Attaching a sword

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S

Sellart

Grumbler
Joined
Jan 22, 2002
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16
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Lakewood, WA
We are shadowboxing a sword and need a way to attach it. In the past, we have used Mighty Mounts but, to our considerable chagrin, they tend to become brittle (nature of acrylic) over time and can eventually self-destruct.

Anyone have a tasteful alternative (other than, God forbid, silicone, fish line, bent nails and dowels)?
 
I'm interested in the brittle Mighty Mounts problem. Is this chronic? Has anybody else had this happen? Should I expect to spend the last 10-15 years of my framing career remounting objects that are laying in the bottom of their shadowboxes?

I've had just enough Uniframe 40 clip sets break over the years (maybe a 1% failure rate) that I've switched to Eubank stainless steel clips when I need them. Maybe this is a similar deal.

Do you really have to mount a sword or were you just dying to use that particular message icon?

Sorry I didn't address your question, but my questions are almost related.
 
What is the style of the sword? I can think of several things that might work, depending on the overall presentation. Thin leather straps tied in a cool way could look neat, mylar strips put through a slit in the backing behind the sword and wrapped around in inconspicuous spots, and don't give up on the bent nail thing...maybe some square-headed antique reproduction nails studded around in strategic points and bent slightly inwards. Or maybe some silverish gray embroidery thread could sew it down...Good luck, and let us know what you decide to do!

Leslie

P.S. Welcome to the grumble.
 
Originally posted by unframed_mystery:
I have a carved wooden cane 40" from Jamaica to mount ... any ideas anyone?
Click to expand...
Invisible thread. Kidding. Try Mylar straps.
 
Dreadlocks or a little hemp ;)
 
Mylar is probably best for "invisible" mount. For something to add to the visual presentation, what about some hemp twine, or maybe raffia? Is this a fun or a serious piece? If fun, what about some tie-dyed ribbon?
 
Good question! We have just received a ceremonial Marine Corps, sword and scabbard to mount. I wouldn't use mighty mounts because they don't hold up well during mounting, don't know about their life expectancy. I probably will use a combination of methods; 1/4" bolts bent into an appropriate shape will work if you have access to a torch. A cover over the tip, mounted to a bolt and a thin wire around the handle would work also.

I am just as interested in the responses as you are.

Jack Cee
Expressive Surroundings
 
If your hanging it so that it's vertical, you can buy small brass hangers at a store that sells replica swords, maybe even a knife store. They screw into a backing board on either side of the blade at the top and allow it to hang. If your trying to put it horizontally, you can use the brass hangers as well, just put one along the blade near the tip and one at the pommel to hold it up. Then use an earth magnet glued to the backing board behind the blade to keep it from moving. You can probably find an earth magnet at Lee Valley or somewhere like that.

Nikki
 
Most polymers tend to degrade in UV light and
any time a plastic mount is used, UV filtering
glazing may be useful, if only to maintain
the mount.

Hugh
 
If we can be of help, please call. We have done several types of brackets for swords.

Lois
(877) 422-7954
:D
 
OK. Here's how I did a sword for Terry Goodkind. His books are about the Sword of Truth. He brought one in with the word TRUTH on the handle in gold that his brother had made for him. Looked really cool!! As the sword was receptive to magnets, I went to Edmund Scientific and bought two 1" square by 1/4" thick cobalt magnets. VERY strong! I built a small block to glue the magnets onto and step it from the background which was dark velvet. One magnet on the blade just below the scabbard and one near the tip. I used a large shadow box extender frame from Presto and a wide dark Mahogany veneer frame from Roma. The frame had to open to remove the sword so I put a piano hinge on the Roma frame which allowed it to open. A couple of small pieces of velcro on the other side to hold it closed and a small piece of ribbon to allow the frame to be opened. Worked great and I charged about $900. for it. I'm sure the magnets come in different sizes. Go to Edmunds website and check them out. :D
 
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