The Armour Archive

http://foxknife.com/store/index.php/hardware.html



http://foxknife.com/store/index.php/hardware.html

I like that "Premium 11" Two-ring Crossguard"

(This one http://foxknife.com/store/index.php/har ... guard.html)

What would be a good pommel matched to it?

I ask because I've never made a two handed sword before and I'm fairly certain that you've made a few.

I'm interested in the solid wheel pommel (aluminum) and premium 8" straight crossguard. Just don't have the funds right now for them.

Caius705, run to http://foxknife.com/store/index.php/har ... guard.html and look for the message "only 2 left" (or only one left) above the price. Inquiries are not the same as sales, but I've had more than two inquiries and only two of these in stock. Anyone who waits too long will have a longer wait than those who don't.

Second, knowing nothing about the blade you intend to pair with this crossguard, my blind recommendations would be either this:

Scent stopper
http://foxknife.com/store/index.php/har ... ommel.html

or this:

Bell pommel
http://foxknife.com/store/index.php/har ... ommel.html

The scent stopper pommel weighs a hefty 13.5 oz (which would be great for a two-handed sword) and would give you a more period appearance like the picture below. However, the mounting hole is a hair under 7/8" wide and very deep, so I would recommend either a very long taping fork or a standard taping fork and a very long bolt. You can't get by with a simple lag screw into the tang.



If you are willing to give up the wasp-waisted pommel look, the bell pommel weighs 10.7 oz, has a 1.25" mounting hole (so can accommodate a lag screw if that is your preference) and costs less. If you need a heavier pommel (and you might not), the wide and deep mounting hole can also accommodate washers (or other weight-adding materials) without altering the appearance.

Both pommels are rust-proofed with plain black paint (it is humid here) which will easily come off if you prefer a shiny pommel.

Roundtop, the 8" premium straight crossguard at http://foxknife.com/store/index.php/har ... guard.html is a favorite of mine and I am a bit surprised it has not sold already.

I think Stephen has made an excellent array of wheel pommels. At 4.3 oz, the aluminum wheel pommels are pretty and have generated a lot of interest from those that prefer a more blade-heavy sword. The narrow hollow mild steel wheel pommels are between 6 and 6.6 oz. The large hollow wheel is 8 oz. And the solid steel wheel is 12.7 oz ... as I said, an excellent selection for any blade type.

I'd consider the solid steel wheel if it wasn't blackened. It doesn't really fit with the crossguard. (I like my sword to have the mid-weight point nearer the crossguard, for maneuverability. But I don't like the massive weight of a basket hilt) I supposed I could grind it to take off that finish, but I hate doing that to Stefhan's work.

RoundTop wrote:I'd consider the solid steel wheel if it wasn't blackened. It doesn't really fit with the crossguard. (I like my sword to have the mid-weight point nearer the crossguard, for maneuverability. But I don't like the massive weight of a basket hilt) I supposed I could grind it to take off that finish, but I hate doing that to Stefhan's work.

Stephen lives in Arizona where steel doesn't rust, so has no need to blacken his work. I live in an area so humid that herons nest in the tree in my front yard, so anything that sits on my shelves too long gets treated with a single layer of cheap black paint. It comes off easily.

Hey foxknife, do you have any idea how much shipping is for one of your five foot swords? Does completed vs unfinished make a difference? I'd been planning to make my own, but shaping rattan in an apartment is annoying.

What is that small crossguard on the bottom left of the group shot? - I don't see it on the website.

Winterborne wrote:What is that small crossguard on the bottom left of the group shot? - I don't see it on the website.

It is a Windrose Celtic "hilt" that I picked up used because I liked the pommel that came with it. http://www.windrosearmoury.com/zc/index ... cts_id=232

Make me an offer privately if you want it.

Caius705 wrote:Hey foxknife, do you have any idea how much shipping is for one of your five foot swords?

That will depend largely on where I am sending it to and how much space it takes up on the postal truck. The shipping on a sword with a flat guard is marginally less than one with a two-ring guard. The post office has a shipping calculator plugged into the website that does fairly well, but crashes often enough that I have a pay-a-flat-$20-and-I'll-refund-what-I-don't-spend option on the site also.

At longer than four feet length, shipping prices climb enough that most rattan sellers prefer to cut longer staves for you if you need shorter lengths. Excepting international orders, the most expensive sword I have ever shipped was this type 17 monster at a touch over $40.

Caius705 wrote:Does completed vs unfinished make a difference?

I get a greater sense of satisfaction sending finished pieces, which is why I charge so little to finish them even though carving the handle can sometimes be more work than shaping the blade.

Caius705 wrote:I'd been planning to make my own, but shaping rattan in an apartment is annoying.

I've got a picture around here somewhere of me carving a piece of rattan that is C-clamped to a door frame while a baby is strapped to my chest.

We all started somewhere.

Thomas MacFinn wrote:I've got a picture around here somewhere of me carving a piece of rattan that is C-clamped to a door frame while a baby is strapped to my chest.

We all started somewhere.

Found it.