Patrick Pointer

First Pugio and Scabbard Finished!

Pugiones... Pugiones... two are in the making. One is for a client... The other one for the taking! A Pugio is the Legionary's backup weapon. Longer than a Dagger and considered by many as a Roman "Short Sword" the Pugione, much like a Gladius is the backup weapon worn on the Left Hip or over the Groin of the Soldier. These Pugiones have a "Gladius" style hilt replicated and sized from known Roman Gladius Hilts. There were other Pugiones that had Metal Plated Hilts and full metal Scabbards. Here is the progress of two blades being made side by side. One is for a client, the one on the bottom or right, will be available to finish. The one the upper Left is for the client and is being made to specifics. The one pictured to the Right and the Bottom Right can be finished in different ways and is open for your interpretation. If you are interested in purchasing the Pugio... It is at a place right now where there is room for customizing it to your finished liking. And if you want a scabbard for it.. Let's Talk. The blades are based on the following blades from PUGIO - GLADIUS BREVIS EST: Fig. V/18: specimen preserving the pommel of closure. It represents one of the few clues of “tight insertion-subtype “A” technology in its secondary version. Fig. V/19: “tight insertion subtype A” technology #53 river Kupa, Sisak (Croatia) Arheološki muzej u Zagrebu – Zagreb (Croatia) II #91 unknown private collection II house Hermann Historica (Munich-Germany), 44th auction Progress on the Pugio: Filing in the point Fitting to the Scabbard, checking fit and overhang of the guard. The "Green" that you see on the scabbard is protective tape to protect th leather. More Progress: The Pommel has been carved. The Pommel Finial And washer has been made and tight fitted. The next pictures will be the finished Pugio and Scabbard.

Although I specialize in Roman Swords and Scabbards from 300bc to 4th Century ad, I am looking to branch out and sway off my regular trail and make a few historically accurate Rome knives, not Pugiones. If you have any reference materials, research information, drawings or photo's of Roman Knives, Utility, Folders, fixed blades and curved blades from 300bc to the 4th Century ad (Not pugiones) I would like to start this thread. I think it would be interesting to gather a group of people here... share... and maybe create some works on our own and post them here. This post is not just for blade makers, but for researchers, historians, those with interests in archeology and relics, lover's of Rome, and lovers of small historical knives and blades. One of the first Roman Blades I want to make is what I believe is a Friction Folder. (I have never made a friction folder and am open to advice.) I have pictured the type I am looking to make on my first round on this opening post. I usually work with 1075, 1084 and 1095 high carbon steels. These examples are of Zoomorphic (animal type hilt/grips.). Lions, Leopards, Panthers... I will be making the one of that has the opened blade with Camel bone as the handle/scales. So, lets have some fun and generate some interests from all walks of blade enthusiasts... and work to create some things together... What do you say? I'd be happy to submit photos of my progress as well. The Challenge is On! In His Service and Yours... --Patrick Rhema Creations LLC

Another Satisfied Client... (With Explanation) First of all... this Sword is a Custom Made 1st Century Fulham Gladius that is Historically Accurate/"Inspired By." It is Historically Accurate in the Blade and Hilt Shape, Weight and Balance. However the Artwork on the Guard and Pommel are "Inspired By" Roman Mosaics of that Era and not from an archeological discovery. The grip is of historical record. The inset guard plate is made of brass and carries the family name which is engraved. The sword weight 1 lbs 8 oz. and is made from 1095 high carbon steel. The point of balance is 4.25" from the guard and this sword comes alive in your hand. The guard and pommel are totally hand carved from European Boxwood and the grip is hand carved from Holly. The grip, by the customer's request was stained darker for the carving so be seen, and then wiped so the higher surfaces are highlighted. This will be a Family Heirloom as these images mean something specific to this client's family. It will be for Display only and not used in Reenactment. One vary crazy thing is; this sword was sent to Canada via United States Postal Service. It is believed that it was opened in Canadian Customs. The blade was damaged somehow in shipping. The Tip/point appeared to have been rammed into cement and broken off. Up and down both sides of the blade's Midrib had heavy file type marks that damaged the blade. I received the Sword back, and was able to repair it. How frustrating this has been for both the client and the creator. Here is the client's Review: I was fortunate enough to commission a piece with Mr. Pointer and his work speaks for itself. He is an expert in both wood working as well as roman military equipment and his dedication to accuracy was as impressive as his knowledge on the subject matter. Mr. Pointer was able to take images directly from roman mosaic and flawlessly execute them on the piece I had commissioned. His prices I felt were fair considering the amount of work, skill and materials that went into the production of my piece. He was professional and courteous the whole way through. I would 100% recommend his services for someone looking for the absolute best in recreated roman military equipment. The only Con I can mention had absolutely nothing to do with Mr. Pointer himself. I would highly recommend to ANYONE commissioning one of his fine pieces of work to spend extra when it comes to shipping. A little extra for FedEx with the insurance is definitely worth it. May commission another piece with him at a later date if finances permit. —Mike Mike's family is calling this blade "The Peacemaker"

Rob... (I know this is a "BLADE" sight...) But here are some in the process pics of the scabbard creation. THis is the portion of the Cameo that was found. Not everything is there, so using other research materials from the 1st Century AD... I filled in that I believe was missing in my preliminary drawing. The main area was Repoussed (Raised from behind... then flipped over in the pitch and what I am doing in this picture is "Chasing" back the silver and beginning to add depth and details. What it looks like from the backside once the metal has been "raised." Below: Here (If it will insert) is "Chasing" back the details in the Chape Plate small video. Notice all of the tools for the Repousse~ and chasing technique. This is about an 1/8th of the Repousse tools I have. BA99CE71-E48F-48B6-83FF-8BBBE70E52AA.mov 2423BBB0-4CFA-4FFB-A4F9-45400D63FE0B.heic DA5A1D6E-3D03-42E0-9856-A3567293AF5C.heic C74A5FB0-407A-4053-B18E-6898BCD31DDD.heic 74ED67FA-2E37-4C98-9C49-7FB49D82D128.heic BB5C888E-8A18-4EA0-B9DF-1C22B19E7D37.heic A0F3D4C0-CD81-48FD-9A22-D82C6E240431.heic

Although I create my own blades and specialize in Roman Swords, Pugiones, Knives and Scabbards from 300 b.c. to 4th Century a.d. and still researching... I have had people ask me questions like: "Do you forge blades or are they Material removal?" Answer: Both. Do you re-hilt existing blades? Answer: Indeed. (See Below.) This is my latest Sword “Re-Hilt” and Scabbard Creation Commission for a client. The Sword Blade is an older Albion "Tiberius" Fulham blade that I Re-Hilted for the client. The hilt is inspired from a Hilt I created for a Museum here in the United States that was based on the Domitius Ahenobarbus Relief. The hilt is entirely hand carved from Premium White Holly. The inset Guard Plate and Pommel Finial are made of Brass and the plate bears my Maker’s Mark. It was interesting to re-hilt this Albion Blade as I do not believe the tang is historically accurate and surprisingly slightly off center of the midrib and was not perpendicular to the butt of the blade. Not saying that Albion its at fault, but the tang is more of a rattail tang and may have been bent at some point. The Scabbard based on Christian Miks Catalogue on Roman Swords and Scabbards Tafel 193 A699. If my translator is correct the scabbard is in the København National Museum - The Gutters, Mouth Plate, Suspension Bands, Cross Brands and Chape finial are made of brass. The Locket Plate, Terminal Plate and Chape Plate are "solid" Fine Silver .999. The inscription on the Terminal Plate was changed for the Client’s desire to say “Honor Et Patria” (Honor and Country or Honor and Fatherland) the Chape Plate has intricate cutaways, leaving small windows to all of e leather underneath to be seen. The Top Locket plate is the only thing that is not historically accurate according to an archeological discovery for a scabbard plate, however it was adapted from a Sardonyx cameo fragment with Jupiter astride an eagle. Period: Hellenistic or Early Imperial; Date: 1st century B.C.-1st century A.D The plates are created by hand with the Repousse~ and Chasing Technique. The suspension rings are cast lost wax cast in brass. You see a video of it on my facebook page: www.facebook.com/Master-Carver-and-Maritime-Artist-Patrick-B-Pointer-107775465930419 I added a few pictures of the "In Process" for those who requested them from my last post. Gower Red.mov

Ahhhhh... LOL these acronyms get me at times... Well, if you would like to see "Works In Progress" check out my facebook page: Master Carver and Maritime Artist Patrick B. Pointer. I have WIP's, some short tutorials and pictures of both the sword making progress and scabbards there. I also will be having a Giveaway there soon, so make sure you "Like" and "Share" the page to be eligible.

Hey Rob... Thanks! I am not sure what a WIP is though? Pardon my ignorance. L

Doug... Thank you for the complment? Please don't be or feel depressed. I have been there... the deepest depression ever and I vow... never to go back! When it comes to just about ananything in my life... I have always had this belief... If I can "See it" in my minds eye... I can achieve it! I hope that my works inspire you to do greater things than I have achieved. I am still "In process" and I have far from "arrived" to my greatest potential. Still learning and gleaing from others. Keep the edge Sharp! In His Service and Yours --Patrick

Clint C... Yes, it is a mixture of hollow ground and flat.

There is the "Scorpion" A 1st Century Roman Fulham Gladius I created as a "Free Giveaway" It went to the WINNER in Southern Australia. 1st Century Fulham Gladius. Hand carved Hilt in Walnut and Italian Olive Wood. Blade 1095. The "Scorpion" Engraved inst Guard Plate in Brass. The "Scorpion" and the Legion Insignia... Engraved inset Guard Plate in Brass.

Here is a recent 1st Century Roman Mainz Gladius i created and call "The Avenger" (Style) That is my own "Name" of the style of the hilt. the "V" that is hand carved in the Guard, gives me the name. It is totally Historically Accurate and based on Archeological Discoveries and measurements other than the blade is made of 1095. A 1st Century Mainz Gladius with historically accurate Gladius and Scabbard. I call this style "The Avenger." Gladius and Scabbard The smooth draw... with a sheep's wool lined scabbard. The "Avenger" hand carved hilt. "V" for "VICTORY???" The hilt is hand carved based directly on archeological discoveries. The Pommel and Guard are hand carved from European Black Walnut. The Grip is hand carved from Italian Olive Wood. I create everything by hand here in my shop. The Blades, Hilts, Scabbards, Leather Work, Brass Hardware, And Plated. The Scabbard... Hand Repousse~ and Chased Roman Eagle "Aquila" with a snake in it's beak.

I have not posted here in a while. So here is a commission I completed for a client who is a Roman Reenactor. These are for the most part, historically accurate in Dimensions, Materials, Styles etc. Two of the plates on the Sword Scabbard are not based on archeological discoveries for scabbard plates, but are based on Roman Art that was known in many different areas of the 1st Century A.D. Hope you like what you see. 1st Century Roman GLadius on the left, Roman Pugio and Scabbard on the right. The Hilt materials are: Pommel and Guard, Hand carved from European Boxwood. The grips are hand carved from Premium Holly. The Pugio on its own. "Memento Mori" "...Remember We Die!" The 1st Century A.D. Roman MAINZ GLadius on it's own, showing off the Repousse~ and Chasing work on the Scabbard Plates. I do all of the work myself. The Blades, hilts, carving, scabbards, leatherwork, Repousse~ and Chasing. Close ups of the hilts... The Pugio and Scabbard... Smooth Draw... The Gladius Smooth Draw A look at my Maker's Mark on the Gladius.

Greetings! This is A Question for Stephen Bader Co. B3 Owners or those familiar with the B3's. I was just blessed with 2 Stephen Bader Co. B3's and I am working at upgrading and adding attachments to them. Now, forgive me of my ignorance, I am very new to the 2" x 72" Belt Grinders. Both of these grinders were purchased from a polishing company that went out of business... I will not post the prices I paid but I can say that the two of them came together with 6" contact wheels and 1" Slack belt arms on industrial rolling tables that adjust up and down and a dual 6" Wheel Polishing machine all for less than the price of one B3. They both had original 2 h.p. single speed motors. I upgraded one with a 1.5 h.p. motor with a VFD controller. I purchased a platen with a ceramic glass insert for the variable speed machine: "DARTH" (Nickname Darth Bader) and the other single speed "Garth" is now outfitted with a 14" Serrated Contact wheel. (Still falls under the price of one new B3). I am a bit frustrated with the Bader Website because of lack of photos as will as descriptions for their products. My question for those of you who have a B3 is: I am a sword maker and I want to be able to create fullers for many of my blades. Many of the other Grinders on the market have a Small Wheels attachment, but I am not finding one on the Bader sight nor other suppliers that sell the B3's. I have sent out emails to many of the different supplies as well as Bader Co. but am not getting clarifying responses. Are there special attachments that Bader makes that will allow for a 3/8", - 1 1/2" wheel that will either create fullers or help to polish/Sand fullers? Or... do I need to look for a different attachment from a different company to make fullers? I Forge many of my blades and really want this attachment for cleanup especially. Also... Tool Rests/ Work Tables that are either stationary or able to change the angle... I know I will most likely have to make my own. Does anyone have pictures of their's or plans to make the work rests/tables? I am looking at making a 22" Wide on Center work rest. And finally... I have seen many jigs out there that are junk and those that are good that will make a 12"-14" Any recommendations of a jig that will assist me in creating longer blades? I specialize in Roman Swords from 300b.c. to 4th Century ad and especially the Gladii of the 1st and 2nd Centuries. These blades are from 19"L x 2" wide to 23"L to 3.250 Wide double edged blades. As my research takes me into the 3rd and 4th centuries the blades get longer up to 33". Suggestions for jigs? Your insights and information will be greatly appreciated. --Patrick

Here is one of my Logo/Letterhead for my business Rhema Creations LLC <------ My Sword and Scabbard Maker's Mark the Silhouetted Rhema's Lion with a backwards "R" and a forward "C" Underneath <------- My other Personal Maker's Mark A German Shorthaired Pointer Dog Paw Print with my initials underneath P B P for Patrick B. Pointer