Tiodhlac (Sword DONE, Poem NOT)

I'm not usually a big fan of Damascus, but that pattern and the overall package is freakin' mythical. Eagerly anticipating the final pics. :)
 
Thanks guys... I'm pretty happy with that aspect. But the thing that really fires me up about this blade is how light and lively it is. I have a very tight fitting oak grip right now that can be taken on an off.. and when I had it on today.. I felt the power of the weapon. I love, love, love picking up what could potentially be a bulky and clumsy thing.... but then have it positively vibrate in your hand as if it's alive. Light and fast and a true tool.. not just an unwieldy club. This is the thing that most people miss out on when they pick up a lot of the crap cheap swords that the production market sells.

Anyway... I'm now going with old growth black oak for the grip. The black oak was salvaged from the bottom of Lake Superior and is mineralized in a way that is very similar to bog oak. There will be pure nickel and birch bark spacers as pictured (a rough assembly). The area transitioning to the pommel is still being designed in me noggin.. as well as the pommel. The pommel will be tricky as I'm already getting close to my target point of balance. I may have to make a hollow pommel so as to avoid a handle-heavy sword.

Like I said..this is just the first draft of the assembly.. still lots of shaping. And the copper leaf guard is still being experimented with in terms of patina. Still shooting for mostly green. I'm starting to get a little....

735069_479709478737145_1174390392_n.jpg
 
The sword is coming together very nicely.
Can't wait to see what happens next.
Thank You for posting all the great photos Scott.
 
Sword is coming along beautifuly. In hollow pommel, is that as in Irish ring sword like this.

post-23694-12882958714.jpg
 
Thanks folks..

No.. but that is an option too. And that is what I'm working on at just this moment. By hollow I meant using something like pipe and flaring it out, etc and then capping it off. But I'm not going in that direction. Maybe a ring type pommel or a fishtail type with heavy sculpting.
 
No Little Rock for me this year. I have to keep shows to a minimum and it just makes the most sense for me to attend Blade... I will regret it a bit because it was so much fun...

Working on pommel today. Pictures later...
 
A few more pictures of some of the hilt elements. The pictures show the making of a small copper leaf fitting that will go between the grip and pommel and the development of the pommel itself....

318085_481228995251860_1289360532_n.jpg


543131_481229011918525_1233548123_n.jpg


320933_481229015251858_1611269669_n.jpg
 
Scott,
This is looking amazing! I really like the look of the patina you have on the leaf so far. Can't wait to see how this will turn out in the end!
 
Well this is drawing to a close. Recall that with this sword goes a poem and the poem drives many of the elements seen in the sword.. brown woody guard, wood grain in the pattern weld, nickel representing a meteor, birch leaf shaped elements, green patinas. Stuff like that. Of all the difficult things I find myself getting into.. the poem is on top. :-) But it's been fun and my four year old son... to whom I will dedicate this sword... loves it. After all... it's the child in us who really wants a sword.

Stats:

Weight... 1 lb 14 oz.
Total length... 37"
Blade length... 29"
Point of balance... 3.75"
Point of impact... 17" from guard
Blade composition... wrought iron sourced from 19th century wagon and Lake Superior ship wreck (steam boat), pure nickel, 1095
Cross guard from ship wreck wrought iron. Leaf chape from copper. Birch bark spacers. Grip is from 'black oak'..old growth stuff harvested from Lake Superior by divers. Pommel is wrought iron sourced from a Wisconsin grain elevator.

SAR0030.jpg


SAR0022.jpg


SAR0023.jpg


SAR0021.jpg


SAR0035.jpg


IMG_1172.jpg


IMG_1170.jpg


IMG_1167.jpg


So.. other than peening the pommel home.. the only thing not complete is the poem.. and then transcribing it onto parchment. But... we will end this thread with what I have so far. If you want to hear the end of it... shoot me an email sometime! (or check my blog)

The Gift of the Ghillie Dhu

Wrought from star-dolven iron,
Quenched in sap of the Beithe,
Was Tiodhlac: Gift of the Ghillie Dhu

Young Duncan took care of the old birch wood,
Kept poachers and axmen at bay,
Gaining the love of the beithe-bound Ghillie Dhu.

When Young Duncan, his love-sworn abducted,
For the jealousy of wicked Black Donald,
Sorrow and pity was the old Ghillie Dhu.

For Poor Young Duncan, No sword to his name
And the might of Black Donald, No earthly man dare
Had need of the dwimmer-crafty, the clever Ghillie Dhu.

Ancient Hammer blows thundering in the hoar
Echoing in leafy halls,
Came forth the fae-deadly blade of the Ghillie Dhu

Cold black iron, Heaven-born
Shimmering veins star-silver bright,
Bold was the hilt,
Tiodhlac: Gift of the Ghillie Dhu

19%20ghillie%20dhu+.JPG
 
Scott - I do believe the force is with you!
This is one of my favorite pieces you have made. Someone above mentioned "mythical", and that's exactly what I get.

Very special work there.

-Peter
 
I love everything about this project! You've kept the fantasy/myth right were it should be... in the story, art and inspiration. Everything else is pure, real, talent and craftsmanship.... bravo!
 
I love all your swords, and this is maybe the finest. Crazy use of color and texture. I especially like that damascus.:thumbup:
Darcy
 
Thanks a ton for all the comments.

I forgot to mention the scabbard. I will show that when it's done.. it will be Lake Superior salvaged flame birch. Just a simple wooden scabbard with copper and leather retainer...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top