WIP, my first sword. Hopefully to be a pattern welded viking sword

[Justin Mercier]

assembled and ringing like a bell when tapped, so I know it's solid. This did require a wedge which you can see in this pic and the ones above, as the gap was more than I could force out the edge of the slot with a center punch, but wedges are very period correct =) Now to carve the wood for the handle core and wrap it. I want this done before I drive up to Maine for the NESM ABS hammer in this weekend.

 

 

 

EDIT: fixed 2nd photo

Edited July 13, 2016 by Justin Mercier

[Justin Mercier]

The finest pallet wood provided the core for the handle. I figure if i pronounce it as if it were a french word no one will know it's ignoble origin. "palay wood, ooh must be exotic"

 

 

Working on cord wrapping the core right now, then leather will go over the cord.

 

Edited July 13, 2016 by Justin Mercier

[Alan Longmire]

Looking magnificent!

 

As for pallets, keep an eye out for ones from southeast Asia. I have scored mahogany, teak, and something that looked like rosewood but was less dense from Chinese machinery pallets! Of course, 99% of them are soft white wood of dubious integrity, but every so often some flunky grabs the wrong tree...

[Justin Mercier]

Spread glue on the silk string and the leather, then wrapped it up tight overnight.

 

 

This morning I unwrapped it and trimmed back the leather around the edges and then dyed it the final color that I want it to be, sort of a deep red-brown. I plan on using the same color for the sheath.

 

The leather didn't stay as tightly compacted as I hoped, being a very pliable soft thick leather, so the handle looks a little bulkier than I'd like, but it still feels real nice in the hand as the leather is quite soft.

 

 

Need to get some good photos now, the blade is done, on to a sheath. Maybe I'll bring some wood chisels and carving tools with me up to the ABS hammer-in in maine this weekend and nab a pair of poplar boards from the hardware store.

 

[Ryan Hobbs]

Oooooo, prettyyyyy! I absolutely love the blade profile! Nice!

[Emiliano Carrillo]

Lookin good man!

 

I usually use 1-2 ounce leather when I want the cord to show through. Also try using hemp cord! It has slight variation throughout its length which really helps add that older look to the finished piece. Then use the same kind of cord for the over wrap, otherwise the details won't stick out in the finished piece. Looking forward to the sheath (and seeing this in person)

[Justin Mercier]

Sword made it's debut at the ABS hammer in up at the New England School of Metalwork. Had a lot of people commenting on how it felt too light, and how they expected such a wide blade to be much heavier.

 

 

I've started on the scabbard. Carving the poplar right now

 

[mrnewberry]

Looking good!

[Justin Mercier]

Ok, that took too long... after several restarts. First scabbard fit great until I glued the sides together and then it was too tight. I split one side and it fit ok, but then it cracked when i was fitting in wedges to hold the split side open... 2nd scabbard was better and looked identical to the first, but actually fit the sword nice and tight without wedging after being glued.

 

Then I ruined 70$ worth of 2oz veg tanned sheep hide getting a non wrinkled and non-shitty looking leather cover on the scabbard. But... it fits and it doesn't look like ass! The only thing I haven't done is to make a chape for it, and I need to decide the strapping I'm going to use to hold it. I may go with a migration period style strap bridge, because I like that look. Not sure I can get a bridge finished before I drive out to ashokan tomorrow though.

 

 

 

 

 

EDIT: missed a pic

 

Edited September 15, 2016 by Justin Mercier