Fëawen (modified VA Kriegschwert)
Mar 18, 2017 22:32:14 GMT
Post by lt666 on Mar 18, 2017 22:32:14 GMT
Pardon the iOS quality photos
Name
Fëawen (pronounced "Fee-ah-when") is Quenya for "Spirit Maiden" Quenya along with Sindarin are the languages spoken by the Elves in J.R.R. Tolkien's literature.
Fëa: Spirit
-wen: Maiden
Overview
The plan was to decorate a new longsword with my own leatherwork to give it a unique character. Originally I was going to get a Hanwei Rhinelander, but after it was backordered I went with Valiant Armoury's Kriegschwert. I began exploring Paganism through the Wicca in late 2016, and I wanted to dedicate this sword and my work to my Patron God (Lugh) and my Matron Goddess (Caer Ibormeith). Most of the leatherwork and decor was completed during the wait, and it was just a matter of cutting to fit and attaching them. Pretty much all the leather and accessories were made from scratch. There were of course some changes from the rough plan when the sword arrived.
Basically my Kriegschwert is now a fantasy sword kind of inspired by Fable Blades' works. Designs include tribal elements, Celtic designs stamped on the leather, Pagan stuff, fantasy decor, some Asian influences, and even a little bit of "magic". This whole project is a whole kit of sorts, including no just the sword, but also the belt with other tools and accessories. Basically stuff a Ranger in Middle Earth would want to have with him on his journeys.
The Scabbard
At the heart of the Decor is a relief of Caer Ibormeith, the Celtic Goddess of Sleep and Dreams, and her transformation between her human and swan forms. Above it is the symbol of the Triple Moon Goddess. Hanging from the section is some leather fringe and by that, a "charm" of sorts made of leather feathers with some beads. The bone-colored buttons are from some old lederhosen that I moved to scrap.
The green "jewel" above it is something I call "Magic Jade". This is a type of Faux Jade "Fake Jade" that I've been experimenting around with for the past few months. This piece is a base made with a hot glue-gun, then painted over with enamel paint of different shades of green and white. Then it's given an appropriate spray of luminescent green paint to give it its "magic", some green stained-glass paint, and a couple of layers of glaze to give it the shine and durability. It does glow with the right flash-light, but it's too faint for the camera. Again I'm experimenting with faux jade using different techniques.
Going down the scabbard is a design over the scabbard's fuller that is based off an Elvish banner seen in The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers. This banner can be seen in Arwen's bedroom before her father Elrond sends her off to the ships.
Attached on the chape is a pewter fairy.
Oh by the way, the designs on the scabbard also glow in the dark. These are the best photos I could get.
On the opposite side of the scabbard are tools. These include a utility knife (made from an old knife blade), an attachment to hold a 5mm hex-key (to disassemble the sword), and a half-ring to attach talismans, charms, and other accessories. The utility knife is an idea inspired from Aragorn's ranger sword. Behind the knife's handle is the name for the sword.
The Hilt
No modifications are planned for the blade, but the hilt is certainly decorated.
In the pommel recesses are two of the same pentagram medallions. I was lucky that they fit perfectly, because there was no dimensions on their Amazon page. But they were cheap, and they also glow in the dark.
The part of the handle by the guard was the most tricky part of the project, but it ended up being very successful. I tried my hand at rewrapping it Japanese style. I tried my hand at Tsukamaki (handle wrapping) a long time ago when I would make swords from aluminum flat-bars from Home-Depot and wrap the katanas with flat shoelace (I still have one of them). Now I did it with faux leather Ito. So I carefully removed the leather from this section (taking care not to cut into the cord wrapping), then I put a brocade fabric down first instead of rayskin, and then carefully wrapped the Ito, super-gluing the sides when I was satisfied with the folds. I left the other section of the handle alone to preserve Sonny Suttle's own leatherwork.
And also there are brown and green strips of leather between the handle-risers with other decor.
The Belt and accessories
The belt and straps are not the originals provided by Sonny. I made a new belt for this sword with my own work. The belt has Celtic designs stamped all across the leather with brown stitching on the edges. It is buckled with a Celtic buckle and held with a leather keeper.
Here is the other end of the belt, with another one of the lederhosen buttons. That metal moon came with those glowing pentagram pendants.
Here are my own straps for the scabbard harness. That item you see between them is another half-ring for more accessories; like the one on the scabbard.
This is a Winsor Belt pouch for small tools. It is decorated with a leather leaf, some metal belt-studs, beads, and one of those buttons again.
This is a Seax I made from an old knife blade I had. I was going to use this as the utility knife on the scabbard, until receiving the sword and finding out that the other knife fits better. The lederhosen button serves to "lock" the knife into the scabbard and makes the knife easier to hold.
This is another pouch. The tab that closes it also comes from the lederhosen.
Conclusion
Overall, I am very pleased with how this whole project has turned out. This represents my current talents with leather and other mediums as it sits now. There are things that I can improve, change, and add onto over time; which is possible. Right now I'm making a mini dream-catcher to compliment the goddess. But I am incredibly happy and proud with my sword and my own customizations on her. This was well worth the wait, an I'm proud to call her my prized possession.
Special thanks to Sonny Suttles of Valiant Armoury for this sword and services, and to Sword Buyer's Guide for their info and resources!!
Questions, comments, and critique welcomed!
Thanks for viewing!
Here's the review of the Kriegschwert with photos prior to customizations
sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/50417/review-valiant-armoury-kriegschwert
Name
Fëawen (pronounced "Fee-ah-when") is Quenya for "Spirit Maiden" Quenya along with Sindarin are the languages spoken by the Elves in J.R.R. Tolkien's literature.
Fëa: Spirit
-wen: Maiden
Overview
The plan was to decorate a new longsword with my own leatherwork to give it a unique character. Originally I was going to get a Hanwei Rhinelander, but after it was backordered I went with Valiant Armoury's Kriegschwert. I began exploring Paganism through the Wicca in late 2016, and I wanted to dedicate this sword and my work to my Patron God (Lugh) and my Matron Goddess (Caer Ibormeith). Most of the leatherwork and decor was completed during the wait, and it was just a matter of cutting to fit and attaching them. Pretty much all the leather and accessories were made from scratch. There were of course some changes from the rough plan when the sword arrived.
Basically my Kriegschwert is now a fantasy sword kind of inspired by Fable Blades' works. Designs include tribal elements, Celtic designs stamped on the leather, Pagan stuff, fantasy decor, some Asian influences, and even a little bit of "magic". This whole project is a whole kit of sorts, including no just the sword, but also the belt with other tools and accessories. Basically stuff a Ranger in Middle Earth would want to have with him on his journeys.
The Scabbard
At the heart of the Decor is a relief of Caer Ibormeith, the Celtic Goddess of Sleep and Dreams, and her transformation between her human and swan forms. Above it is the symbol of the Triple Moon Goddess. Hanging from the section is some leather fringe and by that, a "charm" of sorts made of leather feathers with some beads. The bone-colored buttons are from some old lederhosen that I moved to scrap.
The green "jewel" above it is something I call "Magic Jade". This is a type of Faux Jade "Fake Jade" that I've been experimenting around with for the past few months. This piece is a base made with a hot glue-gun, then painted over with enamel paint of different shades of green and white. Then it's given an appropriate spray of luminescent green paint to give it its "magic", some green stained-glass paint, and a couple of layers of glaze to give it the shine and durability. It does glow with the right flash-light, but it's too faint for the camera. Again I'm experimenting with faux jade using different techniques.
Going down the scabbard is a design over the scabbard's fuller that is based off an Elvish banner seen in The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers. This banner can be seen in Arwen's bedroom before her father Elrond sends her off to the ships.
Attached on the chape is a pewter fairy.
Oh by the way, the designs on the scabbard also glow in the dark. These are the best photos I could get.
On the opposite side of the scabbard are tools. These include a utility knife (made from an old knife blade), an attachment to hold a 5mm hex-key (to disassemble the sword), and a half-ring to attach talismans, charms, and other accessories. The utility knife is an idea inspired from Aragorn's ranger sword. Behind the knife's handle is the name for the sword.
The Hilt
No modifications are planned for the blade, but the hilt is certainly decorated.
In the pommel recesses are two of the same pentagram medallions. I was lucky that they fit perfectly, because there was no dimensions on their Amazon page. But they were cheap, and they also glow in the dark.
The part of the handle by the guard was the most tricky part of the project, but it ended up being very successful. I tried my hand at rewrapping it Japanese style. I tried my hand at Tsukamaki (handle wrapping) a long time ago when I would make swords from aluminum flat-bars from Home-Depot and wrap the katanas with flat shoelace (I still have one of them). Now I did it with faux leather Ito. So I carefully removed the leather from this section (taking care not to cut into the cord wrapping), then I put a brocade fabric down first instead of rayskin, and then carefully wrapped the Ito, super-gluing the sides when I was satisfied with the folds. I left the other section of the handle alone to preserve Sonny Suttle's own leatherwork.
And also there are brown and green strips of leather between the handle-risers with other decor.
The Belt and accessories
The belt and straps are not the originals provided by Sonny. I made a new belt for this sword with my own work. The belt has Celtic designs stamped all across the leather with brown stitching on the edges. It is buckled with a Celtic buckle and held with a leather keeper.
Here is the other end of the belt, with another one of the lederhosen buttons. That metal moon came with those glowing pentagram pendants.
Here are my own straps for the scabbard harness. That item you see between them is another half-ring for more accessories; like the one on the scabbard.
This is a Winsor Belt pouch for small tools. It is decorated with a leather leaf, some metal belt-studs, beads, and one of those buttons again.
This is a Seax I made from an old knife blade I had. I was going to use this as the utility knife on the scabbard, until receiving the sword and finding out that the other knife fits better. The lederhosen button serves to "lock" the knife into the scabbard and makes the knife easier to hold.
This is another pouch. The tab that closes it also comes from the lederhosen.
Conclusion
Overall, I am very pleased with how this whole project has turned out. This represents my current talents with leather and other mediums as it sits now. There are things that I can improve, change, and add onto over time; which is possible. Right now I'm making a mini dream-catcher to compliment the goddess. But I am incredibly happy and proud with my sword and my own customizations on her. This was well worth the wait, an I'm proud to call her my prized possession.
Special thanks to Sonny Suttles of Valiant Armoury for this sword and services, and to Sword Buyer's Guide for their info and resources!!
Questions, comments, and critique welcomed!
Thanks for viewing!
Here's the review of the Kriegschwert with photos prior to customizations
sbg-sword-forum.forums.net/thread/50417/review-valiant-armoury-kriegschwert