Geoff Hardy 16 Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 (edited) I finally finished a scabbard for my seax I posted awhile back. Lots of firsts , wood carving , sheath/scabbard, copper sheet overlay, bear fur lining. I was really inspired by Petr's Vendel period sax but drew from both viking and anglo saxon sources for carvings . I really wanted to do the copper sheet in steel or iron but steel proved to difficult and iron to hard to find . Copper seemed like the best route as the inays on the fittings were copper it works but to me is a little jaring. Hope you like it and of course all comments both positive and negative are welcome Thanks I had to throw a picture of my little dude in there he is not even 2 yet and his eyes light up when he holds any of my pieces , gotta love it! Geoff Edited June 23, 2013 by Geoff Hardy Link to post Share on other sites
SBranson 2 Posted June 23, 2013 Share Posted June 23, 2013 Very cool package Geoff. We should plan a little meet up. I'd like to see that. Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff Hardy 16 Posted June 23, 2013 Author Share Posted June 23, 2013 Thanks Stuart! Yah that sounds like a great idea . I will pm you. Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff Hardy 16 Posted June 24, 2013 Author Share Posted June 24, 2013 I was kind of hoping for some critiques , honestly I won't be offended !!! Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff Hardy 16 Posted June 26, 2013 Author Share Posted June 26, 2013 Wow is it really that bad that only one person comments on it ( and I know where Stuart lives so he had to be nice LOL). Seriously guys all feedback is good feedback. Link to post Share on other sites
Blaine Moore 0 Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I like the carved rings, and I think the carving looks sort of weathered, which works well with the copper. What wood did you use for the scabbard? And are the rings bone? Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff Hardy 16 Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 Thank you!!!!! I was starting to really doubt myself, I started to steer the look a bit when the copper inlay started to patina. Oak and antler for everthing! The rings looked better before the leather dye but I had to be consistent , it makes you really appreciate guys like Petr who's pieces are always so well finished. Anything you don't like?? Thanks for the feed back!!! Link to post Share on other sites
Blaine Moore 0 Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Hmmm, there's nothing I particularly dislike, but nothing really jumps out about it either. I hate to say it, but it's almost a little bland. The scabbard, not the handle, I mean. I think it would've looked better if the wood went farther down, mimicking the triangular contour of the copper with either a separate carving or a continuation of the one there. But that's just my opinion and I have no idea if that would've worked with the wood you had/how difficult it would've been to do. Also, from a composition standpoint, the handle has the antler rings and the inlays, but the scabbard is just wood until you hit the copper. I think that subtracts from it slightly, maybe because it's a dark wood so there's not much contrast from the shadow. Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff Hardy 16 Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 my original plan was steel instead of copper and then more copper inlay but I had a hard time finding any and then it would be too thin to inlay. All in all it was fun practice ! thanks Jeff Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Kelso 55 Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 I was kind of hoping for some critiques , honestly I won't be offended !!! Geoff, it all depends on what you're shooting for. If you're wanting a more finished look such as Petr's I would suggest spending some time refining technique on practice bits rather than a full-blown package. The trick is to come up with a work flow to achieve the results you want. It's hard on a big project to sort it out as you go. Much easier to work out a flow on smaller pieces that you can toss, and then move with confidence to a real project. Jim Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff Hardy 16 Posted July 20, 2013 Author Share Posted July 20, 2013 Geoff, it all depends on what you're shooting for. If you're wanting a more finished look such as Petr's I would suggest spending some time refining technique on practice bits rather than a full-blown package. The trick is to come up with a work flow to achieve the results you want. It's hard on a big project to sort it out as you go. Much easier to work out a flow on smaller pieces that you can toss, and then move with confidence to a real project. Jim Thanks Jim!I since making this I have been doing lots of carvings mostly on antler, I really get what you are saying! The thing about it though is I find that they always look better post dye , coffee is great but I can not seem to find anything that I like that enhances the piece instead of detracting. I read that Petr uses beech tar , I have tried leather dye (suitable but I hate using it) . When you do a piece and you get it to about 80-90 percent complete with all the elements in place, How much refining do you do before you are satisfied ? I think a problem I am having is I am stoping to soon and not spending that last bit of effort (even though it sucks) to take the piece from from good to great. Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 2,740 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 Thanks Jim! I think a problem I am having is I am stoping to soon and not spending that last bit of effort (even though it sucks) to take the piece from from good to great. That, my good man, is the problem many of us have struggled with for years! Link to post Share on other sites
R. Yates 1 Posted July 21, 2013 Share Posted July 21, 2013 That is a sick looking Blade and scabbard you have done an awesome job brother . Sam Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff Hardy 16 Posted July 22, 2013 Author Share Posted July 22, 2013 That is a sick looking Blade and scabbard you have done an awesome job brother . Sam Sam that means alot coming from you I really admire your carvings thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
R. Yates 1 Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 Thank you Brother Geoff my dremel is my best friend <Grins> you have done very well on this project many do not take the time or patience to do this type of work . Sam Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Kelso 55 Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 "When you do a piece and you get it to about 80-90 percent complete with all the elements in place, How much refining do youdo before you are satisfied ?" This is the million dollar question which only you can answer. It depends on what you will be satisfied with. When it comes to polishing and finishing carving, very rarely is anything ever perfectly "finished". It seems to me that instead of me finishing a carving, the carving finishes me. They have a hell of a lot more endurance than I do! Link to post Share on other sites
R. Yates 1 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Aman Jim I often have to ask some one when it should be done . However I try to put as much detail as I can before asking Sam Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff Hardy 16 Posted July 26, 2013 Author Share Posted July 26, 2013 thanks Jim,Sam and Alan It is nice (or depressing ) to hear that I am not the only one that struggles with this ! What I am finding is that the piece gets really good, then you add more and it gets worse and then you make some adjustments and it is close to what you wanted ! I was told back in film school that if you can get 80% percent of what you wanted into your project that is a success.I think that rings true but I am still trying to bring my vision as I see it into reality. Thanks for the critiques it is so appreciated!!! Link to post Share on other sites
R. Yates 1 Posted July 26, 2013 Share Posted July 26, 2013 you can do a light sanding on the carving of the sheath to make the design stand out , much like making it look like an antique where a little of the finish is removed as to the finish being wore off . Sam Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now