Albion Hilt Customization
Dec 5, 2022 5:52:39 GMT
Post by BWDuty on Dec 5, 2022 5:52:39 GMT
OK, I know I'm crazy. Go easy on me. I'm just exploring options.
I'm considering modifying two of my Albion hilts.
The Maestro Liechtenauer is my only Albion (of 12 currently with 2 more on order) that I'm super unhappy with the grip. It is *way* too thin, and the wrap just isn't very comfortable. I suppose this is because it's meant to be used with sparring gloves, since it is a trainer. I'd love to get a Next Generation type grip and wrap on it, but I can't do it myself and it would probably cost too much to have somebody else do it. It's only like a $500 sword. By the time I pay shipping two ways, plus materials and labor, I don't know that it would be worth it. I live near St. Louis on the off chance that anybody around here does custom leather work.
Anyway, I also don't like the plain light tan color of the wrap. It's not leather like the Next Generation line, it's basically just a thin rope. Kind of like a twine. I'd really love to find some kind of dye that will soak into the cord and not into my hands (after it dries for a long time of course). Any suggestions? I considered using plain old leather dye, but I think that there are dyes for other materials that might work better.
What I *really* want though, is to blue or blacken the crossguard and pommel. However, the desctiption on Albion's site says that it is stainless steel, which to my understanding can't be cold blued. I'm not interested in taking it apart to hot blue it, so if cold blueing isn't an option then I'll need to leave it as is. It's an older Liechtenauer, maybe the older ones were a different material? Either way, any recommendations?
And here is where I'm *really* crazy. I want to blue the crossguard and pommel on my Vassal. I *think* most Next Generation hilts are mild steel, so this should be possible with most common gun blue compounds. I'd be insanely careful, but at the same time I don't want to mess up a $1400 sword. Anybody know for sure, and any recommendations?
Thank you!
I'm considering modifying two of my Albion hilts.
The Maestro Liechtenauer is my only Albion (of 12 currently with 2 more on order) that I'm super unhappy with the grip. It is *way* too thin, and the wrap just isn't very comfortable. I suppose this is because it's meant to be used with sparring gloves, since it is a trainer. I'd love to get a Next Generation type grip and wrap on it, but I can't do it myself and it would probably cost too much to have somebody else do it. It's only like a $500 sword. By the time I pay shipping two ways, plus materials and labor, I don't know that it would be worth it. I live near St. Louis on the off chance that anybody around here does custom leather work.
Anyway, I also don't like the plain light tan color of the wrap. It's not leather like the Next Generation line, it's basically just a thin rope. Kind of like a twine. I'd really love to find some kind of dye that will soak into the cord and not into my hands (after it dries for a long time of course). Any suggestions? I considered using plain old leather dye, but I think that there are dyes for other materials that might work better.
What I *really* want though, is to blue or blacken the crossguard and pommel. However, the desctiption on Albion's site says that it is stainless steel, which to my understanding can't be cold blued. I'm not interested in taking it apart to hot blue it, so if cold blueing isn't an option then I'll need to leave it as is. It's an older Liechtenauer, maybe the older ones were a different material? Either way, any recommendations?
And here is where I'm *really* crazy. I want to blue the crossguard and pommel on my Vassal. I *think* most Next Generation hilts are mild steel, so this should be possible with most common gun blue compounds. I'd be insanely careful, but at the same time I don't want to mess up a $1400 sword. Anybody know for sure, and any recommendations?
Thank you!