|
Post by illustry on Apr 11, 2020 17:32:58 GMT
The original leather wrap on this sword was slippery, and combined with the triangular shape, made the sword want to fly out of your hand at times.
I wanted to try a riser configuration before sending it away for a professional rewrap, to see if a riser would help provide a more positive grip.
I peeled off the original, thick, chrome-tanned leather and using only super glue and some scrap leather, added a central riser and rewrapped the grip in under an hour. The seam is done "del tin style" - butted together with some added glue to burnish it in. The super glue did not bleed through the leather, but if you try this yourself, apply the glue to the grip, not the leather, as much as possible.
I only intend this to be temporary, but it looks alright. Time from start to finish - from peeling off the original covering to swinging it again - was less than an hour. I don't have much experience with wrapping leather, but just started at one end, and worked around, stretching, trimming, gluing each 1/2" or so. While a little stressful, it came together alright in the end.
I thought a sword of this style should have a colorful grip, too, considering it is a style seen on the seals of Edward I and Charles of Anjou in the second half of the 13th century, and these guys would have been decked out in color.
The single middle riser adds a little more grip purchase than it had before.
The original wrap when new (which by now was looking shabby):
Enjoy the photos!
|
|
stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
|
Post by stormmaster on Apr 11, 2020 18:32:30 GMT
I think the new wrap looks great with the fittings
|
|
|
Post by illustry on Apr 11, 2020 21:59:52 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Curtis_Louis on Apr 11, 2020 22:32:13 GMT
I've always really liked that sword. I think it looks a lot better with the blue grip. Have you done any cutting with it now that you've added the riser?
|
|
|
Post by illustry on Apr 11, 2020 23:16:19 GMT
I've always really liked that sword. I think it looks a lot better with the blue grip. Have you done any cutting with it now that you've added the riser? Thanks - I have taken a few swings with it since, but the problem really only shows up when I would get lax on my grip and I would feel it want to come out of my hand, unexpectedly. It would sneak up on me if I stopped thinking about my grip. So far, it *feels* like the riser is going to help. Time will tell. Also having the grooving from a cord overwrap would probably help, which is the ultimate plan. I have also gained a new appreciation for disc-shaped pommels from this experience. The shoulders of the pommel are a good failsafe for a lax grip, but this sword becomes more narrow still at the pommel, then "prongs out". On the seals, the pommels have shoulders. With this sword, if the grip were shorter, the prongs might even help with a secure grip, locking your hand in. The grip on XIV.2 in Records seems shorter, I bet for this reason. edit - grip of Maciej Kopciuch's version is 1/4" shorter
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2020 21:12:41 GMT
I wondered who wound up with this sword when I saw it for sale on KoA. I thought it was one of the most badass looking swords then, but now it's even more badass with the new grip wrap!
|
|
|
Post by Lord Newport on Apr 20, 2020 22:27:38 GMT
I too was tempted to buy this sword...congrats! The blue contrasts so much better with the brass (?) cross/pommel that the original oxblood (?). The riser is a great addition but I think you should go one step further and to a cord wrap under the leather.
|
|
|
Post by illustry on Apr 21, 2020 1:49:35 GMT
I too was tempted to buy this sword...congrats! The blue contrasts so much better with the brass (?) cross/pommel that the original oxblood (?). The riser is a great addition but I think you should go one step further and to a cord wrap under the leather. Thanks man. It does in fact have a cord underwrap. Dark linen cord... appeared to be drenched in CA glue. So I felt right using more CA for the rewrap. The original wrap was thick, tan, slipperly leather. So much better grippage now. The grooved look on Albions et al is mostly from the cord overwrap over wet leather... leather dries, remove cord... might be what you meant.
|
|
Aikidoka
Member
Monstrous monk in training...
Posts: 1,451
|
Post by Aikidoka on Apr 21, 2020 20:11:22 GMT
Well done! I owned that sword for a short while and had the same impression as you regarding the grip. Glad to see that you took the time to fix it. The blue leather looks great on the sword
|
|
|
Post by illustry on Apr 21, 2020 20:40:33 GMT
Well done! I owned that sword for a short while and had the same impression as you regarding the grip. Glad to see that you took the time to fix it. The blue leather looks great on the sword No kidding! Wondered who the previous owner(s) were. Small world (of swords). Thanks!
|
|