This piece has lots of hand work. I spent today shaping and polishing the thumb ring.

The outside of the thumb ring is faceted and then blended into the rounded interior to give a crisp look while not compromising comfort and function. Details like this are time consuming but pay off in the overall quality of a piece.

Finished forging the guard and the thumb ring, waiting for a steel shipment to forge the shell guard.
Here is the days progress:

Privateer Cutlass

Here is the next project I'm working on, a early 1700's cutlass.


I forged the blade about two months ago but had a couple of commissions that I needed to get done first. Here is the blade during the testing process:

Die Fledermaus

Click on the image to go to the gallery page with more pictures and the specs.

Die Fledermaus Falchion finished

I finished Die Fledermaus today, and will be taking pictures and measuring the specs. on Monday. Here a a peek at how it came out:

Another day's (actually two) progress, all stitched and carved:


The camera distorted the scabbard a bit.

Happy New Year

May the Lord bless you and yours this year.
May your forge burn bright,
And your hearth be warm and full of friends.

Happy new year from Ben and Corrie.