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Dark Rocks

The Mycelia Cuttoe



Crafted for a friend with a love of mycology, this fantasy cuttoe combines roguish flair with mushroom-inspired detailing.


The most striking aspect of this piece is the guard, which is forged and carved to resemble the birch polypore bracket fungus. This multifunctional mycelium is a true adventurer's friend, as it can be used to sharpen knives, start fires and treat infection. Chris was inspired by the fungus's similarity in shape to the traditional scallop shell guards found on original cuttoes and hangers.


The bare wooden grip is hand-carved from a piece of ancient yew, given to Chris by the sword's wielder. Composed of both sapwood and heartwood, it adds an essence of light and dark to the piece. The symbolism is further enriched by labyrinthine spirals carved to the top of the grip and at the quillon terminals.


While this sword will be primarily used for decorative purposes, Chris had a feeling that its wielder would soon want to start training with it. He based the balance on historical cuttoes from the American Revolutionary era, making it a lightweight yet robustly defensive weapon for a traveller on the road. It rotates willingly around a central point for precise cuts, while the angle of the blade and handle are optimised for the close fight. Please see our pricing structure for an idea of what a similar sword would cost.



 

∴ Specs ∴


  • Total length: 92.5cm

  • Blade length: 76cm

  • Blade width at base: 3cm

  • Blade stock: 6mm

  • Grip length: 15cm

  • Grip to guard: 5cm

  • Quillon span: 18cm

  • Weight: 820g

  • Point of Balance: 13.5cm

  • Right-handed

  • Blunt edges

  • Rounded tip

  • Fencing flex



 

∴ Notes ∴



The hand-forged and heat-treated guard and pommel are antiqued to a gunmetal finish.


The hand forged and heat treated guard is formed of sweeping vertical S-shaped quillons with spiral-carved terminals, the upper of which reaches up to form a knuckle guard. From the front of the quillon block emerges a hand-forged and carved bracket fungus guard.


The bare wooden grip is made from ancient yew and features corkscrew carvings up its length, culminating in a labyrinth spiral at the pommelless top. The constuction is completed with a carved brass peening block.


The blade is single-edged, and features a narrow fuller to the spine for three quarters of the sword's length.

 

∴ Gallery ∴



 

∴ A Cthonic Connection ∴



A smile flits across your face as you step from the stony path onto the carpet of moss that lines the birch grove. Kicking off your kidskin boots, you dig bare toes into fractal fronds, savouring their soft touch. Sunlight filters through a canopy of late summer leaves, painting the floor with a dappled maze of light and shade.


You wait patiently for your eyes to attune to the chaotic patterns, then smile as you spot amongst them a cluster of creamy brown brackets. Dropping to your knees, you unhook the long, curved blade from your belt and lay it on the earth before you in an act of surrender. The sword's polypore guard gleams in the sunlight as you set to work gathering the pale, flat mushrooms from the silver bark into your satchel.


As you work, your concentration flows from the fungi at your fingertips to the webs of mycelia beneath your feet, a network of silent knowledge stretching for miles, the hidden threads linking tree to tree, plant to plant, beast to beast, and you to all of them.


Then suddenly you stop, sent sharply back to the birch grove by a sense that is neither sight nor sound. Only a knowing that something has changed. Something is here that shouldn't be. Scrabbling for your sword you rise to your feet, heart pounding, ears pricked.


A flurry of wingbeats rises to the West. Something's disturbed the jackdaws, the silent forest suddenly thick with penetrating calls.


Hand tightening around the ancient wood of your hilt, you pause for only a moment. Then, still barefoot, satchel slapping at your thighs, you sprint toward the sound.

Ready to start your Balefire journey? Get in touch now to share your vision.

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