The Armour Archive

I am looking for some one to make an SCA fighting sword in the fashion of a Gladius and Spatha...specifically the Crossguard/Grip/Pommel. I would like the blade shaved to specifications of SCA AnTir kingdom standards. I was thinking the rattan could be shaved in the grip pattern of the "Pompei" style gladius while the crossguard could be stacked leather and the pommel weighted. I don't even know if some one can do this but I have neither the time or the inclination to attempt this on my own. Here is the style I am wanting......any takers?

Squire Scorpus wrote:I am looking for some one to make an SCA fighting sword in the fashion of a Gladius and Spatha...specifically the Crossguard/Grip/Pommel. I would like the blade shaved to specifications of SCA AnTir kingdom standards. I was thinking the rattan could be shaved in the grip pattern of the "Pompei" style gladius while the crossguard could be stacked leather and the pommel weighted. I don't even know if some one can do this but I have neither the time or the inclination to attempt this on my own. Here is the style I am wanting......any takers?

For the record, I would buy one. Don't have the inclination to try it right now, however.

Give me about a month as I am working on getting suppliers for the hard woods to do one myself. I plan to do a spatha and will let you know when it is done by posting on the archive. If you like what you see I will give you a price.

Daithi'

Squire Scorpus wrote:I am looking for some one to make an SCA fighting sword in the fashion of a Gladius and Spatha...specifically the Crossguard/Grip/Pommel. I would like the blade shaved to specifications of SCA AnTir kingdom standards. I was thinking the rattan could be shaved in the grip pattern of the "Pompei" style gladius while the crossguard could be stacked leather and the pommel weighted. I don't even know if some one can do this but I have neither the time or the inclination to attempt this on my own. Here is the style I am wanting......any takers?

What overall dimensions are you looking for ? Blade length, hilt length, weight ? where would you want it to balance ?

My day-to-day length for a Spatha would be about 32" and I would ad a thrusting tip to it. The width would be 1 3/8" with shaved sides. The blade weighs 3lbs completely ready to fight (Tip, tape and etc.) with the balance point 10" up from the pommel point and my hand grip is at the 6" mark up from the pommel point. As for the Gladius...standard 2" with 1.5" width shaved sides. Balance points and weight I could work out with the individual crafter. The main thing is the shaping of the blade, and grip. I just don't have the time or tools to do it and I want a much more period looking stick to swing. I want 2 Spatha length and 1 Gladius length for now. You interested?

I would wnat one as well when my finances get back in order.

Squire Scorpus wrote:My day-to-day length for a Spatha would be about 32" and I would ad a thrusting tip to it. The width would be 1 3/8" with shaved sides. The blade weighs 3lbs completely ready to fight (Tip, tape and etc.) with the balance point 10" up from the pommel point and my hand grip is at the 6" mark up from the pommel point. As for the Gladius...standard 2" with 1.5" width shaved sides. Balance points and weight I could work out with the individual crafter. The main thing is the shaping of the blade, and grip. I just don't have the time or tools to do it and I want a much more period looking stick to swing. I want 2 Spatha length and 1 Gladius length for now. You interested?

It's certainly something I can do, and the gods know I've got enough leather sitting around I could turn out laminated leather guards and pommels with.

it funny, because AEric Orvender and I were discussing just this idea several weeks ago when he completed his SCA Kirkburn Sword.

http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... sc&start=0

A warning. be very careful of how small you carve the handle. The snap under pressure.

I theorized using a wooden ball from the craft store on the pommel of the gladius.

Tagging this thread, add me to the interested list

I'm tagging it too, out of professional interest. I like playing with making stuff like this...

Kilkenny wrote:

Squire Scorpus wrote:My day-to-day length for a Spatha would be about 32" and I would ad a thrusting tip to it. The width would be 1 3/8" with shaved sides. The blade weighs 3lbs completely ready to fight (Tip, tape and etc.) with the balance point 10" up from the pommel point and my hand grip is at the 6" mark up from the pommel point. As for the Gladius...standard 2" with 1.5" width shaved sides. Balance points and weight I could work out with the individual crafter. The main thing is the shaping of the blade, and grip. I just don't have the time or tools to do it and I want a much more period looking stick to swing. I want 2 Spatha length and 1 Gladius length for now. You interested?

It's certainly something I can do, and the gods know I've got enough leather sitting around I could turn out laminated leather guards and pommels with.

Price...availability....ideas???...

My knight Sir Gaston has a wood lathe that I think it would work in making the bits for the sword and making a bronze or brass plate for the top part. I am just wondering what would be the best type of wood that would be able to stand up to combat and also look good?

Squire Aedinius

Let me get back to y'all in a week or so. I've got a gladius suitable chunk of rattan sitting around. I'll run up a prototype and see what it takes for me to do it and let you see what you think of the results.

I'm thinking I may wrap the handle, and have some thoughts on pommel attachment I want to test out.

Kilkenny wrote:Let me get back to y'all in a week or so. I've got a gladius suitable chunk of rattan sitting around. I'll run up a prototype and see what it takes for me to do it and let you see what you think of the results.

I'm thinking I may wrap the handle, and have some thoughts on pommel attachment I want to test out.

Sounds good, I am getting a Spatha done by Torvaldr, but I still need a Gladius and I may want a Spatha from you also...so we'll see what you come up with, ok? Thank you.

I am definitely interested in a Gladius.