Hacking up a sword

[Sir Edward]

What about the rest of the idea? Do you think my scabbard will look alright painted the
same green as my shield? 

That would probably work. I don't see why not.

[Dragonlover]

I think I'm going to take Bill's approach. I'm going to have a 2-point
suspension on whatever belt I go with. A short belt at the throat seems like
it should keep my ring-hilt from dropping.

[Dragonlover]

As it turns out, I just realized that opening week-end for Charlotte is in two weeks!
 The missus and I went to Tandy leather in Charlotte yesterday and I am currently
strapping the spurs a most gracious Sir Brian presented me with, and working on
my own 2-point belt system for my ring-hilt. I used a C. Fletcher design and it
looks like it will turn out very well. Took pics of the dyeing process and cutting
yesterday and will post them as soon as I am able.....looks like "crunch time"....

[Sir Brian]

I can't wait to see it! Wow CRF is in two weeks! Time sure flies during Ren Faire season! 

I was successful with counter-balancing of my scabbard so now my sword "prop" hangs as
it should. Here are a couple of pictures with "hands free" - i.e. not having to hold it at the
correct angle. 

[Dragonlover]

I know! I didn't think it was for another 3 or 4 weeks! When Connie told me I thought,
"here we go!" made a new sword belt as well and I'm still pulling excess dye off it!!
Looks like your balancing job did the trick. Looks Great!!!! Are you and your Lady planning
on attending opening week-end in Charlotte?

[Sir Brian]

I'm afraid not. 
We usually wait until after MDRF closes and catch CRF a couple of times to close out our
fair season! 

[Dragonlover]

That makes sense I suppose. We try to go to closing week-end for our home faire as well.
Going to try to post some project pics tonight if I can figure out how to shoot em over
from my E-mail.

[Sir Edward]

Hey, the sword suspension is looking good! I really need to get cracking on mine, so I can bring it back to faire next week (I have a week and a half to work on it, meaning I'd better do it next week when I have time!)

[Sir Edward]

Well, I hacked up the blade and epoxied it into the scabbard. For ballast, I took a section of blade material and slide it down into the scabbard. So while there's only about 4" left on the hilt, there's another foot or so of the mid-section of the blade sitting further down. I'm giving it a full 24 hours to cure, and I'll see how it looks tonight.

[Dragonlover]

My case was a bust...  So much weight up on the ring-hilt, damn
things naturally top heavy and even the 2-point suspension didn't solve anything.
Being a real blade, I diden't have the option of sawing the blade off of this one!
I was forced to do the cheese-flavored thing and epoxy a weight sleeve of black leather
around the bottom of the scabbard. Doesn't look that bad, but I kinda know its there if
ya know what I mean... Gotta do what ya gotta do. makes ya wonder how our forebears solved this riddle......

[Sir Wolf]

if it doesn't work re think it. you may need to look for period examples if you can. it would be easier than reinventing the wheel. sorry it didnt work out how you liked though. its always a bummer to work on something and then be, EH about it

[Dragonlover]

Ah yes, but I suppose thats how we learn.....

[Sir Edward]

I don't have a shot of the finished product yet, but here's the shot after cutting:



I also scored the remaining blade, as you can see, to help with the epoxy. The cuts were made using the dremel, and it went very quickly. It seems to have gone well, though the blade piece I used for weight rattles around inside.

[Dragonlover]

Will just that piece of blade give you enough weight Sir Edward?
I had to add quite a bit, but your sword probably isn't as top-heavy as my 15th.....

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, it's balanced enough with the frog I'm going to use that it'll sit nicely, even with half the blade material gone. It's not as top-heavy as it looks. I suspect the pommel isn't solid all the way through.