Posts: 11,553 Location: San Francisco
Wed 30 Jul, 2008 3:25 pm
Posts: 1,532 Location: Tennessee
Wed 30 Jul, 2008 3:36 pm
That is a really interesting grip. Is it multiple wire wrapped cords twisted together? It is difficult to imagine just exactly how it was done. I don't recall seeing one like that before.
Posts: 11,553 Location: San Francisco
Wed 30 Jul, 2008 3:45 pm
| Jared Smith wrote: |
| That is a really interesting grip. Is it multiple wire wrapped cords twisted together? It is difficult to imagine just exactly how it was done. I don't recall seeing one like that before. |
It looks to be three strands:
one twisted strand, clockwise > one twisted strand, counter-clockwise > one straight strand
It's pretty typical of wire-wraps, but is very well done in this case.
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Posts: 354 Location: Dijon
Wed 30 Jul, 2008 5:01 pm
Hi all
On the finger ring issue : this is something that came to my mind at a private handling session at the Wallace about 4 years ago, playing with a very nice thing labelled as a 'hunting saber'.
It was obvious the index finger couldn't go through due to the very dimensions and position of the side ring. But what was also obvious, was that this curved bar on the side was made to protect a thumb that would be placed almost on the flat of the blade, or at least definitely on the cross - as you would do with a Langes Messer (which in fact I beleive it is).
Since then I had the chance to see and handle several other weapons with similar features.
'Thumbing the flat' is also seen in Liechtenauerian-related illustrations.
So, IMHO a final answer to this wuestion would be what you just did in your last 'sword in hand' pic, Nathan : finger the guard, not with the index, but with the thumb.
EDIT : needless to say - hence my silence on the subject - it's a fantastic piece.
I'd be interested in knowing a bit more on how he made the pommel.
Last edited by Fabrice Cognot on Thu 31 Jul, 2008 9:18 pm; edited 1 time in total
Posts: 441 Location: USA
Thu 31 Jul, 2008 6:03 pm
It doesn't get any better... What an amazing piece...that is as good as it gets...
Posts: 455 Location: Thailand
Sun 03 Aug, 2008 6:38 am
Fabrice,
The pommel began as an oversize rectangular solid of steel. The basic shape was formed with a 4" grinder; it ended up being sort of a laterally-flattened mushroom. The decorative details were drawn on with a marker, and the 4" grinder was used to rough out the details. After that it was lots of filework. Then a final polish (matte finish as that's what Nathan wanted).
--ElJay
Posts: 11,553 Location: San Francisco
Sat 09 Aug, 2008 3:59 am
Haven't had time to put together a real shoot of this sword, but I'm attaching the full-length shot I took on the table when I got it. It gives an idea of how the full sword looks, though there's a bit of distortion here.
Weight: 2.6 pounds
Overall length: 36.625"
Blade length: 31"
Blade width: 1.75" at hilt
CoP: ~21" from the hilt
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Posts: 11,553 Location: San Francisco
Sat 09 Aug, 2008 6:39 pm
I had to do a work-related photo shoot today so I snapped a few photos of the full sword.
Not sure why I set the sword upside down but it's a worthy angle, too. :\
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Posts: 5,981 Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Wed 13 Aug, 2008 1:59 pm
And now the blade.... :eek:
Gorgeous weapon!
Posts: 154 Location: Ittre, Belgium
Wed 13 Aug, 2008 11:49 pm
Well Nathan,
This is a gorgeous-superb-amazing sword ! You have an absolutely excquisite taste regarding swords with complex hilts. In addition, you are trully an excellent photographer, but we all already knew it.
Cheers,
David
Posts: 11,553 Location: San Francisco
Fri 15 Aug, 2008 9:31 pm
Got some "studio blue" background paper in and had to do some testing. Thank you for indulging me.
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Posts: 11,553 Location: San Francisco
Tue 21 Jul, 2009 11:36 am
Hi Everyone-
This year I had EB Erickson create a scabbard for the
landknecht sword he made for me last year.
I asked for something of simple form and crisp lines that represents the Germanic character of such a sword. I didn't want a wooden core, but just a thick leather scabbard with a nice chape. I didn't give any input and just waited to see what would result.
He delivered. The incised lines create the simple form I wanted without competing with the intricate hilt. The roped detail on the chape compliments the S-shaped guard perfectly and the twisted finial mimics details on the the hilt.
I'm very happy with it.
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Posts: 5,981 Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Tue 21 Jul, 2009 11:51 am
It's perfect, of course. Ho-hum. :lol: But don't you want one of those nifty knotted suspensions to complete the kit?
Posts: 11,553 Location: San Francisco
Tue 21 Jul, 2009 11:52 am
| Sean Flynt wrote: |
| It's perfect, of course. Ho-hum. :lol: But don't you want one of those nifty knotted suspensions to complete the kit? |
Nah. Not me. I'm not into the suspensions because, well, I'll never wear a sword for any purpose. I appreciate them for the "complete kit" appeal, but since I won't wear it and it makes it more difficult to store or display, it's not really a good fit for me.
Posts: 44
Tue 21 Jul, 2009 12:04 pm
Im really quite jealous, ive been trying to find a design I like for a Katz myself and think ive been quite outdone by this one. I joined a Landsknecht reenactment group and im looking for a Katzbalger that isnt "off the shelf". I didnt think of doing a late period example, the complex hilt is very attractive.
Posts: 5,981 Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Tue 21 Jul, 2009 12:54 pm
| J. Abernethy wrote: |
| Im really quite jealous, ive been trying to find a design I like for a Katz myself and think ive been quite outdone by this one. I joined a Landsknecht reenactment group and im looking for a Katzbalger that isnt "off the shelf". I didnt think of doing a late period example, the complex hilt is very attractive. |
E. B. Erickson is the man to see, in my opinion.
Posts: 113 Location: Austin, Texas
Fri 24 Jul, 2009 1:13 pm
| J. Abernethy wrote: |
| Im really quite jealous, ive been trying to find a design I like for a Katz myself and think ive been quite outdone by this one. I joined a Landsknecht reenactment group and im looking for a Katzbalger that isnt "off the shelf". I didnt think of doing a late period example, the complex hilt is very attractive. |
This is obviously nowhere even near the ballpark of Mr. Erikson's work (Nathan, fair warning, if we ever meet and you show me that sword, better hand me a bib, too), it is possible to modify off the shelf katzbalgers into more unusual examples.
This is a mid 1980's Windlass piece (yeah, I know, boo hiss) that was crudely modified by a friend into a late style complex hilt katzbalger.
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I'm not saying it's well done (although it wasn't badly done for mid 80's garage workshop technology), I'm just saying that it's possible. Yeah, this kat is pretty crude and pretty beat, but it's also been well worn and well loved. :cool:
Posts: 44
Fri 24 Jul, 2009 1:38 pm
It is a bit on the "crude" side Hal, but I dont dislike it! There are very creative people out there and this one seems to stand the test of time. I like the grip and Pommel especially. If he ground down the welds and cleaned it up a bit it could really be a stunning piece.
Posts: 845 Location: The Netherlands
Fri 24 Jul, 2009 1:41 pm
Congratulations Nathan! That's a fantastic looking sword!
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