I’ve recently become fascinated by the somewhat mystical and alchemical nature of the varnishes that were being made and used by the old master violin makers.  The varnishes had lots of mystery involved including secret ingredients, the use of blood, magical substances.   So I’ve started experimenting with making my own using jack pine sap collected from the trees on my land.  I’m trying a variety of different methods to see what I can produce. So far I’m very excited by the natural tints on the jack pine resin.

Here is a two-hander I’m making for the upcoming Atlanta Blade show.  The blade is 35″ and forged from 200 layers of random/wood grain damascus. 15n20/1095. Fittings will be wenge and wrought iron.  The sword will be a two-handed longsword based on Danish and Irish swords.   It should be considered a contemporary art sword.. although fully functional. See video…

This will be on display at Blade Show and available for purchase there for $2750

This one is forged from a single bar of 5160 tool steel using the punched and drifted eye method.  The haft is oak and 28″ long.  5″ cutting edge and 6.5″ from edge to poll.  Light and fast!

Here are the first images of my next commissioned sword.  A multi-bar composite Viking blade with type H hilt (bronze caste).   The blade will have a 3 bar core.. two bars with 14 layers of 15n20/1084 and a center core with 20 layers of 1095/1045.  The center core will have a serpentine pattern which will give the ancient ‘serpent in the sword’ effect.   The edge bars have not yet been made and at this point I’m planning to carburize antique wrought iron in ‘shear steel’.. an ancient process of ‘steeling’ iron.

This blade started out as a dirk I was making for a friend who then decided to go a different route.  I wasn’t sure what to do with it until I saw an Arms and Armor skeane (based on a specimen from the Irish National Museum).. or Irish fighting knife.  This blade is a little short for those.. but the shape is right. I recently decided to finish this when I gave up on a bog oak grip that I was making for a Viking sword.  The size and shape ended up being perfect for use on this skeane so I went with it.  The shape is a little more typical for Scottish dirks and sgian dubhs… so I now might consider this knife to be a Scottish dirk/Skeane hybrid.  It is 17″ over all in length and the spine is 5/16″ thick. This is a strong blade.  It is of laminated steel construction with 19th century wrought iron, pure nickel and W2.  The sheath is traditional for skeanes.

Here is a Japanese style carpenter’s scribe made from a steel that I make by melting down antique wrought iron nails in a carburizing fire. This steel was combined with modern 1095 and given a gentle twist.  This technique is an ancient one and goes back to both Scandinavia and Japan. In Japan it is called orishi-gane.   I’m selling for $215 shipped.

scribe

Here is the beginning of a Scottish basket hilt project in which I’m using 3D design and printing to aid in the construction of the hilt.  Basket hilts are complex in their structure and it helps to have some sort of bench model to work off of.  I recently discovered ’3D printing’ technology and I immediately recognized it’s potential use for making these models..as well as actual structures since the ‘printing’ process also includes the use of steel.  But for this first project I’m simply using the plastic product to aid in construction of an iron version. And the model itself, along with a tigerwood blade will work as a stand-alone piece of artwork.   I collaborated with David Wood on this project. David is an up and coming 3D designer who was great to work with on this project.  You can see his design work for this, and some our other projects here: http://www.shapeways.com/model/925223/scottish-basket-hilt.html?li=moreFromDesigner&material=27

This is currently a non-commissioned piece and will be available upon completion. Please let me know if you have an interest in the final work.

This knife is currently unfinished. I’m planning some handle embellishment.. just haven’t decided what yet. Birka knives were found with wire wrap on the wood grip so that is an option. And I may use it to advance my efforts in learning to carve.    But the blade is a three bar composite with wrought iron on the spine and two bars of opposing twist 15n20/1084.  The metal spacer is my own ‘hearth steel’ made from melting and carburizing wrought iron in a traditional Norse manner, fossil walrus ivory, birch bark and old growth black oak salvaged by divers from Lake Superior.  The pommel plate is mammoth ivory and there is a little knob of home smelted bloom iron with nickel silver and copper inlay.

More pictures to come.. but please contact me with any potential interest.