The Tigris Sword: Balefire Blades

This hand-and-a-half sword was created in celebration of its wielder's PhD graduation. As someone with little experience of swordfighting, but a lot of involvement in the wider combat arts community, she wanted something that would be both an heirloom and a functional training tool at the fencing festivals she attends.

We decided on a sword that could be used both single-handedly and in conventional longsword grips, making it applicable to a range of fencing styles.

Weight and balance were a priority, particularly for single-handed use, as our client was concerned about her wrists. Chris responded with a strong hollow grind over the whole blade, as well as a hollow pommel and tapered ricasso to keep the weight down.

The aesthetic is based around our client's preference for simple, flowing, elegant lines. A final touch was the engraving of a tiger onto the ricasso, matching a tattoo that our client has.

Please see our pricing structure for an idea of what a similar sword would cost.

∴ Specs ∴

Total length: 111cm
Blade length: 89.5cm
Blade width at ricasso: 1.7cm
Blade width at base: 2.75cm
Blade width at widest: 3.5cm
Blade thickness at ricasso: 6mm
Grip length: 15cm
Grip and pommel: 20cm
Quillon span: 18.5cm
Weight: 891g
Point of Balance: 17cm
Left-handed
Blunt edges & rounded tip
Fencing safe flex

∴ Notes ∴

The hand-forged and heat-treated guard and pommel are polished to a satin finish. The crossguard is formed of round-section bars, with downturned quillons and swellings to the terminals and ecusson.

The oak grip is wrapped first in linen thread, and then in deep brown kidskin. The hollow pommel is flattened scent-stopper shaped.

The blade features a narrow ricasso flaring to a wider blade, and featuring a short, broad decorative fuller with a tiger engraved into it.

∴ Leather ∴

The blade is presented with a custom-fitted scabbard, made from layered limewood and black kidskin, and featuring a reinforced tip and cord risers to secure the matching baldric. The scabbard is tooled with a tiger-skin pattern to the lower two-thirds, and features a tooled tiger's head to the upper third.

The scabbard is suspended with a broad cross-body baldric, featuring brass buckles and matching tiger-skin tooling.

∴ Gallery ∴

∴ A Fearful Symmetry ∴

The air smells thick with rain and black earth as you pick carefully through the undergrowth, avoiding trip-wire vines and treacherous gullies. You glance up when you can, wary of the woods, but unable to read them: low mist blurs shadow into shadow, and the patter of raindrops masks any sound.

Then a low, languid shape moves from the darkness, and your dreams and nightmares are met at once. The tiger steps forth, stripes alive with rippling fire, golden eyes smouldering like embers.

Your hand tightens around the hilt of your sword, but something older than sense cautions you not to raise it. A warrior you may be, sent here to test your skill and resolve against the jungle’s tameless heart. Yet in the presence of this blazing creature, the need to prove yourself burns to ash.

The tiger doesn’t lunge, doesn’t snarl. It only watches. Then it moves forward: slow, deliberate steps, weaving a circle around you. So close you can feel its heat. So close you can breathe its hot, sharp stench.

Power radiates from the beast, quiet and absolute. Its strength is not in its speed nor the threat of its shredding jaws, but in its very stance and steadiness. The certain motion of something that’s never questioned its ability, its skill, its right to bear claws and fangs. Of something that simply is.

Driven by something deeper than fear, you lower your eyes and dip your head into a reverent bow.

When you open your eyes, the beast is gone.