Scabbards

[Ian]

Stunning Sir Brian!  That is really gorgeous!

[Sir William]

Wow, that looks pretty spiffy, Sir Brian!  Did they let you in with that shillelagh? 

Methinks you could've done the leatherwork yourself...you did the hard part already (crafting the scabbard itself).  This from a man who pays others to do the same so take it with a grain of salt. 

Where's the sword?  lol  Maybe you'll get yours before I get mine!  Scabbard's done already though.  Should I post pics?  I wonder.

[Sir Brian]

Wow, that looks pretty spiffy, Sir Brian!  Did they let you in with that shillelagh? 

Methinks you could've done the leatherwork yourself...you did the hard part already (crafting the scabbard itself).  This from a man who pays others to do the same so take it with a grain of salt. 

Where's the sword?  lol  Maybe you'll get yours before I get mine!  Scabbard's done already though.  Should I post pics?  I wonder.

Yeah isn’t it ironic that security will let us in with our shillelaghs/ walking sticks/ staves but not our faux swords! 

The core was a bit labor intensive but only because I was learning as I did it. Brett Smith of T-Star leather of course is a master craftsman of the highest order and I am very happy he was willing and able to take on this work. I think he’s excited to do more so start working on your wood cores for all your blades in need of a scabbard! 

[Lord Dane]

Wow, that looks pretty spiffy, Sir Brian!  Did they let you in with that shillelagh? 

Methinks you could've done the leatherwork yourself...you did the hard part already (crafting the scabbard itself).  This from a man who pays others to do the same so take it with a grain of salt. 

Where's the sword?  lol  Maybe you'll get yours before I get mine!  Scabbard's done already though.  Should I post pics?  I wonder.

Yeah isn’t it ironic that security will let us in with our shillelaghs/ walking sticks/ staves but not our faux swords! 

The core was a bit labor intensive but only because I was learning as I did it. Brett Smith of T-Star leather of course is a master craftsman of the highest order and I am very happy he was willing and able to take on this work. I think he’s excited to do more so start working on your wood cores for all your blades in need of a scabbard! 

They have to allow walking sticks otherwise some people will make claims of ADA discrimination against the family of MDRF lawyers' weapons policy. LOL What's next?? No crutches or wheelchairs??   

[Sir William]

Yeah isn't it ironic that security will let us in with our shillelaghs/ walking sticks/ staves but not our faux swords! 

It is indeed; since that is a definite weapon, but the faux swords are just decoration.  Of course, if you referred to it as a quarter staff, it'll get banned before the day's out most likely.

Sort of brings that whole 'zero tolerance' policy that is currently in our nation's school systems in lieu of good old-fashioned common sense.

[Sir Brian]

Alas I must wait a couple more weeks for my blade! As per Mike Sigman's email update on my order:

You are the next Talhoffer out the door and Bob is running your blade either tomorrow or Monday. It will be going into the next heat treat. You should have it in a couple weeks bud. Sorry for the lengthy wait.

Well the good news is I will definitely have it for the closing weekend of PARF! 

[Sir William]

That's awesome man...is that at the same time as the closing weekend of MDRF?

[Sir Brian]

Nay Sir William! PARF has always had their closing weekend a week after MDRF’s. They typically get a large MDRF patron invasion on that weekend from all us die-hards that don’t want the season to end! 

[Sir William]

I know its a stupid question, but where in PA is it held?  My sister's in Philly and has mentioned it in the past.  Maybe a Saturday excursion?  I'd have to check with my better half on the logistics of pulling that off.

[Sir Brian]

PARF is located in Manheim which is 15 miles north of Lancaster and 13 miles east of Hershey, PA.

[Sir Gerard de Rodes]

Truly a thing of beauty Sir Brian 
G.

[Sir Humphrey]

Sir Brian,

I realize that this thread is very old, but I have a question. I'm glad I found this thread because I was on the same waive length as far as heat bending the wood.  After soaking the slats in boiling water, could you clamp it around the sword without glueing it and allow it to cool to the shape?  My though is, that if the sword seizes in the slats or is too loose, some very thin spacers could be added when it is glued up and allow more space.  Thanks.

[Sir Brian]

Sir Humphrey,
We never worry or mind about resurrecting old threads here since as new members join it's good to update or review some of the information that has wondered these halls of cyberspace!

I didn't glue my two heat bended wood slats until they were thoroughly dried out (about 3 days). This allows for any weird warping the wood may do as it dries as what happened on my second attempt.

If you find the blade too loose before you glue the slats together then I recommend you cut and glue a couple of pieces of felt on the inside of the scabbard mouth. If it is too tight you can just sand it a little more before gluing the slats together.

[Sir Humphrey]

Thanks Sir Brian,

One other question:  Did you keep the sword blade in the wood for those two days as it dried.  If not, how long did you leave it in before removing it?

Thanks again for the great info you provided here!

[Sir Brian]

I removed the blade after I had set enough of the clamps to retain the proper shape and still remove the sword. The reason I did it that way was because it wasn't my sword and I was concerned about the blade getting rusted since it was Sir Edward's which he had loaned to me for that purpose because the blade I had on order was the identical. If I had my blade on hand when I was making it then I would've left the blade in the scabbard to ensure it dried in the correct shape.

Are you going to do your own leather work on your scabbard as well?