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- Oct 7, 2011
- Messages
- 68
Castle Keep : Isle of Skye Brazil Nut WarSword by Rob Miller
Marc Kaden Ridgeway
21 August 2012
Atlanta, GA
Many of you know William Swiger. That uber-collector, that SBG moderator, that multi-forum community member, that devourer of classifieds listings. Bill has become a familiar person in this community, and even a friend to many of us.
Many of you may also know that Bill recently became a benefactor of the community in a huge way with this thread http://forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11157&hilit=anticipation in which he gifted a sizable collection to less fortunate collectors.
As the crowning acheivement of this charitable act, Bill commisssioned a custom sword with Rob Miller of Castle Keep : Isle of Skye and had it shipped directly to me.
Words can not express how touched I am with this incredible , selfless display of generosity... Bill Swiger ... I salute you sir.
Following is my review of this most generous gift.
I would like to apologize for the review... I have been battling an illness for over a week, and was just unable to produce photos or a review that I felt did this sword justice.
Oh , and Bill... don't worry . The swords is on her way to you , well packed and insured, priority service
.
Historical Overview
I can't offer too much in terms of insight here, as the commissioning was between Rob and Bill, but I believe that Bill's intent was to have an example of a true early warsword, with a Type A , or Brazil-nut pommel. The following were historic inspiration.
To this end, I believe Bill and Rob's project to be a success.
Specifications
Blade : 37.75 in
Grip : 8 in
Width : 2 1/8 in at base
Weight : 3 lbs 9.2 ounces
COG : 6.5 in
COP : @ 22 in
Aesthetics : Fit & Finish
The heart of this sword is undoubtedly the blade. The hand-forged blade, almost 38 inches of steel , is crafted in the XIIa fashion . It is expertly shaped and impeccably polished. Starting at a width of 2 1/8 inches at the base, the blade tapers to a somewhat spatulate tip. A well executed fuller traverses 2/3 of the mirror polished steel.
The guard is a hand shaped , elliptical , style 1 , and the pommel is a well shaped Type A brazil nut variant. The assembly is compression-hilt , fastened with a hot - riveted peen.
The grip is hock-bottle shaped , and wrapped in lustrious leather in a chestnut brown finish. There is a central riser, as well as risers on both ends. The leather is supple , tactile , tight and well wrapped; the seam straight and even.
The scabbard is crafted from calf skin hand stitched over a ash wood core. There does not appear to be wool lining. The scabbard is tight and well fit , and the blade nestles perfectly in it. The two point suspension and belt are adorned with steel loops , buckles and strap ends. The scabbard itself is tipped with a steel chape , that is adorned with a round , fluted finial.
Overall, despite a few variances which emphasize its hand made nature, the fit and finish of this sword is tight , precise and well done. The only exception to this is that the guard has just the tiniest bit of play on both the x and y axis. Of course , I can only suppose , but my guess would be that variation in the humidity between Isle of Skye , Scotland and Atlanta , GA may be the culprit. With any luck it will self correct upon arrival in Germany with Bill.
Handling Characteristics
There's not much doubt about it... with an 8 inch grip , almost 38 inch blade , and weighing in a 3lbs 9 ounces, this is not a small sword. Throw in a not-so-neutral point of balance of 6.5 inches , and you get what we have here: a heavy hitting sword of war.
Although not exactly quick, neither is it the least bit floaty , and tracks well.
The handle provides a nice grip, and with plenty of room to grip with both hands, the pommel does not affect the grip or swing.
Personally, I enjoy the dynamic handling... hard hitting and cut dedicated.
Cutting
This being another man's brand new custom sword, I did not allow myself to cut with it... though I was sorely tempted. Hopefully , Bill will be able to update as it has the feel of a powerful cutter.
The Good , The Bad & The Ugly
The blade... in both its shaping and polish is beyond clean. Bright and precise are the adjectives that I find best describe Rob Miller's blades. The fittings are well done , showing just enough variance to underscore their hand crafted nature.
The leatherwork is luxurious , and the package as a whole has a nice flow.
Only two details fall a bit short on this warsword. I feel that the blade-slotting on the guard may be a little rough, and there is a slight bit of motion on the x and y axis of the guard.
Hopefully the latter with be easily resolved by Bill, or , will resolve itself.
Conclusion
This is the second of Rob's swords which I've held in my hand and both have impressed me mightily. The craftsmanship is first-rate , and the work has a precise and vibrant quality. The blades are hand forged and shaped as of old... as are the fittings .
Rob can make a sword in the pattern of his "stock" models, or in the case of this sword , make something completely custom. He does his own scabbard and suspension work as well, and quality work at that.
I highly reccomend Rob Miller's Castle Keep to anyone looking to own a sole-authorship custom sword from a highly skilled maker with a price as attractive as any "high end" production company.
I would like to thank Bill for the opportunity to handle and review this awesome sword , and to apologize for the quality of my photos and review. I have been quite ill for the last week.
Thanks for reading.
Marc Kaden Ridgeway
21 August 2012
Atlanta, GA
Many of you know William Swiger. That uber-collector, that SBG moderator, that multi-forum community member, that devourer of classifieds listings. Bill has become a familiar person in this community, and even a friend to many of us.
Many of you may also know that Bill recently became a benefactor of the community in a huge way with this thread http://forum.sword-buyers-guide.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11157&hilit=anticipation in which he gifted a sizable collection to less fortunate collectors.
As the crowning acheivement of this charitable act, Bill commisssioned a custom sword with Rob Miller of Castle Keep : Isle of Skye and had it shipped directly to me.
Words can not express how touched I am with this incredible , selfless display of generosity... Bill Swiger ... I salute you sir.
Following is my review of this most generous gift.
I would like to apologize for the review... I have been battling an illness for over a week, and was just unable to produce photos or a review that I felt did this sword justice.
Oh , and Bill... don't worry . The swords is on her way to you , well packed and insured, priority service
.
Historical Overview
I can't offer too much in terms of insight here, as the commissioning was between Rob and Bill, but I believe that Bill's intent was to have an example of a true early warsword, with a Type A , or Brazil-nut pommel. The following were historic inspiration.
To this end, I believe Bill and Rob's project to be a success.
Specifications
Blade : 37.75 in
Grip : 8 in
Width : 2 1/8 in at base
Weight : 3 lbs 9.2 ounces
COG : 6.5 in
COP : @ 22 in
Aesthetics : Fit & Finish
The heart of this sword is undoubtedly the blade. The hand-forged blade, almost 38 inches of steel , is crafted in the XIIa fashion . It is expertly shaped and impeccably polished. Starting at a width of 2 1/8 inches at the base, the blade tapers to a somewhat spatulate tip. A well executed fuller traverses 2/3 of the mirror polished steel.
The guard is a hand shaped , elliptical , style 1 , and the pommel is a well shaped Type A brazil nut variant. The assembly is compression-hilt , fastened with a hot - riveted peen.
The grip is hock-bottle shaped , and wrapped in lustrious leather in a chestnut brown finish. There is a central riser, as well as risers on both ends. The leather is supple , tactile , tight and well wrapped; the seam straight and even.
The scabbard is crafted from calf skin hand stitched over a ash wood core. There does not appear to be wool lining. The scabbard is tight and well fit , and the blade nestles perfectly in it. The two point suspension and belt are adorned with steel loops , buckles and strap ends. The scabbard itself is tipped with a steel chape , that is adorned with a round , fluted finial.
Overall, despite a few variances which emphasize its hand made nature, the fit and finish of this sword is tight , precise and well done. The only exception to this is that the guard has just the tiniest bit of play on both the x and y axis. Of course , I can only suppose , but my guess would be that variation in the humidity between Isle of Skye , Scotland and Atlanta , GA may be the culprit. With any luck it will self correct upon arrival in Germany with Bill.
Handling Characteristics
There's not much doubt about it... with an 8 inch grip , almost 38 inch blade , and weighing in a 3lbs 9 ounces, this is not a small sword. Throw in a not-so-neutral point of balance of 6.5 inches , and you get what we have here: a heavy hitting sword of war.
Although not exactly quick, neither is it the least bit floaty , and tracks well.
The handle provides a nice grip, and with plenty of room to grip with both hands, the pommel does not affect the grip or swing.
Personally, I enjoy the dynamic handling... hard hitting and cut dedicated.
Cutting
This being another man's brand new custom sword, I did not allow myself to cut with it... though I was sorely tempted. Hopefully , Bill will be able to update as it has the feel of a powerful cutter.
The Good , The Bad & The Ugly
The blade... in both its shaping and polish is beyond clean. Bright and precise are the adjectives that I find best describe Rob Miller's blades. The fittings are well done , showing just enough variance to underscore their hand crafted nature.
The leatherwork is luxurious , and the package as a whole has a nice flow.
Only two details fall a bit short on this warsword. I feel that the blade-slotting on the guard may be a little rough, and there is a slight bit of motion on the x and y axis of the guard.
Hopefully the latter with be easily resolved by Bill, or , will resolve itself.
Conclusion
This is the second of Rob's swords which I've held in my hand and both have impressed me mightily. The craftsmanship is first-rate , and the work has a precise and vibrant quality. The blades are hand forged and shaped as of old... as are the fittings .
Rob can make a sword in the pattern of his "stock" models, or in the case of this sword , make something completely custom. He does his own scabbard and suspension work as well, and quality work at that.
I highly reccomend Rob Miller's Castle Keep to anyone looking to own a sole-authorship custom sword from a highly skilled maker with a price as attractive as any "high end" production company.
I would like to thank Bill for the opportunity to handle and review this awesome sword , and to apologize for the quality of my photos and review. I have been quite ill for the last week.
Thanks for reading.
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