[Jonathan Blair]

Around two years from now, I will be receiving an Albion Baron that I have purchased. I was wondering if anyone had attempted to put a gold inlay into the cross on the pommel, and if so, how you accomplished it?

[Chad Arnow]

Jonathan,
Congrats! That's a great Great Sword. I asked Brian Kunz of DBK Custom Swords and Scabbards about an inset on that pommel since he'd made an inset for the Albion Sankt Annen sword (https://www.dbkcustomswords.com/images/PommelDecor/SanktAnnen900.jpg). He said the Baron's cross decoration is too shallow for an inset of that type and recommended gold leaf. Obviously, the area would need a good de-greasing first and the pommel boss surface/face would likely need to be cleaned up afterward, too. I've thought about doing that, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet. If I do it, I'll post the results (good or bad).

I wonder if perhaps painting the degreased cross area with Kintsugi filler (gold color and glue) might not have the same effect. Something like this (https://www.amazon.com/Kintsugi-Upgrade-Meaningful-Ceramics-Beginners/dp/B09KLTQ1NH/).

According to someone else I talked to about this years ago (Josh Davis?) true period-correct wire inlay is hard on the Baron because the channels would need to be cut deeper and you'd have to undercut the edges to give the wire something to lock into.

[Jonathan Blair]

Thanks for the information, Chad. I was concerned that the engraving wouldn't be deep enough to take an inlay. I've got some time (sadly almost two years) before my Baron arrives to decide what to do. Maybe the gold leaf will work, as long as I go 23 - 24 carat to prevent tarnishing. I've already contacted Russ Ellis of Tritonworks about a scabbard and I'll probably add a gold colored element to it to reflect the gold leaf on the cross.

I decided on the Baron as I wanted something to replace my Crecy that I gave to my son as a Christmas present last year. It was his first sword. I didn't want to get another Crecy, but I wanted something in a similar vein.

[Sean Manning]

[Chad Arnow]

[Jonathan Blair]

There seems to be two different types of gold leaf, but I don't know if there is truly any difference for my purposes. One is food grade (weird) and the other is not. While the non food grade can vary in gold content from 10K to 24K, food grade is 23 - 24K due to concerns for toxic metals alloyed in the gold. Of course, the higher gold content of food grade prevents tarnishing of the gold and tends to be smaller in quantity and thus cheaper, but I'm not sure how well it would hold up. Is the leaf thinner for food grade? More research is needed.

[Leo Todeschini]

HI Jonathan,

The cross on the baron has lines of varying thickness and that would make the inlay a bit tricky, but also as Chad says, they would ned an undercut to lock the wires in and so for work like this I actually make my own tiny chisels as there is noting to buy. So yes it is possible, but unless you really really want to do it yourself and are prepared to learn, it is best left alone.

Gold leaf may work, but in reality it is all so fragile there is no difference between any of the grades and it needs a top lacquer to protect it. However this would be down in a dip so it would be quite well protected and it may stand up. Gold leaf is not too tricky and the tools required are cheap, so was ch a bit of You Tube and give it a go. If you mess up, it will be easy to remove too.

Personally I would cheat this and go for a gold wax like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Daler-Rowney-Goldfinger-Colour-Sovereign/dp/B004Y5XEMI/ref=asc_df_B004Y5XEMI?mcid=f26bb34ed5aa398a8c74e009d64a3854&th=1&psc=1&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697364097086&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3600326379798400275&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007245&hvtargid=pla-697963418848&psc=1&hvocijid=3600326379798400275-B004Y5XEMI-&hvexpln=0&gad_source=1

Obviously a UK listing but you will find it over in the US, generally called gilding wax over here.

It is a soft wax product with a high colour/metal content (but not actual gold) and you rub it in and polish off the pommel faces. I suspect it will give you exactly what you want with little effort and little cost and virtually no skill and if you don't like it, some thinners and a brush and you will get it right back out.

Good luck

Tod

[Jonathan Blair]

Thanks to everyone. I appreciate your help with this. I have at least a year and a half before the sword ships, so I have some time. 😉