R.W. Deavers 80 Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 There must be something said about some television programs being good for bladesmiths. I recently got a commission for a sword. I know some of you are familiar with Game of Thrones. I had a lady wanting a sword as a Christmas present for her husband (he's a big fan of GOT). Turns out his favorite character is Jon Snow. Immediately, I had to some research as I'm not into GOT (couldn't get into it). Anyways, she wants this sword to be an actual sword, not just a wall hanger but she also said it doesn't have to be an exact replica. I decided to try and stay as close to Longclaw as possible with a few minor changes. So, this build started out with a length of leaf spring stock. The spring was straightened and then forged to shape. After that, the fun of grinding started. I kept the blade kind of robust for the heat treating. After the successful heat treating, the fullers were ground in then the rest of the cleanup. I then started on the hilt which is mild steel. The handle will be leather wrapped wood, and the wolf's head pommel will be cast from pewter. In the pictures below shows the progress so far. The shiny picture is what is done as of today. 2 You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
Charles dP 585 Posted November 17, 2017 Share Posted November 17, 2017 Woohoo. I am a fan of GoT. Looking forward to this one. Please keep the photos coming. "The way we win matters" (Ender Wiggins) Orson Scott Card Nos, qui libertate donati sumus, nes cimus quid constet. Link to post Share on other sites
R.W. Deavers 80 Posted November 17, 2017 Author Share Posted November 17, 2017 25 minutes ago, Charles du Preez said: Woohoo. I am a fan of GoT. Looking forward to this one. Please keep the photos coming. As more progress is made, I will. You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
Jason McEntee 57 Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Following! www.facebook.com/appleseedcustoms/ Link to post Share on other sites
R.W. Deavers 80 Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 After a few touch-ups on the hilt, I made the collar spacer and the wood handle core. The handle is made from ash and will be leather wrapped. Now, I have a good idea on the size of the pommel, so I can now work on the mold form for casting. 2 You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
Charles dP 585 Posted November 21, 2017 Share Posted November 21, 2017 Yay. Can you post pics of the carving and casting too please? "The way we win matters" (Ender Wiggins) Orson Scott Card Nos, qui libertate donati sumus, nes cimus quid constet. Link to post Share on other sites
R.W. Deavers 80 Posted November 21, 2017 Author Share Posted November 21, 2017 I can post pics of the mold carving, but for the actual casting process, a good friend will be doing that. You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
Zeb Camper 787 Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 I hope you do a better job on the wolf's head than the original. I guarantee whomever made it wasn't 100% satisfied. Looks really good so far! Link to post Share on other sites
R.W. Deavers 80 Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 Thanks Zeb. As far as the wolf's head pommel, I'll try. lol You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
Joshua States 2,464 Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Looking good R.W. My wife and I have watched all of GOT (except the last season, as we have to wait for it to come out on video). What are the dimensions? “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to post Share on other sites
R.W. Deavers 80 Posted November 23, 2017 Author Share Posted November 23, 2017 18 hours ago, Joshua States said: Looking good R.W. My wife and I have watched all of GOT (except the last season, as we have to wait for it to come out on video). What are the dimensions? The blade is 38" long with a width of 2 1/4" at the hilt. The overall length is about 45". You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
R.W. Deavers 80 Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 Okay everyone, here's an update on the progress. I finally got the pommel back from casting. Now, time for the engraving work. I had to forge my own tools for this, but it didn't take much time at all. I still have to layout a few more lines and the teeth, but things are going rather well. The finish is in view on this project. 3 You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
Dan Bourlotos 26 Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Out of curiosity, why not just put that detail into the casting itself? (unless you are sand casting, in which you can ignore the question) Link to post Share on other sites
R.W. Deavers 80 Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 1 hour ago, Dan Bourlotos said: Out of curiosity, why not just put that detail into the casting itself? (unless you are sand casting, in which you can ignore the question) The way this was cast was with sand casting techniques, otherwise, I would have rather had all the detail in the pattern. You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
Joshua States 2,464 Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 Yes indeed this is going well! “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to post Share on other sites
R.W. Deavers 80 Posted December 7, 2017 Author Share Posted December 7, 2017 And the moment everyone has been waiting for... Longclaw is finished. Reflecting back on this whole process, granted there have been some frustration (and what good project does have at least an ounce), but the journey has been well worth it. To be honest, I am so pleased with how this came out, I am humbled. Now, the specifics; the blade was forged from a leaf spring blank, the hilt and handle spacer are mild steel, the handle core is ash wrapped in black leather, and the pommel is cast and sculpted pewter with set rubies for the eyes. I could not have done this project without the help of a very close friend, Matt Maund. He has been instrumental will the leather, but mostly with casting the pommel and setting the rubies. The blade is 34" long and 2 1/4" wide at the hilt. The point of balance is about 4 1/2" from the hilt up the blade. The overall length is 45 1/4" and the handle itself is 5 1/2" long. The quillions are about three inches from the blade edge. 2 You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
Jason McEntee 57 Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 Very nice. Just about a spot-on match to the prop sword. Lord Snow would be proud! www.facebook.com/appleseedcustoms/ Link to post Share on other sites
R.W. Deavers 80 Posted December 7, 2017 Author Share Posted December 7, 2017 7 minutes ago, Jason McEntee said: Very nice. Just about a spot-on match to the prop sword. Lord Snow would be proud! Thank you. I tried to get close to his, but with a few minor artistic choices. You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
Charles dP 585 Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 Thanks for showing this RW. It turned out well. Congrats. "The way we win matters" (Ender Wiggins) Orson Scott Card Nos, qui libertate donati sumus, nes cimus quid constet. Link to post Share on other sites
R.W. Deavers 80 Posted December 7, 2017 Author Share Posted December 7, 2017 47 minutes ago, Charles du Preez said: Thanks for showing this RW. It turned out well. Congrats. You're welcome, and thank you, Charles. You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
C Craft 207 Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 6 hours ago, R.W. Deavers said: And the moment everyone has been waiting for... Longclaw is finished. Reflecting back on this whole process, granted there have been some frustration (and what good project does have at least an ounce), but the journey has been well worth it. To be honest, I am so pleased with how this came out, I am humbled. Now, the specifics; the blade was forged from a leaf spring blank, the hilt and handle spacer are mild steel, the handle core is ash wrapped in black leather, and the pommel is cast and sculpted pewter with set rubies for the eyes. I could not have done this project without the help of a very close friend, Matt Maund. He has been instrumental will the leather, but mostly with casting the pommel and setting the rubies. The blade is 34" long and 2 1/4" wide at the hilt. The point of balance is about 4 1/2" from the hilt up the blade. The overall length is 45 1/4" and the handle itself is 5 1/2" long. The quillions are about three inches from the blade edge. Very nice work on this one!!! I have been looking at this head on the sword and it finally came to what it reminded me of. The cane from the old original Dark Shadows TV show from about 1968 -1971! C Craft Customs ~~~ With every custom knife I build I try to accomplish three things. I want that knife to look so good you just have to pick it up, feel so good in your hand you can't wait to try it, and once you use it, you never want to put it down ! If I capture those three factors in each knife I build, I am assured the knife will become a piece that is used and treasured by its owner! ~~~ C Craft Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Wimmer 486 Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 "BARNABAS LIVES"" Link to post Share on other sites
Joshua States 2,464 Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 4 Aces RW. Love that wolf pommel. “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to post Share on other sites
R.W. Deavers 80 Posted December 9, 2017 Author Share Posted December 9, 2017 10 hours ago, Joshua States said: 4 Aces RW. Love that wolf pommel. Thanks Joshua, I couldn't be happier with this project. You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
R.W. Deavers 80 Posted December 25, 2017 Author Share Posted December 25, 2017 Longclaw is now home... Merry Christmas! You are NEVER too old to learn something new. Link to post Share on other sites
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