Question: When you buy a sword..

David Stifle

David Stifle

Joined
Nov 20, 2008
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Hi Guys,

I'm finishing up a sword. My question is: when you buy a sword do you expect to get a sword and scabbord, or a sword, scabbord and strap on rigging? In other words, do you expect the belt, etc. in the price, or is that considered the buyers responsibility? The reason I ask is I don't think I usually see an entire, ready to wear sword, with all the rigging, for sale very often.
 
I would expect sword + scabbord, but if i could pay some extra for a "full rigging" i most likely would in most cases, tho i dont expect it (got 3 swords so far)
 
Thanks Guys, I'll probably do the full rig, but just wanted to know what the "basic" package is.
 
For a katana yes. However for european swords I don't expect one. Albion and Arms and Armour to name a couple of higher end producers do not offer them as standard and are available as extras. Also wood lined leather scabbards can be quite costly.
 
Some American makers of western style swords offer a basic scabbard with no implication of suspension and That is how I have approached buying in the past As soon as there is a more specific scabbard type that has web gear slots or rings or a more purposeful look for carrying/wearing then options might include suspension without necessarily being expected in a base price. In most cases, I (personally) would look at suspension and belts as add ons. It is often the ren faire crowd and backyard knights that appreciate some way to hang their dandy. Re-enactiors in general and opf many genre need/want authentic gear.

I get by with cardboard and duct tape on medieval types when I have not bought them with a scabbard. Laid out just like a leather scabbard with a seam on the back, they are easy to make and disposable.

Because a high class medieval type with suspension can easily cost as much as a sword, it is kind of a judgement call for makers to do an entire ensemble or have the customer send them ff for dressing. Certain types though will benefit price wise for custom work from the get go.

Cheers

GC
 
I appreciate your comments, guys. This sword needs to be carried with a strap that goes over your head to your right shoulder. It would be carried on the left side. I have the necessary tie on rings on the scabbord. The straps would attach to the sword, and with one easy motion you would sling the strap over your head to your shoulder and away you'd go. I may need to add a belt that would go around the waist (which would be attached to the cross strap). But I want to keep it as simple as possible. Not sure what this rig is called, or if it's common or not.

I thought about doing it as a backcarry rig. Maybe it's me, but every time I reached up over my shoulder to grab the hilt the motion of my body actually pulled the hilt away, making it hard to grab. I probably didn't have it anchored tightly enough, but it looks better in the movies than it is in person. I don't want to post pictures quite yet, as I still have to wrap the handle. I really do appreciate your comments, hope to have more.
 
None of my swords have had fastening options....

I'd have it as an extra as the majority of swords live on the wall..

A belt rig or over the back shoulder strap are the main rigs I'd think people would be after..

I also find back rigs and quivers don't work well in practice especially for resheathing....
 
A baldric (shoulder belt) with a frog or integral seems to be what you are looking for. Used for swords and bayonets from very olden days right up through several centuries.

2k3q5s.jpg


A New York militia sargeant off to DC (Photo from Time life books)

Cheers

GC
 
That's it, thanks! Although so far I've only envisioned a single strap going over the head to the shoulder. The Sarg has it, but it looks a little more complicated. More gear needs more support I guess. I'll keep the picture in my reference base for sure.
 
Here are some clear French examples of simple sword carry via a baldric

ilvwqr.jpg

fwfmx.jpg


Cheers

GC

(note that the trooper is also carrying a bayonet along with his 1831 glaive)
 
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Thanks, Horseclover, you've beeen a big help. The simple baldric rig the French trooper is wearing is what I'm going to do.
 
I do more modern designs, which mean that most of the people who actually carry it, will likely lash it to a pack. So I often prefer to set something up with a wide variety of carry options. For instance, I'll use a few D-rings on the sides of the sheath if it's leather. Non-traditional, but with a couple loops of leather, you can get a belt attachment and carry exactly at the angle that you want. A baldric would be cool too, but I also would offer it as an option, rather than as a fixture, so that people can pick how they want to carry it. I fully agree that back carry is incredibly difficult to do, and always makes me wonder how it's supposed to work. I think there must be something that we're missing, because it's so awkward (and impossible to resheathe), that it can't possibly be a viable way. I suspect they must have removed the baldric to resheathe or something.
 
Depending on the baldric and fixtures, it can be rotated back and up to put the sword behind a person while moving through brush, etc, Then dropped down to the side or flank. I cannot think of any historical use of back carry aside from transport, moving about and not meant for easy access. Out is easy enough by pushing the rig up in back by the off hand to rotate it over a shoulder.

Small of the back knives of even fairly large proportion, not a problem.

Cheers

GC
 
That makes me feel better. The only time I can remember seeing the resheathing over the shoulder actually happen was in the movie Hero, and I was very impressed when I saw it.
 
crimsonfalcon07 said:
I do more modern designs, which mean that most of the people who actually carry it, will likely lash it to a pack. So I often prefer to set something up with a wide variety of carry options. For instance, I'll use a few D-rings on the sides of the sheath if it's leather. Non-traditional, but with a couple loops of leather, you can get a belt attachment and carry exactly at the angle that you want. A baldric would be cool too, but I also would offer it as an option, rather than as a fixture, so that people can pick how they want to carry it. I fully agree that back carry is incredibly difficult to do, and always makes me wonder how it's supposed to work. I think there must be something that we're missing, because it's so awkward (and impossible to resheathe), that it can't possibly be a viable way. I suspect they must have removed the baldric to resheathe or something.
Click to expand...

Crimsonfalcon.

The opption to fasten a blade to a pack is great, I'm going to add attachment rings on the companion sword (15" blade, six inch handle), I think it's small enough to carry in different ways. Not so the larger blade. It's the baldric or stick it in your pants. (just joking here). I noticed Stormcrow has found a really talented guy who's doing his balric sheaths. Lots of tabs, rings, and so on . All very well done. I've worked so hard to improve my sheathmaking, but I haven't put nearly as much time into it as I have knifemaking. One only has so much time.
 
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