Han Dynasty Jian Customized (super pic heavy)
Aug 15, 2011 1:09:49 GMT
Post by chrisperoni on Aug 15, 2011 1:09:49 GMT
I picked this sword up last year right here in the classifieds and was pleased with my selection- I got a great deal on a nice sword. The seller (larlim) was upfront about any details of the sword he could give and provided many pictures so I knew what to expect when it arrived from overseas. I was and remain very happy with my purchase! That said, I have always planned on doing some upgrading/customizing of it.
(BTW- I took a lot of pics so I'm going to use them :lol: )
The Old
To be honest, these pics don't even look bad to me-- but that's just the thing about so many of these similar looking jians you see all over the net. They are made to look good in pics, but in person the flaws become obvious; flaws like poorly painted brass colouring and lazily glued on cording. (no knock to larlim intended, please don't take it that way- like I said he was straight with me)
The Plan
More about the tang: Inside the hilt of a typical production Han Jian
The Work
Note: I filled the handle with good epoxy and after cleaning out the cheap glue in the pommel I also epoxied it on.
Gold leafing is fun and easy but delicate. More on that: scratch tests on gold leaf
This red basecoat will show through cracks in the leaf, giving a bit of an antiqued look
I used gold leafing and green variegated gold leafing
Leather cord underwrapping
Red and light rust suede lace
By now the scabbard has been sanded and lacquered. I tried some stains but they were all too dark, the lacquer was sufficient to give the scabbard a polished look while keeping the contrast in the grain
The suede was then given a coat of thinned out lacquer. More on that: what lacquer?
The New
You can probably tell I'm very happy with the results! The gold might not be your thing, and usually I don't care for too much flashiness on a sword but something about the detail in these fittings made me do it
(BTW- I took a lot of pics so I'm going to use them :lol: )
The Old
To be honest, these pics don't even look bad to me-- but that's just the thing about so many of these similar looking jians you see all over the net. They are made to look good in pics, but in person the flaws become obvious; flaws like poorly painted brass colouring and lazily glued on cording. (no knock to larlim intended, please don't take it that way- like I said he was straight with me)
The Plan
More about the tang: Inside the hilt of a typical production Han Jian
The Work
Note: I filled the handle with good epoxy and after cleaning out the cheap glue in the pommel I also epoxied it on.
Gold leafing is fun and easy but delicate. More on that: scratch tests on gold leaf
This red basecoat will show through cracks in the leaf, giving a bit of an antiqued look
I used gold leafing and green variegated gold leafing
Leather cord underwrapping
Red and light rust suede lace
By now the scabbard has been sanded and lacquered. I tried some stains but they were all too dark, the lacquer was sufficient to give the scabbard a polished look while keeping the contrast in the grain
The suede was then given a coat of thinned out lacquer. More on that: what lacquer?
The New
You can probably tell I'm very happy with the results! The gold might not be your thing, and usually I don't care for too much flashiness on a sword but something about the detail in these fittings made me do it