[knotnut]

Is there an internet source where I could see what different woods look like with a finish of some sort on them? I'm working on a 40some inch broad sword and I want to alternate light and dark woods for the various pieces. I'm using white pine (at least I think it is) for the blade and some of the other parts, but I was looking for a complementary dark, maybe a reddish brown? Bloodwood and mahogony might be too red?, and ebony is too dark and brown, to give you some idea. I thought of maybe Bolivian Rosewood, but I'm worried it might have too strong a grain pattern. The cross piece (guard piece?) would be dark, but will have celtic knotwork on it.
Though I may rethink the bloodwood?

[Eddy Smiles]

What is the purpose of your broad sword.... Eastern... Western... Midevil... Martial Arts? If it's Asian or Martials arts you might try the on-line Century Martial Arts catalog or the Asian Martial Arts Catalog or simply Googling wooden broad swords. All of the major martial arts suppliers carrry practice weapons for the different styles.

[knotnut]

Just to have, hang on a wall. No usability.

http://www.aceros-de-hispania.com/im...ibur-sword.jpg
Pretty much this. Different carved designs of course.
I'm completely open to ideas on wood type for the different pieces.

[Just Carving]

Here's a website that has photos of the different woods.

http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/specialcolle...ugh/index.html

Bob L

[Keoma]

hey knotnut! I made one for my little boy and I used Pine and Redwood. The contrasts were nice and both being softwoods, it blended well. I would show you a picture of it...but he lost it in the leaves...it's history! Since it is for decoration and you don't have to worry about stability, how about a burl? Or some Cherry? Would love to see it when you're done. Good Luck!

[knotnut]

Originally Posted by Keoma

hey knotnut! I made one for my little boy and I used Pine and Redwood. The contrasts were nice and both being softwoods, it blended well. I would show you a picture of it...but he lost it in the leaves...it's history! Since it is for decoration and you don't have to worry about stability, how about a burl? Or some Cherry? Would love to see it when you're done. Good Luck!

A burl would be fun, but wouldn't it hide the knotwork in its own design?

[Keoma]

ok...back to the redwood or cherry idea then

[Eddy Smiles]

That's what I was asking.... you're looking for wood swords of medievil design. Sounds as if you ought to be Goggling weapons made, supplied and used for Renaissance Fairs.

[Ashbys]

Mahogony , isn't that red unless finished to accent the reds, Spanish Cedar a good brown tone oiled finished , for a deeper brown tung oil. For a deep blood tint , maple with dye and laquer finish, gives a heart red. Using dyes you can get almost any color from green to red and yellow.

If I was doing it as a wall hanging to highlight a wall , I would look to high contrast, first to draw attention to it. Then it will be looked at , not just seen . To take away from the blade the hilt would have to almost gilted. But when people see swords, they look at the piece as a whole, but the hilt is the object with which they measure the quallity of the work.

Not sure this helps but I hope you post pictures of the finished work.

Ash