Michael
'Tinker' Pearce
Hand-made
knives, swords and daggers in the style of the European Middle Ages and
Viking Era
Welcome to my
site-I
hope that you will like what you see! Feel free to visit the
Forum and join in
the
discussions there. It's a relaxed, friendly
online community.
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What's New?
061010- Back from Blade Show, which I
very nearly survived... The Show went very well. Highlights
included a demonstration of European Medieval longsword by John
Clements and assorted ARMA members. This was an informative and
entertaining presentation presented with a great balance of education
and entertainment. Well done ARMA! I also took two of my
EVO-PTF tactical folding knives which were very well recieved. A
good thing that I had these to show as Fox Knives of Italy did not
bring the prototypes of my folders that they will be producing as these
are in pieces while they tool-up for production. Irritating that
they weren't on-hand to display but what can you do? "So,
Tinker..." I hear you cry, "What's up with all this tactical folder
stuff?" See here
for answers.
BLADE SHOW, ALANTA,
GEORGIA! I will be attending Blade Show with CAS/Hanwei. If
you have the chance see this show! The largest collection of
custom maklers, collecters, demonstrations and manufacturers in one
place that you will ever see. In addition to debuting the new
look of the Tinker Line swords from CAS/H I will be showing several of
my new folding knives and prototypes of upcoming production tactical
folders by Fox Knives! Big Fun!
041310- Thought that I would
mention- the new Ytpe XIV Riding Sword (here) represents
the new direction for my swords. You may note that contrary to
most of my previous European swords this one features a 'zero-ground'
cannel grind with no secondary edge bevel and a peened pommel.
These features are not new to my work; I have used both features
intermitently for many years but they will now become the rule rather
than the exception. More information here.
041210-
Once again it's been a
while since I've posted, and it's not a case of 'no news is good
news.' Business has, in a word, sucked. If there is an item
that you have had your eye on now is the time to speak up with an
offer. On the plus side- I
am now selling my tactical folders. I haven't sold these for
years
because I couldn't make them well enough to make me- or you customers-
happy. However I had to make a LOT of prototypes before Fox and I
were able to settle on some designs and in the course of that I now
feel at least provisionally comfortable putting some knives up for
sale. These knives will appear on the 'Items for Sale' page when
they are available.
Also the Folders Page has been ammended with new
material- have a look here.
030110- Been a while since I
have updated this page so there is a lot
of news... The main news is that I have entered an agreement with Fox
Knives to have them produce some of my folder designs under
license. Details of these folders are being closely held at the
moment but you can look for the first of these to premier (God willing)
at Blade Show this june. I have also updated my Folder page for
the first time in several years. In addition to Fox begining
production my folders are approaching a satisfactory level of quality
that will allow me in the near future to begin selling them again.
091709
My book "The
Medieval Sword in the Modern World" is now available directly from
LULU.com! This means that three of the four versions are now less
expensive- and it will save me some headaches too. Click HERE to see the
new prices (or purchase! Hint hint...) In other news, it
looks like a variant of the TFDS folder may be going into
production! I'll keep you posted...
071309
The 'Swordmaker
Desperation Sale was successful; all of the pieces available
sold. I'm out of the shop for a day or two due to a bad back but
will be working on getting heat treat in later this week.
061909 There is a new Rondel
dagger on the Items For Sale (IFS) page, and the quillon dagger
has been revised. ALSO- if you hadn't noticed several of the
swords currently for sale have been discounted by $200! These
swords are clearly marked on the IFS page.
061709 There
is a new Longsword
and a new Bastardsword
on the Items for sale page. The SBG Members sale was a success;
thanks to SBG members that participated or commented! Perhaps
this will become an anual event... CAS/Hanwei will be introducing
two new Tinker Line swords over the summer... The Norman and the Great
Sword of War! Keep an eye out for the release of these swords!.
052709 OFF TO
BLADE SHOW! Back
on 060209 (tuesday)
050409 Going to BLADE
SHOW? I
will be at Blade with CAS/Hanwei in their booth from the 29th -31st of
this month. I'll be leaving on the 27th and returning on June
3rd. Blade Show is in Atlanta, Georgia and is the largest knife
show in the world; it's an amazing show and a great time! I hope
to see you all there.
042109 Well, I finally sold a
stock sword!
This would not normally be news but with this economy the last couple
of months have been kind of rough. RATHER MORE NEWSWORTHY: Paul
Chen had promised me that things would be speeding up in terms of
production swords and true to his word the Great Sword prototypes are
on their way here for approval! This is excellent news as this
sword has caused a lot of excitement... Anyway, I should be
seeing these before the end of the week...
032309 PRINT EDITIONS OF "THE
MEDIEVAL SWORD
IN THE MODERN WORLD" are now available for purchase here!
031109
I've ordered 'proof' copies of the print
editions of 'The Medieval Sword in the Modern World 2nd Edition.'
They should be arriving over the next several weeks. The print
edition options so far include an 8-1/2 x 11 B&W softcover, an
8-1/2 x 11 full color softcover, a 6x9 B&W softcover and a 6x9
full-color hard-bound. If the 'proofs' look good we'll decide
which ones to publish. I'll keep you posted!
030609 THE
SECOND EDITION OF "THE MEDIEVAL SWORD IN THE MODERN WORLD" IS READY IN
EBOOK FORM!!! It can be purchased for 12.95 USD here. People who have previously
purchased the first edition may download a free copy by returning to
the link that they downloaded the original from. This is a large
file due to the high-rez pictures so please be patient with the
download. Print editions will be available in a few weeks.
030109; Working on the book-
it's taking longer than
expected but it's rolling right along even though I have missed my
self-imposed deadline for E-book publication. Part of this stems
from getting the pics placed, but there is a lot of new wrtitten
material as well- including an entire new chapter on Viking era
blades! I'll be working some evenings this week for sure to try
and get this ready to go...
022309: CAS/Hanwei tells me
that the new Tinker Line
Early Medieval Single-Hand Sword 'sharps' are in and 'looking
good.' The weight is correct and that makes it a whole different
sword than the first lot that came in. They should be at
the tender mercies of UPS on their way to dealers shelves as we
speak. I should get mine before the end of the week for
inspection. We can also look forward to seeing the Tinker Line
Viking Swords late this winter or in early spring.
021309: I am currently
working on the 2nd Edtion of my book "The
Medieval Sword in the Modern World." I hope to have this ready
for publication as an E-Book by the end of Febuary and in print
editions in March. The text has been edited, cleaned up and
expanded with at least one new chapter. The book will feature
mostly hi-resolution photos and will include the work of such makers as
Patrick Barta, Pavel Moc and other makers in addition to Vince
Evans, Angus Trim, Christian Fletcher, Ben Potter, Albion Armoury,
Valiant Armoury, CAS/Hanwei, Windlass Steelcrafts and many others-
Including naturally my own work. There will also be expanded
appendices.
Currently in the shop I am
working on bill-paying pieces for the most
part, although I am still progressing (slowly) on the last of the
back-orders. I'd love to devote myself full-time to the
back-orders but economic times are uncertain and if I don't pay the
bills... well, you know. I am hoping for things to pick up
significantly in April so that I can clear the last of the back-orders
if I haven't already.
Lately the direction of my
work has been tending towards the more
elaborate, with more engraving and fancier carving and scabbards.
I'm continuing to develop my skills in these areas and hope that the
market will support these efforts. Some new machines and new
processes are in the works for the coming year that will hopefully
increase the quality of my work overall. Also in the coming year
I am looking forward to at least two new models coming out from
CAS/Hanwei. Keep an eye on the Forum for more up-to-date and
daily news.
Click
here for my book! Now
only $12.95 for the 2nd Edition as an E-Book!
Available soon in paperback and hardbound editions!
Here is a link to the Masters of Fire exhibition which I was pleased to
participate in in 2005
Online
Exhibition