oh wow, i like that a lot.

So this is going to cast in steel correct? If so what level of detail can you get with csting steel, is it the same as copper and bronze?

Hey all!

Thank you for all positive response.
This one was fun to carve.
As many of you have noted you see other things when the hilt is finished in full scale, than you can see in the concept drawings. The concept drawings I make in 1:5 scale are generally detailed enough that I can scale them up and use as rough templates for full scale carvings. Still there will of course be difference sbetween sketch and finished peice.
In this case there has been hardly any changes from the concpet to the finished hilt. Scale and three dimensions make all the difference.
The hilt is to be made in steel. That is the material of choice for these irish swords originally. You can get pretty decent detail in steel (depending on the skill and care of the caster), but even better in bronze. Pure copper is not as good as bronze. Pure copper is rarely used for casting in our modern time.
I have not detailed stats for this sword at hand (my notes are not with me here at the computer, but left behind in the workshop), but I can provide some general characteristics as to its feel and character.
It is a hand and a half with a long slim blade (95 cm bladfe length) . In the Irish mounting it will weigh some 1,2 kilos when completed. When mounted with a ring pommel, the point of balance is further down toward the point that it will be in other configurations with this blade, but not in a way to make it sluggish. This sword is the opposite of sluggish.
The blade is very light and the hilt components are also light weight.
It is flexible and will show a slight droop when held horisontally, just like you can see on original blades of this type. I would not call it wobbly however, since the distal taper varies in base, middle and point, it reiains a decent stiffness. The point section is thin and crisp, like the best originals. This helps provide speed and responsiveness.

A blade of this type excells against lightly armed opponents. Blades of this type saw much use on battle fields of their time, and they normally did not have to deal with much in the way of heavy armour.
Many have a very intuitive and immediate response in their handling. They often show a character of nimbleness that is very easy to take a liking to: natural heft, quick and agile response and satisfying cutting capabilities.

The Gallowglass and the Catihness are two completely different swords and belong to different ages as well.
The Caithness is a medievel sword in style and character, while the Gallowglass belongs to the rennaissance. One is a single hander while the other is a long slim hand and a half sword. The Caithness would typically have been used with shield or buckler, the Gallowglass would have been used with both hands free to wield the sword. One might be attracted to both, but from very different reasons. If the choice is based on use and function, the case is rather clean: it is a matter about single hander vs. bastard sword. If the question is what sword is best looking, it is all about personal preference and taste...

Peter,

Regarding bronze hiltwork, have you given any consideration of allowing the option to purchase some of the Nextgen swords with both pommel and guard of bronze? Mike and Harlan had a Prince with all bronze furniture at the blade show and it was very nice. I am under the impression that the Valkyrja (which I have on preorder) will be cast in all bronze, but I was thinking it would be nice if some of the other swords had this as an option. :cool:

Just a thought,

David

Hi Peter,

Beautiful work (as usual) on the waxes !! I love the Gallowglass, that one is going to be sexy. :)

Regards,

John

I think you would have to go back to the 16th century to find the old gold standard. Not many have made type XIX's in recent years. Gus Trim made a few - The DD1601 survives over at Lee Reeves' site. Armart makes the S34, a good sword, but the grooves on the ricasso are sloppy. There are a few other sort of XIX's by Del Tin and Windlass.

When Albion releases all the ones they have in design (6 so far) they will indeed be the gold standard for XIX's. I bet they come up with even more hilt types to put on that blade.

Will the Gallowglass, the Hauptmann, and the Markgraf all use the exact same blade design? Likewise the Condottierre and the Kern?

Well, I may love XIX's but I sure don't know everything about them. It wouldn't surprise me if some blades of that type got fitted with Scottish baskethilts. They seem to me to be a match that would work well together, but I don't know for sure. As for Scottish XIX's with a cruciform hilt, I just don't know. Maybe Thomas Macdonald could weigh in here. Mac?

Well.......
Got mine on order a few days ago. Guess I will see just how beautiful Peter and the Albion gang can make a blade of this type.
Now hurry up and get it done Howy! ;) :p :D