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Post by Deepbluedave on Mar 14, 2014 6:07:38 GMT
They might be a pain in the Atlantean's asses John, but those fountains do look good, keep up the good work mate.
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ecovolo
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Post by ecovolo on Mar 14, 2014 20:43:41 GMT
John, Those fountains looks awesome. Thanks for letting us know what's up; please continue to keep us in the loop! --Edward
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Post by Anvil of Crom on Mar 31, 2014 1:58:12 GMT
Hi John, Love the work you've done on the sword and the fountain and, in particular, the wonderful bronze finish on each. Could I please pick your brains as to how you got the detail to light up so on the bronze sword furniture? Specifically, what concentration did you use for your patina and how long did you apply it to the bronze for? Was the patina applied evenly and uniformly or where there uneven sections to create lighter and darker areas? Details seem to jump off the hilt. Is it just the way it catches the light or did you pick some of the raised sections as 'highlights'. If so, did you create them by brushing or buffing off the patina on these sections and how much less time did these parts spend with patina on them?
Sorry to trouble you with so many questions but your bronze work is amongst the best I've seen with a gorgeous tonal range and I was wondering how you managed to pull off such work. Remember, knowledge and understanding only truly become wisdom when they are practically applied in the outside world or shared with others in the form of rhetoric and I am all ears for your wise words, old boy.
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Post by julien m on Mar 31, 2014 14:49:40 GMT
That looks awesome John, and man, you have a steady hand! Every time I tried this ended...well...badly Why not use etching? Would not that be easier?
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Post by John Greybeard on Apr 1, 2014 2:51:05 GMT
Ahhhh, Dave,the fountain is indeed a pain in the Atlantean Warriors' asses, and a big pain in my knees and back… yeah, and I guess my ass too. Thank You much for your good words!
Thank You Edward. The gallery seems to like 'em and the first two sold right off. But I think that this third one might be the last of the series. Throwing 100 lbs bronze pieces around just ain't as much fun as it used to be. We do have chain hoists and all, but when I'm working hot I can't seem to muster the patience (or intelligence… hahahaha) to use them. Yeah, I'm thinking that unless they pay me a whole lot more $$$, this one's gonna be the last Fountain of Dooooooommmmm….
Thank You AofC! The lighting of the photos does enhance the effect, but the patina definitely works the high and low spots to draw out the detail. Patina is the one thing that I never did in my 10 years of employment at the foundry (I usually explain that I definitely had more than a lifetime's worth of experience with chemicals during the sixties…hahahahaha) So I depend on the most excellent services of my friend the Foundry Patina Lady. That said - she says she used liver of sulfate, then a ferric solution, all applied to a very hot metal surface and then we used a little scotchbrite to polish up the highlights. Hope thats helpful for you.
Thank You Julien, and you're right that carving steel ain't easy. I sweat F'ing bullets while I'm doing it. The thing about etching is that its a whole new skill set for me to learn... and I'm an old dog. Whole new set up for the chemicals and resists and all as well - and even after all that - it's really difficult to etch as deep as I'm carving these runes. The chemicals or acid tends to undercut the pattern after a certain depth. I know it can be done with etching; but even with as hard as carving is, I just feel more comfortable about achieving the results I want that way.
So now the difficult part - the fountain's not finished yet. And I'm looking at another couple of weeks to get it there. Yup, thats another couple of weeks before I get back to my true calling. And the monstrous beauty (the Warrior) is so close to being wrapped up. Arrrrrgggghhhhh!!!!! I will keep you all informed!
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Post by Stromlo_Swords_USA on Apr 1, 2014 10:46:14 GMT
Thanks John, keep fighting brother, valhalla awaits those true of spirit! (I am on the other hand, just full of spirits, a different matter entiely). I wiuld love a fountain too, but can only assume shipping and the cost on your soul to be monsterous. Cheers!
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Post by Anvil of Crom on Apr 10, 2014 21:22:00 GMT
Hell, John. Chemicals madeth the man. We all know that. Thanks to you for your time and help along with best wishes for your future endeavors.
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Post by John Greybeard on Apr 15, 2014 1:44:09 GMT
AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!! FOUNTAIN - STILL - NOT - FINISHED!!!!
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ecovolo
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Post by ecovolo on Apr 15, 2014 19:45:46 GMT
Not finished? What's wrong?
--Edward
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Post by Stromlo_Swords_USA on Apr 15, 2014 23:13:53 GMT
John, I hope at some point we can look back and laugh - or cry, but at least while gazing on our warrior swords!!! Keep plugging away, it will get there mate!
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Post by John Greybeard on Apr 16, 2014 1:44:50 GMT
Well Edward, I guess we're all way too familiar by now with my blisteringly fast work speed. ok - not. The problem with this particular fountain is pretty much a result of an inexperienced worker having done the sand molds, without adequate supervision. Resulted in a lot of flaws that added significantly to the work I need to do. I'm not real happy that this occurred and I've been promised it won't happen again. I know it won't happen again, because I'm damn sure gonna be there when the molds get made next time. Supervising...
Most assuredly Rob! Although I think I'm doing most of my crying now… or at least the sempriniing and moaning. But for sure I will be laughing when I finally get to take out all my aggressions by hacking some defenseless milk jugs to pieces with my very own Warrior. Which will be the last one to get built, guys.
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ecovolo
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Post by ecovolo on Apr 17, 2014 23:55:55 GMT
When you want a job done right . . .
Supervise the other guy doing it. :-)
--Edward
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ecovolo
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Post by ecovolo on May 14, 2014 22:27:23 GMT
So, it's been a while! What's the news?
--Edward
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Post by Stromlo_Swords_USA on May 16, 2014 5:48:00 GMT
standby...
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on May 16, 2014 6:11:30 GMT
deleted
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on May 16, 2014 7:37:24 GMT
By the same token Brenno... this whole project got started almost 4 years ago... and to this point... one sword has been made. Look back at the market 4 years ago when everyone got involved... Atrims were dirt cheep, production swords were SUPER cheep... Lundemo's work was also VERY affordable... your own work was much, MUCH more affordable (Or I wouldn't have any) Again... only one person has a sword... after almost four years. The only reason people have NOT gone ape&^%$ about this is twofold... 1. The respect everyone has for John, the fact that those in this VERY small project (what, 7 swords?) have a lot of respect and understanding for John... but also 2. The fact that it was a good deal, a very limited run good deal. If It were at the 2k Albion cost or near the 5k you are speaking of... I think it would have been very, VERY hard for people to show as much understanding and patience as they have. I'm happy for you that you are able to find customers who can afford 5k swords and are able to do work that way... but there are many like myself that will NEVER be able to afford that. If everyone charged what you now charge, I would be stuck with only production swords... so I'm pretty glad that not everyone charges what you do.
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Post by aussie-rabbit on May 16, 2014 8:32:18 GMT
^^^^^ what Sean said ^^^^
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on May 16, 2014 8:38:46 GMT
Wow, four years, really?! Forgive me; I've deleted my post. Geez, those were the days... weren't they? Referring back, I see your Wolf sword deposit was placed the very same day this thread started (and yep, priced at 20% of my current pricing).
Please understand folks, if I didn't charge what I charge, I'd have a job list, what, four years long. Instead I maintain a 4 to 5 month job sheet, and keep it that way by raising prices as my portfolio and reputation grow. This also allows me to keep my load to a level my body and mind can handle, so I'll still be here four years from now.
Hopefully you guys are in for some good news very soon.
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Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on May 16, 2014 10:53:59 GMT
This is precisely why i learned to make swords myself. I couldnt afford Brendans prices 3 years ago, let alone today, but there are tons of swords id love to have made...now i can realize those dreams, although its getting to the point where i cant even afford my own swords :evil:
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Post by Brendan Olszowy on May 16, 2014 11:17:24 GMT
Yeah for sure. No way I could afford one of my swords. I'm literally sitting here looking at Windlass' on KOA, wondering if I can justify $350 on a sword.
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