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Post by admin on Dec 5, 2006 11:49:32 GMT
I suppose that everyone who subscribes to the Sword Buyers Digest would know about this... But for everyone else, Arms of Valor is currently running a special competition trueswordsman and myself throught up where any budding fantasy sword designers get a chance to add a significant note to their resume... You see, every year Arms of Valor design a fantasy sword that Generation 2 turn into a reality. For example, last years was the very beautiful 'High Elven King Sword' (pictured)  But this year, we thought: why not accept submissions from the general sword community, get the talented team at Gen2 to bring the best design to life, with the designer getting the kudos and the first sword of the batch (as well as an accompanying poster created by skilled fantasy artist, Erik. T. Hilliker). All in all, it's not a bad deal for just sketching out what you imagine to be your ideal fantasy sword!  Details and the entry submissions can be found [url=http://www.valorswords.com/SwordCompetition.php ]here[/url] so if you've ever thought "I wish someone had a functional fantasy sword that looked like_____" - now's your chance! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2006 18:51:21 GMT
It looks like a very good cutting sword. The handle is small enough to make it really practical for use with a shield or from horseback, yet big enough to allow for a second hand.
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Post by rammstein on Dec 5, 2006 22:40:23 GMT
I created an interesting sword which I sent in. Basically imagine a small, type XX with a type O pommel. Actually, if this sword get made, I'd be pretty happy, as I'd love to own it! I fell in love with it as soon as I finished the preliminary scetches!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2006 4:02:45 GMT
Hmmm...this might be kinda fun.  Since I'm an absolute sucker for wide Type XVIII blades, just about anything I designed would probably be based around one. I'll have to get to work! |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2006 18:47:11 GMT
In the words of George Silver, "No Fight is Perfect without BOTH cut AND thrust."
Which leads me to like blades more like the classic Type XII and XIIa, and also, the Type XIX(those're my favorites, though I still am fond of quite a few other styles as well).
I've designed swords quite a bit in my spare time...I'm very taken with it as a hobby actually. I'd like to become a swordmaker/smith someday, but there's nowhere in my area for me to learn, and though I've got some rudimentary experience and several books and internet sites on the subject, I don't think that it'll be enough.
Anyway, I'm debating which design to send in... a question for Paul: Are we limited to only 1 design submission?
I've got a very nice Kukri/Sword hybrid that I think would be functional as well as intimidatingly beautiful, but I don't know if anyone else has my fondness of kukris. There are a good number of more distinctly european swords I've drawn up, but I'm a fan of simple elegance, and so they're not always 'eye-catching', and don't know if they'd be worth sending in...
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Post by rammstein on Dec 6, 2006 21:01:52 GMT
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admin
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Post by admin on Dec 6, 2006 22:42:00 GMT
Anyway, I'm debating which design to send in... a question for Paul: Are we limited to only 1 design submission? The more the merrier I'd say! There's no real limit to the number of submissions you can send in as each one will be looked at and judged on its own merits.. The only real thing to bear in mind is that ideally its to be an original fantasy sword design, and the more fantasy background you can provide on the sword (i.e. giving it a cool fantasy name, creating a fictional warrior hero/villan who weilded it, etc) the easier it will be for Mr. Hilliker to design the companion fantasy poster. The sky is the limit here, so let your imaginations run wild! ;D |
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Post by rammstein on Dec 7, 2006 20:55:20 GMT
Paul, I really don't have THAT much interest in fantasy and story and just want to design cool looking, yet functional swords. I've sent in one design already (type XX w/ type o pommel) but I finished another last night (type XVIIIb with type v pommel) and am working on one now. I have shown all three designs to my classmates in highschool, and all have loved them. I showed them to my artistic teachers and they all thought I did a great job as well. My question is, these are great designs but aren't based on any true fantasy other than my own mind. Is it still alright to continue sending in designs?
Another question, I scetched a backsword today and my friend was practically drooling over it. Are one sided swords allowed as well? how about basket hilts or other complex designs? both?
Thanks mate.
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Post by rammstein on Dec 8, 2006 21:19:45 GMT
Hm..I think I'm inundating this post with my designs but....
I've finished by third design and am working on my fourth. #3 is a type XVIa with a type type T pommel and a style 11 guard. #4 is not yet finished but is another type XVIIIb (like #2) but has a type T1 pommel and an elegant type 12 guard.
Good luck with the contest all!
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admin
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Post by admin on Dec 9, 2006 5:24:37 GMT
My question is, these are great designs but aren't based on any true fantasy other than my own mind. Is it still alright to continue sending in designs? Another question, I scetched a backsword today and my friend was practically drooling over it. Are one sided swords allowed as well? how about basket hilts or other complex designs? both? Absolutely - keep 'em coming!  It doesn't matter if you don't have a huge background story and character to go with the sword, but a few general hints on what kind of warrior would have weilded it just help add some flavour and give Erik T. Hilliker a starting point to design the accompanying poster. One sided swords are no problem. The only thing I'm not sure about is Basket Hilts and other complex designs, perhaps either Trueswordsman or Clyde from Generation 2 might want to elaborate in this area.. Cheers! - Paul |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2006 16:24:58 GMT
Would it be wrong to post sketches or even accompanying stories here?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2006 18:20:48 GMT
You can if you want to share but don't want to enter them in the comp.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2006 21:35:48 GMT
Rats. I'm really excited about my first entry... want to share it...
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2006 23:48:15 GMT
Rats. I'm really excited about my first entry... want to share it... Mind sending me a copy of the sword via PM? I'd like to see it! I love kukris! L. |
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Post by rammstein on Dec 10, 2006 3:04:06 GMT
I second L. Draegon about the pm.
I'd love to see your work! That goes for anyone else too if they'd like.
Also I finished #4 and sent the rest of my design in. Working on some more now, I'll update when I'm done.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2006 23:06:19 GMT
I just finished my first fantasy sword design. It's actually one that I drew the first sketches of a couple years ago. I re-did it, and re-scaled it, changed the dimensions a bit(to make it realistic) and sent it off with a 3 page story. Is 3 pages too long? You said the more history and flavor the better...
Anyway, this one wasn't my kukri design- that'll be the next one. But if anyone's still interested, I converted the story and sword sketches to PDF and will email them to you if you want. I only ask to see your designs in return(if you have any).
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Post by rammstein on Dec 11, 2006 0:59:37 GMT
3 page story  I'm sending it off with 1 or 2 words. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2006 7:47:30 GMT
I expect it to get extremely summarized if it wins, but I thought the design merited nothing less. I wanted it to be a special sword, and you can't do a unique special sword justice by saying "Sir Theron Drake of the Great used it." You have to understand who 'Sir Theron Drake the Great' is, and why the sword was special.
I mean, if you had no knowledge of the Lord of the Rings at all, and I said "yeah, Anduril, the flame of the west, used by Aragorn the heir of Isildur", you'd be all like...'so?'
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Post by rammstein on Dec 11, 2006 20:23:57 GMT
Agreed, but my swords are more or less historical rather than fantasy oriented. So by saying "Northern italian" I think the idea is given, is it not?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 11, 2006 22:17:39 GMT
True, but this IS a FANTASY sword design contest. I wanted to stay away from 'Type XIX blade, Style 12 cross, Type 4 pommel', since there's nothign fantasy about that.
This is not to say my design was anything Kit Rae or some other crappy thing like that. It's a very functional design, it's just got a nice fantasy appeal to it.
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Since I'm an absolute sucker for wide Type XVIII blades, just about anything I designed would probably be based around one. I'll have to get to work! 
