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I love unexpected packages!
May. 23rd, 2009 10:02 pmI wasn't expecting to get this yet. And since Katrina was so kind to offer up free tickets to the Ren Fest on Monday, I was actually kind of bummed thinking it wouldn't get here in time. But, I got my new sword today!! Yay! I must say, it's not as nice as the United Cutlery Lord of the Rings replicas. But I'm happy with it for the price. I don't think it's a full tang, since the handle feels so light. But it's nicely weathered and even smells old. The brass/bronze/whatever pieces on the handle and the scabbard are very thin. But for a costume/display sword, it's not bad and the nice leather on the scabbard makes up for it, in my opinion.
The only issue now is, since my baldric is a bit too long for me and cheaply made and overall kind of crappy, it fits into it weird. Luckily there are two rings on the scabbard which I think I can rig with some leather strips and thread them through my waist belt(s). That way it won't flop around so much as I walk.
I've been pricing exotic leathers (ostrich, alligator, etc.) and thinking about trying to make some belts/baldrics. Apparently there are also printed/embossed leathers that are made to look like ostrich and alligator skins. Still real leather, just something not so exotic, perhaps pigskin or something. I can get 22-28 cu. ft. of said printed leather for something around $50-$60 or a 10-14 cu. ft. of genuine grade 4 ostrich skin for somewhere around $200. The printed stuff might be good for practice and a budget version of whatever I come up with.
I've also been toying with the idea of getting some books on soft metal casting (bronze, pewter, stuff I can melt with a torch or a DIY system). I'd like to make some buckles. I just can't find what I'm looking for and what I do find isn't reasonably priced, even considering the work involved. I'm thinking other people might have similar problems and might be interested in the fruits of my experiments. Just some things to think about for now, really.
The only issue now is, since my baldric is a bit too long for me and cheaply made and overall kind of crappy, it fits into it weird. Luckily there are two rings on the scabbard which I think I can rig with some leather strips and thread them through my waist belt(s). That way it won't flop around so much as I walk.
I've been pricing exotic leathers (ostrich, alligator, etc.) and thinking about trying to make some belts/baldrics. Apparently there are also printed/embossed leathers that are made to look like ostrich and alligator skins. Still real leather, just something not so exotic, perhaps pigskin or something. I can get 22-28 cu. ft. of said printed leather for something around $50-$60 or a 10-14 cu. ft. of genuine grade 4 ostrich skin for somewhere around $200. The printed stuff might be good for practice and a budget version of whatever I come up with.
I've also been toying with the idea of getting some books on soft metal casting (bronze, pewter, stuff I can melt with a torch or a DIY system). I'd like to make some buckles. I just can't find what I'm looking for and what I do find isn't reasonably priced, even considering the work involved. I'm thinking other people might have similar problems and might be interested in the fruits of my experiments. Just some things to think about for now, really.
