Brief grip wrap how to
Apr 22, 2008 1:10:13 GMT
Post by brotherbanzai on Apr 22, 2008 1:10:13 GMT
A forum member asked me for instructions on how I wrapped the POP sword hilts, so I thought I would post the info here in case it might be of use to anyone else. This isn't really a tutorial, just an overview.
Serrated sword:
First apply the riser, which for the POP swords was a small strip of leather. Glue it down to the grip so it doesn't wander around.
Then get some very thin leather or deerskin. It needs to be thin enough to be a bit stretchy, probably 2-3 ounces. Cut it about 3/8" longer than your grip and 3/8" wider than the circumference. You can play around with the amount over-sized you make it based on your preference for the folded over edge. Also the width can be tricky since many grips are not the same diameter throughout their length.
Now fold over all four edges about 3/16" and lightly iron them to hold the edges down. It helps to cut a little triangle out of each corner so the folded over edges don't overlap.
Now you'll need a tool to punch holes in the leather with. You can use a heavy gauge needle for this.
With the leather on a piece of wood, punch holes very close together and through both parts of the folded over edge.
Put the same number of holes down each side. If you use a very thin piece of wood you can loosely wrap the leather around it to line the holes on the side you've already punched up with where you will punch them on the other side, that way they'll be even.
Using upholstery thread, waxed linen, sinew, or some kind of heavy thread, loosely sew the two sides together, leaving lots of slack. Always push the needle in from the outside to the inside so that you are forming a figure 8 with each stitch. It will look like a shoelace.
Apply some contact cement (if the riser is securely glued on you can probably get by without gluing the wrap on anywhere other than the very ends) to the grip and after it has dried, slide the fully sewn leather into place. The sewing needs to be loose enough to let it slide on without sticking to the cement. It also needs to be loose enough to clear the pommel if it is not of the threaded on variety.
Now begin tightening the thread from the beginning to the end as if you were tightening your shoe lace. A pair of tweezers comes in very handy for this step. When you have tightened the whole thing it should fit snug over the riser.
You have to really take your time with this to make sure the sizing is all correct so the wrap will fit tight all along the grip. A dry run without the glue might also be advisable.
Eagle sword:
This one was much easier. It is a strip of leather and a riser applied together starting at the pommel end on the grip.
Overlap the leather to the edge of the riser beneath the previous run and continue this all the way up.
I put a few stitches in the terminal point near the guard for added security.
I hope that was all relatively clear, I've suddenly become very busy with work and am a bit pressed for time so I apologize for the brevity and lack of more detailed photos.
Serrated sword:
First apply the riser, which for the POP swords was a small strip of leather. Glue it down to the grip so it doesn't wander around.
Then get some very thin leather or deerskin. It needs to be thin enough to be a bit stretchy, probably 2-3 ounces. Cut it about 3/8" longer than your grip and 3/8" wider than the circumference. You can play around with the amount over-sized you make it based on your preference for the folded over edge. Also the width can be tricky since many grips are not the same diameter throughout their length.
Now fold over all four edges about 3/16" and lightly iron them to hold the edges down. It helps to cut a little triangle out of each corner so the folded over edges don't overlap.
Now you'll need a tool to punch holes in the leather with. You can use a heavy gauge needle for this.
With the leather on a piece of wood, punch holes very close together and through both parts of the folded over edge.
Put the same number of holes down each side. If you use a very thin piece of wood you can loosely wrap the leather around it to line the holes on the side you've already punched up with where you will punch them on the other side, that way they'll be even.
Using upholstery thread, waxed linen, sinew, or some kind of heavy thread, loosely sew the two sides together, leaving lots of slack. Always push the needle in from the outside to the inside so that you are forming a figure 8 with each stitch. It will look like a shoelace.
Apply some contact cement (if the riser is securely glued on you can probably get by without gluing the wrap on anywhere other than the very ends) to the grip and after it has dried, slide the fully sewn leather into place. The sewing needs to be loose enough to let it slide on without sticking to the cement. It also needs to be loose enough to clear the pommel if it is not of the threaded on variety.
Now begin tightening the thread from the beginning to the end as if you were tightening your shoe lace. A pair of tweezers comes in very handy for this step. When you have tightened the whole thing it should fit snug over the riser.
You have to really take your time with this to make sure the sizing is all correct so the wrap will fit tight all along the grip. A dry run without the glue might also be advisable.
Eagle sword:
This one was much easier. It is a strip of leather and a riser applied together starting at the pommel end on the grip.
Overlap the leather to the edge of the riser beneath the previous run and continue this all the way up.
I put a few stitches in the terminal point near the guard for added security.
I hope that was all relatively clear, I've suddenly become very busy with work and am a bit pressed for time so I apologize for the brevity and lack of more detailed photos.