Stellenbosch Bladesmithing

The last phases in the making of the German longsword.

The guard is fitted snugly and peened up agaist the tang to secure it permanently. The pommel is also fitted and peened over a pommel nut.

The beech grip core is carved to fit the tang and planed to final shape before being glued into place.

The wooden grip core is wrapped in cord and the leather risers glued in place.

A few grams of hide glue is prepared to an exact ratio of glue to water and applied to the cord wrapped grip before a piece of leather is pinned into place for a test fit before being cut to the exact shape and size needed.

The leather is then thinned, the four edges skived very thin, dampened to soften it, and then glued into place. The grip is then wound with cord to press the leather down while it dries for a snug fit. Working with hide glue does call for meticulous planning ahead as it gels rather rapidly in cold and damp weather and if you overheat it, it weakens. In the end, here is the sword.