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Post by Kilted Cossack on Oct 14, 2009 13:34:12 GMT
Gents and ladies:
I'm pretty much a fan of Bernard Cornwell's writing. I've ripped through about half of the Sharpe series, and The Gallows Thief, and, more relevant to this sub-forum, his novels about Uhtred Uhtredson (alternately, Uhtred Ragnarson), the "Saxon Series."
"Serpent-Breath" is Uhtred's sword in the novel, a Saxon made blade (with the name derived from the cable-welded pattern, which resembles a dragon's fiery breath.
If anyone's read the books, which currently produced sword comes closest to fitting your mind's-eye image of Serpent Breath?
In all honesty, I posted this also because I just had to gripe that, per Cornwell, Uhtred does a lot more stabbing with Serpent-Breath than I would have imagined.
Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2009 14:04:31 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2009 14:30:12 GMT
I'm familiar with the series, in that I've heard of them- having just finished the Grail Quest, I'm looking at either the Warlord Chronicles or the Saxon Series...given the timeline of the Saxon series I'd be looking out for a Viking-style blade. Who knows, stabbing could've very well been done, especially on soft tissues.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2009 15:30:14 GMT
First of all, I'm a huge fan of Cornwell's history books and the saxon tales are by far my favourite novels when talking about vikings and the early medieval history. Me too I thought a lot about Serpentbreath and especially the way Uthred uses it. While Cornwell does make some mistakes talking about arms, armour and fighting techniques the stabbing use of a viking sword is very possible and efficient against soft targets. But I don't think Uhtred could break mail with his sword. Anyways, that's the sword I have in mind when thinking of Serpentbreath: The Albion Jarl For a viking sword is has a distinctive point that certainly would thrust very well. The Pob being 5" doesn't make thrusting impossible either. www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-viking-jarl.htmAnother good looking canditate is the Albion Thegn: www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/thegn-photos.htmUthred sword is described as having a very plain guard and pommel so The jarl is too ornate. While the Thegn certainly isn't totally plain it's more simple than the Jarl. Both blades should be pattern welded to replicate Uhtred's sword precisely.
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Post by jpfranco on Oct 14, 2009 15:33:04 GMT
I loved Azincourt, a well written and exciting story set during the famous battle.
A must for 100 years War fan.
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Oct 14, 2009 17:18:11 GMT
In all fairness, while I said Uhtred was stabbier than I would have thought, as I'm rereading The Last Kingdom I've noticed that Serpent-Breath is described as narrower at the point than most Dane swords.
I've read the first two books of the Grail Quest series, and enjoyed both of them.
Maybe Albion should do a "Cornwell line" of swords!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2009 19:10:25 GMT
Eh, I don't know if I'd go that far...but I'll bet you we have all the talent needed to come up with a viable Serpent-Breath if need be...I was thinking an actual Tinker Viking would fit the bill perfectly...at least the overall shape of the blade and the plain, utilitarian fittings you speak of.
Hmm...Lundemo could do it...you know he gets that Jerry Rados damascus steel - he raves about it so I'm guessing it must be pretty good.
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Oct 14, 2009 19:32:18 GMT
Ebon: I'd meant to put a "ha" after the Albion comment, because I'm pretty sure it'd never happen, only I forgot. I'm still too early in my "figuring out" stages to go with a custom Lundemo blade---that's for later. And, in all honesty, I'm probably not at the stage of going with damscus. I'm still looking around, trying to figure out what I like, and how to go about getting there. The idea I'm toying with is over the SBG limit, but not too far. I've been on the verge of deciding that the Hanwei Tinker Viking is the Viking/Migration/Dark Ages blade for me, but I keep getting drawn back to Christian Fletcher's site and ogling the ATrim 1211. www.christianfletcher.com/Christian_Fletcher/AT-1211_Type_X.html (Not, of course, Viking of pommel nor guard, but I've got the hots for a wide spatulate tipped blade . . . . )
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2009 20:27:21 GMT
The 1211 is a sexy sword...and I think you can order just the blade from CF if you plan on making your own fittings for it.
Also, Lundemo's Slice category of swords start around $400 so not totally out of the running; I'm sure it'd be cheaper if you wanted just the blade. Granted, not pattern welded at that price but you already said you weren't necessarily looking for that at this point. I'm with you- finalize the idea, in steel, before you go whole hog and do it in damascus. Hell, you might decide you don't even need it like that once you've realized the prototype. Keep us posted.
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Oct 15, 2009 2:48:36 GMT
I'm thinking this will be a higher-end sword for me, and I'm willing to wait, watch, accumulate funds and evaluate new developments.
A few options I'm kicking around: Hanwei Tinker Viking (maybe with a grip upgrade); OdinBlades; ATrim; VA Hedemark. Until I looked long enough at the Gaddjhalt to decide it wasn't really what I was looking for, it was even in the running with the current sale. I realize that covers a fairly broad range of options. I need to try and learn more before I make any decisions.
My goal is to end up with a light, fast, broad single handed European dedicated cutter that is either as good as the AT303S, or better.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2009 3:38:30 GMT
In all fairness, while I said Uhtred was stabbier than I would have thought, as I'm rereading The Last Kingdom I've noticed that Serpent-Breath is described as narrower at the point than most Dane swords. I remember this too. I think Windlass used to have that kind of narrow pointed sword. www.aurorahistoryboutique.com/A000047.htmI seem to remember the full description saying this was based off an historical example but who knows? It's pretty though.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2009 8:24:47 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2009 15:09:07 GMT
He could take the blade off that Windlass and mount it in whatever fittings he chooses...but since he wants higher end, we can cut Windlass, Deepeeka and Hanwei out of the running.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2009 17:10:30 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2009 19:19:13 GMT
Maybe the best choice would be to buy blank blade Hanwei Tinker Viking and get fittings custom made. The blade is great, but fittings are typically Norwegian so it wouldn't suit him well.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2009 19:44:52 GMT
Luka, that's a fine idea. I'll go one step further- if you can afford it, get BB (Jeff, or BrotherBanzai) to do'm...don't know if you've seen his stuff but it is pristine, my man, pristine.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2009 19:46:50 GMT
Yes, if he made some bronze viking or anglo saxon fittings it would look really hot.
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