one of a kind, functional fantasy sword maker?

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Nic36

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Nov 14, 2009
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Newb question: my significant other spends a lot of cash on functional, "battle-ready" fantasy blades, but I'm extremely suspicious of his favorite sword maker (the dude and his advertising just rubbed me the wrong way, and research confirms that I'm not crazy). I'd like to dissuade him from giving this particular man any more money without looking like I'm against the whole sword thing and could use some suggestions.

I'd like to find a sword maker to discover and get psyched about with him - someone who makes one of a kind swords with superior technique (has to be functional and forged well), a web presence that doesn't suck (a decent gallery, perhaps an online store, or with pieces readily available for purchase online), and who has stuff available on the regular. Ideally, with some pieces not too much above the $5k range. He's particularly into fantasy swords and not at all into Japanese swords.
 
Try John Lundemo, he is one of the best out there for Fantasy, His web site is pretty uninspiring but if you do a google you should see some of his recent and excellent work. Odin blades http://www.odinblades.com/

Another choice for the high end would be Peter Lyon he did the Lord of the Rings and Narnia swords.
 
I love Tinker but his line are far more classic and functional versus fantasy. John has made some outstanding fantasy pieces.
 
Both John and Tinker do some incredible stuff. Tinker did a falchion that is an absolute work of art and 100% functional. Angus Trim and Jim Hrisoulas also make nice blades and I'd rely one one of them without hesitation. Once again, more historical than fantasy, but Angus and Christian Fletcher do some fantasy collaborations that are really nice. Since you're talking about high-priced stuff, Rick Barrett's contemporary stuff is incredible stuff too! Jody Samson did some nice stuff, but he's passed on and his stuff is hard to find.

I've gotten some good blades from Angel Sword, but they are pricey. I find a lot of his stuff to be hit or miss for me. The steel quality is there, but some designs feel good in my hand and some don't. The toughest blade I have is a little Roman-style shortsword from him. People laughed when I set aside my katana while cutting one time and pulled out my little gladius, but they stopped when it started breezing through mats with hardly any effort. Like I said, his stuff is pricey, but when you find one that fits you get a smile on your face. If I had $5K to spend I'd do a lot of looking first. That's half the fun!
 
I'd check out Rick Barrett, one of the best out there for this sort of thing in my opinion...

http://www.barrettcustomknives.com/

longclaw1a.jpg
 
John Lundemo Gets a big thumbs up from me...

As does Rick Barrett and Tinker.

I'll also add...

Raven Armoury
Jake Powning
Ollin Sword Design
Kevin Cashen (if you can get him to take your commission and don't mind a several year wait) to the list .
 
JRB said:
John Lundemo Gets a big thumbs up from me...

As does Rick Barrett and Tinker.

I'll also add...

Raven Armoury
Jake Powning
Ollin Sword Design
Kevin Cashen (if you can get him to take your commission and don't mind a several year wait) to the list .
Click to expand...

Some good thoughts there, it is my understanding that Mr. Powning no longer takes custom commissions however. He has reached that enviable place of being able to make what he wants and it sells.
 
Triton said:
Some good thoughts there, it is my understanding that Mr. Powning no longer takes custom commissions however. He has reached that enviable place of being able to make what he wants and it sells.
Click to expand...

Yeah, as far as I know Jake isn't really taking orders. I'd be willing to bet any smith would take an order on something that intrigued him, however. I convinced Kevin Cashen to make a sword for me even though he had stopped taking commissions because he really was interested in making what I asked for. One thing about Jake Powning is that his work commands mucho dinero! It's not unusual to see a price tag of $8,000 on one of his swords.
 
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