Birth of a Celtic longsword -- myArmoury.com

Nathan Bell · Posted: Mon 22 Mar, 2004 9:10 am Post subject: Birth of a Celtic longsword

Since the Celtic sword thread has been popping back up again, I thought I would post this.

It's basically a stage by stage view of the creation of my custom Celtic longsword.

Please note: the sketches and photos are Shane's work, copyright 2003-2004. Please ask Shane's permission if you wish to reproduce or use these?

Some time back, I had custom ordered a La Tene II(B) Celtic longsword with iron rivet decoration, based upon several period examples. After the smith dropped the ball, my friend Shane Allee and I began discussing how one might bring this type of sword to fruition. It's a type that both of us liked, and since Shane is now the official Shop Munkey for Rick Barrett, it seems like the project could actually happen.

It started with a bunch of rough sketches and discussion of them, carefully planning features and proportions with reference to existing originals.[/b]

Nathan Bell · Posted: Mon 22 Mar, 2004 9:14 am Post subject: the blade

For the blade, we will be using an Albion La Tene II blade blank. This blank has been heat treated, but will be significantly hand ground. One of the chnages will be to give the tip a subtle, graceful profile taper in the last 1/3 of the blade, as seen on many La Tene II B originals.

At the Albion gathering last month, Peter Johnsson aided Shane by marking the general type of taper, directly on the blade.

Nathan Bell · Posted: Mon 22 Mar, 2004 9:16 am Post subject:

The rough hilt design is chosen....

Nathan Bell · Posted: Mon 22 Mar, 2004 9:17 am Post subject:

A first stage "overall" idea of size and proportion;

Nathan Bell · Posted: Mon 22 Mar, 2004 9:18 am Post subject:

Basic components are chosen: bone, black walnut wood, wrought iron.

Nathan Bell · Posted: Mon 22 Mar, 2004 9:20 am Post subject: Things begin to take shape

The components begin to take shape. Shane also begins to experiment with the size options for the rivet decoration.

That's about as far as we have made it so far, more news and pictures as I receive them!

Joe Fults · Posted: Tue 23 Mar, 2004 7:03 pm Post subject:

Interesting post idea.

Look forward to the next stages.

Joel Whitmore · Posted: Fri 26 Mar, 2004 6:10 am Post subject: Nice Sword Nathan

I was wondering if you were going to have to send the sword out for heat treating again after grinding it. How would that affect the tip? Just soem curious questions.

Joel

Nathan Bell · Posted: Fri 26 Mar, 2004 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: Nice Sword Nathan

Joel Chesser · Posted: Fri 26 Mar, 2004 9:42 pm Post subject:

huuuuuuhhh! (Homeresque drooling noise)
I am slowing becoming fascinated with Celtic swords. you have to post pics of that little beauty when it's finished, and a full review too! :D

Peter Johnsson · Industry Professional

Nathan Bell · Posted: Sat 27 Mar, 2004 8:29 pm Post subject:

Oh, no--must have overstated somewhere above. :surprised:

My contributions to the project are quite modest---the basic idea and enthusiasm, a bit of research help, some mutual collaboration on design details...

The rest is pretty much Shane, one of his first tries at the sword/cutler realm, with help and advice of those such as Rick and Peter!

The "we" came in because of how communicative Shane is, keeping me informed, and allowing me to be so active throughout the building process!

Shane Allee · Industry Professional

Just made it back from a show this weekend and was suprized to see it back up the list.

Looks like Peter pretty much covered it, there shouldn't be any problem at all tweaking the profile of the tip. I'll also be grinding the center line on up at the base of the blade as well. Then the entire blade surface will be ground to get the final finish and then the final edge will be put on it as well with the grinder. We keep a water barrel/bucket under or by the grinder to catch dust and to keep things cool.

Not much new to say about the sword though, things have been very crazy the last couple weeks. At this point I pretty much have to get on the grinding and shape the guard plate to give it the double curve, then I can move on with the hilt more. I did grind it down roughly to shape, but just didn't have it in that last picture. I'm still not happy with the domed rivets, the look ok in profile, but might need to be a higher dome. After the hilt starts coming together more I'll be able to tell what I need to do with them.

I did pick up some round stock buffalo horn this weekend that might be part of grip for another one of these I'll be working on after this one. Might get grinder crazy on that one and make it lenticular in cross-section, just to be different and they were common enough.

Shane

Nathan Bell · Posted: Wed 05 May, 2004 8:44 pm Post subject:

The decorative rivets are fitted into the guard, and shaping of the guard progresses

Shawn Duncanson · Posted: Fri 07 May, 2004 12:58 am Post subject:

do the rivets go all the way through the wood ? how are they attached?

Shane Allee · Industry Professional

Well, those are just setting in place in the pic. *G* What you see at this point are just three domes that I have dished out. When I go to attach them, I'll drill a very small hole in the top of each one, steel rod will run through the guards and will be peened over the top holding the dome in place. I did a sample piece with this construction and have photos, however I'm currently out of town so it will be next week before I can post them.

Shane

Nathan Bell · Posted: Sat 08 May, 2004 10:22 am Post subject:

Rivet samples...

Will look like this, roughly

Shawn Duncanson · Posted: Sun 09 May, 2004 12:49 pm Post subject: thanks

cool, thanks thats a great idea

Folkert van Wijk · Posted: Sun 27 Mar, 2005 1:42 pm Post subject: Pictures??

I just digged up this topic using "search".

And now I have some questions about it?
First I want to know if there are some pictures of trhe finnished sword??
And the next question is can whe get some inside information about the thoughts and desisions that went into this project? Consurned archeological examples, sizes and dimentions.

Folkert

Steve Grisetti · Posted: Sun 27 Mar, 2005 5:30 pm Post subject:

Very cool stuff. I guess I missed this topic the first time around. Thanks, Folkert, for digging it up.

I, too, am interested in seeing how this project continued/was finished.