christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
|
Post by christain on Feb 17, 2019 22:32:58 GMT
This may have been brought up in the past, so forgive me if I'm digging up old stuff. BUT---Why are there no markings of any type on Hanwei/Tinker swords? At least Hanwei has the horse head makers mark. Seems to me that they would at least put a little 'H/T' mark on them somewhere. Even a tang stamp would be okay, but there's nothing. Thoughts?
|
|
stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
|
Post by stormmaster on Feb 17, 2019 22:39:57 GMT
they are so well known i dont think they even need any marketing, like almost anyone who has collected swords has had one before
|
|
christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
|
Post by christain on Feb 17, 2019 23:28:29 GMT
I suppose you're right, but suppose you are new to the game. At least there are resources online where even a 'newbie' can look up makers marks, from antiques to brand new swords. I just think a makers mark adds a little touch of extra class to an already classy blade. Oh well.....
|
|
|
Post by theophilus736 on Feb 18, 2019 1:05:55 GMT
I had never thought of this, but you're right. Maybe because it was a collaboration, and meant as a budget line. Not good enough for the Tinker name but also not strictly Hanwei? Though my HT bastard doesnt even have a makers mark on the pommel and cross which were hand forged by ole Tinker himself.
|
|
|
Post by zabazagobo on Feb 18, 2019 1:25:57 GMT
they are so well known i dont think they even need any marketing, like almost anyone who has collected swords has had one before I guess that makes me a sword hipster...
"I shop Lutel, yooou've probably not heard of it" lol
(I have not actually bought a Lutel yet, just couldn't resist the joke)
Idk about the maker's mark either. My Antiqued Hanwei Bastard lacks one as well. Maybe there's only certain product lines that are graced by the noble steed?
Now part of me wishes they'd introduce a new series of premium blades (folded, laminated swords of all cultures) with a particularly elegant horse engraving/horimono tailored to the culture. Tough rugged norse horse vs. whispy ukio-e pony
|
|
stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
|
Post by stormmaster on Feb 18, 2019 1:28:20 GMT
hanwei just does not do makers marks tbh, but their stuff is still widely available and recognizable
|
|
|
Post by zabazagobo on Feb 18, 2019 1:34:57 GMT
I've seen markers on some, like their Hand and a half/Albrecht, also the original sidesword and a rapier or two.
Minority of models though...I wonder why there's a chosen few?
|
|
christain
Member
It's the steel on the inside that counts.
Posts: 2,835
|
Post by christain on Feb 19, 2019 20:32:19 GMT
My Hanwei Claymore and Lowlander have no markings, but my Renaissance side sword, Rhinelander and Cawood do have them. Hmmm.
|
|
stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
|
Post by stormmaster on Feb 19, 2019 21:00:45 GMT
Some of those are kingston arms, just also owned by cas
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2019 3:59:46 GMT
I had never thought of this, but you're right. Maybe because it was a collaboration, and meant as a budget line. Not good enough for the Tinker name but also not strictly Hanwei? Though my HT bastard doesnt even have a makers mark on the pommel and cross which were hand forged by ole Tinker himself. You have a Hanwei sword with Tinker fittings? I find that hard to believe. Tinker received some complete prototypes to review after "blueprinting" his masters and the resulting swords were done entirely abroad. Tinker doesn't forge anything. All of the threads regarding the inception of the collaboration(s) can be found via his SFI profile www.swordforum.com/vb4/member.php?142-Michael-Tinker-Pearce
|
|
|
Post by theophilus736 on Feb 20, 2019 4:27:47 GMT
I had never thought of this, but you're right. Maybe because it was a collaboration, and meant as a budget line. Not good enough for the Tinker name but also not strictly Hanwei? Though my HT bastard doesnt even have a makers mark on the pommel and cross which were hand forged by ole Tinker himself. You have a Hanwei sword with Tinker fittings? I find that hard to believe. Tinker received some complete prototypes to review after "blueprinting" his masters and the resulting swords were done entirely abroad. Tinker doesn't forge anything. All of the threads regarding the inception of the collaboration(s) can be found via his SFI profile www.swordforum.com/vb4/member.php?142-Michael-Tinker-PearceAs I understand it these fittings by Pearce were for a different blade (not of the HT line) that were refit by Ernie for Carl Brown on a HT bastard blade. It's been a while since I heard the whole breakdown, but no.. they were not hand forged by Pearce for the HT line, but rather refit for a HT bastard blade from a previous work of Pearces.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2019 5:02:17 GMT
Thanks for the clarification. Tink uses stock removal for everything, including fittings.
Got a picture?
|
|
|
Post by theophilus736 on Feb 20, 2019 5:17:30 GMT
Sure I can get some pictures up sometime in the next couple of days. Maybe I just assumed from the appearance they were forged. They could have just been ground on and a finish applied. I can also look for the messages regarding it.
|
|
|
Post by theophilus736 on Feb 22, 2019 4:15:31 GMT
Thanks for the clarification. Tink uses stock removal for everything, including fittings. Got a picture? FittingsHere is one picture. I can take more, but I'd probably just send those in a PM so we don't clutter up this thread too much. Anyways, Carl said these fittings were originally for a sword called the Dirge bastard sword (that I believe he attempted to sell at one point for around $1100). Now the fittings have been attached to a H/T bastard blade with fuller that has been patina'd, with a Huerta grip in oxblood. Edit: Also, hopefully the blade I linked to above is proof positive I don't have expectations of perfection out of my swords, contrary to what some seemed to deduce from my post asking for clarification on Albion's quality . The guard on the sword above was either mounted at a slight angle, or is bent at a slight angle. Looks cool given the rustic, beater of a sword motif this one has going for it. On topic though, no makers mark.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2019 15:02:32 GMT
If they are fittings originally from Michael Pearce, they have been distressed. He would not have ever sold those fittings in that condition. Again, he does not forge blades or fittings. He does own a torch. He is still around, give him a holler. www.kultofathena.com/tinkerpearce.asptinkerswords.com/
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2019 15:14:35 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2019 15:37:15 GMT
If one looks closely at Tink's ground blades, you will see his mark towards the guards www.kultofathena.com/images/TINK054_5_l.jpgOther little traits. He does source some blades from Angus Trim, as well as fittings at times. Michael had, for years, had blade stock heat treated and then ground out, followed by his differential tempering with a torch (a method Darksword claims to use). He most often logs each piece by year and sequence of completed item. He is also known for his mirror polished blades and fittings. It is this latter trait that pretty much convinces me that the distressed fittings were never in that condition when leaving his shop. The baselard on KOA is not the first cracked hilt I have seen from Tink and that may be a NW weather issue. At any rate, there is one he should have just redone. Wood is easy to push around. Michael and Gus have collaborated for a couple of decades. First with the Tinker Toys but still quite local to each other.
|
|
|
Post by theophilus736 on Feb 22, 2019 16:53:02 GMT
I guess if you're interested enough to triple post you could always just ask Swordsman1 He's the one who originally owned the initial piece by Pearce. Edit: As I understand it, from the posts and threads involving the original sword, it was sent off to Ernie at Yeshua's Sword. Perhaps that is where the distressing was done. Or maybe it was just requested of Pearce, if it was a custom. Either way, these fittings were apparently on what was considered by a few as perhaps the proto-H/T bastard sword. Apparently the original Dirge build by Pearce that was then sent off to Ernie to be refitted for the H/T bastard blade was very similar in blade profile. Kinda neat if these fittings were indeed originally on what would become a pattern for the H/T bastard.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2019 18:25:51 GMT
All that would be you to detail. I simply pointed out the obvious and routes you might pursue. I can only relate what I know of the man from his work over two plus decades. You could supply the threads if you expect me to read them. Which I would but I'm not particularly interested in more speculation unless written by Tink.
Enjoy
|
|
|
Post by theophilus736 on Feb 22, 2019 18:51:06 GMT
Sure, no problem. They were made by him, and that's all I really care about. I was just pointing out that they don't have his makers mark on them, though I'm sure if that was on anything it was on the original blade.
|
|