<img src="http://www.jloose.com/siteimages/gladleaf1.24.05.jpg">

Here's some new blades I just heat-treated. They'll get some final touches yet but I'm very happy with the patterns. They're interrupted twist cores at 12 layers 15N20/1070 with a straight laminate edge in 1070. The top piece is a commission: hollow ground with a 13" blade (18" overall.) The bottom piece is a Maintz style gladius, flat ground with a 16" blade @ 21" overall. The gladius is going to be an art-piece with a Roman / Barbarian allegory that should stir up some fun. :evil

Wow Jon, I can't wait to see those finished.

Excellent work as always. I'm still hoping to see you do a Viking spear some day :)

Michael

Spear. Definitely!

Looking good!
Nice match-up between the bars, that ain't so easy to do.
Spears are a pain in the anvil.
I'm looking forward to the roman/barbarian allegory!
Jeff

I like the way the pattern funnels down into the tang.

Very, very nice! I think these might be rather special when they are finished. I like the look of them already.

What materials do you have in mind for the fittings?

Roger

Very Nice Jay.

Thanks everyone...

Roger, on the gladius I have a perfect piece of bone I carved years ago. Haven't settled on the wood for the guard / pommel yet... thinking bloodwood or purpleheart as a red would go nicely with the bone & the bronze fittings I'll be using on the scabbard.

The leaf blade is a commission that will have either a fluted or Urnes style carved mammoth ivory handle with silver fittings & a purpleheart sheath, or a red leather over softwood.

Sweeeeeet!

I think bloodwood after it's aged/oxidized a bit would look really good. How about some bone with bloodwood spacers btween the bone sections?