too long. It's easy to re-apply or I have another re-gripping project to tackle. (After all, Steve thinks I'm fickle. :p <friendly teasing>)

Helen, I'm glad you like it! Now, be careful what you ask for...What do you think about a "sunburst" color to match your truck? ;)

Steve, It's not that I'm fickle, I just get tired of black! Boring and depressing. Speaking of stereotypes, I don't even own a "little black dress." :\ Just make sure you keep your swords out of my hands in December. ;)

Pamela's photo doesn't do it justice: It really looks a lot better in person. In fact, Pamela kindly rewrapped my 15th c. bastard sword, and it looks fantastic. I was really impressed. I need to get some good pictures of it, though I don't see having enough time before WMAW next week. But it's like having a new sword (which is nice, since I don't have the money for a new one right now!)

Pamela;

Nice job(ssssssss) on the grips: Maybe we can ALL send you our swords to re-handle. :p :lol:

I would just use some Renaissance Wax to give a subtle sheen and I think it would also be protective and easilly re-applied when rubbed off. It might after a while penetrate into the leather and keep moisture out ?

Hmmmmmm : Maybe you could wrap golf club or tennis rackets handles. ;) :p Or even cover a bowling ball :!: ( You know I'm joking I hope. :D )

This time I used Italian upholstery leather. :eek: I finished it before I learned about skiving. (Thanks Aaron!) I like to think that the seam will turn out better on the next one, now that I know the secret. :)

The top picture is closer to the true color.

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Pamela, this is getting kind of spooky. I want to get a SL 13th Century Greatsword for my next piece, and I had already planned on re-doing the grip in red leather with one riser at top and bottom (inspired by the picture of the Duke on Albion's site). Thanks for giving me an idea of what it will look like!

-Grey

Yes, giving me an idea of the finished project is a good thing. In fact, I had questioned whether red leather and relatively few risers would look good on this grip (for some reason, I don't really like it on the Duke, but it still made me consider the same arrangement for the 13th Century Greatsword), but now that I have seen it, or at least something very close. I'll use some of the pigskin that I used on my SL Knightly sword the other day and then just dye it. As I mentioned in my other thread, I have plenty of the stuff so that shouldn't be an issue. A whole hide is quite a bit more than I really need.

-Grey

Well as some one who has seen all of Pamela's projects in person (finally including the
one ya did for Bill) and seeing the progression made, they all look fantastic!!!! I think Pamela
has found her niche.

And I do have to put in my two bits and say that the red leather does look like a couch BUT a
mighty awesome looking couch at that!

So ..... Pamela.....when will mine get started??? ***cheesy grin***


Helen