Kazadruin's Armory

Greetings!

After looking at all the beautiful pieces shared by other forum members, I thought I'd introduce my own collection. Enjoy!

Model: Anduril, Flame of the West

Maker: Defender

Materials
Blade: High Carbon Steel (carbon content unknown)                           
Guard: Chrome-plated mild steel
Handle: Steel wrapped in leather
Pommel: Chrome-plated mild steel

Statistics
Overall Length: 51”
Blade Length: ~39”
Handle Length: 8.75”
Guard Width: 10”
Center of Percussion: 25” from guard
Point of Balance: 7” from guard
Weight: 3 lbs. 1 oz.

Notes: This was my first sword – the one that started my journey into sword collecting and swordsmanship. Purchased in a pawnshop back in 2019, this sword would likely classify as a wallhanger due to its rat-tail tang. It is sharp, however, and can cut through soft targets like pumpkins. The scabbard is particle board wood core with plaster-of-paris throat and chape; I made it as a COVID lockdown project after growing tired of it being the only sword in my collection without a scabbard. The name, Silvalest, is a nod to Tolkien, and roughly translates into “Shining Power of Hope.”

Model: Custom Epee du Combat (formerly a sport fencing saber)
Maker: Blade originally by Linea (later reforged by Mitch); guard by Mitch; handle and pommel by me.
Materials
Blade: Low Carbon Steel
Guard: Mild Steel
Handle: Tree-of-Heaven Wood
Pommel: Rubber
Statistics
Overall Length: 35.25”
Blade Length: 27.75”
Handle Length: 6”
Guard Width: ~4”
Center of Percussion: 16.5” from guard
Point of Balance: 2” from guard
Weight: 10.25 oz.

Notes: Talon was reforged out of a broken fencing saber blade from my first fencing club, after its tang broke off at the shoulder and its tip snapped off (that was a pretty intense final match it fought!). Because the athletic complex where we practiced prohibited us from disposing of these broken blades in the trash, I took it home and donated it to my friend Mitch. He then retempered it, attached a new tang, and added a guard. I customized the handle and pommel from there, and also made it a scabbard from bamboo and plaster-of-paris.

Model: Heavy Cavalry Saber
Maker: Unknown (likely whoever supplies dress swords for the U.S. Army)
Materials
Blade: Carbon Steel (carbon content unknown)
Guard: Brass
Handle: Wood with leather and wire wrap
Pommel: Brass
Statistics
Overall Length: 40.5”
Blade Length: ~34.5”
Handle Length: 4.5”
Guard Width: 4.75”
Center of Percussion: ~22” from guard
Point of Balance: 8.25” from guard
Weight: 2 lbs. 5 oz.

Notes: This is a special sword. It once belonged to a former NGO Seargent in the U.S. Army, but after discharge spent its days in the corner of a closet. The Seargent later gifted it to me, knowing I would take good care of it and treasure it. The blade was originally unsharpened, but I had it sharpened after it came into my possession, so that I could use it to cut things with. It is a favorite with my fellow sport fencers as well, because this is the type of sword and style our sport fencing sabers and discipline are based off of.

Notes: Aurial is what many might consider my first “real” sword. I settled on the Windless Battlecry line for its durability and ease of maintenance, and was drawn to this sword for its dimensions, because I am a woman and not super strong. I couldn’t have asked for a better fit – I train with this blade regularly in the longsword styles, and would be comfortable calling on it to defend myself if necessary. This is also the sword my friends know best, because I sometimes wear it to social gatherings. 

Model: Custom Epee du Combat (formerly a sport fencing saber)
Maker: Blade originally by Linea (later reforged by Mitch); guard by Mitch; handle and pommel by me.
Materials
Blade: Low Carbon Steel
Guard: Mild Steel
Handle: Deer Bone
Pommel: Wood with plaster of Paris wrap
Statistics
Overall Length: 36.5”
Blade Length: ~29.5”
Handle Length: 5.5”
Guard Width: 3”
Center of Percussion: 20.25” from guard
Point of Balance: 2.75” from guard
Weight: 10.7 oz.

Notes: Chevalier was reforged from a broken fencing saber from my first fencing club. It was discarded after its tip broke in the middle of a fencing match, and the snapped-off tip nicked my face just to the side of my left eye when it broke (I was refereeing the match at the time). In my capacity as an armorer, I took it home to dispose of it, and my friend Mitch salvaged it. He reshaped the broken tip and added the unique horseshoe guard that ultimately gave this sword its name. I later handpicked and cut the deer bone handle and added the pommel. I also made its scabbard, from of a piece of metal broom handle with a plaster-of-paris chape and throat.

Model: The Vindaaris
Maker: Darksword Armory
Materials
Blade: 5160 Spring Steel
Guard: Mild Steel
Handle: Wood with leather wrap
Pommel: Mild Steel
Statistics
Overall Length: 49”
Blade Length: 36”
Handle Length: 10”
Guard Width: 10”
Point of Balance: At Ricasso (5” from the tip of guard)
Center of Percussion: 22” from the tip of guard
Weight: 4 lbs. 12 oz.

Notes: This is not a sword that gets much use, but I enjoy taking it out to train with once in a while. Its tendency to pick up on its own momentum always feels satisfying when executing certain techniques, although it needs a fair amount of strength and training to handle safely as a longsword. The diamond “flare” on the blade is reminiscent of the Holy Avenger sword (and, as has more recently come to my attention, the Sword of Kas) from Dungeons and Dragons. Its primary asset, however, is its elvish artistry on blade and scabbard – this sword could easily fit into the worlds of Tolkien, D&D, or ancient mythology.

Model: The Mother of Dragons

Maker: Darksword Armory
Materials
Blade: 5160 Spring Steel
Guard: Antiqued Bronze
Handle: Ebony Wood
Pommel: Antiqued Bronze
Statistics
Overall Length: 26.25”
Blade Length: ~20”
Handle Length: 4.25”
Guard Width: 4.75”
Point of Balance: 2” from guard
Weight: 2 lb. 8 oz.

Notes: This is the dragon-themed sword I always longed for, but never thought I’d find. Usually the dragon swords on the market are cheap wallhangers with garish or contrived fantasy designs. The nice thing about this sword is it places cosmetic alterations on a real historical design, with very fine artistic detail in its hilt that doesn’t interfere with its functionality. The curl of the dragon’s head and tail on the guard reminds me of the ouroboros serpent who consumes his own tail, and the dragon head even looks lifelike up close.

Model: Medieval Bastard Sword
Maker: Mitch
Materials
Blade: 1065 High Carbon Steel
Guard: Mild Steel
Handle: Wood with leather wrap
Pommel: Mild Steel
Statistics
Overall Length: ~41”
Blade Length: 33”
Handle Length: 5.75”
Guard Width: ~7.25”
Center of Percussion: 20.5” from guard
Point of Balance: 5.25” from guard
Weight: 3 lbs. 8 oz.

Notes: Don’t let this sword’s crude appearance fool you – it is a functional sword, and a tough one at that. My friend Mitch made it for fun, and has derided it as junk ever since (hence the unflattering nickname). I argued against that classification, and we put it through some tests to see if it would break. It survived everything from the tree trunk stab, to the fencing mask slice, to a nasty flex test stuck in the rectangular hitch receiver of a small trailer. It also retains a decent cutting edge, but it does need regular sharpening after consistent use. I renamed it Oron for the “Dwarven Forge” song by Clamavi De Profundis, in part because of the black forge scale left on the blade (which Mitch left there at my request).

Model: Eowyn’s Sword
Maker: Unknown
Materials
Blade: Carbon Steel (carbon content unknown)
Guard: Pewter
Handle: Wood
Pommel: Pewter
Statistics
Overall Length: 38”
Blade Length: 28.2”
Handle Length: 6 7/8”
Guard Width: 6”
Center of Percussion: ~14” from guard
Point of Balance: 3 1/8” from guard
Weight: 4lbs. 1.8 oz

Notes: This sword used to be a Lord of the Rings knockoff of Eowyn’s sword. When a neighbor gave it to me, it was in some rough condition. Mitch and I collaborated to change the blade shape, revitalize the wood handle, and polish it up to improve its appearance. It cuts and stabs targets reasonably well, although nowhere near as well as my true functional swords. It also handles nicely and has a tempered blade, although its rat tail tang prevents it from having the durability of my other swords. It does not yet have a scabbard, but I may make one for it eventually.

Model: Custom Epee du Combat (formerly a sport fencing epee)
Maker: Blade originally by Absolute Fencing (later reforged by Mitch); guard and pommel by Mitch
Materials
Blade: Low Carbon Steel
Guard: Mild Steel
Handle/Pommel: Deer Antler
Statistics
Overall Length: 33.75”
Blade Length: 28.25”
Handle Length: ~5.5”
Guard Width: 4.5”
Center of Percussion: 22” from guard
Point of Balance: 4.25”
Weight: 9.75 oz

Notes: Carak was once a fencing epee for my second fencing club. I don't know how it broke, because it predated my membership and tenure as armorer, but it was missing part of its tip when I found it in the equipment cabinet. I donated it to Mitch, and he came up with this design. The guard has four “fangs” on it, and all are sharp enough to tear into soft targets. This singularly unique feature gave the blade its name: the word carak means “fang” in Tolkien’s elvish. The handle was designed so that, when it is held like a fencing epee, the fangs will not threaten or harm the hand. It isn't easy to see from the pictures, but the blade and guard have a bluish violet hue. This is probably the most unique sword I own to date, and I hope to eventually make a scabbard to match.