Grinding the big ones with Vince Evans ! -- myArmoury.com

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

An interesting study of a pro in action ....... Mr. Vince Evans

I have my name on a new claymore, that was recently born of the fire , out in the Highlands of AZ .

Vince sent me these pic's , and wrote the following ..........

"Hi Mac,

Here are a couple of pictures of me grinding on the claymore blade. It
will give you an idea of how I attempt to maintain straight lines. These
long blades are trickier to grind and keep straight lines as they sag when
held horizonally.

Hope you find these interesting. - Vince"

Ron Luciano · Posted: Sat 23 Aug, 2003 5:31 pm Post subject: YOUR NEW VINCE EVANS!

Mac,
Congratulations on your newest acquistion. I can't wait to see this one!

Ron

Patrick Kelly · Posted: Sat 23 Aug, 2003 9:17 pm Post subject:

That's going to be a great one Mac!

I always enjoy the photos of Vinnie da'man at work.

Ben Sweet · Posted: Sat 23 Aug, 2003 9:34 pm Post subject: yep yep

I'l be looking forward to seeing this one ! I wonder how far that grinder could shoot Mas's blade out? Eek!

Hope you continue to share Mac!!

Glen A Cleeton · Posted: Sun 24 Aug, 2003 11:07 am Post subject:

Seeing this photo makes me wonder if anyone has thought of using a surface grinder (ala automotive head resurfacer) for grinding the flats on long blades.

Basicaly a platen on both sides with a spinning wheel in the center. I guess there is more you can play around with on a belt grinder but for plain cleaning up the flats (after forging, milling), I think it might be viable.

It would, however, make a grinding pattern crosswise as opposed to lengthwise. Hmm.

?8•)

Cheers

Glen

Dave Hahn · Posted: Sun 24 Aug, 2003 1:51 pm Post subject:

ho boy!

i can't wait to get a look at this one.

-D

Chuck Perino · Posted: Sun 24 Aug, 2003 6:47 pm Post subject:

I figured you'd be getting a replacement for the A&A Claymore you sold, seems like too big of a hole in a scottish collection without the claymore!

David White · Posted: Tue 26 Aug, 2003 9:20 am Post subject:

Hi Mac!

Thanks for posting the pictures, very interesting.

Do you have any rough stats for the claymore yet and what are the hilt componets going to be?

dave

Angus Trim · Posted: Tue 26 Aug, 2003 8:27 pm Post subject:

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

As I'd mentioned above ....

Vince is working on a most interesting new Scottish two-hand claymore !

The sword will be based on an original piece that currently resides at the Kelvingrove Museum , Scotland ,
and features a hilt that sports an unusal ball carved into it's extra long grip.
The pommel is also quite unusual , given it's comparitively smaller size, and leaves one wondering
what sort of counter-balencing properties might it have ?
( Mr. Evans wants to know *g* )

Here are a few photo's that Vince took of the original .......

Next ....

In-Progress shots ........

"Today's progress includes the rough clean
up of the guard. I still haven't attached the quatrefoils but have them
assembled. The grip is drilled and burned to fit the tang and I started on
the pommel before I quit this evening. The pommel size looks silly but
that's what the original is like. The blade is about 42", maybe a touch
less by the time it's all seated. This should be an interesting sword when
it's finally done, but then, that's the reason I wanted to build it."

It's gonna be a special sword ! Mac

* All pic's copyright Vince Evans, 2002 -2003 .

Jay Barron · Posted: Tue 26 Aug, 2003 9:14 pm Post subject:

Cool claymore, Mac. I've seen pictures of it before and always liked it's design. That grip looks really long. Do you know what it's length is?

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Chuck Perino · Posted: Wed 27 Aug, 2003 8:25 am Post subject:

The pommel is interesting! not sure if I can tell from the pictire but is it an oval, kind of flattened shape?

She's a beauty Mac! You have my envy!

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

Hi Chuck

I've not seen a good closeup shot of the originals pommel ..... but I'd say , beyond it's small diameter, it's just your typical round shaped Highland wheel !

Here are a couple new in-progress shots of Vince grinding the pommel for his version !

It's gonna be a-w-e-s-o-m-e , Mac

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

Here's another shot hot off the presses ......

..... this one showing the "rough grip being planed". The wood , as I recall Vince saying he would use, is ash !

Dont ya just feel like were in the shop with these wonderful in-progress pic's *g* Too cool , thanks Vince, Mac

David Stokes · Posted: Wed 27 Aug, 2003 10:42 pm Post subject:

Hi Mac
I was in Scoland in 2000, and spent the good part of a day in Kelvinsgrove Museum. More specifically in the arms collection.
I have TONS of pics from that collection, so i will try to post some if you like. I remember that claymore well because its the only TRUE two hander they have/ had on display. I always thought the grip looked a bit odd with the ball, but i must have been staring at the blade because i dont remember making a mental note of the oddly misporpotioned pommel, well it WAS 3 years ago..........
at any means im sure thats going to be a wonderful sword. The original was a sweet one. There are MANY swords in that collection and also at the culloden memorial museum that i wouldnt have minded playing with.......... sweet stuff.

David Stokes · Posted: Wed 27 Aug, 2003 10:56 pm Post subject:

Ok, here it is, i found the picture and scanned it for ya,
It doesnt really add much to the conversation, but its better rez
I took many pics while in Kelvinsgrove, but sadly the ONLY pic i had someone take of me (beside THIS claymore actually) turned out so dark its barely recognizable as me, all you can see is my big smile.......... notworth posting....

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

Thanks David ..... appreciate your help !

I received this message from Vince today , and it helps to explain where he is coming from , in regards to this project !

Mac

The sword that I'm building is a combination of two different originals,
one in the Kelvingrove Museum and the other in the British Museum. The
grip in the British Museum I found to be more elegant, although they both
have the small, oval pommel.

I'll send an update picture later on. - Vince"

Thomas McDonald · myArmoury Alumni

As promised .... here are the latest update pic's on the claymore's progress !

You can clearly see how Vince is combining elements of the two pieces, whilest adding his own personal touches to the mix !

Vince wrote : "Hi Mac,
Here are a couple more pictures. As you can see, it's not quite a ball but
more than the ring. Now I have to clean everything up and do the details
and finish out the blade. These projects seem to drag on and then, all of
a sudden, they look like a sword Happy

Take care,Vince".

I can't wait to feel this baby *g* Mac

Scott Bubar · Posted: Thu 28 Aug, 2003 6:38 pm Post subject:

Is Grace doing the shooting here?