STING : FINE ART LIMITED EDITION - THE MASTER SWORDSMITH'S COLLECTION

Sting - the sword of Frodo Baggins

Found in a Trolls' hoard by Bilbo Baggins, Sting was an ancient Elven blade from the lost realm of Gondolin. Bilbo carried it through many adventures, naming it and having it inscribed with Elvish script.
Magical enchantments it held, glowing blue when Orcs were near. For long years Sting gathered dust in the old Hobbit's cupboards until need arose to unsheathe its keen edge once more and he presented it to his young cousin Frodo Baggins in Rivendell.
Frodo would carry it with him toward Mordor, and it would save his life more than once before the end.
Sting was designed by Daniel Falconer and made at Weta Workshop in New Zealand for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy by Master Swordsmith Peter Lyon.


The Fine Art Limited Edition

The fourth sword in the The Lord of the Rings Master Swordsmith's Collection, Sting is the most elaborate sword yet in the series. It encompasses a multitude of sword making, metal crafting and wood working techniques. It joins Andúril, Strider's Sword and Glamdring - all long since sold out.
Sting marries the cutting edge (literally) of modern precision engineering with ancient and all but forgotten techniques. While the blade was made in Weta's smithy using time-honoured traditional techniques and great skill, the grip is also a testament to Man's mastery of the machine.
10 years ago when the original prop was made for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the technology wasn't available to create a grip quite like the one Daniel Falconer designed for Sting. But since then, technology has brought Modern Man just a few inches closer to the skills of the Elven swordsmiths of old.
Peter Lyon therefore proposed an embellishment upon the original prop design.
This is Sting the way the swordsmiths of the lost realm of Gondolin would have made it. Peter took what was a world class hero sword in 2001 and improved it considerably in 2012. It's the Weta way.
The grip chosen ten years ago for Sting was South American cocobolo wood. A dense and fine grained wood, deep in colour and with a waxy, grippy feel to it.
Little did Peter realise at the time that those qualities also made it eminently suited to the finest and cleanest cuts using computer aided milling.
The 2001 Sting had the elven vine applied as a vinyl transfer. The 2012 Sting Fine Art Limited Edition has had the elven vine pattern machined into the grip with ultra-fine precision and the same pattern is then used to wire-cut a Fine Silver inlay. Fine Silver is the purest grade of Silver, softer and cleaner in colour than Sterling silver. Wire-cutting is a technique that allows for incredibly accurate bends and the sharpest of corners and angles. Precisely what Daniel Falconer's beautiful design requires.
Peter Lyon then spends three whole days - almost as long as for the rest of the sword - on each grip carefully working the silver vine into the groove in the wood under a magnifying glass. This is a zero tolerance process.
The gently curvaceous blade features etched elven runes 'Maegnas (Sting) is my name. I am the spider's bane' along the central ridge.
This sword is the absolute epitome of craftsmanship.
Peter also makes a Movie Prop Version of the sword using the techniques of 2001, which has been finished using a vinyl transfer for the vine on the grip.
Watch Sting being made!


Finishes and accessories


There are a number of finish and scabbard options available for your sword. We will discuss these with you when you place your order.


Swords are available to new collectors!

The edition size of Sting Fine Art version is 25, which means we have a few edition numbers available to new collectors.


Collecting matching numbers

As preference is given to customers who have previously purchased a sword in the Master Swordsmith's Collection, most of those customers have now secured their Sting.
Purchasing an available edition number between 1 and 15 of Sting secures the first right of refusal for that edition number on subsequent swords in this series. Weta commits to having edition sizes of at least 15.
Purchasing an available edition number between 16 and 25 secures the first right of refusal only if Weta decides to produce that edition number for future releases.


Physical Specifications

• Blade length: 19.3 in (490 mm)
  
  
  
  
  
• Total length: 27.2 in (690 mm)
  
  
  
  
  
• Total Width: 6.9 in (174 mm)
  
  
  
  
  
• Weight: 2.5 lbs (1.12 kg)
  
  
  
  
  
• Balance Point:  2 in (50 mm) along the blade, measured from the shoulder.
  
  
  
  
  

PLEASE NOTE: Minor variations to weights, measurements and balance point will occur as this is a handmade sword.


How to order

Send an email to info@wetanz.co.nz stating your preferred edition number and your delivery address. We will get back to you to confirm payment, shipping costs etc. You will be asked to provide a deposit which is non-refundable.


What you will receive

Your sword will be carefully packed in a beautiful wooden display case for the safest possible delivery.
You will further receive a DVD about the making of the Master Swordsmith's collection, featuring interviews with Master Swordsmith Peter Lyon, Tolkien artist and illustrator John Howe and Weta Workshop's Creative Director, Richard Taylor.
A Certificate of Authenticity signed by Richard Taylor and Peter Lyon will also be enclosed.
Edition numbers will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.


Shipping

Freight costs will be finalised on confirmation of your order. Freight to the United States is approximately US$280.
Any Import Duties and Taxes due are the responsibility of the Purchaser.
Each sword is made to order and takes up to a month to produce by hand. Delivery will take up to 6 months. Swords will be created in the order in which orders are received. We expect to deliver within 6 months of receiving your order, however this is dependant on Peter Lyon's other obligations. 
There are no Weta Dollars available for this item, nor can Weta Dollars be used to purchase it.