Long term project - a preview...

[Alveprins 359]

Hi everyone!

 

Hope you've all survived the Holiday feasting without too much abdominal pain! (and yet we have New-Year eve right around the corner! )

 

Anyhow, I've been working on this Seax inspired blade... It is not exactly historically correct - but I weighed my need for self expression higher than historically accuracy in this project.

 

Below is a preview of the blade itself. Currently I am working on the handle - more specifically the rear bolster. Engraving is a time consuming process I'm afraid... 

 

The blade length from where the tang meets the blade and to the tip is approx. 38 cm. 

 

All inlay is 24k gold wire, with the exception of the wolf's tongue - which is in copper. It is engraved like this on both sides of the blades, with the verse 40 of the Voluspá.

 

English:
Side A:
40. In the east sat the old
in Ironwood
and there gave birth
to Fenris children;

Side B:
Just one of these
of all of them
becomes the moon-thief
in troll's guise.

Old Norse:
Side A:
40. Austr sat in aldna
í Járnviði
ok fœddi þar
Fenris kindir;

Side B:
verðr af þeim öllum
einna nökkurr
tungls tjúgari
í trolls hami.

 

And here's the pics:

 

 

 

 

And that's it for now. Enjoy the New-Year festivities everyone, and wish you all good health and prosperity in the year to come! 

 

Sincerely,

Alveprins.

[Doug Lester 404]

Will love to see it finished.

 

Doug

[Alan Longmire 3,767]

I'll be watching this with interest! 

[Charles dP 589]

[Joshua States 2,500]

yeah man.

[Alex Jemetz 6]

Alveprins, incredible craftsmanship!  How many years have you been forging knives?  Would love to hear more about this knife and see more photos of the process.

 

Best regards,

 

Alex

 

[Alveprins 359]

Alright, finally managed to get the handle together and finalized the damn thing with a pommel nut today. My 2nd pommel nut ever, and first in pattern welded steel w. gold inlay.

 

So, the handle wood is stabilized maple, with 925 silver and vulcanized fiber spacers. The bolster, pommel and mid-section are forged from railroad steel, engraved in a deep relief with 24k. gold inlay and set with two 0.03ct diamonds, four rubies and four sapphires. 

 

The runes of bolster and pommel reads: 

Hrothlitnir synir

Sons of the Famous Wolf

 

Skol ok Hati

Skol and Hati.

 

Mid-section reads:

Surname of client.. and name of the blade - Ljos Sloknir, or in English - "Extinguisher of Light". A fitting name, as these two wolves - sons of the famous wolf, who you maybe already know - Fenris; will devour the sun and moon at Ragnarok.

 

And.. I suppose.. here's the pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alright, that's it folks... And now I start on the sheath.. need to forge a new damasc billet for that one...

 

Chiao!

 

Alveprins.

Edited January 24 by Alveprins

[Alex Middleton 831]

Insane!

[Alveprins 359]

On 1/9/2022 at 7:34 PM, Alex Jemetz said:

Alveprins, incredible craftsmanship!  How many years have you been forging knives?  Would love to hear more about this knife and see more photos of the process.

 

Best regards,

 

Alex

 

Hi,

 

I've been forging since 2016.

 

Process photos will have to come later. Too busy working atm.

 

Sincerely,

Alveprins.

[Alan Longmire 3,767]

I remember the first blade you posted here.  Your artistic growth is nothing short of amazing. 

 

You may know of him, but your inlay reminds me of the early work of Barry Lee Hands.  Do a Google image search on that name, you'll see what I mean. 

 

I am not comparing you at all, your styles are completely different. But the skills are similar. And I am in awe of you both.

[Francis Gastellu 271]

Well, excuse me while I pick up my jaw off the floor...

 

Outstanding work, seriously.

[Eric Morgan 175]

Absolutely stunning

 

[Doug Lester 404]

Stunning doesn't even come close to describing it.

 

Doug

[Conan Dunlap 10]

Such beautiful work I don't even feel worthy to comment on it!

[Gerhard Gerber 469]

That is just freaking amazing!

[Alveprins 359]

13 hours ago, Alan Longmire said:

I remember the first blade you posted here.  Your artistic growth is nothing short of amazing. 

 

You may know of him, but your inlay reminds me of the early work of Barry Lee Hands.  Do a Google image search on that name, you'll see what I mean. 

 

I am not comparing you at all, your styles are completely different. But the skills are similar. And I am in awe of you both.

 

Sir, you just found me another source of inspiration!  I am going to try myself on overlay soon, perhaps the next project. We'll see. I may want to start incorporating some serious scroll-work and sculpting, with gold backgrounding...  I will have to see what fits the next project.  

 

Yeah, the learning curve has been steep, but much of it is thanks to losing my day job... Like I've told several people already: "... I think getting laid off from my company was the best thing to ever happen to me! …"

 

[Brian Dougherty 1,395]

Dude! Wow, that one just never stops popping out new details. 

 

We came on this scene about the same time, so I've always felt somewhat connected to your posts.  However, I am equal parts amazed, inspired, and humbled by how far you've gone.  What a long way you have come from the days with the broken back and power hammer mishaps.  Go man go!

Edited January 25 by Brian Dougherty

[Alveprins 359]

9 hours ago, Brian Dougherty said:

Dude! Wow, that one just never stops popping out new details. 

 

We came on this scene about the same time, so I've always felt somewhat connected to your posts.  However, I am equal parts amazed, inspired, and humbled by how far you've gone.  What a long way you have come from the days with the broken back and power hammer mishaps.  Go man go!

 

Thank you Sir for those kind words. 

 

I had forgotten about breaking my back, and remembered now that you mentioned it - haha! 

I might need a new power hammer though... we'll see... 

 

Sincerely,

Alveprins.

[Brian Dougherty 1,395]

14 hours ago, Alveprins said:

I might need a new power hammer though... we'll see... 

 

Well, you have certainly earned one figuratively, and I hope literally.

[Doug Webster 114]

Just Sublime!  I have been toying with the idea of making a Saya from spacers of Birdseye Maple and copper epoxied together like a centipede.   You brought it to life in the handle!  Too cool.  

[Joshua States 2,500]

On 1/25/2022 at 5:18 AM, Alveprins said:

Sir, you just found me another source of inspiration! 

Barry's work is quite spectacular. I have met and spoken with him at a couple of knife shows. You can follow him on FB and IG. 

 

Your work is truly outstanding, and yes you have come an incredibly long way since the days of forging in a dimly lit basement with heavy metal music blaring, in a semi-drunken stupor.     I was amazed even then......

[Bjorn Gylfason 598]

I'm usually not a fan of art knives as so often they sacrifice utility for the sake of extravagance.

 

But this is just something entirely else, details upon magnificent details while still being so usable and true to form. And I can't wait to see what you come up with for a sheath

[Alveprins 359]

Ok, so sheath is finally done - pictures below.

Inserted two diamonds in the nameplate along with 24k gold inlay. The brass frame is adorned with 4 rubies and 10 blue sapphires. 

belt loop has makers mark in 24k gold inlay. Both nameplate an makers mark plate are forged for a railroad spike in order to keep with the theme in regards to material choice.

 

And now - I have to consult the client on whether or not the budget allows for a equally elaborate certificate of authenticity. 

 

EDIT: For those who might be interested to know, total amount of work hours on this piece was 553,77 hours... 

 

Sincerely,

Alveprins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 5 by Alveprins

[Jaron Martindale 108]

Dear Lord, good sir....just wow..

I can't fathom what kind of work you'll be turning out in a few years....

[Gerhard Gerber 469]

I dare say not even 5000 hours would get me there, just unbelievable work.......