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Post by kit352 on May 5, 2015 11:16:53 GMT
I flew out to see Rob Miller at Castlekeep last week with my wife and we were both blown away by the shop. I put a deposit down on a custom hand and a half sword. Its going to be a long wait but worth it for sure. I don't have many details worked out yet but it's not going to be an overly complex design. I'm going to try and blend new metals into an old design. I am going to send Rob some titanium wire to form a braid for the hilt and maybe a few other precious metals I have in my shop for him to play with. I'm also looking for a way to work in an old English coin circa 13-1400 somewhere into the design. Just for a bit of old and new really. I'm pretty fixed on a 38ish blade length with maybe a double fuller but who knows. It's really hard for me to design my own sword it turns out. At some point I will probably just let Rob do his own thing and it will probably be for the best. I'm pretty stoked about all in all. It was a great visit and I can't wait to see how it turns out. I have asked him to take pictures of the process along the way and maybe he will post them up for all to see.
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Post by Bryan Heff on May 5, 2015 11:44:28 GMT
Cool man, congrats. Pretty exciting stuff. Yes please post any pics that you may get...would love to see them.
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Post by Rifleman Lizard on May 5, 2015 14:46:09 GMT
Good choice. You won't regret buying one of Rob's swords. He's one of the UK's best.
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Post by kit352 on May 5, 2015 15:13:05 GMT
That's why I went to him. Great reputation and skill.
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Paul
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Post by Paul on May 5, 2015 20:54:53 GMT
I'm on his list aswell for a scottish basket hilt, still deciding between the double edge blade or the Backsword.
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Post by beastofwotan on May 6, 2015 1:17:42 GMT
I really want one if his Type H viking swords, but I'm an overly impatient person and have trouble dealing with wait times of 10-12 months.
Looking forward to seeing your sword!
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Post by kit352 on May 6, 2015 10:41:42 GMT
I'm on his list aswell for a scottish basket hilt, still deciding between the double edge blade or the Backsword. Backsword for sure with a basket hilt.
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Paul
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Post by Paul on May 7, 2015 8:20:33 GMT
My first choice was for the Backsword but as my time in the que moves along I'm stick between to two.
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Post by Sir Thorfinn on May 20, 2015 17:51:37 GMT
Hey, Rob lives in Skye, what's not to like? I'm saving up for a vacation and trip by his shop, might take a few years to save, but it's a win-win. Wife loves Scotland, and I get a custom...just need to be patient and plan... Good for you with the custom, we're all looking forward to progress and pics.
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Post by kit352 on Jun 9, 2015 18:32:32 GMT
It was worth the trip. I ended up camping out near his house too. Something to think about if you want to save money. I'm really looking forward to the sword. My mind is still swimming on how I want to proceed. Luckily I have time.
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Post by Bryan Heff on Jun 9, 2015 23:02:05 GMT
It was worth the trip. I ended up camping out near his house too. Something to think about if you want to save money. I'm really looking forward to the sword. My mind is still swimming on how I want to proceed. Luckily I have time.
Camping and hanging out on ANY of the many Scottish Islands sounds super awesome to me. Its one of those bucket list things for me....go to Orkney or Skye or Islay or any of them....Jura....
I would probably pick Orkney, Scapa flow........base for the WW1 Grand Fleet personally.....but any would be great.
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Post by kit352 on Jun 10, 2015 15:27:24 GMT
Skye was perfect for me as well as the trip out to it around loch ness. Crazy scenery and views.
scapa flow was on my list but it was so far away from everything I couldn't fit it in. Maybe next time. I'm going to go out again once my sword is closer to being finished.
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Jun 11, 2015 2:51:18 GMT
Congrats on your project with Castle Keep... On a related note, a close friend and I had the opportunity to go to Glenfinnan back in 2000. Incredible adventure - we hiked/backpacked from Loch Shiel (by the base of the Glenfinnan Monument), heading to Loch Arkaig... unfortunately, the weather was acting *very* much like Scottish weather (windy/rainy), and so we ended up going back to our base camp at The Prince's House, where we spent some time drinking Scottish beer and single malt whiskey. Best. Time. Ever... want to go back, this time with my family, seeing as my 8 yr old daughter is a HUGE Harry Potter fan, and would love to ride The Jacobite Steam Train (AKA, the steam train to Hogwarts), which makes its way through Glenfinnan. Anyway, congrats again - looking forward to seeing your custom sword.
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Post by kit352 on Feb 14, 2016 1:11:52 GMT
Well its been a long wait but Rob has officially started on my sword. As it stands its a hand and a half sword with about a 36" hexagonal blade. It will have 3 fullers with one running all the way up the center. The guard will be demascus steel with gold inlays of Rob's design. I will be have coins placed in the pummel which will also be demascus. The grip will be a simple black leather 2 piece with a titanium braided wire spiral wrap. I'm not going after any particular style or so I'm drawing from many things. I've told Rob I mostly want a strong, fast sword that is slender. Hopefully he will have it done in a few months but I know I'm slowing the process down with my design changes or uncertainties. The blade and pommel were really the only things I had a firm idea on. Everything else is evolving from my ideas and Rob's suggestions.
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Paul
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Post by Paul on Feb 14, 2016 1:16:58 GMT
Congrats I'm sure you will love it.
Looking forward to following your project.
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Post by kit352 on Feb 14, 2016 14:32:40 GMT
I've asked him to take pictures along the so I can have a record of it.
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Paul
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Post by Paul on Feb 15, 2016 8:15:12 GMT
Looking forward to it. I had to defer my position with Rob and looking at this timing you got the next spot. We and a few other family's are embarking on a legal battle against a neighboring farm who has put in a planing permit to establish a rubbish dump. With this uncertainty I've have to restrict my hobbies
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Post by kit352 on Feb 15, 2016 15:44:14 GMT
That's unfortunate for you. I hate neighbor desputes. Really messes you up for potentially years. Hopefully you get a chance with Rob later in the future. He is certainly worth it and his sword will be the crown of my collection. So much so I have no idea how I will display it. I really want it to be the focal point amoung so many other focal points.
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Post by Croccifixio on Feb 16, 2016 3:39:21 GMT
Yeah, really sucks. Just last Christmas, our neighbor's tenant verbally attacked my father-in-law (issue was parking) for parking on the street in what was allegedly his parking spot. Nearly got physical but I intervened. Still, I filed a complaint against the guy for threatening my father-in-law. Parking spot wasn't even his - it was on the street so under our rules it was free-for-all parking.
Anyway, as far as Castle Keep goes, I'd love a Suontaka, a French knight, a Type XX, and of course, the amazing Fetter Lane sword.
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Post by kit352 on Feb 16, 2016 11:43:44 GMT
The fetter Lane is a striking sword. I was in his shop when he was finishing it up. The pictures of it don't really do it justice.
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