Heritage Metalwork Studio · Est. 2008

Decorative Hilts & Historical Replicas, Hand-Finished in Vermont

SwordHilt produces museum-quality decorative fittings, ceremonial pommels, and theatrical replica components for collectors, costume designers, and living-history programs across North America.

Explore the Craft Commission a Piece
Our Story

Two Decades at the Bench

SwordHilt began in 2008 as the side workshop of Daniel Kestrel, a former antiquities conservator who spent fifteen years restoring decorative arms for regional museums. What started as a single commission for a Revolutionary-era reenactment troupe has grown into a five-person studio producing display fittings, theatrical props, and historically informed replica components.

Every piece leaves our Burlington workshop hand-chased, sand-cast, or lost-wax molded — never stamped. We work primarily in bronze, brass, and mild steel, and we publish detailed provenance notes alongside each commission so collectors and educators understand exactly what era and tradition a piece references.

17
Years in Studio
2,400+
Pieces Finished
38
Museum Partners
What We Make

The Craft, Section by Section

From the pommel cap down to the chape, every element is its own discipline. Here are the categories we accept commissions for.

Decorative Pommels

Sand-cast bronze and brass pommel caps in Viking, medieval European, and ceremonial sabre traditions — supplied raw, patinated, or fully hand-chased to your specification.

Crossguards & Quillons

Forged mild-steel crossguards and decorated quillons for theatrical and display use, sized to common reproduction blade tangs and finished to museum-grade tolerances.

Grip Wraps & Handles

Hand-laid wire, leather, and ray-skin grip wraps over hardwood cores. Ideal for collectors finishing kit blades or replacing degraded original wraps on antique display pieces.

Scabbard Furniture

Throats, lockets, suspension rings, and chapes finished in matching alloys. We document every set with measured drawings so future restoration work can match the originals.

Restoration Consulting

Bench evaluations and repair plans for damaged decorative fittings on heirloom or institutional pieces. We provide written conservation notes and refer out structural blade work to specialists.

Stage & Film Props

Lightweight aluminum and resin display replicas balanced for stage handling. Used by regional Shakespeare companies, fight choreographers, and independent film productions across New England.

Stories from the Studio

What Collaborators Say

Curators, costume designers, and private collectors who've spent time on the bench with us.

Daniel hand-chased a replacement pommel for a regimental sabre we'd nearly written off. The match was indistinguishable on the display floor and the conservation notes saved our registrar weeks of paperwork.

— Helena R.
Curator, Portsmouth NH

We commissioned twelve display hilts for a touring production and they arrived under budget, properly weighted for stage work, and built to survive eighty performances. Easiest prop call I've made in a decade.

— Marcus T.
Props Master, Boston MA

I sent a fragment from my grandfather's ceremonial sword and got back a fully documented restoration plan with three options at three price points. Honest, thorough, and refreshingly free of upsell.

— Eleanor P.
Collector, Hartford CT
Frequently Asked

Before You Commission

Common questions we hear from first-time clients. If yours isn't covered, the contact form below reaches the studio directly.

Do you make functional weapons?+
No. SwordHilt produces decorative, theatrical, and display-only components. We do not manufacture, sharpen, or supply functional cutting blades, and we direct those inquiries to specialist bladesmiths in our referral network.
How long does a typical commission take?+
A standard pommel or crossguard runs four to six weeks once the design brief is signed. Full hilt assemblies with custom wire wraps and patinated finishes typically take eight to twelve weeks. Restoration work is quoted case by case after a bench inspection.
Can you match a specific museum piece?+
Often, yes. We work from measured drawings, archival photographs, or in-person visits where the institution allows. We will always document the reference material and note where our reproduction departs from the original for structural or material reasons.
Do you ship internationally?+
We ship across the United States and to Canada and the United Kingdom. International shipments are reviewed individually because customs handling for decorative metalwork varies — we'll quote freight and any documentation fees up front before invoicing the deposit.
What does a project cost?+
Single decorative pommels start around $280; full assembled display hilts typically range from $850 to $2,400 depending on metals, chasing detail, and grip materials. Every quote is itemized so you can see exactly what each section of the piece contributes to the total.
Get in Touch

Start a Conversation

Tell us about the piece you have in mind. We respond to every inquiry within two business days.

Studio Information

The bench is open by appointment Tuesday through Saturday. We're happy to host visiting curators, students, and serious collectors for in-person consultations.

Email

[email protected]

Telephone

(802) 555-0184

Studio Address

148 Pine Street, Suite 3B
Burlington, VT 05401

Bench Hours

Tuesday – Saturday · 10:00 – 17:00
Closed Sunday & Monday