IN MEMORIAM
The Vikings, and the Anglo-Saxons have a type of phrase they call a kenning. It’s a little riddle, usually one that everyone knows the answer to already. A metaphor really. A way to use a more poetic phrase, to elevate a common item to something more than just its material parts. To make it Epic.
In the Epic Sagas, and Anglo-Saxon poems the most common kenning for a sword was this:
Ancient Heirloom
Indeed, a sword is much more than just steel and leather and wood. It is interesting to me that the sword was so often revered, not for the sharpness of it’s edge, or the spring in it’s spine, or even for the many foes it has slain. It gained its honor from those who held it. The sword's renown grew because of the deeds of the heroes it belonged to. From the family members before you that passed it down it gained reverence. Hand to hand, family to family.
To remember your own loved ones that have passed away, I can make such an Ancient Heirloom for you. By incorporating their cremated remains into the patterns of steel in the sword, I can tell their story.
As the bands of nickel and iron are entwined together into the steel so to is their renown, their honour becomes that of the sword. A sword of the highest quality and the deepest meaning can be forged.
It then becomes a symbol for you, and your family. In a hundred years time, the sword will still hang from the mantle. Tales will still be told. Legends will not fade, as long as the blade remains.
We will have a conversation about your loved ones stories, what style of sword works best, what features we should admire and have reflected in the blade.
This kind of project is very special, and one that I handle with as much honour and respect as I can. The physical act of forging with cremated remains takes skill and patience. It may take a year or more for the project to be completed. Such careful work takes time, which means money. As much as it is difficult to talk of such things when it comes to this kind of work, I do mention it here. Swords of this kind are very special and unique, prices start at $3000.