new tactical gladius design - ongoing WIP

While i love the concept, I would say that it's best to respect Jerry's wishes. He's a very respected person around these parts, and the last thing you want to do is step on the toes of an established maker and alienate the Hogs...

I think your design is a winner even without the added accents, and i think that you'll sell plenty of them... you will probably sell me one as soon as they go to full production ;)
 
Absolutely. I do plan on avoiding stepping on people's toes, and I have to say, I intended my design as more of an homage to Jerry than anything. So it would be rather counterproductive to make a nuisance of myself. Even if I disagree with the argument his lawyer has come up with.

I will likely never go "full production." I'm happy to make one as a custom order for anyone that wants an affordable gladius, but as a hobbyist, I'm not likely to make a ton of these unless they're already spoken for.

Okay, off to do some sanding and get the blades polished. Then I'll work on getting the handles attached. Thanks for the good words, everyone.
 
Okay, my back is killing me for some reason. All that sanding hurts. I got the flats polished enough to put on the scales, and then had all kinds of issues. So I got epoxy everywhere, and was stupid and didn't have the blade taped to prevent the epoxy from making a mess. Yikes! Anyways, I've got it roughly shaped and polished, and just need to do more hand sanding and repolish the blade. This one's gonna have a mirror finish. I ended up using the oregon maple burl on this, because it matches the california redwood burl I bought for the dagger, while the california redwood burl in the appropriate length that I bought doesn't match the other calfornia redwood burl either. Also doesn't really look like what I thought I was getting. Oh well, I'm not complaining, this wood is SEXY.

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Remember, it's still very rough, so any flaws you see will mostly be polished out. But you can get the idea of what the finished product will look like. I don't know about you guys, but man, I love burl. Thanks for the interest also. I hope to get more of these completed and out to those of you who contacted me (sans guard holes, of course) as soon as possible. Expect WIP pics from me in your email as I get going on them.

What do you all think so far? I'm thinking smooth handles, although I might do wide scallops, because they're a bit more grippy, but not uncomfortable.
 
Did a bit more polishing today. Brought the blade closer to a mirror finish, and the handle has now been sanded to 2500 grit, and a couple coats of danish oil applied. Next I need to do the paste wax and buff that, but it's already looking pretty good, if I do say so myself. Put an edge on, and will have to check on the chopping power at some point here. Then sheath making.

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The Oregon Maple burl was actually really easy to work; far more so than the woods I usually use. That was a pleasant surprise. Looks pretty, too.

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I really like the perspective with the blade towards the camera, so I took a couple shots that way:

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Here's a shot of the blade in hand. There's enough space to get a little of your other hand on the handle if you need to, but this is definitely a one-hand weapon. Final POB ended up being 2.5" up from the top of the scales. Point of percussion I think is about 6 inches down from the tip. It's also very powerful on the thrust. You can see that the tip has now been returned to sharp, since I lost a bit when I was finishing it.

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Next step, sheath making... I'm trying to decide whether leather would be better, or kydex. I probably will go kydex just for the practice.
 
Lookin' good Nick. That burl is vey nice. Personally, I would make the sheath out of leather. Leather will not be as likely to scratch the polished blade and just looks better with nice wood IMO.
 
I really like it. You have moved a long way in a very short time sir.

as to a sheath, i think i'd put together a baldric for it to be carried under arm or on your back.

Leather is definitely the way to go IMHO
 
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I need to see that Waki Crim ..lol
I have been wanting a kind of Bush Waki for a while.
I was blown aways by Bruce Culbersons BBQ Challenge sword but hes swamped with work with a long waitlist.
 
Yep, I've got it partially polished, but haven't gotten around to putting the handle on. I'm gonna be smart this time and tape the blade up so I don't have to clean epoxy off of it like I did with the gladius. That was a pain... Also have several more gladii to make.
 
BePrepared said:
I really like it. You have moved a long way in a very short time sir.

as to a sheath, i think i'd put together a baldric for it to be carried under arm or on your back.

Leather is definitely the way to go IMHO
Click to expand...

Friends don't let friends carry single-handed swords on their back. :D
 
What's wrong with carrying single-handed swords on the back? Where are you going to put the third one after you have one strapped on each hip?
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
What's wrong with carrying single-handed swords on the back? Where are you going to put the third one after you have one strapped on each hip?
Click to expand...

:D

[video=youtube;1X2TGiNShBQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X2TGiNShBQ&feature=player_embedded[/video]
 
Okay, so that answers why not to wear one on your back and draw edge in like that. Not that I really see how that would be terribly physically possible with the harness drawn the way it was...
 
I have a waki that i wear on my back for lulz. I can draw it very quickly, and have never even come CLOSE to cutting myself.

I'd call that natural selection at work
 
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