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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2009 0:47:54 GMT
So a while ago I did a full customization on my Windlass type XIV arming sword, and I'm finally getting around to posting the pictures. It took me a long time to decide on how I wanted it to look, but after going through the unusual coins I had I found a couple of Irish pennies, and then the rest of it came together around that. Here's a better look at the hilt: And the other side: A close up of the coins I used: I used a dremel to remove the date and other writing, I scratched it up a bit in the process but the scratches don't show nearly as much under normal lighting as they do with the camera flash. I also made a scabbard and belt for it, following Yeoldegaffer's guide: Here's the belt unwrapped: I based the way the belt attaches to the scabbard on this picture from MyArmory of a late 13th century sword form Spain: It was pretty easy to do and works really well, though I think it would work better with a more blade-heavy sword, since it holds this one at slightly more of an angle than I had wanted. And here's a closeup of the buckle and some of the stamping: The buckle is silver plated, and was the least wild west looking buckle set I could find at Tandy's that wasn't really boring. Anyway, I'm really happy with how it turned out, especially for only my second time trying something like this. The only things I'm not happy with about it are that the belt is a little uneven in places and that the leather comes up about 1/16th of an inch short from the mouth of the scabbard, since I trimmed it before I let it finish drying all the way. Doing this type of thing is far too much fun, I really need an excuse to do more of these. I also have quite a few in-progress pictures I can post if anyone wants to see them.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2009 1:36:38 GMT
NICE!!!! That thing is GORGEOUS!!! If I send you a sword, could you sexy-fy it for me? Pretty please?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2009 3:03:47 GMT
Nifty sword; I hope to get my hands on one of those eventually.
M.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2009 16:07:25 GMT
That Looks SCHWEET
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Sept 12, 2009 16:51:23 GMT
good work.
why not use green thread for the stitching that black really jumps out at me. we see all this glueing of leather to hilts but I wonder how much of historical sword were glued versus stitched. it seems to me that stitching would be more likely since they didn't have all the good glues we do so stitching would likely make a more consistant and durable bond.
things that make you go "HMMMMMMM"
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2009 17:00:19 GMT
That scabbard is AWESOME!! Very nice work!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2009 17:19:16 GMT
You did an excellent job. I love the green a lot.
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Post by shadowhowler on Sept 12, 2009 18:37:03 GMT
Very nice work...
[glow=green,2,300]+1[/glow] The Windlass XIV just BEGS to be altered/customized. Its a great sword at a good price (or was, now its discontinued) but its very plain-jane looking... and it crys out to be done up. I really like what you did with it.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Sept 12, 2009 19:33:51 GMT
I did some poking around Myarmoury and asked a question. it turns out that gluing and stitching were both common.
Again I just want to say that you did a good job on this. that green is really attractive and the riser at the mouth of the scabbard is great. I think I forgot to mention that. on the tooling on the belt, is that a stamp or did you do all that small detail work by hand?
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Post by shadowhowler on Sept 12, 2009 20:15:37 GMT
on the tooling on the belt, is that a stamp or did you do all that small detail work by hand? It says above the close up that its a picture of the stamping...
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Sept 12, 2009 20:37:06 GMT
oops loss of situational awareness! thanks Sean
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2009 0:33:44 GMT
Though discontinued AoV has a few of these swords left. Yes, it it very simple but leaves much room for customization. Great job giving it that little extra personal flair. The Irish coins combined with the color choices does remind me of the Emerald Isle.
Plus one to you for a great work of art.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2009 1:20:58 GMT
Thanks everyone, I'm glad you all like it. I agree that this sword, as with many of the swords Windlass makes, are great subjects for customization. As for the black thread, I think I like the contrast it gives, though it does make how crooked the stitching on the grip is stand out a bit more. The placement of the stitching is such that it doesn't bother my hand at all. It also reminds me which side of the sword goes outwards when putting it back in the scabbard, since it only fits in one way. I guess there must be something asymmetrical about the blade to cause that, but whatever it is it's too slight to be visible. One of these days I'd love to be able to make money doing this for other people, but for now I'm too busy with school and I don't feel like I have enough experience to be comfortable working on someone else's sword. I guess that just means I have an excuse to buy more swords for myself to practice on.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2009 1:31:23 GMT
Customizing swords for a living is an excellent idea. Keep the tradition alive.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Sept 13, 2009 2:11:46 GMT
I hope I didn't sound too critical I realy do like the work you've done. I only commented because the stitching jumped put at me. I have my AT304 stitched because the leather was peeling off.
you did good
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2009 3:01:20 GMT
Nah, you didn't sound too critical at all, don't worry about it.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2009 23:54:08 GMT
I want to make my own scabbard for my Coustelle, but I'm not quite sure how I can hollow out the core blanks to the correct depth. I figured I would make them way too deep.
M.
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Post by Tom K. (ianflaer) on Sept 14, 2009 1:11:30 GMT
I use a router. it's pretty easy
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2009 2:16:05 GMT
I used a chisel, which wasn't easy at all. It does however give you more precise control over the shape by only removing a little at a time. It took forever though.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2009 14:42:50 GMT
Eruialsul- Hey man, that is a good job. I agree with Tom on the stitching but you have to make do with what you have and I haven't been able to find thread with any kind of strength in anything but white and black so no one can really fault you there. The wrap looks tight and that's the most important thing for functionality and safety. Love the coin addition. For me that is the little touch of something extra that really sets it apart. +1.
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