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During past couple of years I forged two gladius blades based on an artifact from Vindonissa Museum in Brugg, Switzerland. Each of them was forged in a different way. I think the photos will show better than words can explain the structure. Briefly. The first one is a kind of ‘sandwich’ like San Mai construction. Soft wrought iron as flats and hard steel 80crv1 as a core. The second was forged from three kinds of material: soft wrought iron on the main body, hard bearing steel as a core, which is invisible in final blade, and the third one is medium hard wrought steel on the edges. Why such unusual solution? Soft iron would make the blade too plastic, bearing steel is hard and rigid/stiff. One picture shows the cross section of a piece of ‘blade’ I forged of the same bar just to check how it goes. The first sword has already been fitted and equipped with a scabbard. This marvelous part of job was done by another craftsman, an Elder Mster who’s name I don’t even know. I mentioned about it in my thread about Spatha. After the pictures were mixed up by the system I deceided to put each blade in separate post.

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.

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 one of my latest 1st Century Roman Centurion Gladii of the Fulham Style. Made to historical measurements and materials. Some is Historically Accurate and portions of it are made / customized to the customization desires of my client. Everything is created by hand right here in my shop. 1075 High Carbon Steel Fully tanged and peened hilt. Inset Brass Guard Plate and Pommel Finial. The guard grip and pommel are hand carved in African Blackwood Ebony. The Grip is hand carved from Italian Olive Wood. The Augustus Capricorn Denarii Coin i created as a replica of a real coin. The Coin and the brass rings in the guard are hand cast in my shop with the lost wax process. This client is a Roman Reenactor who portrays a Centurion. His character is 3rd Generation Roman Legionary whose family has a Celtic background. The story behind the sword is that it was an "Award Sword" that was Awarded to his Grandfather from Caesar Augustus for "Valor on the Battlefield." Thus the inset Augustus Capricorn Coin. The Guard and pommel are hand carved in the style of pieces that are found in the Vindonissa Museum with the "Added" embellishments of the Celtic knots. (Not historically accurate, but customized and personalized for the client). The inset Guard Plate is also engraved for personalization for the client with his Characters Legion Number.

I was interested in doing a 3rd century roman sword. While researching I found out that there was a short sword still in use by then something called a semi-spatha. So far I've read that it was either a broken Spatha reforged or a gladius that's hanged around for longer. But other than that I haven't found any exact details or images on the sword. Thank you in advance for any information.

I've started my fourth project, a Mainz Gladius. I am using 1084 this time and I'm pumped about my introduction into legitimate blade steel. I started with a 24" x 2.5" x .125 piece of steel. I have had to do a lot of compression on this one to get the blade into the right form due to the starting width. I've got to work up the sides to edge them and I'm trying to figure out if I should continue to bring in the width before I form the edges since I'm already at full width and I don't want to add to the length. I could just grind them in, but I just love using the hammer! I'm stoked about this project. It's the sword that initially peaked my interest in making swords in the first place, so I'm taking my time and trying to do this one well. Would love your thoughts and suggestions along the way. To keep the thread load time down I will have more images available here: http://rashystreakers.tumblr.com/tagged/elysium

Here is another commission, this time for a Roman Brazier or, Craticula. This is based off of a find from Roman Pompeii and is thought to have been a brazier used by street vendors who wished to setup wherever there was a crowd. This one has had some of the original dimensions and details of construction changed from the original. It is somewhat larger and the rings are sized to the owners cast-iron pots. Not to mention, the addition of removable legs so that it can be used without having to set it upon a table or the ground. The original used closer to 3/8" round for the grill and their supports but, I opted for 1/2" as the original showed signs of having been bent in use. I would like to thank JJ Simon for the skull tutorial. The original lacked ornamentation but, this was just perfect for the owner of this one. It was fun to work out how to put one on the end of a flat bar. ~Bruce~