I found my Sword design, but I need some help!

[RobertHankins]

I am in the process of designing a short sword and have reached an impass. My renderings are not coming out on paper like the vision in my head.
I did find a design that is very close to what I have envisioned.
It is in the Daniel Henry book on Collin's Machete's and Bowies. 1995 Krause publications.
Page 223, Illustration #883.

What I need is a place to find a clearer image so I can get an initial drawing on paper. Image in the book is very small and unclear.

Maybe a website with pics or just something with a clear pic.
Thanks!

 

[horseclover]

Tell us more about your vision if you can. I'm not familiar with the book you mention but it almost seems like you're looking for a blade that's less than 20", single edged and with a swell to it towards the tip.

Do a quick search on Google for "Maringer Vorpal" or "Blackjack Vorpal" and see if that is close to your vision. There are still a few of these floating around.

You might also try posting over on the custom forum, folk there might be a bit more knowledgable about the publication you refer to.

Cheers, I'll work on some links

Here is the Vorpal (I Hope)
bjv001.jpg
http://www.omgknives.com/bjv001.jpg

Here is a military hanger from my favorite site (I hate to give this one away, it isn't going to last)

P1909 Argentine Hanger by WKC
http://www.antiqueswords.com/bq202.htm

 

[RobertHankins]

Horseclover,
Hey thanks that is getting closer.
Who made that blade by the way? Very nice!
My design idea has more a upsweept blade and is wider. I did find something a little closer also last night. The sword is a 13th century Falchion.
Italian I believe.

 

[horseclover]

The whole concept of the Vorpal line included quite a few knives as well the sword. The design was created by Tom Maringer. Tom has gotten out of the business but the designs survive. Blackjack Knives of Effingham, IL. was making Vorpal swords for a time and the picture in the previous post is one of theirs.

Falchions have been quite a timeless design that have survived many, many centuries and came in many shapes and sizes. The other site listed in the previous post has a nice Italian falchion in the European sword section. LionGate http://www.antiqueswords.com is a great place to visit just to study the diversity of edges from around the world.

If you do a search on this forum for falchion you should bring up a post from one of the regulars that has a great picture of the Del Tin falchion. There are some other good threads as well I'll look for it myself in a sec…
- Del Tin Falchion

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=179072&highlight=falchion