07-31-2013, 01:43 PM
Thank you very much Mithras!
Yes, I made the scabbard, I make everything myself. I love crafting things.
The scabbard and caligae I'm very pleased of, since they look really nice, and are quite authentic. I also used the costume for three days, so it's completely usable too.
The wooden gladius is also nice, I actually fenced with it (which Romans of course never did, but I didn't want to carry a shield around for three days in the convention) against my friend armed with a curved steel dagger. My gladius took some hits and scratches, about 5 mm deep notches to the edge of the blade, but it was pretty durable altogether.
The sword was made from a 2×2 inch plank, which I first lathed to make the round pommel and hilt. Then I sawed the blade in shape, grinded it and painted with many layers or paint. I carved some spiral decorations to the hilt with a knife, since they were typical for a republican gladius.
I have three swords, two made from wood with this method, and one which has a metal blade made from a thin steel sheet, way too thin for actual use, but a nice decorational sword.
I'd like to get to real materials, but for example bronze plates seems impossible to find. And I don't have the experience nor tools for hard metal working, not yet at least.
Live and learn!
Yes, I made the scabbard, I make everything myself. I love crafting things.
The scabbard and caligae I'm very pleased of, since they look really nice, and are quite authentic. I also used the costume for three days, so it's completely usable too.
The wooden gladius is also nice, I actually fenced with it (which Romans of course never did, but I didn't want to carry a shield around for three days in the convention) against my friend armed with a curved steel dagger. My gladius took some hits and scratches, about 5 mm deep notches to the edge of the blade, but it was pretty durable altogether.
The sword was made from a 2×2 inch plank, which I first lathed to make the round pommel and hilt. Then I sawed the blade in shape, grinded it and painted with many layers or paint. I carved some spiral decorations to the hilt with a knife, since they were typical for a republican gladius.
I have three swords, two made from wood with this method, and one which has a metal blade made from a thin steel sheet, way too thin for actual use, but a nice decorational sword.
I'd like to get to real materials, but for example bronze plates seems impossible to find. And I don't have the experience nor tools for hard metal working, not yet at least.
Live and learn!
Antonius Insulae (Sakari)