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Post by soulfromheart on Aug 2, 2021 21:55:37 GMT
Swordmakery ElGur Sword XXa (custom pommel)(sorry for being super pics heavy) The Last of my so-called " Prayer Swords" to arrive, it was actually the first sword I ever commissioned. To make it short, I (and my wife too) have had reoccuring dreams of a flaming sword coming out of a blue lotus flower and some goddess of salvation. (this kind of flower) Jan Motycka's interpretation of the flaming sword : He then blued the fittings to colour it : Description: (taken from Swordmakery ElGur site) – double edged sharp blade – overall length 122 cm – blade 95 cm – blade width 5 cm – crossguard Oakeshott type 5 – pommel Oakeshott type V – formed wooden grip covered with leather – point of balance (CoG) 8,5 cm – weight (sharp) 1,6 kg To compare it with my Passau Longsword from Maciej Kopciuch which feels more nimble, fast and agile than a wooden bokken, this sword handles more like a sword "of war" : an imposing blade presence but wonderfully balanced. Changing directions is easy despite the weight. It is noticeably thicker/meaty that the Maciej but the two fullers really seems to shave off a lot of weight. It also feels quite rigid (no "floppiness" at all). The tip of the blade goes through cardboard like melted butter with a simple push, no force needed. The fishtail pommel is perfect. No hurting hands at first like the disc/round one, super comfortable, just the right size to grab, makes control easy as pie. Perfect. Sharpness out of the box isn't super sharp but "sharp enough" I guess (just as Maciej Kopciuch, they seem to make their edges "thicker" in geometry, maybe it's an european smith thing ?). Scabbard is deceptively simple. Actually feels very good and "cushioned" (I'm not sure what I'm describing, it's like there's something between the leather and wood ? "Reinforced" maybe ?). Overall, it's my favorite sword now.
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,647
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Post by stormmaster on Aug 2, 2021 23:40:44 GMT
Thats a stunning piece, congrats
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Post by karmasoft on Aug 3, 2021 1:20:34 GMT
Stunning. Great imagination on your part, and terrific execution by your smith. Congrats!
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Post by alientude on Aug 3, 2021 14:47:12 GMT
That pommel is an absolute work of art!
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Post by treeslicer on Aug 3, 2021 16:46:11 GMT
For something that's not a katana, it's tremendously impressive. Congratulations!
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tera
Moderator
Posts: 1,650
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Post by tera on Aug 3, 2021 17:13:44 GMT
Out of curiousity, have you or your wife been reading up on Buddhism lately? The Bodhisattva Manjushri is commonly shown with a flaming sword in one hand and the suttra resting atop a lotus in the other. He, himself, is often shown sitting atop a blue lion or the skin of a blue lion.
Manjushri appears in the Lotus Suttra.
The blue lotus is also of special significance in Buddhism, but I am not familiar with direct connections to Manjushri.
This isn't intended so much as a Religion post, as I am not preaching anything, but I thought the OP and admirers of this sword might find the above interesting in context to the origin of the idea of this sword.
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Post by soulfromheart on Aug 3, 2021 18:06:02 GMT
Thank you everyone ! Out of curiousity, have you or your wife been reading up on Buddhism lately? The Bodhisattva Manjushri is commonly shown with a flaming sword in one hand and the suttra resting atop a lotus in the other. He, himself, is often shown sitting atop a blue lion or the skin of a blue lion. Manjushri appears in the Lotus Suttra. The blue lotus is also of special significance in Buddhism, but I am not familiar with direct connections to Manjushri. This isn't intended so much as a Religion post, as I am not preaching anything, but I thought the OP and admirers of this sword might find the above interesting in context to the origin of the idea of this sword. Actually, that's what really "bugged" me with all these dreams (as in "wanting to know more" ). We are not really religious people (I may have prayed for good fortune before an exam...) but it made us search for some meaning...and as you said, we found troubling coincidences with Manjushri and the different Taras (female salvation Goddess/Buddha). I may not be a "true believer" but these dreams were very interesting (and welcome, it was a very difficult and frustrating period) so I wanted to honour them in my manner.
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tera
Moderator
Posts: 1,650
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Post by tera on Aug 3, 2021 18:22:36 GMT
For what it's worth, there is such thing as Secular Buddhism. Even among the older traditions, a huge number of Buddhists do not believe in any deity, worship anything/anyone, etc. It can be as much a Philosophy and way of life as anything else.
Of course, there are branches that became religious and revere Buddha etc. But, the first Buddhist I ever met was a Catholic Nun and neither her nor the Church saw conflict. The most recent Buddhists I've met are of the Chan tradition, and explain they see every person as a Buddha, they just don't know it yet.
It is a complicated but fascinating group of traditions. (World Religions are a study hobby of mine)
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Post by nxs on Aug 4, 2021 0:39:46 GMT
May I ask how much it was, and how long it took to have it made? Thinking about getting something commissioned myself...
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Post by Kane Shen on Aug 22, 2021 18:34:41 GMT
Missed this post as I just came back from a vacation. Really a gorgeous sword! I really admire the design motifs of your commissions. I plan on commissioning from Elgur for my wife, with her favorite mermaid motif. I think the flamboyant variant of fishtail pommel suits the theme well. Love the crossguard design on your sword, too! For the blade I plan on having an Oakeshott type XXI, inspired by the Cesare Borgia sword. Do you think it's going to be a good project for Elgur?
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