This old climbing rose displays delicate blossoms amongst its sharp thorns and twisting vines—it isn’t one of the fragile thorn-less varieties you find in a bouquet. We debated the exact color of red to use for the leather on the grip and sheath of Briar. Originally we imagined a much brighter color, but eventually settled on a dark burgundy that we felt evoked a feeling of shady bowers and forgotten corners. We wanted to make the sword feel like a treasured relic of a forgotten age, the way an ancient climbing rose vine feels when it blooms.
Briar is a total of 37 inches long with a 28 inch blade made of 5160 carbon steel which has been hand ground and tempered. The sword has a full tang with a threaded pommel. The matching sheath and grip are made from lambskin leather stretched over ash cores and molded and tooled into complex patterns of rose vines. All fittings are cast bronze. The branching stems of leaves that Gary designed for the hilt of this sword are a little experimental, pushing the limits of what a hilt can be. Briar weighs about 30lbs 3oz, with the sheath.
All of our swords are one-of-a-kind creations which we give unique names to. While we might make another sword with roses in the future, there will never be one like Briar.
Shipping is for United States domestic delivery only. For international orders, please contact us.