1stMate Matt

Somehow I knew Nell was one that got one. <3 No need to be jealous M'lady. You can have one too.

I would have a big update but I am using a new camera and I dont have the right cable to upload... I will soon.

I could only make it out on Sunday, but I had a blast. I got to show off my new green coat. That was fun. The main purpose of making the treck to Hampton was to deliver Capt Sterlings new cutlass which I think was well liked. I have pictures of making the sword and I will post that shortly. It was great seeing the crew of the Archangel. Got to share a few drinks with my favorite crew from the Keys and got to see Spike get shot in the back(always a favortie of mine). We have loads of pictures that I will try and get up soon.

No it will be done before NorCal. Should have it in his hands by friday.

See you all about mid day. I have something for your Capt.

Beats me...However, if I find out....heads will roll.

While out in LA I got to meet the guy who did all of the pirate weapons demos for the show. I also got to play with most of the weapons that have been used in this season of shows. It was fun to see all of those weapons up close. I dont know if you saw that gladiator episode but I got to play with the bladed gauntlet that Chuck Lidell punched the cow with. That was evil. I will get some pictures uploaded in the next day or so.

Im so sorry about this fellas. I am working on it as fast as I can. It is embeded somewhere deep in the code and I am having all sorts of issues getting rid of it all. So yes it has been hacked. If I cant fix it by this weekend I will take down teh whole site to aviod anyone else from getting infected.

Looks like I will have to spend most of the weekend moving into my new house. I am going to try and make it out for Sunday at least. Hope it doesnt get rained out...I want to deliver Sterlings new sword

Yea I am working on our site. We got hacked.

Many period weapons have puny little tangs (lol). I am amazed that they have held up in battle at all. The Japanese had the right idea. One of these days I am going to attach a late 17th century English basket hilt to a slightly shortened katana blade so that I don't have to worry about such things. I have a friend that mounts katana blades in basket hilts. They rock! Either way I would fight on stage with a crowd with a rat tail tang... Not a good idea.

I should be done shortly my friend. I was in LA for the last 5 days. I am working on it now and will have an update shortly.

That sword looks good but its not for any kind of use. The tang is a tiny little rod that wouldnt hold up at all. So if what you want is a costume piece then this is a great deal but for any use I would try to find something with a full tang.

Ha...I will make you another anytime my friend. You should take some good pictures of your sword and post it here. I dont think I have got any good pics of it.

Well I could go crazy with the handle if I wanted. This was in trade for a few used waistcoats so I was trying to keep it simple. However, I usually fail at keeping things simple. The aim was for this to be a simple yet nice D-ring bowie. I planned on doing a guard with a small side ring and my standard stage combat leather wrapped handle. I can be talked into more though...

Here she is after HT. All scaled up and ready for polish.

Here is a short video of the heat treat.

Here is the knife after the rough edge has been ground. I use a 14" wheel on a big belt sander to do most of my grinding and polishing. For the rough edge I prefer a 36 grit belt. Here are a few shots of the blade with it's back edge. I was trying to decide if I wanted to do the filework on the spine before or after heat treat. If you do it before then the filemarks come out nice and black due to the scale. If you do it after then they are polished. I think I will go with the polished look on this piece. After a 80 grit sand over the whole blade it is now ready for heat treat. To the forge!

Updates coming today...

Aye Matt now that's the type sword I'd like to see you make!!! Traditional blade style with unique hilts Wait till you see my new stuff in Hampton. Been doing a lot more PC cutlasses and sabers.

Nice leatherwork for sure.

Beautiful dog! I have a white sheppard myself.

You are one lucky man. Lovely piece. Shoulda posted it in the armoury.

I will be down that way for a photoshoot at Bill and Virginia's house.

Im thinking about deleting this thread...