Zen_Hydra
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Born with a heart full of neutrality
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Sept 21, 2021 19:11:09 GMT
So, in light of my current health woes and the much more prominent countdown clock for getting things done, I have decided to finally get around to finishing/beadazzling/injecting some zazz into this hybrid ge/ji/knightly poleaxe.
On the visual side, I have decided to Goth it up. The wood is getting multiple layers of black enamel paint.
The steel bits are are being chemically blued/blackened. There will be some gold enamel paint added for some contrast and added flair.
The rondel guard will be fitted with a gold cord Turk's head knot, from which black and gold feathers will be presented in a circular fashion (the effect is vey much like crow or raven feathers with the tips dipped in a gold paint).
I will add a couple of cord and leather wrapped handle sections to enhance some transition areas, and to also make it easier to feel hand positions without looking at the weapon.
I will also be adding sheath/scabbard/point-and-edge covers to the weapon, and they will be decorated in a crow/raven motif with more of the pretty black and gold feathers.
I have a couple meters of a very attractive braided leather an silk flat cordage (gold-ish in color) which I would like to use for this piece in some way. I'm considering using it to secure the scabbard-y bits for the primary business end, or possibly making it an easily detachable shoulder sling for hauling this epic weapon around.
I will post some photos of my progress, and I'm hoping that when it's all complete it will finally look like the epic and intimating weapon it was always meant to be. A poleaxe to strike fear in any foe facing its ruinous and ravenous beaks.
I've publicly been pretty open about how generally silly I find naming one's weapons, with a few exceptions. Not every sword or axe deserves a name. I hope that when I am finished this knightly ji will be worthy of one, and I will welcome suggestions for what appellation to lay upon it.
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Post by legacyofthesword on Sept 21, 2021 22:11:21 GMT
I've always loved all your frakenweapons and various designs you've posted over the years. You have a really good grasp of what makes a weapon work, and a great artistic imagination, and thus your designs are fantastic yet functional. Really looking forward to this build. Have you considered starting a collection thread in the Member's Collections category? I for one would love to see all your work in one place.
Very sorry to hear you're having health problems.
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Post by Kane Shen on Sept 23, 2021 18:24:23 GMT
What an interesting Asian-fusion project. Incorporating a Ge blade as an axehead substitute is quite a unique concept. Usually the two heads of a poleaxe/polehammer would have different damaging emphases: piercing/percussive/cutting. Yours have two piercing heads, though the stout raven's beak has more armored combat in mind, and the Ge head is more oriented towards lightly armored flesh, I guess. Would love to see the demo of the final result.đź‘Ť
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Zen_Hydra
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Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,625
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Sept 23, 2021 21:11:02 GMT
What an interesting Asian-fusion project. Incorporating a Ge blade as an axehead substitute is quite a unique concept. Usually the two heads of a poleaxe/polehammer would have different damaging emphases: piercing/percussive/cutting. Yours have two piercing heads, though the stout raven's beak has more armored combat in mind, and the Ge head is more oriented towards lightly armored flesh, I guess. Would love to see the demo of the final result.đź‘Ť That's the logic behind it. The ge is preferable for lightly armored targets, hooking, and tearing. The reinforced crow's beak is for harder targets. The top spike is robust enough to function as both skewer and knightly pry-bar. It's one of my favorite pieces. Edit - The ge has long been a polearm which has fascinated me. It certainly shares some functionality with the bill-hook type weapons found throughout much of the world, but has has features which are distinctly their own. I feel like I have cultivated a reputation around the sword enthusiast community (or at least should have at this point) for experimenting with historically plausible weapon hybrids. I wanted to commission a custom knightly poleaxe, and one which strongly featured a robust top spike and a hollow ground crow's beak (I also wanted a sturdy spike at the butt end, because I wanted this thing to be all business). I found myself trying to figure out what my optimal choice was for the weapon face opposite the crow's beak. After looking over a variety of traditional polls and axe faces, I instead cast my view outside the typical Western European options. I had a collection of various ge and ji head images from various museum and private collections, and it didn't take me long to find one which pretty much shouted about the savage death which awaited anyone facing it. The specific ge element I had White Well Arms make for me is essentially photographically perfect, and proportioned exactly as necessary to make this poleaxe an expression of brutal beauty. The dagger-axe element functions well in multiple roles. The dagger projection is robust enough to handle rough use without fear of damage, and it has an apple seed edge along its entire length (and is sharp enough to make draw/push cuts with if the opportunity presents itself). The dagger projection can well serve as guard for parrying, and a perpendicular level for manipulating an opponent's arms. It is also long and broad enough that a solid strike to an unprotected target is going to sustain grievous damage. The scalloped axe-element just below the dagger projection also serves multiple roles. First, it looks bloody terrifying. No right-minded person is going to see those steel teeth and not imagine how they would tear tender flesh. Second, those "teeth" have excellent gripping purchase for manipulating an opponent, and with a bit a practice one can catch cordage and armor bindings in the sharpened inside surface of the scalloped sections, and cut them with relative ease. Third, the axe-element can also help channel a perspective cutting target into a devastating scything cut by the bottom edge of the dagger element, and alternatively enhances the dagger element's already excellent hooking ability. This is a weapon which truly excels at manipulating an opponents weapons, armor, and limbs. While I knew that it "felt" right once I had photoshopped the design together from a few historic examples, it wasn't until I had time to work with it in hand that I truly appreciated how serendipitously functional this design actually is. ...and thus, why I am turning it from a workhorse/prototype into what I would consider I high-status and signature weapon of some mythic figure.
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Zen_Hydra
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Born with a heart full of neutrality
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Oct 13, 2021 16:06:11 GMT
Well...I am approaching the point of completion with this project. I am quite pleased with how it's turned out. With the combination of decorative elements and colors the weapon has transformed from the original prototype build into something worthy of a name.
I'll be adding some photos of it once I finish the last few details.
I usually roll my eyes at such sentiments, but the weapon actually feels more worthy and capable in hand with its new look than it did beforehand. It's hard to hold something in one's hand which looks as viscous and sinister as this thing does, and not feel at least a little bit badass. To be honest, this ji/poleaxe hybrid was always something I would never want to face in combat, but now it looks like something an antihero or villain would wield as their signature weapon.
This could be a fantasy version of the famed ji of LĂĽ Bu (Romance of the Three Kingdoms), but I intend to make a dedicated attempt at that in the near future.
So, I still need to come up with a name for this beast. With all of the scabbard/decorative elements fastened to it, I feel like the weapon aspects are concealed enough that it might pass as a battle standard/banner (particularly when the wind sets the feathers in motion). It is definitely corvid-themed, with a black and gold color-scheme. The crow's beak is covered with a wooden raven/rook/crow head. The dagger-axe element is covered with a wing-shaped leather over wood core scabbard, the leather has been decorated with stylized feathers incised and painted into the leather, and the outer edge is lined with genuine feathers secured with golden cord. The top spike has a concealed wood core which has been covered in a triangular leather cover, and there is a ring on the backside to which some other decorative element might be attached (like a light silk streamer or the like). There is a leather collar which rests upon the top of the rondel/guard, and it features small bronze (decorative) spikes, and a ring of black and gold feathers. The bottom spike has a wood and leather cover. The wood is partially exposed, and is well sealed hickory (to protect the weapon element it covers and to weather exposure to regular ground contact). The leather wrap covers about 2/3 of the wood, and extends beyond it to tightly fit the swell of the spike fitting. All of these distinct protective elements have had aged brass/bronze/gold colored hardware attached to them, and I can secure them to the weapon itself and the elements to each other by means of braided golden cords (my poor hands). The end result looks pretty impressive in my esteem, the pointy bits are all well protected, and one can remove all of the scabbards/covers/decorations while keeping them connected to each other (which makes them easier to keep up with).
I'm tempted to call this thing the Rook's Banner, but I'm happy to entertain any suggestions once I post some photos of it.
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Post by paulmuaddib on Oct 13, 2021 18:11:29 GMT
Well I for one can’t wait to see it. From your description Rooks Banner sounds pretty good but I am the world’s worst at thinking up names and passwords. Took me two days to come up with my screen name for this forum.
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,625
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Oct 13, 2021 21:02:58 GMT
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Post by paulmuaddib on Oct 13, 2021 21:39:58 GMT
Zen, that is totally BAD*SS! Need a pic of you holding/wielding it. And your right, if I saw you coming at me with that, first, I would sh*t my pants, then second, I would commit seppuku. Would be a less painful death. Great job.
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,625
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Oct 13, 2021 22:46:56 GMT
Zen, that is totally BAD*SS! Need a pic of you holding/wielding it. And your right, if I saw you coming at me with that, first, I would sh*t my pants, then second, I would commit seppuku. Would be a less painful death. Great job. Thanks. I'll take some better photos of it soon. It's kind of overcast and drizzling rain in my neighborhood at the moment, otherwise I would have shot in natural light.
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,625
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Oct 15, 2021 17:21:40 GMT
I ordered some materials to add some more bling to this project, and enough to thematically tie it into the scabbard and harness I plan to make for my Albion Munich. I'm considering buying a black silk streamer or flag to connect to the triangle scabbard which covers the top spike (something like this: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K42TFWV/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A2XOE8PDNFFT98&th=1). There is a brass ring at the back triangular termination which would serve well as a mounting point for such a streamer/banner/flag. When not in use the streamer might be wound around the weapon's haft. To add some color, further establish this as a high-status weapon, and to potentially serve as a means of securing the banner mentioned above, I have ordered some attractive beads for use in creating a decorative strand which will spiral wrap it's way between the top spike and hand guard. The beads I've purchased to this end are bronze end caps, lapis lazuli spheres, rainbow moonstone spheres (primarily to pair with the Munich which has custom moonstone pommel markers), polished spherical senna siamea wood beads, and some unpolished African blackwood spheres. I'm not sure about the silk streamer part (the feathers are pretty interesting in motion as it is), but I've been wanting to mess around more with some of the attractive semi-precious stone beads I've come across on Etsy (and similar places). I figure wrapping the Rook's Banner in a spiral strand of dark wood and lapis should look pretty attractive. Lapis lazuli is one of my favorite stones (especially when it has a lot of activity near the surface). I'm planning to do something similar (beadwork wise) with the sword belt and scabbard I intend to make for my Albion Munich. In addition to using some of the moonstones (and other beads mentioned above) to decorate the belt/scabbard, I'm contemplating buying some relatively large mother of pearl squares. My intention is to mount them into brass or copper settings, and then electroplate/electroform them with silver. The result being fine silver and mother of pearl plaques for a high-status sword belt. Color wise, I think mother of pearl is a good pairing with the rainbow moonstones.
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Post by paulmuaddib on Oct 15, 2021 17:33:06 GMT
Zen, I can’t believe this isn’t getting more love. Came on to see if anyone had posted and you just had. Look forward to seeing the whole kit.
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Post by perignum on Oct 18, 2021 21:11:04 GMT
Hi Zen,
I've been trying to figure out a name for this evil piece of kit. Something that combined bird of prey terminology with a suggestion of deadliness. It's also unique so it has to begin win the definite article. 'The....' something or other.
The Fell Spur is what I narrowed it down to.
Did you put a name on it yourself?
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Zen_Hydra
Moderator
Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,625
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Oct 20, 2021 12:20:15 GMT
Hi Zen, I've been trying to figure out a name for this evil piece of kit. Something that combined bird of prey terminology with a suggestion of deadliness. It's also unique so it has to begin win the definite article. 'The....' something or other. The Fell Spur is what I narrowed it down to. Did you put a name on it yourself? All I have currently is the working name I've given it... The Rook's Banner. Fell Spur does have a nice ring to it though. I'm still waiting on the recent beads, bells, and black silk streamer/banner to arrive before I can properly fInIsH iT (you never really finish an art piece so much as accept that it's time to stop fussing with it and move along to something else). My current plans On the weapon itself: - Paint the rivets on the weapon with stylized star burst images, similar to the four pointed version below (each rivet will be a single star)
- Touch up the chemical bluing, gold embellishments, black enamel paint, and top coat
- Touch up the edges to the best of my ability without marring the work I've already done (It's already sharp enough to use as a weapon, but if I ever want to use it for test cutting it will need some refinement)
On the covered "banner" aspect:
- Use gold paint on the silk streamer I purchased to create a fitting banner for this thing (I'm honestly at a loss as to what to add. I could put my name, the weapon's name, or a disparaging comment about the reader's parentage in whatever language. I wish that Arabic didn't have such complicated connotations with it in the "West," because I love the look of the script. I'm sure I'll figure something out.)
- Create a decorative braid with beads and bells to lash the banner secure to the haft above the guard when secured in a furled fashion. This is honestly just an excuse for me to bedazzle the scheiĂźe out this thing with beautiful beads made of my favorite semiprecious stones, fragrant woods, and bells of different sizes (because I want this thing to be amaze-balls, gob-smacking remarkable, and the sort of weapon worthy of a skald's verse)
- Touch up the paint/finish on the wood and leather bits I've already completed (mostly to make sure the finish matches the rest of the whole)
This project is very close to being properly completed. I cAn FeEl iT iN mY bOnEs! This one in particular is very important to me...even though the weapon itself was primarily the work of someone else's labor...the concept of it was mine, and it is the culmination of multiple designs which are very dear to me.
Thank you for your interest perignum
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Post by perignum on Oct 20, 2021 17:17:33 GMT
Hi Zen, I've been trying to figure out a name for this evil piece of kit. Something that combined bird of prey terminology with a suggestion of deadliness. It's also unique so it has to begin win the definite article. 'The....' something or other. The Fell Spur is what I narrowed it down to. Did you put a name on it yourself? All I have currently is the working name I've given it... The Rook's Banner. Fell Spur does have a nice ring to it though. I'm still waiting on the recent beads, bells, and black silk streamer/banner to arrive before I can properly fInIsH iT (you never really finish an art piece so much as accept that it's time to stop fussing with it and move along to something else). My current plans On the weapon itself: Â Â - Paint the rivets on the weapon with stylized star burst images, similar to the four pointed version below (each rivet will be a single star)
  - Touch up the chemical bluing, gold embellishments, black enamel paint, and top coat
  - Touch up the edges to the best of my ability without marring the work I've already done (It's already sharp enough to use as a weapon, but if I ever want to use it for test cutting it will need some refinement)
On the covered "banner" aspect:
  - Use gold paint on the silk streamer I purchased to create a fitting banner for this thing (I'm honestly at a loss as to what to add. I could put my name, the weapon's name, or a disparaging comment about the reader's parentage in whatever language. I wish that Arabic didn't have such complicated connotations with it in the "West," because I love the look of the script. I'm sure I'll figure something out.)
  - Create a decorative braid with beads and bells to lash the banner secure to the haft above the guard when secured in a furled fashion. This is honestly just an excuse for me to bedazzle the scheiße out this thing with beautiful beads made of my favorite semiprecious stones, fragrant woods, and bells of different sizes (because I want this thing to be amaze-balls, gob-smacking remarkable, and the sort of weapon worthy of a skald's verse)
  - Touch up the paint/finish on the wood and leather bits I've already completed (mostly to make sure the finish matches the rest of the whole)
This project is very close to being properly completed. I cAn FeEl iT iN mY bOnEs! This one in particular is very important to me...even though the weapon itself was primarily the work of someone else's labor...the concept of it was mine, and it is the culmination of multiple designs which are very dear to me.
Thank you for your interest perignum
You're welcome. By the way, I'm still thinking about your Gae Bolga project. There are only a few descriptions of the Gae Bolga as a sea monster's tusk. Most simply refer to it as either a barbed spear or just an unusually impressive one. But I think the most iconic image of it is the barbed version and the Tain describes it as having barbs that sort of erupt when it penetrates a body. I think they were either hinged so that they swung out when an attempt was made to pull it out or some mechanism almost like an umbrella that allowed the barbs to be flared out by the wielder.
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Zen_Hydra
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Born with a heart full of neutrality
Posts: 2,625
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Oct 21, 2021 21:47:09 GMT
Since no sugar-daddies or angel art patrons has come forth yet with a narwhal tusk, I've decided to mess about with painstakingly hand filing spiral grooves into an ash spear haft...because I love to over-commit to cool ideas, and I hate for my hands to not feel be constant agony.
Soooo...I am making a snek spear to go with the historical-fantasy panoply I've been working on for a while now (in particular see my posts for my migration era inspired shield and long handled francisca axe). This spear will also be snake/serpent/hydra themed, and share a similar color palatte to the aforementioned shield and axe.
The spearhead has a snake head etched into it which will be color enhanced with enamel paint. I'm also thinking about grinding in some subtle waves or scallops along the edges, but I'm kind of waffling on how much I would like it, and if it isn't a bit too much.
I've been hand filing the butt cap to look like a rattlesnake rattle, it will also be texture and color enhanced. There will be worked leather wraps covering the transitions between spearhead, haft, and butt cap. These transition points will have a few different decorations affixed to them, to include a couple tiny gourd rattles I've made and painted up (there is one gourd rattle for each end of the spear, and I may also include some small bells near them).
The haft is being incised with a variety of spiral grooves (I hate my hands, and they clearly deserve all the pain I pile onto them). The larger grooves are being cut in with round files, and the smaller grooves (and other detail work) is being produced with pyrography tools. I'm also thinking about perhaps inlaying some twisted decorative wire one or more of the grooves. I have some tiny decorative nails I can use to help secure it, and I also have epoxy (and a variety of epoxy dyes) to help keep the wire from shifting or coming loose.
This won't be the Gae Bolga I long to make, but it's been interesting work so far, and my shield needs a cool spear to pair it with.
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Zen_Hydra
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Born with a heart full of neutrality
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Nov 5, 2021 13:12:43 GMT
I can't express enough how much of a pain it has been to cut the spiral channels into the rattlesnake spear haft. I've only just completed roughing in the main grooves, and still need to clean them up. I have an additional narrower groove I've burned in with my pyrography tools, and I intend to add more detailing/character via burning it in (since it doesn't kill my hands like the repetitive motion of filing does). Painting this thing is going to probably be a real chore as well. Here's to hoping the end result is worth the effort.
I've finished the spearhead, butt cap, and decorative rattles. I'll post some photos of them when I get an opportunity.
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