I don't know if it was a real or wide spread thing but I did see someone mention they'd have a strip of sheepskin around the mouth of the scabbard to make sure any blood or just rain would be wiped off as they sheathed the weapon.
@@silverjohn6037 Seems to me like the sort of thing that would get made up by someone who didn't know or didn't care what the sheepskin around the neck of some Viking scabbards was for, which seems to be making sure that the sword doesn't fall out/keeping moisture out.
@@silverjohn6037 Unlikely a historical use. Wool is water resistant and moisture will bead off of it, but the skin itself is very absorbent. You would absolutely wipe away any kind of debris before sheathing the weapon. A sword is an expensive object and so is the scabbard. It is also a piece of jewelry and a status symbol. You would keep it clean and protect it as much as possible.
@@TheMaxbrooks But there are happy little accidents with the lockdown longbow. Alas, poor GoPro. I knew him Horatio. A camera of infinite focus, of most excellent frame rate. He hath borne videos on his back a thousand times.
I'm in the process of making a scab and for the sword I've had for 25 years. I used poplar because that's what they happened to have at Home Depot, and I'm incredibly gratified to learn that my choice is historically accurate!
Thanks Tod! Your work is sublime and your ability and willingness to continue to educate is much appreciated. I made my own scabbard and suspension system and I have you to thank for it. I have a skill now, that I never thought I would have. Your scabbards are a heck of a lot nicer. But just making something yourself really brings the history alive.
"Ye are more unwise," said Merlin, "for the scabbard is worth ten of the swords, for whiles ye have the scabbard upon you, ye shall never lose no blood be ye never so sore wounded, therefore keep well the scabbard always with you."
Tod got one of your beautiful scabbards earlier this year for my Albion Reeve and i love it. Great Quality, Craftsmanship and light but durable. Oh and the daggers I love them too ;) Greetings from Swiss
Thank you for the advise on how to tie on the sling straps. It's like Columbus's egg. One of those things that is so simple once someone explains it to you but not something you'd ever come up with yourself.
Good point. Generally I don't use anything as I like it to age, but if I do then shoe polish as a surface wax protects but doesn't over soften like an oil does - nothing that penetrates
The introduction of your video made an impression. Delicate and dangerous dichotomy, the music is so fine, the blades display craftsmanship but for such a deadly purpose. Have you ever, ugh, seen a sword used?
I have now been inspired to craft such a arrangement of straps as in the second scabbard for my reenactment sword. I'm currently carrying it with its scabbard held in a sword frog thing meant for larp. Looks historically plausible enough but I'm definitely going to update it.
Tod, you might want to check in on Shad, that OZ boy with a large touch of Medieval madness, and let him into the hows and whys of scabbards- he was enumerating some of the many faults of a three bladed sword- and he didn't say much about my first concern- hauling the three bladed 12-15 pound chunk around or the "chuncky monkey" of a scabbard the thing would need to be safe in "non combat" public! Always good stuff here, always well delivered and researched- forgive me if I have started another interminable Medievalist Feud, but I probably intended too! Best to 'Ya and continued success! FR
I don't think all crossovers are a great idea. Shad does over the top, theatrical, fantasy stuff (from what I can tell). Tod is a little more on the subdued, practical and historical side. Nothing against shad fans, (I enjoy fantasy and the like occasionally) I just don't see the appeal in the crossover and find the forced youtuber drama some of these folks indulge in to be childish. But this is just my take, as an insignificant sample of one =p.
@@zakpodo Actually, I agree- but Tod really deserves a bigger, wider audience for his work, both as a professional recreationist as well as his work with TV and movie props. IMHO, anyway.FR
Tod actually did a crossover with Joerg Sprave (Slingshot Channel) in mid-2020 around his 'Instant Legolas' longbow arrow magazine system, and both Joerg's original mechanism & Tod's medieval version were sent to Australia for Shad to test.... the premise being, how effective _could_ it have been if it had been invented back in medieval times. I don't think it was a direct Tod/Shad crossover as such (as it was more about the Instant Legolas & Joerg) but there have been several Tod/Joerg videos since then, so he's definitely getting more visibility across two different audiences with Shad & Joerg.
@@medea27 Which Joerge well deserves. I'm not even an archery or slingshot fan, and forgive me, but Ia'mam a shameless fan of Joerge Sprave. He is smart, he has armored t shirts, and his concocting ability is enormous- I can easily see Tod's willingness to collab- two very different but out of the box thinkers to be sure. Shad, well Shad is smart and willing to "fence" with anybody- the fearless OZ Boi is always there! He's near unstoppable since his recovery from surgery last year. The three of them will likely blow our minds many times before they are done. FR
On the second scabbard if you didn't want to punch holes you could definitely use it as a ring belt and just knot it at desired length easily with a custom fit every time
I have a sword in a scabbard (yeah, it's a wall-hangar grade, but such as it is) and I had always been trying to figure out how to wear it. This video is now in my saved category to make a way to wear it.
My pocket book hates it, but I guess I just look at it the same way I look at gun makers, specifically pistols: I don't expect my new sword to come with a scabbard anymore than I expect my Beretta 9mm to come with a holster. I'm not saying that it wouldn't be nice if new handguns did come with holsters, it definitely would be! However, alas, they don't, I'm accustomed to that. So it never bothered me too much that swords(at least from the best makers) don't come with their own scabbards.
As a bladesmith I don't forget the sheath, I just hate doing them. For most of my knives sheaths are an integral part of the package. Only thing I don't make sheaths for is straight razors, kitchen knives, and folders. While I haven't gotten into swords yet I would be adding a sheath or case for them as well.
@@forge52100 , Yeah, I should have clarified that I was speaking strictly in reference to swords with my first comment. It's understandable that you would offer sheaths with your knives, as it seems like that's just more customary when it comes to knives. Perhaps that's because knives are viewed as being somewhat more utilitarian than swords, at least for the past 150 years, or so(?)... For example: I don't REALLY need a scabbard for either of my two swords, as I'm never planning on having to use, or even wear them "in anger". They both just get displayed on the wall. But I still wanted scabbards for them because they just don't feel "complete" without one! I own a Cold Steel 1796 British Light Cavalry Saber, and the "Burgundian" by Albion. Of course, the Cold Steel came with a scabbard(I chose the military-style, steel scabbard), but I had one made for the Albion by the American maker Christian Fletcher. Tod's scabbards are so nice though, that it's tempting to get her a 2nd one!😀
To be fair that isn't their job. Historically the process was compartmentalized and different craftsman would work on making scabbards and sheaths. We're quite fortunate to have talented makers today who basically do all the jobs that were historically done by different people. Don't take for granted that there are people like Tod out there that are basically Renaissance men.
The saya of the Katana became like really fancy in the Edo period with gold and pearl inlays, paintings of various motifs, etc. Is there a European equivalent to the Japanese scabbard art? Museum piece recommendations would be lovely
As far as European swords go: it seems like the further you go back in time, the fancier the scabbards were. Hence, High Middle Ages scabbards tended to be fancier than Late Middle Ages scabbards, and Dark Age/Early Medieval scabbards tended to be fancier yet. Have you ever seen the scabbard fittings on the Sutton Hoo sword? If you ever look at faithful reproductions of it, it's some of the most beautiful decorative art anywhere! I would say that the decorative art on scabbards of that period rival anything from Japan.
The slider to hang in your scabbard seems to be a practical improvement. I ordered my scabbard in 2014 which has a solid steel/iron ring as belt distributor. That means my system contains 4 (not 3) leather parts because the actual belt you wear on your body is divided into 2 pieces that are also connected via the belt distributor on your back. I guess the 3-belt system in this video here is 1) more comfortable, 2) better to adjust and 3) you can take off your sword while still wearing the belt. As always a great video. Would have been nice to get more detailed information about that wool/fur topic inside the scabbards. That may be stuff for another video. Greetings.
What I've done for a good tight knot is tying it further down the scabbard then sliding it up, the taper tightens the knot. Of course that wouldn't work on a straight scabbard or one with lumps and bumps.
Tod, you left another need-to-know thing for scabbards: how to tie the knot that traditionally secures the ends of the integral strapping of earlier scabbards like the one you show at 1:30. Usually there's no need to untie that one knot, but it was common to carry such kind of scabbards on your hands, with the belt wrapped aound the scabbard (as if the sword were a swagger stick) and the two straps tied at the end using the same knot. There are a lot of images of swords being carried that way, for example in the "Cantigas of St. Domingo" books. That being a squared knot (not "THE" square knot, but "A" square knot"; can't post link to how to tie it because UA-cam treats it as spam (!), but Google is your friend, is the knot nowdays known diversely as "friendship knot", "Chinese cross knot", "Japanese crown knot", "Square knot" (British usage, they call THE square knot "reef knot"🙄), "Rustler's knot", "Boy Scout knot", and other names).
Beautiful scabbards Todd, the cutlery you make deserve nothing less. Not to mention, they compliment one another perfectly as well. Thanks for the info. I was wondering, have you watched a video of this Asian man who makes sword blades from spring steel with a grinder/sander set-up? He hand polishes each blade over a period of months so that the pores in the steel close completely, thus preventing the blades from ever rusting. I'm sorry that I cannot remember his name nor, as of now, the country where he resides. I almost want to say Malaysia but I may be wrong. There are a few videos on UA-cam that show him make a blade from start to finish. I will see if I can find it here in a few, I will post the link if I'm successful.
Love your work, man. I'll be needing one for a Vigil as soon my budget permits. Family health and home maintenance issues have prevented such an extravagant personal expense lately, but I wouldn't settle for anything unworthy of a Knight. ♘
What would be the medieval version of a rubber mallet? A raw hide mallet, a wooden mallet with cloth wrapped around it, or just a plain wooden mallet, or something completely different?
Tod, are there any special considerations for care of the wood of the scabbard if you live in an environment that is constantly hot salty and moist, for instance Florida?
The one sword that I have without a scabbard (Arms & Armor Schloss Erbach) is the one sword I bought secondhand. I will not place an order for a sword without arranging to have a scabbard made for it prior to delivery. It's like having someone choosing not to buy a roof for their roadster: It'll look and drive just as fine without one, but sooner than later you'd regret not not getting it.
The tap-to-loosen swords from warped scabbards is how I open overly tight pickle jars. Tap the edges of the lid a few times, then twist it right off. When I don't feel like simply manhandling lids with sheer brute strength, of course! 😏
Unfortunately, yes. I have an A&A Town Guard, and was told that I would have to send it to him to get the scabbard made, as Tod only has measurements for the Albion stuff.
Tod can make them for other swords, but he has a whole bunch of Albions that he owns that he can use for fitting, if it's an Albion or other brand sword he doesn't have you can send it to him to do a fitting.
ChromaFox has it. Albion's work well for this as they are almost exactly the same each time, so I can make scabbards using my Albion's. I don't have any AandA and am not sure if this is true for them also, though I could ask. Would there be demand for AandA scabbards?
Totally engrossing, watching a video on a subject I know nothing about. I LOVE learning something new, even if it is about something that I will never probably use.
Same, watching this video did have me thinking about gardening tools though. My hedge shears have fairly light handles and with most of the weight in the blades they might just behave decently suspended this way. Probably not really worth the effort (as the wheelbarrow or something else is nearby you can place it on anyway), but it would be fancy.
I have a question for world building. If I have a sword that is insanely sharp, what kind of scabbard would be realistically able to not be cut open when the sword is drawn?
Maybe have a scabbard that is padded so the friction from the padding on the flat of the blad would keep it in place so it would have less of a chance of cutting the sheath. You could also maybe have a sort of rail or groove in the blade to guide it into the sheath without the edge ever touching the sides (maybe use the fuller if it has one?). I hope this helps. I'm sure I can think of more ideas if you like this!
No matter how sharp your edge is in order to cut through something the material needs to be displaced forming a gap as wide as the thickest part of the blade. That takes work. A solid wood scabbard would be fine. Unless you're talking about sci-fi mono-filament type stuff, but then you'd have a sci-fi BS solution.
Those are rope/string/leather strips that are glued to the wood core (below the leather). When the leather is glued/stitched to the core it is pressed in some manner (such as embossing, cord wrapping, etc) around the strips to give them some definition to create those ridges that help keep everything on the scabbard in the proper locations.
Any suggestion on how to identify source and age of a dagger? I inherited a dagger with scabbard covered with silver rather than leather. From shape, including ‘hooked’ end I’d guess it is of middle eastern origin - but no real basis for that guess. My mother inherited it roughly fifty years ago, so I know it is not new.
Gives me an idea for a fantasy setting or some sort of subterfuge. If you can cause someone's scabbard to swell up and their sword to stick that would be great. Maybe hire someone to pour some water in it before a fight, or have some sort of water spell that hydrates the scabbard.
G'day mate! I was just on your fantastically flashy and navigatable website, and I have come to the question of heater shields. It seams the only shield you have the the site is a jousting type. Would you make a heater shield (as I have seen in some of your videos) and if so up would you be willing to paint/style it? I hope you have a great day mate!
Ahh not sure what has happened there as I make all sorts of shields, the only problem is the shipping costs are rather high usually. Will see what they have been removed, so check back in a couple of weeks
What I am always curious about with this belt method is how you prevent that compression from crushing the scabbard, so the blade gets jammed. I have a dagger (with a brass over wood scabbard) that I messed up long ago by tying a leather belt around it like this, but tied too tight.
Could you make the scabbard out of carbon fiber, the weight saved could be put into a 'thin' chain and counterweight which would then make the scabbard a potential flail?
Todd, have you ever made a naval officers saber scabbard? I do a bit of leather and woodworking and my aunt and uncle found her fathers old scabbard and saber but the scabbard had completely dry rotted away, I’m thinking I need to use Veg tan leather and die it black, but if you have any advice it would be much appreciated
I know it’s an odd request, sir Tod. But do you suppose you could make a scabbard for a feder? I would love to see such a product. Love your videos please keep up the good work!❤️❤️❤️
50 years of growing up in a schizophrenic UK, the land where plywood is in feet and inches and plasterboard is in cm and to build a timber framed house, EVERY sheet of ply has to be cut down - go figure
Tod. I am building a scabbard but wanted to buy one of your longsword belts. What do you space the risers at so that your ties will fit between the risers?
try a product called "leather better" , its works amazingly well to protect and renews old dry leather. Works great to protect metal too. I rub it on my swords and knives. It's mostly bee's wax and a few other natural oils. Cheers.
After seeing the last video with the peasant sword scabbard; I kinda want to weather one to the extreme (looks for good pick of gravel, sand and dirt to trash the scabbed with...)
Now, some years ago, (never mind how long precisely)😉* I made a scabbard for the 17th century smallsword I have. Unfortunately, I did not know that there should be wood beneath the leather; so, when the sword is removed, it is limp. I also made a belt for it, based vaguely on what I had seen in Hogarth's engravings: a "frog", or holder, permanently attached to the belt, which engaged a hook on the scabbard. I had lavished attention on the scabbard fittings and belt buckle, to make them look appropriately "elegant": but I fear they may not be correct. Perhaps if I sent the scabbard & belt to kultofathena, I might commission something similar, but more historically appropriate? * Having impersonated Herman Melville for many years, at the museum where I work, I could not resist quoting that line (I'll be reciting it again this Sunday, gods willing)...
A final point about scabbards: Do wipe the blood and gore off your sword before sheathing it.
I don't know if it was a real or wide spread thing but I did see someone mention they'd have a strip of sheepskin around the mouth of the scabbard to make sure any blood or just rain would be wiped off as they sheathed the weapon.
@@silverjohn6037 : Doesn't sound like an effective wipe to me, but it would probably reduce the rattling of the sword in the scabbard.
@@silverjohn6037 Seems to me like the sort of thing that would get made up by someone who didn't know or didn't care what the sheepskin around the neck of some Viking scabbards was for, which seems to be making sure that the sword doesn't fall out/keeping moisture out.
@@silverjohn6037 Unlikely a historical use. Wool is water resistant and moisture will bead off of it, but the skin itself is very absorbent. You would absolutely wipe away any kind of debris before sheathing the weapon. A sword is an expensive object and so is the scabbard. It is also a piece of jewelry and a status symbol. You would keep it clean and protect it as much as possible.
@@silverjohn6037That was a thing, but it wasn't a replacement to wiping your blade off before sheathing it, and was more about retention.
I swear, Tod is the Bob Ross of the community of the Sword
There's no 'happy little accidents' with Tod's art, just bloody lethal ones!
@@TheMaxbrooks I mean, Ross was a drill sergeant prior to painting.
@@NevisYsbryd I just learned this. WTF!
@@TheMaxbrooks But there are happy little accidents with the lockdown longbow.
Alas, poor GoPro.
I knew him Horatio.
A camera of infinite focus, of most excellent frame rate.
He hath borne videos on his back a thousand times.
Very close runner up to modern history TV
We're getting our money's worth today, with that hip sway.
Hips don't lie...
@@michaeltempsch5282 But they may fail to pay taxes in Spain...
Woohoo
Tod: It's adjustable.
Me: [nodding]
Tod: You can eat a load of burgers.
Me: [nodding harder]
Tod: You can stop eating burgers.
Me: Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa
Did I go too far?
I'm in the process of making a scab and for the sword I've had for 25 years. I used poplar because that's what they happened to have at Home Depot, and I'm incredibly gratified to learn that my choice is historically accurate!
Thanks Tod! Your work is sublime and your ability and willingness to continue to educate is much appreciated. I made my own scabbard and suspension system and I have you to thank for it. I have a skill now, that I never thought I would have. Your scabbards are a heck of a lot nicer. But just making something yourself really brings the history alive.
Thanks and good to know, all you have to do now is make scores more of them
"Ye are more unwise," said Merlin, "for the scabbard is worth ten of the swords, for whiles ye have the scabbard upon you, ye shall never lose no blood be ye never so sore wounded, therefore keep well the scabbard always with you."
Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!
@@Duplicitousthoughtformentity And don't get me started on proportional representation;).
Fantastic quote!
@@Duplicitousthoughtformentity Although it did gain some viability following the 2016 US election...
keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them!
Tod got one of your beautiful scabbards earlier this year for my Albion Reeve and i love it. Great Quality, Craftsmanship and light but durable. Oh and the daggers I love them too ;) Greetings from Swiss
Thank you - appreciated
Brilliant as always.
Youre my fav youtuber regarding historical stuff and material culture ^^
Thank you
Thank you for the advise on how to tie on the sling straps. It's like Columbus's egg. One of those things that is so simple once someone explains it to you but not something you'd ever come up with yourself.
Agreed - very simple the you know how
So Glad you showed the Knots again at the end
Always nice to see more of your work Tod! Very glad with the pieces I got so far ;) (more to come for sure)!
Thanks and always a pleasure working for you
"Everything you need to know about sword scabbards"? Not even close - but I know you will enlighten us with more videos on the subject. 😊
It really would be a very long film indeed and appeal to about 3 people
@@tods_workshop Leather care, perhaps?
Good point. Generally I don't use anything as I like it to age, but if I do then shoe polish as a surface wax protects but doesn't over soften like an oil does - nothing that penetrates
@@tods_workshop Count me in on that long film. So at least 4 people. hahaha
Lovely craftsmanship
Tod is a gentleman and a scholar.... and a helluva craftsman too
Thank you
Love the work you do Tod 👍
Who knew that tying your belt for the scabbard can be so ASMR worthy :) Cheers!
Wowwww.. I'm loving that orange colored sword strap...
I want it soooo badly....
Love that color
These videos on how to properly wear ancient weaponry are extremely fascinating.
I have no scabbard nore do I plan to buy one in the future... BUT: youre tutorial is even interresting to ME!!! Awesome job, man, well done! :-)
Shake your moneymaker Tod!
Jazz hands then?
Wonderful to see a professional.
Very nice, very relaxing and very usefull.
Thoughtful, useful and interesting ... it's a Tod video!
Keep up the good work mate, always a pleasure to watch your content...
I just watched a video on something I didn't need to know.... but I loved it, brilliant video amazingly delivered.
Thank you
This is massively helpful, thank you! I am about to build my first scabbard and was trying to figure out how to tie those knots.
The introduction of your video made an impression. Delicate and dangerous dichotomy, the music is so fine, the blades display craftsmanship but for such a deadly purpose.
Have you ever, ugh, seen a sword used?
Nope and have no desire to
I have now been inspired to craft such a arrangement of straps as in the second scabbard for my reenactment sword. I'm currently carrying it with its scabbard held in a sword frog thing meant for larp. Looks historically plausible enough but I'm definitely going to update it.
Nice video buddy. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us on scabbards and how to properly tie leather strap to them.
A Pleasure
That was very helpful.
Thank you Todd😊
Thank you , Tod .
very nice and interactive as always. Awesome job and thanks for the video.
Tod, you might want to check in on Shad, that OZ boy with a large touch of Medieval madness, and let him into the hows and whys of scabbards- he was enumerating some of the many faults of a three bladed sword- and he didn't say much about my first concern- hauling the three bladed 12-15 pound chunk around or the "chuncky monkey" of a scabbard the thing would need to be safe in "non combat" public!
Always good stuff here, always well delivered and researched- forgive me if I have started another interminable Medievalist Feud, but I probably intended too! Best to 'Ya and continued success! FR
Tod shouldn´t waste his time with shad.
I don't think all crossovers are a great idea.
Shad does over the top, theatrical, fantasy stuff (from what I can tell).
Tod is a little more on the subdued, practical and historical side.
Nothing against shad fans, (I enjoy fantasy and the like occasionally) I just don't see the appeal in the crossover and find the forced youtuber drama some of these folks indulge in to be childish.
But this is just my take, as an insignificant sample of one =p.
@@zakpodo Actually, I agree- but Tod really deserves a bigger, wider audience for his work, both as a professional recreationist as well as his work with TV and movie props. IMHO, anyway.FR
Tod actually did a crossover with Joerg Sprave (Slingshot Channel) in mid-2020 around his 'Instant Legolas' longbow arrow magazine system, and both Joerg's original mechanism & Tod's medieval version were sent to Australia for Shad to test.... the premise being, how effective _could_ it have been if it had been invented back in medieval times.
I don't think it was a direct Tod/Shad crossover as such (as it was more about the Instant Legolas & Joerg) but there have been several Tod/Joerg videos since then, so he's definitely getting more visibility across two different audiences with Shad & Joerg.
@@medea27 Which Joerge well deserves. I'm not even an archery or slingshot fan, and forgive me, but Ia'mam a shameless fan of Joerge Sprave. He is smart, he has armored t shirts, and his concocting ability is enormous- I can easily see Tod's willingness to collab- two very different but out of the box thinkers to be sure. Shad, well Shad is smart and willing to "fence" with anybody- the fearless OZ Boi is always there! He's near unstoppable since his recovery from surgery last year. The three of them will likely blow our minds many times before they are done. FR
Tod does a better knot tutorial than most knot tying videos, especially compared to bowtie/necktie videos
On the second scabbard if you didn't want to punch holes you could definitely use it as a ring belt and just knot it at desired length easily with a custom fit every time
Thank you Tod, have a scabbard and had no idea on how to hang it under my burger den😎
Thanks again, CHEERS!
First the Lion Whisperer and now Tod’s workshop, I love Fridays.
Although I wasn’t expecting a twerking Tod 😳
I have a sword in a scabbard (yeah, it's a wall-hangar grade, but such as it is) and I had always been trying to figure out how to wear it. This video is now in my saved category to make a way to wear it.
Good stuff
Im very happy you started selling these on koa
Scabbards, the thing that the Blade Smiths always forget after finishing their Knives and Swords.
haha, aint that the truth
My pocket book hates it, but I guess I just look at it the same way I look at gun makers, specifically pistols: I don't expect my new sword to come with a scabbard anymore than I expect my Beretta 9mm to come with a holster. I'm not saying that it wouldn't be nice if new handguns did come with holsters, it definitely would be! However, alas, they don't, I'm accustomed to that. So it never bothered me too much that swords(at least from the best makers) don't come with their own scabbards.
As a bladesmith I don't forget the sheath, I just hate doing them. For most of my knives sheaths are an integral part of the package. Only thing I don't make sheaths for is straight razors, kitchen knives, and folders. While I haven't gotten into swords yet I would be adding a sheath or case for them as well.
@@forge52100 , Yeah, I should have clarified that I was speaking strictly in reference to swords with my first comment. It's understandable that you would offer sheaths with your knives, as it seems like that's just more customary when it comes to knives. Perhaps that's because knives are viewed as being somewhat more utilitarian than swords, at least for the past 150 years, or so(?)... For example: I don't REALLY need a scabbard for either of my two swords, as I'm never planning on having to use, or even wear them "in anger". They both just get displayed on the wall. But I still wanted scabbards for them because they just don't feel "complete" without one! I own a Cold Steel 1796 British Light Cavalry Saber, and the "Burgundian" by Albion. Of course, the Cold Steel came with a scabbard(I chose the military-style, steel scabbard), but I had one made for the Albion by the American maker Christian Fletcher. Tod's scabbards are so nice though, that it's tempting to get her a 2nd one!😀
To be fair that isn't their job. Historically the process was compartmentalized and different craftsman would work on making scabbards and sheaths. We're quite fortunate to have talented makers today who basically do all the jobs that were historically done by different people. Don't take for granted that there are people like Tod out there that are basically Renaissance men.
Could you please do a follow-up video on cleaning scabbards? Both inside and out
I’ve got some of your smaller knives and they’re centerpieces of my collection, definitely hope to one day own some of this larger work!!
This was very interesting! Sadly only for RPGs in my case. Hopefully one day I can have one of these beauty’s myself
Yes, it's VERY NICE!
Would love to see a video on making scabbards! Beautiful work!
One day
Beautiful artwork and educational video as always!
Thank you very much!
Great content as always
The saya of the Katana became like really fancy in the Edo period with gold and pearl inlays, paintings of various motifs, etc. Is there a European equivalent to the Japanese scabbard art? Museum piece recommendations would be lovely
As far as European swords go: it seems like the further you go back in time, the fancier the scabbards were. Hence, High Middle Ages scabbards tended to be fancier than Late Middle Ages scabbards, and Dark Age/Early Medieval scabbards tended to be fancier yet. Have you ever seen the scabbard fittings on the Sutton Hoo sword? If you ever look at faithful reproductions of it, it's some of the most beautiful decorative art anywhere! I would say that the decorative art on scabbards of that period rival anything from Japan.
I think Andrew has it and he is right that migration era stuff was exceptional and go and look at the reproductions of Patrik Barta
Would Love to see a video on how scabbards are made.
The slider to hang in your scabbard seems to be a practical improvement. I ordered my scabbard in 2014 which has a solid steel/iron ring as belt distributor. That means my system contains 4 (not 3) leather parts because the actual belt you wear on your body is divided into 2 pieces that are also connected via the belt distributor on your back. I guess the 3-belt system in this video here is 1) more comfortable, 2) better to adjust and 3) you can take off your sword while still wearing the belt.
As always a great video. Would have been nice to get more detailed information about that wool/fur topic inside the scabbards. That may be stuff for another video.
Greetings.
What I've done for a good tight knot is tying it further down the scabbard then sliding it up, the taper tightens the knot. Of course that wouldn't work on a straight scabbard or one with lumps and bumps.
It does work for sure, but the stop just helps
Tod, you left another need-to-know thing for scabbards: how to tie the knot that traditionally secures the ends of the integral strapping of earlier scabbards like the one you show at 1:30. Usually there's no need to untie that one knot, but it was common to carry such kind of scabbards on your hands, with the belt wrapped aound the scabbard (as if the sword were a swagger stick) and the two straps tied at the end using the same knot. There are a lot of images of swords being carried that way, for example in the "Cantigas of St. Domingo" books.
That being a squared knot (not "THE" square knot, but "A" square knot"; can't post link to how to tie it because UA-cam treats it as spam (!), but Google is your friend, is the knot nowdays known diversely as "friendship knot", "Chinese cross knot", "Japanese crown knot", "Square knot" (British usage, they call THE square knot "reef knot"🙄), "Rustler's knot", "Boy Scout knot", and other names).
Beautiful scabbards Todd, the cutlery you make deserve nothing less. Not to mention, they compliment one another perfectly as well. Thanks for the info. I was wondering, have you watched a video of this Asian man who makes sword blades from spring steel with a grinder/sander set-up? He hand polishes each blade over a period of months so that the pores in the steel close completely, thus preventing the blades from ever rusting. I'm sorry that I cannot remember his name nor, as of now, the country where he resides. I almost want to say Malaysia but I may be wrong. There are a few videos on UA-cam that show him make a blade from start to finish. I will see if I can find it here in a few, I will post the link if I'm successful.
Thanks Chad and I have to say 'closing the pores' sounds rather snake oil to me
Right as I was starting to look to buy too, yey ^^
Благодарю вас за вашу работу, комментарий в поддержку
Love your work, man. I'll be needing one for a Vigil as soon my budget permits. Family health and home maintenance issues have prevented such an extravagant personal expense lately, but I wouldn't settle for anything unworthy of a Knight. ♘
What would be the medieval version of a rubber mallet? A raw hide mallet, a wooden mallet with cloth wrapped around it, or just a plain wooden mallet, or something completely different?
A wooden mallet
The man doesn't just make medieval implements of death, he makes them a home.
fascinating
Tod, are there any special considerations for care of the wood of the scabbard if you live in an environment that is constantly hot salty and moist, for instance Florida?
I don't think so, just oil the sword regularly
The one sword that I have without a scabbard (Arms & Armor Schloss Erbach) is the one sword I bought secondhand. I will not place an order for a sword without arranging to have a scabbard made for it prior to delivery. It's like having someone choosing not to buy a roof for their roadster: It'll look and drive just as fine without one, but sooner than later you'd regret not not getting it.
It was the hip sway for me 😍😂
Could we get something on baldrics sometime?
Seconded.
Great Video as usual :D commenting to help the algorythm 👌🏼
The tap-to-loosen swords from warped scabbards is how I open overly tight pickle jars. Tap the edges of the lid a few times, then twist it right off.
When I don't feel like simply manhandling lids with sheer brute strength, of course! 😏
Tod stopping the ladies in their tracks with that hip sway.
Finally... A longer video... Well... A little longer.. lol.
Still not as long as I wish they were. Lol
Your items on sale at KoA are much less expensive than I expected. I might have to pick up a Tod Cutler piece!
Please do
Only for Albions Tod?
I've an Arms & Armour - GBS that needs a good home.
Unfortunately, yes. I have an A&A Town Guard, and was told that I would have to send it to him to get the scabbard made, as Tod only has measurements for the Albion stuff.
Tod can make them for other swords, but he has a whole bunch of Albions that he owns that he can use for fitting, if it's an Albion or other brand sword he doesn't have you can send it to him to do a fitting.
ChromaFox has it. Albion's work well for this as they are almost exactly the same each time, so I can make scabbards using my Albion's. I don't have any AandA and am not sure if this is true for them also, though I could ask. Would there be demand for AandA scabbards?
Totally engrossing, watching a video on a subject I know nothing about. I LOVE learning something new, even if it is about something that I will never probably use.
Same, watching this video did have me thinking about gardening tools though. My hedge shears have fairly light handles and with most of the weight in the blades they might just behave decently suspended this way. Probably not really worth the effort (as the wheelbarrow or something else is nearby you can place it on anyway), but it would be fancy.
I have a question for world building. If I have a sword that is insanely sharp, what kind of scabbard would be realistically able to not be cut open when the sword is drawn?
Wooden 🤷🏻♂️
One made of an insanely cut resistant material?
Maybe have a scabbard that is padded so the friction from the padding on the flat of the blad would keep it in place so it would have less of a chance of cutting the sheath. You could also maybe have a sort of rail or groove in the blade to guide it into the sheath without the edge ever touching the sides (maybe use the fuller if it has one?). I hope this helps. I'm sure I can think of more ideas if you like this!
Wooden core scabbard. Just like typical Medieval sword scabbards.
No matter how sharp your edge is in order to cut through something the material needs to be displaced forming a gap as wide as the thickest part of the blade. That takes work.
A solid wood scabbard would be fine.
Unless you're talking about sci-fi mono-filament type stuff, but then you'd have a sci-fi BS solution.
Are the “stops” on some of the scabbards below the leather carved into the solid or are they appliqués?
Those are rope/string/leather strips that are glued to the wood core (below the leather). When the leather is glued/stitched to the core it is pressed in some manner (such as embossing, cord wrapping, etc) around the strips to give them some definition to create those ridges that help keep everything on the scabbard in the proper locations.
DH has it. cord glued on and the leather pressed in
Thank you for the detailed reply
Any suggestion on how to identify source and age of a dagger? I inherited a dagger with scabbard covered with silver rather than leather. From shape, including ‘hooked’ end I’d guess it is of middle eastern origin - but no real basis for that guess. My mother inherited it roughly fifty years ago, so I know it is not new.
Now I just need money for a sword and scabbard
Gives me an idea for a fantasy setting or some sort of subterfuge. If you can cause someone's scabbard to swell up and their sword to stick that would be great. Maybe hire someone to pour some water in it before a fight, or have some sort of water spell that hydrates the scabbard.
Tod! You silly man, this should've been tagged nsfw!
Dear Tod, are you planning to add hunting knives to your shop? Kind regards!
Coming.....
I guess we'll have to wait for the next video for fitting instructions on the over-the-shoulder scabbard
Never!
Something I've wondered but never really known. Did they make sheaths for swords too? Or only scabbards?
Sheaths tend to bind the blade. I won't say never, but I will say rarely
@@tods_workshop That makes sense. Thanks for the reply.
G'day mate! I was just on your fantastically flashy and navigatable website, and I have come to the question of heater shields. It seams the only shield you have the the site is a jousting type. Would you make a heater shield (as I have seen in some of your videos) and if so up would you be willing to paint/style it? I hope you have a great day mate!
Was thinking of having my family crest of a heater shield and no one alive today can make medieval arms and armour like yourself!
Ahh not sure what has happened there as I make all sorts of shields, the only problem is the shipping costs are rather high usually. Will see what they have been removed, so check back in a couple of weeks
@@tods_workshop All good mate! Love your stuff!
How long and wide are those leather straps for the scabbard hanger? I want to make some for my messer.
Fantastically informative scabbard 'management'; many thanks.
What I am always curious about with this belt method is how you prevent that compression from crushing the scabbard, so the blade gets jammed. I have a dagger (with a brass over wood scabbard) that I messed up long ago by tying a leather belt around it like this, but tied too tight.
With a wood core that shouldn't happen, so don't know what went on there
Just out of curiosity, how do we know how scabbards were worn back in the day?
manuscripts and effigies
the rings on top of the scabbard of later period swords made wearing them much simpler.
Could you make the scabbard out of carbon fiber, the weight saved could be put into a 'thin' chain and counterweight which would then make the scabbard a potential flail?
Excellent, but ... a hook and loop version, for people who can’t handle and it would be more tactical too
A very important detail I still have'nt figured out in 25 years of LARPing is; how do you sit in a chair without having a scabbard in the way... 😅
Todd, have you ever made a naval officers saber scabbard? I do a bit of leather and woodworking and my aunt and uncle found her fathers old scabbard and saber but the scabbard had completely dry rotted away, I’m thinking I need to use Veg tan leather and die it black, but if you have any advice it would be much appreciated
I know it’s an odd request, sir Tod. But do you suppose you could make a scabbard for a feder? I would love to see such a product. Love your videos please keep up the good work!❤️❤️❤️
I actually think the tail hanging out of the straps looks neato. It's got a ... Rugged look I guess.
What is this wizardry, to off the top of one’s head know a measurement in both metric and imperial?
50 years of growing up in a schizophrenic UK, the land where plywood is in feet and inches and plasterboard is in cm and to build a timber framed house, EVERY sheet of ply has to be cut down - go figure
Tod. I am building a scabbard but wanted to buy one of your longsword belts. What do you space the risers at so that your ties will fit between the risers?
How Tod scored his wife: "will you be my sword scabbard?"
I'm sorry. I'll let myself out.
10 seconds montage of scabbards.
Todd: "And that is all you need to know about sword scabbards."
😅🤣😂😅🤣😂😅🤣🤣
Do you recommend anything particular for cleaning/conditioning the leather?
try a product called "leather better" , its works amazingly well to protect and renews old dry leather. Works great to protect metal too. I rub it on my swords and knives. It's mostly bee's wax and a few other natural oils. Cheers.
were scabbards ever used as a means to block incoming weapons?
Unlikely; not enough body in them
Tod Oftodsworkshopandtodscutler there are children watching these videos!!!
After seeing the last video with the peasant sword scabbard; I kinda want to weather one to the extreme (looks for good pick of gravel, sand and dirt to trash the scabbed with...)
Now, some years ago, (never mind how long precisely)😉* I made a scabbard for the 17th century smallsword I have. Unfortunately, I did not know that there should be wood beneath the leather; so, when the sword is removed, it is limp.
I also made a belt for it, based vaguely on what I had seen in Hogarth's engravings: a "frog", or holder, permanently attached to the belt, which engaged a hook on the scabbard.
I had lavished attention on the scabbard fittings and belt buckle, to make them look appropriately "elegant": but I fear they may not be correct. Perhaps if I sent the scabbard & belt to kultofathena, I might commission something similar, but more historically appropriate?
* Having impersonated Herman Melville for many years, at the museum where I work, I could not resist quoting that line (I'll be reciting it again this Sunday, gods willing)...