Samson Seaward

M

Merek

Joined
Sep 24, 2004
Messages
738
Whoo-Hoo!
Nearly 2 years back I saw, and had instant blade lust, for a sword I saw on Jody Samson's site. The Seaward. Overall a well executed shallow 'S' flow. Gracefully curved hollow-ground blade, very different guard, wrapped leather grips with a 'bear skull' pommel. Not really into the skull thing but this just worked for me. At the time it was a one-of-a-kind and was displayed in the gallery of past works in the hands of its owner....:(
Because I liked the look of Jody's work overall I returned periodically (about twice a week) to drool over 'my' sword and others. Then about a year and a half ago it was announced that the Seaward was being offered in 2 versions, a custom hand ground by Jody, and a production version. I immediately made my down payment on a production version and settled (impatiently) down for the wait.:D
I have never waited so long for anything it seems.....
Through emails with Mike Sigman of Albion Swords (a very patient guy!) I learned that my sword was nearing completion this last month. Suddenly, the balance paid off through my card and I knew it had shipped! On Tuesday, when I got home there was a long box waiting at my gate (stupid delivery driver)!
This sword is freaking awesome! I have handled a lot of blades and know the difference between the:
0) true junk,
1) wall-hangers,
2) good-enough-to-use,
3) made-to-somewhat-use,
4) combat-ready and
5) true martial-issue-life-depends-on-it swords.
Though some might disagree, I place this blade in the 3 to 4 range though it will serve me well as a #1 costume accessory.
The sword arrived sharp in flawless condition. Fit and finish is great. At 3.5 pounds, I find it a little on the heavy side. A pleasant surprise to find such a robust, yet well balanced sword so I am not disappointed at all. The blade is hardened 1075 steel, a wicked 30 inches with an overall length of just under 41 inches giving the sword an easy 2 hand option.... not that I have been swinging it at all :rolleyes: The pommel and guard are bronze 'lost wax' castings.
I will have to get a proper sheath made but for now I constructed a passable blade cover of fine shipping-box cardboard and duct-tape painted flat black. The final effect is much better than might be imagined.;)
The picture (1!!!) on the Jody Samson website does not do it justice at all. I will get some in the next couple of days and post to my PhotoBucket.
http://jodysamson.com/limited-edition-swords.htm
 
congrats. The Seaward is one of my top JS blades. I'd love to have one of those. He is truly an artist.
 
I've done work on several of Mr. Samson's pieces now and although not what I would typically consider to my taste I have to admit that there is something very impressive about them. Mr. Samson is a true craftsman and does some absolutely amazing work.
 
Man There are a few on that site i would die for, great stuff. Your sword is sweet. :eek:
 
I was lucky enough to be able to spend lunch with Jody and his lady Shan-Ann at the Steel Classic in Las Vegas about 2 weeks ago.......he said he's making about 100 swords a year these days.

His work is awesome and I must have one of his long knives...... :cool:

Hangin' out in Vegas......
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I'm glad to hear such rave reviews for the Seaward--I was considering buying a Seaward Katana, but wanted to hear from an owner first.
 
Triton and I finally agree on something! "Oh frabjous day, callou, callay!"* It is not my style, but it is quyite handsome for what it is and Samson has a formidable reputation for the quality of his work.

Very nice piece, there.

* Can anyone guess from where that quote came?
 
FullerH said:
Triton and I finally agree on something! "Oh frabjous day, callou, callay!"* It is not my style, but it is quyite handsome for what it is and Samson has a formidable reputation for the quality of his work.

Very nice piece, there.

* Can anyone guess from where that quote came?
Click to expand...

It's from the Jabberwocky of course... and snicker snak and through and through...

Actually I thing we generally agree on most things blade related don't we Hugh?
 
Actually, I remember it as being from Rudyard Kipling's Stalky and Company.

Yes, we generally do agree on bladed things, but we disagree so often on religion and politics that it seems that we so rarely agree on anything.
 
FullerH said:
Actually, I remember it as being from Rudyard Kipling's Stalky and Company.

Yes, we generally do agree on bladed things, but we disagree so often on religion and politics that it seems that we so rarely agree on anything.
Click to expand...


Interesting what was the date on that piece? Carroll's Jabberwocky was written in 1872, he may have lifted it from Kipling... Since you posted it in a sword context I was sure it was Carroll you were referring to what with his "vorpal sword" and all... :)

Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.

"Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!"

He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought --
So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood awhile in thought.


And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!


One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.


"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy.

`Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
 
Late to chime in on this....but, YES! to 'Jabberwocky'. Did not realize Kipling did a similar vein..........

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy......sounds like me. Didn't slay any jabberwocks but I did barrel a rattler. He is a little pissed off. Beats being dead. He is on his way from my backyard to a more snake friendly and far less populated region.:eek:

Triton, I believe you were my eventual choice for scabbording the Great Sharp and Pointy Beast. Prolly springtime or so.
 
Stalky and Company has long been one of my favorite of Kipling's works. It is a series of stories set in a British pulic boarding(prep) school for boys in the late 19th Century. The boys use the expression frequently, so my guess is that he has them are quoting from Carroll.

I have always sort of identified with the stories as I went to a very Anglophilic Anglican Episcopalian prep school.
 
Merek said:
Late to chime in on this....but, YES! to 'Jabberwocky'. Did not realize Kipling did a similar vein..........

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy......sounds like me. Didn't slay any jabberwocks but I did barrel a rattler. He is a little pissed off. Beats being dead. He is on his way from my backyard to a more snake friendly and far less populated region.:eek:

Triton, I believe you were my eventual choice for scabbording the Great Sharp and Pointy Beast. Prolly springtime or so.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the vote of confidence sir! :) You might want to send me an email about that, my waiting list is if not lengthy at least sizeable. Getting on early is the key... (my apologies to the mods or this slight excursion into commercialism)
 
Well, I've been getting used to my new toy over the last month. Have not cut anything yet, but I keep eyeing a pumpkin we have left over from Hallowe'en. Likely this weekend it will go down....:)
The sword has been dubbed 'Arkturos', a derivative of 'Arcturus', Greek for 'bear guardian', in light of the pommel being styled on a bear skull.
The sword handles and styles more like a katana or a heavy sabre than anything else. As my wrists are gaining strength. two handed moves are becoming easy and natural and keeping an ever shifting ring of steel sweeping about still gives me quite a workout.
It also makes a very satisfying 'swash'... music to dance to:D
 
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