ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Mar 8, 2011 17:36:14 GMT
Here’s the idea: I am getting a decent tax return this year. I really want to commission a custom sword from the Odin dude ( www.odinblades.com/). Two things that come together nicely! But there’s a catch. I’m not a visionary. I am not able to picture “The Sword I Want”. If I see what I like I know it, but I cannot come up with it myself. So at a suggestion from another thread, I am holding a “Help Chris Decide on What Sword He Should Have Commissioned” contest. Ok. Not really a contest as there is no prize to win (sorry, my tax return isn’t that good). But what I can promise, right now, is a warm, fuzzy feeling in knowing that you helped a fellow forumite make a difficult decision. And isn’t that prize enough? Here are the guidelines: Must be a fully functional design.
One or two hander or bastard.
Straight or curved.
Any culture.
Fantasy or Historical.
Overall length between 31” and 45”
Weight between 2lbs and 3.5lbs[/list:u]
This can be an idea based on an existing piece with suggested modifications or a completely original design. It can be a crude drawing to finely crafted blueprint or even just words. You can be as exact in detail or a vague idea.
Keep in mind that I reserve the right to change and modify a submission. I might borrow from one design and add to another. I will give full credit to any ideas I use. And all designs would be subject to changes when transferred from paper to steel. Functionality is the #1 priority.
With all that said, let’s see where this goes! |
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Post by chrisperoni on Mar 8, 2011 17:54:16 GMT
Love your guidelines- basically, it must be a sword  Have you asked Odin what's on his mind? |
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Post by Kilted Cossack on Mar 8, 2011 17:57:25 GMT
I'll echo the first dude. If you're pretty much open to anything, and your specs make it sound pretty much so, why not talk with Lundemo about your general interests, and then work with him to put together that magical point where your interests and his perfectly coincide? (Unless he comes up with something truly unattractive to you, and I don't think I've ever seen an unattractive Odinblade.)
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Mar 8, 2011 18:20:26 GMT
Them's some pretty loose guidelines there, Chris. You're basically saying anything under the sun, so long as it's functional and fits the length and weight requirements (in other words, most things), is fair game. However, since nothing's coming to mind, I'll just offer one of my own designs, a bastard saber. My drawing prowess isn't exactly the best, but here's the sketch:  Truth be told, it was meant to be something of a Westernized katana, albeit with a somewhat different blade shape. It was kind of between a shobu and unokubi-zukuri shape, reducing weight, giving it a really pointy tip, and overall, making its appearance a little more fantasy. The design was originally to be used in one of my novels as the standard blade of the Sentinels, a group not unlike rangers, however, it was, with John's permission, supplanted by the Odin Blades Venetian saber. |
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Mar 8, 2011 18:42:09 GMT
You all noticed my guidelines are pretty broad?  That is intentional. I am looking for all types of input and do not want to put limits on imagination. I am in the very preliminary stages and have not yet gone to John. I just thought it would be kinda fun to have several ideas bounced around here before I do. 2 heads are better than one. 10 heads are better than 2! Vincent I really love the idea of the bastard saber and your version is really, really cool. The proportions appeal to me. Thank you very much. |
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Post by Elheru Aran on Mar 8, 2011 18:55:32 GMT
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 8, 2011 19:48:58 GMT
Wow Chris... you REALLY have no idea what you want.  Normally if your that unsure I would actually recommend against getting a custom sword. Unless you have something you really, really want and know which smith can best make it happen the way you want it, custom might not be right for you. I don't know if you'll appreciate the finished product as much when its not something you've been dreaming about for ages. You might be better served picking up two Atrim style swords that cover a sword type(s) you have been interested but not had a chance to handle/use yet. This will help broaden your experience and maybe zero on that one sword you might want someday to go custom. Barring that... if you are determined to get a custom sword and really have such a broad range... I would suggest coming up with a price-point... then talking to John about it. I find that craftsmen... being artists... LOVE when they are given free-reign to create something THEY want to make... and they tend to do a better job when they are given that creative freedom. Give him a price-point... some broad guidelines... and I promise you, you won't be disappointed with what he makes. |
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Post by Elheru Aran on Mar 8, 2011 20:13:29 GMT
Yeah, honestly I have to say I agree with Sean here. Knowing what you want is all very well and good, but there's nothing like actually having a sword in hand to tell you what you like or don't like. It's far better to buy a few swords that you aren't fantastically in love with but like well enough, than to plonk a big hunk of money down on a fancy piece that turns out to disappoint you. I'll be happy to give you some ideas, but honestly I think as far as a custom job goes it should be more or less originally a person's concept, perhaps inspired by another's idea or an elaboration thereof, but still with that person's unique touch on it. That way, you have a better idea of what you're going to get, and have less high expectations to be disappointed with if it doesn't turn out quite like you want it to.
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Post by D'artagnan on Mar 8, 2011 20:35:22 GMT
Just a quick point of inquiry El, is that last blade in your photos yours? And if so who did it?
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 8, 2011 21:01:18 GMT
Looks like a LotR sword of Arwen...
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Post by D'artagnan on Mar 8, 2011 21:04:46 GMT
Yeah it's movie name is Hadhafang, but there are some definite differences from the UC SLO so I was wondering if it was a custom job.
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Luka
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Post by Luka on Mar 8, 2011 21:20:50 GMT
If you have no real idea let John do his magic. He will make something breath taking.
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Post by Bogus on Mar 9, 2011 0:04:15 GMT
Kind of agreed with the guys saying you may want to hold off on a custom job if you're not pretty sure what you want. That said, if you're still deadset on a custom (and speaking as someone else who's about to have a nice pot of gold to spend) I would suggest a Swiss saber because a) they're totally awesome and b) AFAIK nobody manufactures them so the only way to get one is in fact via a custom job. |
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Mar 9, 2011 13:30:10 GMT
Not a problem. I look forward to seeing the finished sword if you decide to use it. You're also welcome to any of the designs in my design thread (link's in my sig) under the "Non-novel designs" that strikes your fancy. It may be a little selfish of me, but I want to be the first to own Ælfwing, Ithin, and Mé'aré.
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Post by Elheru Aran on Mar 9, 2011 16:07:56 GMT
That Swiss saber is honestly just beautiful, it's one of my favorite swords out there. Definitely one of a kind. I think John would actually enjoy making something like that given that it's got pretty complex blade geometry and would be quite a challenge to figure out, plus the complex hilt actually looks pretty sweet on it... That sword of mine is actually a unnamed Elven-katana used by Haldir in The Two Towers. It's slightly off proportionally-- the 'ricasso' section is too short by about an inch or so, and the hilt could be a little longer-- but overall I really love how she turned out. She's a nice sword, handles beautifully. Light as a feather but crazy fast... now if it was only a real sword |
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Mar 9, 2011 17:16:12 GMT
Thanks for the advice and for looking out for my interests in recomending that I might not be ready for a custom. My seemingly random guidelines certainly provokes such concerns. But I do respecfully disagree in that I do not feel a custom need be a specific sword I have be dreaming of for years. Getting a custom is a chance to get a beautful work of a quality that I cannot get on the production market. To me, what I was asking here is sort of like looking through John's site and seeing a design there I like and working to make changes to suit me and my tastes...which is something I am doing too. I just thought it would be interesting to get different ideas from a group with different tastes. Get some ideas then get an idea of what it is I like. Vincent gave me a good recommendation. Elheru gave me several good ideas. That is the kind of stuff I am looking for. Random ideas that might spark an interest in me. Sort of like looking through a catalogue. My problem is, and always has been, that I do not have a favorite anything. I do not have a favorite color...I have several. I do not have a favorite movie...it changes depending on my mood. And I do not have a favorite type of sword....it changes hourly. I certainly don't have a ONE sword that is my ultimate favorite. Do I like one handers or two handers? My answer is "Yes". Do I like straight or curved? Yup. Yeah. It fustrates me. What I need to do now is to choose from those several types that I do like. It might seem odd to normal people but I work better in this seemingly random way. What I end up with may resemble nothing anyone posts but still be inspired by several suggestions. But it will be something I truly like and hopefully be unique. I don't want to waste John's time by coming to him with no direction. I'd rather get an idea then hand it to him and then let him run with it. I would never hand him my money and say make me "whatever". That wouldn't be fair to him or me. And yes, when I do give him my idea he will have free reign to modify, change and interpret however he sees fit. But I do want that initial idea before going to him. I realize now that this might be a bit selfish of me to ask for such from you guys for no real payoff and I do apologize. I was thinking it might be an interesting excersise to compare different ideas and that maybe others could benefit from it as well. |
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Sean (Shadowhowler)
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Post by Sean (Shadowhowler) on Mar 9, 2011 17:48:55 GMT
I'd bet ya money he would not mind that at all... Smiths are creative people... I am sure there are a bunch of sword ideas that have been rattling around in John's brain that he has been wanting to make... but does not because his time is full with paid commissions. If you gave him this much free reign, he would likely make one of those ideas that he has had for awhile... and being that it will be a creative outlet for him, I bet ya it would be epic. Just sayin.
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Post by etiennehamel on Mar 9, 2011 17:55:44 GMT
no worries from me chris i'm in the same boat but i don't have money for a lundemo custom so i'm still thinking... i have a suggestion though... why not make a medley of your tastes in one sword?
since you like one handers and two handers why not go for a bastard?
i know it will be rough but you could make a list of what you like in a sword (every specs, aesthetic, etc...)?
if i were in your boots right now even i wouldn't be able to choose between a curved or straight blade (as well as single edged or not)...
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ChrisA
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Post by ChrisA on Mar 9, 2011 19:06:47 GMT
As an artist I am sure John would love it! And on some level so would I. But my thinking is as a business transaction it's just not a good idea. John has no idea about me and what I like and I would think it would annoy him if he makes up this design (with no input from me) and I go "ehh". I'd hate to waste his time. But I do like the idea of getting a general idea with a few details and them letting him work from there. I do wish I was rich. I would hand John (and others!) a nice check and say "make me something within that amount. Let me know when it's done." I would love to see what would come out of it. Bogus: Holy crap! That Swiss Saber is amazing! Simply elegant. Thanks Vincent I will check out that thread and if I see something I'll check with you. The last thing I want to do is to use a design that will step on anyone's toes. Thanks Etienn! I not the only crazy one! I think if I try to please all my tastes in one I'll end up pleasing none. I think it's better to go after one and hopefully be able to get more made in the future. One thought I have, and had for a while, is based on a previous work of John's. I LOVE the Celtic Wolf design (as does a lot of people!). But I would want to change it significantly enough so as not to be copy but still keep the feeling of it. I would keep the blade shape...maybe changing the length in one direction (shorter or longer) but keeping the proportions.
Lose the pattern weld and go monosteel. Just not a fan it.
I love the guard but would change the wolf head. Most likely to another design other than an animal. Open to ideas.
Love the grip, especially the idea of the inscription on the ring. But might change length to single, two hander or bastard config. Open to ideas.
Pommel would be changed. Keep the size but reshape it somehow but still fitting in with the overall design. Very open to ideas.[/list:u]
This is not an indication of the ultimate direction I am going in: I am not particularly looking into leaf blades or viking furniture. I just think this one example just flows. |
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Mar 9, 2011 20:09:09 GMT
Well, as I said, any of the ones under "Non-novel designs" (not that there are many if you exclude my scribbles) are fair game and I'd quite like to see any of them in steel.
As to this, I'd say shorten it just a bit, go with a bastard hilt, change the wolf's head to a simple protrusion like on some Euro guards, but with scrollwork/rune inscription, and a small gem insert in the middle (basically like my Ifearnán design), but as to the pommel, I don't know what you could do to make it fit. Perhaps something open like the VA Warder to give it a somewhat fantasy-Celtic feel to live up to its name?
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That is intentional. I am looking for all types of input and do not want to put limits on imagination. 
