MAN AT ARMS

We all love to handle swords. That’s a given. The look, the feel, the shape, even the smell of the steel gets the juice running to the very best places and gives us a unique rush.

But, what gets them from lumps of steel to exquisite works of art that give us unparalleled protection and endless enjoyment? And, don’t take the easy way out and say Kult of Athena! That’s too simple.

I think the better answer reaches back to a time when a certain group of people were invaluable to everyday society. A place and time when striding destriers thundered across the field and required iron shoes, a time when fields needed to be plowed with shares, and of course, a time when swords, glorious swords, and armor needed to be forged from molten steel.

The answer, of course, is the blacksmith.

For thousands of years, these men and women have harnessed the power of the sun to melt and shape the hardest substances on earth into stunning pieces of art for our giddy enjoyment and ever-growing collections. In this modern day, we still pay forges and swordsmiths thousands, literally, thousands of dollars to bend and hammer, mold and meld, solder and grind intricate pieces of metal – of every color, alloy, and hardness - to fit our weapon tastes and styles.

And, in my experience, there is one that truly stands out about the rest. That man is Tony Swatton from Sword and Stone in Burbank, CA.

Swatton has created a YouTube series called “Man At Arms,” which masterfully creates famous swords and weapons from Hollywood and fantasy. Among his more amazing works (which have earned him 11.5 million views on YouTube) are:

• The Sword of Omens from Thundercats
• Jamie Lannister’s Sword from Game of Thrones
• The Master Sword from the Legend of Zelda
• Gimli’s Axe from Lord of the Rings
• An Orcish Axe from Skyrim
• And even the 2D Diamond Minecraft sword from the game!

Swatton and his team complete these masterpieces using old school hammers - from way before any of us were born (we’re talking 18th century stuff) - and today’s most modern technology. They have also created swords on a professional, and not just retail, level for some of the best main stream movies in Hollywood (think Zorro and others).

Simply put, the man is a big, burly genius and his SwordSpeak is mesmerizing. His videos (over 6 minutes of dream forging and a tremendously satisfying “in-action” payout at the end) are incredible. Like creating life after acing a chemistry test, the journey is beyond meticulous and painstakingly slow but delivers an unrivaled sense of  satisfaction. I have watched every episode from Season 1 and cannot wait to see what Season 2 has in store.

Check out the full videos below and experience what I am saying for yourself. I’m more than confident you’ll be leaving little droplets of steel-inspired drool spittle all over your keys:

The Higgins Armory Museum to Close??

I had planned to bring this blog out of semi-retirement (as I have not posted in almost a year, unfortunately) to write about the latest craze, Zombies, and how we deal with it, but I think for the newest post, this is more important. It would seem that after 82 years of bringing us some of the finest pieces in from hallowed antiquity, the Higgins Armory Museum in Worchester, MA is going to close on December 31, 2013.

THE END OF HIGGINS?? (IN WRITTEN FORM)

This is a very sad day on a number of levels for any fan of the sword, especially myself. The Higgins Armory Museum not only holds a collection of over 500 individual pieces of swords and armor in its collection, but also houses them in one of the finest castle-like structures, complete with Great Hall, I have had the pleasure to visit. We had a beer festival there. See “Ale and Mail” post.

This place holds so much more than just steel. It is a place for children who were born in the wrong era, who wanted to be knights, warriors, and soldiers can see what it could have been like: to dress in the armor of a knight, to hold the sword (safely) perhaps for the first time, and to reenact fascinating ancient military formations. Millions of children warriors, yet unborn, in the countless generations to come, will never get to do this now. Millions will have to wait, hoping, piecemeal, that some sword and armor exhibition will rear its shining head so they can indulge.

It’s tragic. It’s sad. It should not happen. But, as the knights of Europe and the Samurai gave way to the drone, so must these monuments of chivalry give way to....parking lots...fast food places, and other such squalid piles of garbage that will never know how lucky they are to be standing or how disgusting they look in comparison.

However, all is not lost...yet. There is a Facebook group (Save The Higgins), and a legitimate website (Also, Save the Higgins) that is trying to keep it alive. These donation pages, that we can all visit, and make our contribution to, keep this temple to Athena open and running. It keeps the children interested. It keeps the memory of valor, honor, and dedication learning of hand-to-hand combat alive.

Though the board has decided through a vote (one I was not at personally, again, most unfortunate) I, have taken it upon myself to construct a strongly worded letter (innocuous?) and plan to send this letter to every arts grant sponsor and government official I am able to find an email for.

“Good afternoon, My name is Michael Terry and I am writing to you on behalf of the Higgins Armory Museum. It has been brought to my, and the citizens of Massachusetts, that the 82-year old iconic Higgins Armory Museum will be closing on December 31, 2013 if either an alternative plan, or funding can be found to keep the museum open. As a lover of the arts and the culture in our state, I would like nothing more than to prevent such an occurrence and keep this monument to the medieval steel arts alive and well. I know as members of the arts communities and as an organization in charge of financing such projects, you would agree. I would ask that you review the plight of this family run organization and contribute any sort of monetary donations and/or grant money that you can. The task seems overwhelming, but this beloved shrine to artistic world cannot be parceled into other museums and locations, where it can be dissected and eventually made obsolete. For more information, visit http://savehiggins.org/ or contact Ralph Tilllinghast at savehiggins@gmail.com or via phone at: 862-268-1514. Thank you for your kind attention Sincerely, Michael Terry”

We have until December 31, 2013, dear friends, and fellow warriors. Let us try and stand for this hallowed house of the sword, until it becomes relegated to the dreaded “Remember when…”

BATTLE READY HADHAFANG (SWORD OF ARWEN)

Very exciting! Someone finally took to the time to reconstruct the sword of Arwen, Hadhafang, made oh so famous in the the Lord of the Rings movie, the Fellowship of the Ring, in a functional, full tang, slice-up-your-dinner-then-eat-it-for-you kind of way!

TraditionalArcheryBows.com (I know, it's terrible, was EVERYTHING else taken?) has done some amazing pieces in the past and I am always thrilled to death when they create something both functional and beautiful. They are true craftsmen of the highest order with some amazing videos on their site.

Now, that being said, it is true that this version of Hadhafang lacks the elvish grace and whimsical aesthetic of Tolkien's faery folk, but, put to the test, no doubt this thing would take down a tree.

I, for one, am all aboard to save Frodo's midget behind at the ford of a river, or chop some useful kindling (sacrilegious for a swordsman, I know) using this hunk of steel and wood that certainly wasn't built for any lady I know.

Darksword Armory Guardian Sword

Good evening loyal fans and readers! After a long hiadus, as I was planning, executing, and celebrating a wedding seven years in the making, I am back and typing away for your love, my practice and all of our amusement. I am very happy to say that I am now a husband, truly, I believe, a man and have taken on the sacred and time-honored mantle of THE GUARDIAN.

Michelle, my incredible wife, has entrusted me with the guardianship of her heart, her love and her well being for the rest of her life, not to mention our small, yet paramount family. It is an incredible feeling, really; being chosen, out of 7 billion other people on the planet to serve as protector, defender and compatriot. It has all I have ever strived for, really, and I am truly honored.

My Small Army

In as matches my new appointment as GUARDIAN, my best friends, and best man, decided to reach back to hallowed antiquity and present me with a truly extraordinary gift to match my station.It the treasure that I have drooled over for months. I have written about it. I have viewed it countless times online, seen movies, dreamed about it, pretended my wooden waster was made of shining steel, and at long last, I own it. At long last, THE GUARDIAN from Darksword Armory is in my grasp...forever.

CUE THE MUSIC FROM EXCALIBUR

More beautiful than I could ever dream of, the GUARDIAN sword comes in refined, yet raw and powerful brown leather, much like the gritty wrap you would find on the battlefield. It's rock solid construction is surpassed only by its incredible aesthetics and original design. The entire sword handles like a dream, but the blade is simply the perfect length and balance.

Couple that with the amazingly sturdy, supple, integrated leather scabbard and this steel masterpiece works as well on a hike through the mountains as it does as a display piece on your wall.

But what has vindicated all my waiting and saving, my not spending money on the purchase of this glorious glaive, was what made this weapon a truly epic gift worthy of an imperishable song:

THE DATE OF MY WEDDING

REGULATORS! MOUNT UP!

The devil, as it were, is in the details. Along with my glorious new bride, this sword truly is a conduit of my true self and a jewel in the crown of my life.

Darksword Armory: Guardian vs. Carpathian Sword, The Purchase

Two weapons, both alike in design and construction: full tang, incredibly strong, expertly made. So much so, choosing between the two has been the subject of my internal debate for many months now. I have come to the conclusion that when I purchase one of these two magnificent weapons it will have to be due to the excellent advice of my peers, yourselves, my brothers and sisters of the sword.

Ladies and gentlemen, the choice is before us:

GUARDIAN OR CARPATHIAN?

The Guardian

The Carpathian

Normally, when making a decision about a sword purchase, it is very simple. You see which sword catches your eye, appeals most to your honed sense of aesthetics, is constructed by the most reputable armorers for the best price and then pull the trigger. However, in the last half a year, I have been doing much more eBay selling and money saving than making any purchases.

I am getting married in July!

Anyone want to buy me one as a wedding present? LOL

Though ecstatic that another human being (my exquisite fiance) has chosen to spend their life with me (a fact that thrills me to the marrow), I have been charged with saving a nearly insurmountable cash reserve of $12,000 to pay my share of the wedding. Savings plans like that don't exactly leave inexhaustible pockets of $350 for swords.

But, once again the good Lord sees me out of the corner of his eye and watches out for my sword-buying habits. I have recently, as of November of 2011, switched jobs from a low-earning copywriter for a small-time Concierge company to commission-banking sales shark for a multinational travel conglomerate. This change in lifestyle provides me with certain perks and is exactly the reason why, my devoted readers, I have not posted in over 3 months. Also, this new gig is how I WILL be able to save the money I need. It feels good to be writing again, and even better that it is about swords.

SO LET'S GET DOWN TO IT!

The Guardian:

Jason Woodard's original design, married with Darksword Armory's meticulous creative steel innovations, inspires strong feelings of honor, righteousness, strength and mystical heroism. This amazing, full-tang fantasy sword would undoubtedly be carried, over the shoulder, by some ranger general in defiance of great evil. It is a sword every fan of the genre should own.

The breakdown:

• Overall Length: 43 inches Blade length: 31 3/8 inches
• Blade Material: Tempered 1060 carbon steel
• Weight: 5 lb 1.6 oz
• Point of Balance: 4 inches
• Grip Length: 8 1/4 inches
• Pommel: Peened

LET'S SEE IT IN ACTION:







Initial Impressions: Though a pound heavier than its Eastern European counterpart, this sword radiates strength and durability. It is truly a warrior's blade; less finesse (though not totally devoid of it) but much more stopping power. ALSO (ADDED BONUS) the sword can have a custom green handle wrap!

VERY TEMPTING!

THE CARPATHIAN:

Again, Jason Woodard comes through with a totally original, awe-inspiring design. The Carpathian resembles the Guardian in hilt construction but has some particularly unique differences. It is a sleek, stylish, steel individual. The pommel, for instance, resembles that of a more Norse construction, with leaf-lobed shape. This could be more useful in not losing grip on the sword.

The Breakdown:

• Overall Length: 42 3/4'' Blade: 31 1/2''
• Blade Material: Tempered 1060 carbon steel
• Weight: 4 lb 2 oz
• Point of Balance: 2 and 3/8 inches
• Grip Length: 8 inches
• Pommel: Peened

Initial Impressions: The Carpathian is incredibly appealing due its long, leaf-bladed, streamlined construction. Whereas the Guardian almost fails to taper down into the tang and handle; potentially making it vulnerable at the intersections between handle and blade, the Carpathian is thinner, lighter and quite tapered. This makes me believe that none of these dangerous intersections exist.

LETS SEE THIS BAD BOY IN ACTION:





FINAL (NOT REALLY) VERDICT: I believe the Guardian will be my initial purchase.

Though slightly more expensive, I believe this sword is built for the heaviest cutting and steel-on-steel combat. The tang is a small concern, but I have no doubts that Eyal and the rest of the master craftsmen at Darksword have compensated for this with the hardness potential hazard with overall durability for the blade and furniture.

The Carpathian is a beautiful finesse blade for sure and I love it. And, because it comes from the same designers, Darksword Armory, I have no doubt of its quality and durability. The only discounting factors are that the sword is a little lighter and I was never really into the whole "vampire inspired" design for my weapons. I don't know that Vlad the Impaler would carry such a weapon (though he should have) against the Turks.

LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS! THANKS ALL!

(IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO BUY ONE FOR ME AS A WEDDING GIFT. BECAUSE YOU ARE AWESOME, YOU CAN SEND IT TO MIKE TERRY, 80 MEDITERRANEAN DRIVE, WEYMOUTH, MA 02188)

East vs. West: Cinematic Showdown

I am one of the people who never considered any of Netflix's recent changes to be anything more than a tiny blip on the radar.

Prices. Quickster. Stock plunges. Blockbuster's last-gasp (albeit valiant) attempt at collaboration with another aging dinosaur, the Dish Network. None of these things have made me miss an opportunity to take advantage of Netflix's savvy recommendations when it comes to the sword-swinging films that I love.

But, in indulging in these screenings, I have noticed a significant change in the geographical origin of my predominately Western/Anglicized stock: Asia.

It would seem that more and more "period epics" are coming from oversees and providing an incredible story line with plenty of action. Not be ethnocentric, but where and when did Asia get all of these amazing ideas and the cinematic clout to make it happen? Could it be their 6000 years of rich history? Yes, I'll give them that. Could it be the legacy of legendary filmmaker of all things Samurai, Akira Kurosawa? Perhaps. But while his Samurai films were groundbreaking, he never had the scope (nor the tools) to do what is being done today.

No, I think it began with main stream martial arts films such as Crouching Tiger and House of Flying Daggers.













They grabbed US movie-goers and shook them until they were like, "Huh? Asia? Whoa!"

Now, the movies earned my undivided attention were films called "Geomon" and "13 Assassins." These no doubt translated titles don't lend too much to the rich plot of the story, and may seem a little campy, but, while they cant rival the tantalizing titles of "Gladiator" and "Braveheart," their stories, scenery, and weapons (especially) more than stack up.

GOEMON: THE SWORDS OF GENERAL NOBUNAGA: A PREVIEW

Two ninja, both alike in deadly skill and cunning. One is the ward of one of Japan's greatest Shoguns, Oda Nobunaga. The other, the charge of his greatest general and Samurai, Hatori, Devil, Hanzo (stop thinking Kill Bill). One sword must become two. Two empires must become one. Interested yet? I won't give it away, suffice to say that your patience and the straining of your eyes to handle the all encompassing CGI cinematography will be rewarded, as the battle scenes are non-stop ninja badassery from the East, mixed with small bits of weapons and armor from the West, from start to finish.

13 ASSASSINS: CALCULATED REVENGE

Horror master Takashi Miike (think Audition) brings to devastating life the very splintering of the Samurai psyche. Torn between service to the empire and doing what he knows to best for its people, an aging Samurai and his "Magnificent Seven-style" band embark on what they know will be a suicide mission to rid the world of an evil (and I mean truly evil) lord.

As you would expect from any Samurai film, there is just a ton of this:

But, what sets this movie apart from other ridiculous hack and slash martial arts films are moments like "The Lane of Blades," a scene which includes a Samurai who fights in the deadly dual-wielding style of one Miyamoto Musashi (the father of all Samurai and the Book of Five Rings) to perfection, and looks an awful lot like Patrick Swayze:

Watching these two films, I become more interested in what the Asian markets are ready to offer. I look to films such as "IP MAN" and others to show me that even though stars like Jackie Chan and Jet Li have hung up their sword belts, others are ready to take up the fight and win the war for foreign imaginations (and dollars).

THE WEST AWAKE:

Still holding the belt for the greatest epics in the movie industry, and not to be outdone by their Eastern counterparts, Western cinema has put their best booted foot forward with some very impressive medieval underdogs. No, it is not that trash Robin Hood bastardization with Russel Crowe nor is it the huge budget flop-buster about a thunder god who relies more on looks and CGI than actual plot to sell the story.

The films that earn my allegiance are a sleeper that relies on gritty, hopeless, no-holds barred action with an all-star "that guy" cast, and a foreign film that begs the audience's forgiveness for Swedish subtitles with an incredible sub-plot and fantastic fight choreography.

Sword lovers, I present:

• Ironclad

• Arn

IRONCLAD: WELL FORGED

In the beginning, I didn't lend much credence to Ironclad's preview. Gore just for the sake of gore is never necessary in an epic. Seeing "how it really was" can be done much more tastefully than Ironclad made it seem. But, while watching this film, I started to become more involved with the characters and truly began to appreciate how much training had gone through for their roles.

Plus, the cast of characters couldn't have been more appealing, nor more delightfully inconspicuous:

Brian Cox, Uncle Argyle from Braveheart, Agamemnon from Troy, ect

Derek Jacobi, Senator from Gladiator, Vampire Overlord from Underworld, anything Shakespearean

Paul Giamatti, chubby super villain who is terrifying when he yells about Merlot

Jason Flemyng, the quintessential "that English guy" in everything

Mackenzi Crook, the skinny guy from Pirates

Vladimir Kulich, badass barbarian chieftain in the 13th Warrior

Combine well-trained actors, new and interesting medieval weaponry and fighting styles

and sound tactics about how to take an ancient keep (bombarding it with flaming boulders and digging mines to blow up the foundation), and Ironclad is surprisingly on point and definitely worth a watch.

ARN: SO MUCH MORE THAN STEEL

Canal +, a French movie studio, provides some of the best cinema on the planet. I am convinced that they have a discerning staff that actually takes the time to read and appreciate a well thought out plot. Arn: The Knight Templar, a movie based on a literary work by Jan Guillou, is no exception.

Without giving away too much, as I want you to see and appreciate it (please give the subtitles a chance), I will say that Arn has everything. Love. Hate. Hope. Division. Faith. Struggle. Scenery. Dialog. Heraldry. Tactics. Weaponry. Magnificent battle.

A Swedish monk, trained in the arts of war, is forced to join the Templars. He is respected and feared among his enemies in the holy land, while at home, and his love, are threatened and pushed to the edge. He must choose between duty to his God, and love for his people.

Albion, one of the finest sword makers in the world, seems to agree with me, as they created a line of magnificent swords directly from the film.

Their care and dedication to recreating these masterworks from the film mirrors the care and effort put into the writing of the film. For fans of the sword, Arn will become your new Braveheart because it has the courage to push the boundaries of cinema and not simply consign itself to poorly-acted hack and slash dreg. It has a shining soul to it, and draws it out inch by inch with grand design and flare.

East vs. West. Both offer amazing stories but very different cinematography. Both offer incredible weaponry, action scenes, and authentic wardrobe, but take place worlds apart. But, as you view these films, take note of the common threads of struggle, perseverance, and fortitude. They are what makes a story worth your attention and something tangible that you can take with you as the credits role.

You WERE Spartacus

I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the family of actor Andy Whitfield, 39, who played the Thracian warrior Spartacus in the hit series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." Whitfield, unfortunately, lost his 18-month battle with Non Hodgkin’s lymphoma today. He was surrounded by his family and, sources say, went very peacefully.

Going very peacefully....unlike his enemies in Blood and Sand! When this loin cloth wearing madman wasn't bedding the hottest Roman debutantes Capua had to offer,

he was slicing himself off slabs of whoop ass (and flabby enemy meat parcels) using his quick action two-handed sword style. Bloody, gritty, fast, and awesome.

He was the alpha innovator for this series (Gods of the Arena is the prequel) and the only warrior/actor who ever made me believe that there was life beyond a shitty pilot episode.

Gladiator, we salute you!