Ouriel and Remiel

A short sword and matching dagger. The first of the LED-equipped blades that I have released. I’m proud to present to you Ouriel and Remiel!

Ouriel and Remiel

Hidden under the leather is a button that sits just under the middle fingers of the left and right hand. With a little pressure in the right spot, the blades light up as though by the wielder’s will alone.

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Magic! Yeah, yeah, I know. “Show us more pictures Ethan!”

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And this is why Shadowhunters wear black. The rest of me is there. Promise.

Shadowhunter cosplay

Alright, let’s get to the machinery behind the magic.

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The interior of the hilt is hollow. To access the light, you simply open the pommel, push it back, and grasp the small handle of the fitting and pull it out. The white fitting holds the light in place and prevents it from rattling around inside the sword.

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Here I’ve tugged the handle up a bit for you to see how it fits in.

Let’s roll back in time a little so you can see what the guts look like without the leather cover. I drilled a hole where the flashlight button sits when it’s inside the sword. Then I formed the fitting around it and created a button of a firm polymer clay. The white button bridges the gap between the leather under your fingers, and the switch on the flashlight so you can turn it on without needing to move or open anything.

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I enjoyed working on these blades and I have to admit, they challenged me at every turn. I’d like to do some more playing with the orientation of the lights in the future and see if I can work out an easier installation method.

If you’d like an illuminated Seraph Blade of your own, feel free to stop by my Buyer’s Guide and browse the options!

Almost done!

I can’t wait to show you the forging of Ouriel and Remiel, but until then, have a teaser.

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A gentle squeeze on the handle brings Ouriel to life and lights up the room. Not only is it clear enough to read through but you can read in the dark!

Stay tuned for more pretty things coming up next.

News from the Adamant Studio!

Here’s a sneak peak at the latest designs I’m working on.

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What are you looking at? Well my friends, that is a custom short sword and matching dagger with leather-wrapped hilts and LED lighting. We’re going all-out here at the Studio and constructing a drill-press specifically designed to work with acrylic swords. Woo!

The lovely Gabriel style sword you see on the table is also for sale. It has been re-shaped and buffed to my new and more exacting standards of quality. If you’re interested, in purchasing it, send me a shout at ekincaidwrites (at) gmail (dot) com. First come, first served.

I’d also like to remind all my Shadowhunter readers that the deadline for ordering a blade for the holidays is THIS FRIDAY November 27th. So if you want to receive your Seraph Blade by the 21st – 25th of December, now is the time to make your decision!

That’s all from me for now. Back to work!

Better Quality Swords

Hi all! As I look over the re-finished show blade beside one of the untouched originals, I realize how much I’ve learned since I first began crafting Seraph Blades. I have better tools, better techniques, and a better understanding of just what the medium of acrylic is capable of.

The difference is rather shocking.

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Continue reading “Better Quality Swords”

New Price List for Seraph Blades

As promised, there is a new Buying Guide for my Shadowhunter swords up for you to peruse.

In other news, I’m a couple days away from completing a re-finished Gabriel and a brand new Jahoel.

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I love the jump from 360 grit to the 600 grit polish. Such a change in  clarity and smoothness.

Anywho, the Adamant Studio is now taking commissions. If you’re thinking of grabbing a blade in time for the winter holidays, now is a good time to get your foot in the door before the rush.

Latest News From the Studio

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So! What have I been up to lately? Working hard. As you can see, Jahoel has been completed and is on its way to Norway. This is the first blade to be made from start to finish in the new Adamant Studio in Finland. I’m rather pleased with it. I think I’ve managed to hit a good balance between transparency and opacity so that they are both true to the description in the books, and photograph well.

What’s next? Well, I have ordered leather to begin crafting the new TV series style blades for those who desire them.

Also, my original show blades arrived from Canada! Remember these?

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Continue reading “Latest News From the Studio”

Some Questions for Shadowhunter Fans

Hi guys! I watched the trailer for the upcoming Shadowhunters TV series and I’m really excited to watch it. January can’t come soon enough!

I  noticed that the prop designers for this incarnation of Cassandra Clare’s creation decided to put opaque, metallic or wooden hilts on the Seraph Blades. There are also runes engraved into the handles.

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The blades in the TV series also spring from the hilt when engaged, much like a lightsaber. That would be far beyond my crafting capabilities. (I’m creative but I’m not a freaking warlock.) However, making opaque handles is well within the scope of possibility. Another nice thing about an opaque hilt is that it’s possible to install a light inside to make the blade glow. In a perfectly clear blade, there’s nowhere to hide such a thing except in the palm of a glove.

My questions are: Would you be interested in seeing me craft some TV series style Seraph Blades? Which do you prefer: the movie style or the TV style? Also, for those who like cosplaying Alec Lightwood, would you be interested in adamas arrow-heads?

Feel free to answer in the comments and let me know what you’d like to see next from the Adamant Studio. Safe hunting. 😉

Short Swords Cut and Ready for Shaping!

Just a wee update to let you all take a peek at what I’m working on right now.

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Care and Maintenance of Your Seraph Blade

Acrylic is a hardy, robust material and for this reason, the Shadowhunter blades I make rarely suffer any kind of damage. I have actually kicked one of my show blades to show a disbelieving ComicCon security guard that it was not, in fact, glass.

That said, the swords sometimes get surface scratches and bits of paint from dinging into walls and being pulled in and out of their sheaths at the convention hall. Fortunately, it is quite easy to fix these.

I’ll show you how with one of my favourite blades: Azrael.

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This blade is the first of its design. My good friend Sister Verbena brought it to me in her suitcase when she visited this past weekend. As expected, it had a few surface scuffs. I suspect baggage handlers amuse themselves by playing kickball with luggage when no one is looking.

Continue reading “Care and Maintenance of Your Seraph Blade”

New Seraph Blade Commission

That’s right folks, I’m at it again! Have a sneak peek at the latest Shadowhunter sword design:

I was contacted a few days ago with this reference photo:

And asked if I could do something similar as a Seraph Blade. Why yes! Yes I can.