The plan was all set…in my head.
The execution, however, would require some finesse. Well-timed vigilance (to receive the packages when I was working from home), some small white lies (but only by omission), sometimes its all about the right place at the right time and dodging bullets (but try and be honest).
2 swords. No questions. No fights with the wife about money or spending. The sublime ideal for a collector with two kids, a mortgage, and a budget.
Better still, one of them would come from Kaer Morhen Forge (yes, Witcher fans, that Kaer Morhen).
But the gods see all our best laid plans and laugh, dont they?
My destiny, it seemed (b/c of bills, PayPal, and other bullshit) was to only acquire ONE sword. But oh what a sword she would be!
Let’s go back…
2 swords. No questions. No fights with the wife about money or spending. The sublime ideal for a collector with two kids, a mortgage, and a budget.
Better still, one of them would come from Kaer Morhen Forge (yes, Witcher fans, that Kaer Morhen).
But the gods see all our best laid plans and laugh, dont they?
My destiny, it seemed (b/c of bills, PayPal, and other bullshit) was to only acquire ONE sword. But oh what a sword she would be!
Let’s go back…
I had worked on a MASSIVE freelance writing project in April. One of the terms of the money we would earn (most of it would go the family and our trip to Disney) would be that I would allocate funds towards a new sword (or two).
Having caught the custom bug, I went straight to our man Wes Beem and Lonely Wolf Forge first to see what I could do with $1000. He offered me some great options for one of his amazing long sword constructions:
- Mike Jia from The Printed Armory would do the pommel and guard
- Wes would forge/remove stock for the blade
- Steve Huerta from Steve Huerta Custom Leather Works would do the custom scabbard (optional)
But as the discussion went on, as tends to happen when designing a custom sword with a limited budget, my ideal and his capabilities (for the price) didn’t sync up. I wanted anthropomorphic everything (like my custom Braveheart sword). But instead of a bear this time, I wanted a stag.
- Stag pommel (or stag in a wheel pommel)
- Antler crossguard
No dice.
Now, Wes and I are friends, so he told me a nicely and as bluntly as Wes can:
“For that kind of cash, you’re not going to get what you want.”
I couldn’t fault him at all. In my excitement and haste, I had fallen into the oldest trap there is when designing a sword.
“I have this much to spend and I want a frickin’ lightsaber”
Unfortunately, in the end, we couldn’t come to an accord for anything less than $2000 (which I suggested as the right price for Wes’ time, work, and bills). I had to explore other options.
Now, please don’t weep for Wes. There’s a happy ending. I did end up with one of his customs after all…and for a lot less.
HER NAME IS FATE WEAVER
As luck would have it, another one of my All Swords brethren, David, was trying to unload one of the swords he bought from Gentleman Beem: his custom elven saber.
Now, I had been tracking this treasure since the beginning of April, patiently circling like a starving shark to see if this magnificent brand would drop in price at all to a budget depth where I could bite.
In the middle of May, it did.
$750...$650...WAIT FOR IT...BAM!
Once it hit a price where I could nab it, I breached like South African great white and, at least for that hot second, the custom elven blade, aptly-named Fate Weaver, was mine.
But, as with anything worth doing, there were some...complications:
The apprehension, frustration, and panic was rivaled only by the (figurative) perspiration pouring out of me every day.
But then…after two weeks of waiting….after all the checks and balances were cleared and monetary obstacles…Fate Weaver FINALLY found a new home!
Like a virgin groom on his wedding night (so I have been told), I slowly, reverently (as I do with all my new swords) unfettered my newest steely soul mate from all her trappings, wrappings, and packaging, and simply stood there, awestruck and admiringly soaking in her glorious curves, design, and undeniable metallic strength.
Today, after 4 months, and a lot of work in the yard, I can say that this is the fastest, most agile, and one of the sharpest (shaving would be an insult) swords I own:
But for now...
Care to see her in action? Get to know her a little better?
Abracadaver! Thanks for the view!
Now, I had been tracking this treasure since the beginning of April, patiently circling like a starving shark to see if this magnificent brand would drop in price at all to a budget depth where I could bite.
In the middle of May, it did.
$750...$650...WAIT FOR IT...BAM!
Once it hit a price where I could nab it, I breached like South African great white and, at least for that hot second, the custom elven blade, aptly-named Fate Weaver, was mine.
But, as with anything worth doing, there were some...complications:
- Gift Card Payments (Fail)
- PayPal Transactions (Fail)
- Canadian Exchange Rate
- International Shipping
- Customs Clearance
- Continental Travel
- Greedy Bandits (not really)
The apprehension, frustration, and panic was rivaled only by the (figurative) perspiration pouring out of me every day.
But then…after two weeks of waiting….after all the checks and balances were cleared and monetary obstacles…Fate Weaver FINALLY found a new home!
Like a virgin groom on his wedding night (so I have been told), I slowly, reverently (as I do with all my new swords) unfettered my newest steely soul mate from all her trappings, wrappings, and packaging, and simply stood there, awestruck and admiringly soaking in her glorious curves, design, and undeniable metallic strength.
Today, after 4 months, and a lot of work in the yard, I can say that this is the fastest, most agile, and one of the sharpest (shaving would be an insult) swords I own:
- Blade Length: 25 inches
- Handle Length: 10 inches
- Weight: 2.5 lbs
- Steel: 5160
- Forge Marks on the Blade
- "Amarth Nathron," "Fate Weaver" in Sindarin Elvish
But for now...
Care to see her in action? Get to know her a little better?
Abracadaver! Thanks for the view!
Stay tuned for the custom scabbard build from Steve Huerta, coming soon!
