Basket hilted swords

E.B. Erickson · 26th March 2015, 11:38 AM

Scottish "Turcael", probably first half of the 1700s.
33" curved se blade with triple fullers, stamped "ANDRIA FERARA".
Shagreen grip covering and binding is one of my restorations that is done over the original (?) wood core. I had the sword disassembled to repair some broken hilt elements, and decided to recover the grip as long as things were already apart. The woolen tassel that can be seen under the pommel is original (?).

Will M · 26th March 2015, 05:15 PM

Great regripping job. Where do you source your fishskin. I can get ray but the finer fishskin I have yet to find.

E.B. Erickson · 28th March 2015, 12:37 PM

Hello Will,
By "shagreen" I mean rayskin. I just purchased a rayskin and used the section with the smallest denticles so it would approximate sharkskin.

I don't have a permanent source for sharkskin. I have picked up old dilapidated sharkskin covered scabbards on eBay, and once got an almost complete very old dogfish (dogfish is the correct species for Brit/Scots grips) skin. The only problem with the dogfish is that there are spots that have decomposed, and you can't tell until you try to recover a grip. The decomposed spots sort of dissolve when they get wet!

--ElJay

Will M · 28th March 2015, 10:50 PM

I too have rayskin but it's the dogfish I need. I believe they are similar to a small shark.
I don't believe any of the sword manufacturers would sell any as they want the business of doing the whole job, but shipping a sword to and from the UK is cost prohibitive.
Possibly to patch a spot one could use a thin layer epoxy putty and sprinkle on tiny beads and push them in to adhere. After dye it black.

26th March 2015, 11:38 AM	#1
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	Scottish "Turcael", probably first half of the 1700s. 33" curved se blade with triple fullers, stamped "ANDRIA FERARA". Shagreen grip covering and binding is one of my restorations that is done over the original (?) wood core. I had the sword disassembled to repair some broken hilt elements, and decided to recover the grip as long as things were already apart. The woolen tassel that can be seen under the pommel is original (?). Attached Images

26th March 2015, 05:15 PM	#2
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 395	Great regripping job. Where do you source your fishskin. I can get ray but the finer fishskin I have yet to find.

28th March 2015, 12:37 PM	#3
E.B. Erickson Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 61	Hello Will, By "shagreen" I mean rayskin. I just purchased a rayskin and used the section with the smallest denticles so it would approximate sharkskin. I don't have a permanent source for sharkskin. I have picked up old dilapidated sharkskin covered scabbards on eBay, and once got an almost complete very old dogfish (dogfish is the correct species for Brit/Scots grips) skin. The only problem with the dogfish is that there are spots that have decomposed, and you can't tell until you try to recover a grip. The decomposed spots sort of dissolve when they get wet! --ElJay

28th March 2015, 10:50 PM	#4
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 395	I too have rayskin but it's the dogfish I need. I believe they are similar to a small shark. I don't believe any of the sword manufacturers would sell any as they want the business of doing the whole job, but shipping a sword to and from the UK is cost prohibitive. Possibly to patch a spot one could use a thin layer epoxy putty and sprinkle on tiny beads and push them in to adhere. After dye it black.