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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2009 21:54:01 GMT
I originally mentioned this project in another post down in the sword customization section, but I felt like sharing here as well. Finished product pictures:Hemp Sword Belt with Wooden Dao Hemp Sword Belt with Wooden Jian Hemp Sword Belt as Worn Hemp Sword Belt Suspension Detail The original thread with the Work In Progress pictures can be found here: /index.cgi?board=swordcustom&action=display&thread=13267&page=1#220470Hope y'all like it, I'm actually kind of proud about how this one turned out. I spent maybe $14 in materials and I've got enough left over for a second belt and it was only about a full day's (8 hours) worth of work. |
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Post by sparky on Nov 16, 2009 22:46:06 GMT
LP, that looks really nice! I like how even all of the loops are. Anytime I try doing something like that I get tight ones and lose ones. Then I end up rippin the whole thing apart to start over, and never get around to starting over. My fingers would kill me if I tried to make something like that.  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2009 23:15:24 GMT
Actually the evenness comes from using crochet to make it rather than macrame or braiding, although I could have used either of those techniques as well. I chose the crochet so that the belt could be a bit more flexible and lay flatter against the body. In the next I'll be replacing the fixed rings with sliding loops to make it even more versatile.
As for the fingers, dude I have arthritis in both hands anyway so I really don't notice any extra discomfort, plus I'm pretty much used to it from all my other crafting. The kiddo is old enough I could probably start doing some beading again. I also find crochet (and other forms of crafting) to be very zen. My fingers keep moving and my mind is pretty free to wander. It's actually a pretty relaxing process, you just don't want to see my shea butter lotion bill.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2009 14:55:29 GMT
Nice job...I have a friend who crochets...you know, chic stuff, baby gear, scarves, hats, that sorta thing. She finds it very relaxing as well.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2009 16:35:54 GMT
Yeah, as much as crochet tends to be relegated to "chick stuff" I'm trying to bring a bit more "manliness" to the stuff I've been making. Although I might (if the funds become available) be making a few bamboo-silk women's belts as well. However, I've already started sword belt #2 so I'll be working on that first. And then my mother wants another hat, but she's paying me for it so I've got to put a priority on that one. But I would like to start getting into more blade related projects.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2009 20:50:02 GMT
I wasn't trying to imply it was girly, only that my friend specialized in such. I was thinking about it, this would've fit in perfectly with the monastic orders.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2009 22:55:34 GMT
I didn't think you were implying anything, just thinking about my competitors  Yeah, hemp cord would have been popular with monastic orders, peasant soldiers, those in naval trades, and various middle eastern and asian cultures where hemp was one of the most common textiles. (For far east Asia, silk clothing was actually a status symbol hemp and wool would have been more common for everyday folk.) Anyway, hemp textile remains (cord and cloth) have been found that date as early as 8000 BCE so I don't think this would be without precedent historically, but because of the nature of the material, all that would remain is the few metal components. I could easily see this in use with any ancient style blade ie gladii, spatha, falcatta, leaf-blades or anything that would have been considered a "peasant" type blade like Messers or Dao. |
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Avery
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Post by Avery on Nov 18, 2009 0:51:59 GMT
That looks pretty cool, LP. I couldn't do that in 8 days, let alone 8 hours.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2009 2:17:29 GMT
Hey, I started belt #2 last night and worked on it for maybe 30 mins, I was working on it today but spent most of the day running errands and avoiding my apartment (they're laying carpet in the empty apt upstairs the hammering was driving my entire family nuts) so I might have put an hours worth of work into it between the two days, which includes the time to take some W.I.P. pics, and goof off with facebook apps, and I'm already to 27 inches in length on the main part of the belt - my goal is 60 inches. I did however, break down and buy a new crochet hook with a bamboo "comfort" handle since with the cord I'm actually using a much higher level on tension than somebody using yarn would be. Now, I just need to find some better buckles and conchos for decoration. Ever since Tandy leather went to online only leather working supplies - which I also need for cord work - I haven't been able to get jack diddley at the craft and fabric stores. BTW, for those who thought this belt might look good with Middle Eastern garb, the wife just picked up a new caftan pattern today as well. |
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