UBB.threads Forums General Interest Restoration, Conservation, and Maintenance Forum Sword Grip Wire Help Pleas

Hi Friends,
I recently acquired this Holler dovehead saber. She is in need of some slight repair, but for the price, and the fact i wanted it I hope it will be well worth it.

I need to replace the grip wire. It's the standard type. 3 rows, two double stranded same gauge, 1 row, double stranded larger gauge. Material is brass. I hit Home Depot and was told by an employee they don't sell wire at that gauge.

Does anyone have any reccommendations or have any they would part with. A fewllow on WAF thinks he may be able to make some for me. I'd prefer not to take his time if there is some already out there.

Thank you and best regards,
Tom

locate a jewlery supply store.They have what you`re looking for and more.

Go to an Arts and Crafts store and ask for beading wire. It comes in 28, 26, 24 and 22 gauge, in silver, gold or brass.

Manfred,
That's where I went. They had silverish wiring, like often seen on other sabers. I opted for that color, as brass was not an option.

I ended up twisting it up a little at the bottom to keep it together. I'll have to refix it. Otherwise, I'm hapy with how it turned out. I guess at first, for one reason or another, it seemed like an overwhelming project. In actuality, it was quite easy.

Before wire replacement.

Tom,

Very nice Holler sword. Good to finally see it.

I've been away for the Christmas holiday. Wasn't on line. Get in touch with me and I'll twist up some wire for you out of brass.

Tony

Tom Johnson used to carry sword grip wire on his website, don't know if he still does. Probably, JohnJ

Hi BaronOfBlades, This guy is always selling all types of grip wire, nats

http://cgi.ebay.com/WW1-WW2-German-Dagger-Sword-Grip-Wi...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://members.lycos.nl/stantheman/

Gripwire is easy to make using a small electric drill.

The wire is easier to apply after disassembling the hilt. In this case the rivet holding the hilt in place at the center of the grip can be removed. This enables the hilt to be slid off the tang.

Thank you for the info guys. I have a fellow that is going to make some for me, should be very similiar to the original.

When I replaced the wire, I did remove the hilt back strap assembly.

I took Manfred's advice and used a power drill to re-twist the wire. I think it turned out much better. Still using the silverish aluminum wire for now. I used the tips of wooden shishkababs to serve as replacement grip wire retention peggs.

This was only my 2nd attempt at grip wire replacement. Hope you guys agree it looks better. I will ultimately replace it with brass wire.

Photo #2. Thank you all, Manfred, Tony and Nats for the input and advice. Tony, i'll email you. That's what so great about this website. Collectors willing to help other collectors.

Here's some similiar original silverish aluminum wiring on a Puma of mine. This is what I was kinda' going for with the type of wire used.