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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2012 11:06:42 GMT
Sorry if this is in the wrong section but I just wanted to ask and double check: which is the correct way up for a design (e.g. a celtic knot or dragon or something) to go on a blade? Here's an example with just a letter A; First way: or Second way: Many thanks! Didn't want to go drawing a design on my synthetic sword the wrong way lmao :lol: Hope this post helps for anyone else too Attachments:
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Jul 5, 2012 11:38:37 GMT
Didn't know there was a right way to put an inscription on a sword. Personal preference is the only thing I can think of for deciding an inscription's direction; for instance, if you look at three of Brendan Olszowy's latest designs, they all have the inscription running left to right from the hilt, which seems to be most common for Germanic style inscriptions; conversely, two of my original designs, Mé'aré and Ithin have the inscription running left to right from towards the hilt, mainly as a consequence of how I justify my designs with the hilt to the right (because I'm right handed), but also so, when I eventually have the real things, I can hold them in a normal grip and read the inscription. However, if you look at certain fantasy swords, such as the Conan swords, you'll see any inscriptions going either towards the guard or away from the guard in a vertical fashion. Towards the guard vertically also seems to be preferred for Asian inscriptions, as a result of their writing systems going right to left and up and down. So, really, it's just a matter of what you think looks better, to me. As for engravings such as Celtic knots and what have you, I think putting the bottom of the design nearest the guard works best, as it makes the rest look as if it's flowing along the blade, but that's just me.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2012 11:53:48 GMT
Thanks for the reply, useful to know for lettering!
My design will actually be a vertical placement rather than runnning along the blade (it will be my stag logo in my signature).
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Post by Vincent Dolan on Jul 5, 2012 12:05:36 GMT
In that case, I would personally go with the legs on the bottom so it looks like it's standing on the guard, rather than hanging from it.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2012 14:10:07 GMT
Quick digital mockup; Attachments:
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Kuya
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Post by Kuya on Jul 5, 2012 14:47:08 GMT
The second way looks better, by a lot. Even though the symbol is "right side up" in the first picture, it's still aesthetically disorienting. When you hold a sword up, it looks better when the image is also "up." And when you point the sword down, it looks better to have the image also "down." Also, for aesthetics, the tips of antlers of the stag should point in the same direction as the tip of the blade.
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Post by Kuya on Jul 5, 2012 15:01:32 GMT
I know that this example doesn't quite apply to your sword, since your sword isn't a katana. But when I see other companies put their logos on the sword or blade collar, it's in the orientation of your second picture (feet toward the pommel). Musashi Sword ExampleAlso notice that the dragon on the top collar of the handle is also in the orientation of your second picture (the dragon's feet are down toward the bottom of the handle).
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2012 15:45:33 GMT
I see the logic behind having the feet towards the hand as it's less 'floaty', here's an example from Kult of Athena with a design facing the other way on their Wheel of Time sword where the heron has its head closer to the grip. But then - the imperial swords on skyrim have the skyrim dragon logo with the dragon's tail closer to the hand (..... few minutes of browsing later .....) actually you are right why? the master sword has the triforce in this direction. Unless someone has a stronger opinion - my decision is made :lol: Thanks everyone
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Talon
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Post by Talon on Jul 5, 2012 17:44:53 GMT
feet towards the tang,aye definately towards the tang
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Post by Maynar on Jul 5, 2012 17:45:55 GMT
I like the first way.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2012 18:10:30 GMT
Of course, what I hadn't thought of was the complexity of the small details of the logo going onto the sword - so I have decided to do the monogram version of my logo which is a hand drawn slightly runic looking 'tj' (which you can just spot in the antlers of my stag logo). Here's the final outcome done on both sides. I think if I had a decorative sword and wanted to put the stag design on it then I would have gone for the antlers towards the pommel as it would hang vertical on a wall - but in this instance it worked better this way around. Many thanks again for everyone's input Attachments:
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Post by Kuya on Jul 5, 2012 18:43:32 GMT
That new logo looks good, and it works either way, since it's more "abstract" looking. Most people who didn't know what it was wouldn't be able to tell which way was up for it anyway.
In the future, when you do the stag upside down on a display sword, I'll cry. But in the end, it's all about what makes you happy, right?
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Post by Lonely Wolf Forge on Jul 5, 2012 23:04:18 GMT
i like it the 2nd way, by the way how did you get the design on the blade? ? i e wanted to ech things in my blades fo soooo long and i cant find a way to get stencils. i dont have he skill to cut them out with a knife
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Post by MOK on Jul 8, 2012 8:51:26 GMT
Whatever suits the sword and its intended function. Motifs on actual fighting blades tend to be right side up when seen from your outside (right for a right-hander) with the point up and/or forward, and the designs on hilts when seen from your inside (left for a right-hander) with the pommel up and/or forward - but that's just a tendency, not at all a hard and fast rule.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2012 9:05:41 GMT
I wonder what it would look like if the logo was rotated 90 degrees (so the stag could run along the blade ). As for the options you presented... I like the second way better unless the sword is going to be displayed hanging vertically. In that case I think the first option is better.
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Post by Gaufried on Jul 9, 2012 19:01:57 GMT
Hello TiffanyAlthough such graphical placement could vary, I would suggest top-edge near cross of sword, as per typical example set by the small heart within the fuller (you can barely just see it) of this artifactal sword - thus the point of the heart points toward the point of the sword. :arrow: Photograph courtesy & copyright of our scholarly friends at Hammaborg.This Type XIIa longsword once belonged to Konrad, Landgrave of Thuringia and Grandmaster of the German Order (d.1240). Yes—the weapon of a real crusading grandmaster of the Teutonic Knights. It is featured in Records of the Medieval Sword by Mr. Oakeshott. Strangely he mentioned neither the (Marian) heart nor the running wolf (of Passau) marks inset down the blade-strong, which he nonetheless well-illustrated via his drawing thereof. This weapon now resides in Deutsches Historisches Museum Berlin. I would only conjecture that they aligned such graphics that way so as to see them properly whilst praying before battle with the hilting of sword before one like the Holy Cross. :idea: Best wishes to you in your endeavours!
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Post by chrisperoni on Jul 9, 2012 21:39:06 GMT
In your stag example the 1st way looks better by a lot.
I prefer on a cruciform sword have any inscription/etch/design either be written lengthwise across the fuller, or facing the point. In truth the pommel is[/b] the top of the sword, and in display the pommel is at the top, and most of all when USED you want the poor bastard you just skewered to see/read what your blade is saying to him! Hahaaa!
I kind of think that a symbol or inscription etc. should be oriented in relation to its subject. For example if an inscription is in reference to say, bringing power and good fortune to the wielder of the sword, then it faces the wielder when the sword is held; if it speaks of a terrible time a'comin' for the guy on the sharp end of the sword then that reference should be facing out to the opponent or you are risking the bad mojo coming back at you.
The orientation of a runic symbols can affect it's meaning greatly so you need to consider the meaning and whom you intend that meaning to protect/ act upon/ affect
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Post by frankthebunny on Jul 24, 2012 0:38:35 GMT
I voted for the second option of the bottom edge closest to the guard. in the case of the stag design, the feet close to the guard. it just makes sense to me (knowing almost nothing about Euro swords) because the design is in the correct position to the wielder when holding the sword. btw, did I see bunnies on the shelf in the background?
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Post by chrisperoni on Jul 24, 2012 0:48:43 GMT
think of how a cross is described on a euro sword- the cross curves downward towards the blade. The top is the pommel
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