Ethiopian scabbard: to fake or not to fake

David · 24th July 2007, 02:34 PM

Nice work! Of course it adds value to the overall piece (though i don't see that as being most important in this case) in that i would personally be much more willing to buy a sword with a scabbard than without. As long as you are always clear that this scabbard is your own creation i see no problem with it whatsoever especially since you did this as a carefully researched, beautifully executed and accurate reproduction. You should be very proud.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 24th July 2007, 03:00 PM

Very nice work, you're an artist !
No problerm for me, if you like the scabbard, as you said you can never find one for your blade so...just do it yourself.And I think you have learned a lot of things around your sword while doing it.
Luc

Mark · 24th July 2007, 03:52 PM

Very nice work. I see no problem in replacing scabbards. In addition to looking nice, they protect the blade. After all, if a buyer doesn't like it, they don't have to use it.

You did not mention how the leather you used was tanned. It is best to use vegetable-tanned (or some similar non-chemical process) leather, as many commercial-scale processes acidify the leather to the point that it will rust the heck out of the blade in no time at all.

CharlesS · 24th July 2007, 07:19 PM

Like you, I am not crazy about a "naked sword"...they were generally never intended to be that way outside of combat conditions.

What you have done here is not only a beautiful job, but compliments the sword based on an attempt at an accurately made and detailed scabbard. In my eyes it adds loads to the character and increases the value of the sword.

Nice!!!

katana · 24th July 2007, 10:35 PM

Excellent work Ron, to 'back engineer' and then create an authentic scabbard sympathetic to the region and their 'craft' is, .. outstanding. Well done

With more and more formites repairing their pieces, making scabbards etc it would be nice to document the various techniques used. Perhaps creating a DIY section dedicated to advice etc . The added advantage would be increased knowledge of the manufacturing techniques used to create the weapons we all 'hold so dear'.

Tim Simmons · 24th July 2007, 10:44 PM

Absolutely first class. I have to say that I have had and seen many swords from the area not in red scabbards. What you have made and assuming it was by your owen untrained hand is excellent and not a fake but a facsimile.

roanoa · 24th July 2007, 11:19 PM

Mark, I believe the leather I used for the inner sheath is vegetable-tanned. I also understand that this is the kind of leather that will heat harden. The inner scabbard has to be reasonably stiff. I will ask one of my friends who is a big game hunter to save me a big piece of Elk or Moose hide (Deer is too thin) and I'll try to make a scabbard using raw hide and see how it turn out.

Katana, I will try and document the process of Ethiopian scabbard making step by step should anyone be interested.

24th July 2007, 02:34 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Nice work! Of course it adds value to the overall piece (though i don't see that as being most important in this case) in that i would personally be much more willing to buy a sword with a scabbard than without. As long as you are always clear that this scabbard is your own creation i see no problem with it whatsoever especially since you did this as a carefully researched, beautifully executed and accurate reproduction. You should be very proud.

24th July 2007, 03:00 PM	#2
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Very nice work, you're an artist ! No problerm for me, if you like the scabbard, as you said you can never find one for your blade so...just do it yourself.And I think you have learned a lot of things around your sword while doing it. Luc

24th July 2007, 03:52 PM	#3
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Very nice work. I see no problem in replacing scabbards. In addition to looking nice, they protect the blade. After all, if a buyer doesn't like it, they don't have to use it. You did not mention how the leather you used was tanned. It is best to use vegetable-tanned (or some similar non-chemical process) leather, as many commercial-scale processes acidify the leather to the point that it will rust the heck out of the blade in no time at all.

24th July 2007, 07:19 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Like you, I am not crazy about a "naked sword"...they were generally never intended to be that way outside of combat conditions. What you have done here is not only a beautiful job, but compliments the sword based on an attempt at an accurately made and detailed scabbard. In my eyes it adds loads to the character and increases the value of the sword. Nice!!!

24th July 2007, 10:35 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Excellent work Ron, to 'back engineer' and then create an authentic scabbard sympathetic to the region and their 'craft' is, .. outstanding. Well done With more and more formites repairing their pieces, making scabbards etc it would be nice to document the various techniques used. Perhaps creating a DIY section dedicated to advice etc . The added advantage would be increased knowledge of the manufacturing techniques used to create the weapons we all 'hold so dear'.

24th July 2007, 10:44 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Absolutely first class. I have to say that I have had and seen many swords from the area not in red scabbards. What you have made and assuming it was by your owen untrained hand is excellent and not a fake but a facsimile.

24th July 2007, 11:19 PM	#7
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	Mark, I believe the leather I used for the inner sheath is vegetable-tanned. I also understand that this is the kind of leather that will heat harden. The inner scabbard has to be reasonably stiff. I will ask one of my friends who is a big game hunter to save me a big piece of Elk or Moose hide (Deer is too thin) and I'll try to make a scabbard using raw hide and see how it turn out. Katana, I will try and document the process of Ethiopian scabbard making step by step should anyone be interested.