Zîara is the finest sword I have created to date. There will never be another like it.
She is named after someone I love deeply, whom she resembles.
Beautiful singing voice, outrageously curvaceous, uniquely strange fusion, scary sharp, flexible and dangerous, full of fire.
She sings a high, pure, ringing note when slicing through an object or during impact.
She can flex to over 45 degrees, bend into a beautiful arc, and springs immediately back true, indicating a perfect temper and excellent blade geometry.
She balances 5 fingers above the guard, which is precisely where a saber should for maximum wieldability.
She is a fusion of a Balinese Kris sword, and a cavalry saber. She is neither and both. She is Fiery. She is wicked. She is fierce. She is gorgeous.
Blade Length: 32"
Overall Length: 39"
Blade Max Width: 1.5"
Weight: 1.5 Lbs aprox
Steel: 5160 Spring steel
Handle: African Blackwood and brass pins, carved in an organic HR Geiger style.
Sheath: Hand tooled, riveted and stitched veg tan leather with candles burning at both ends. Sheath was created by Jennica Martinez, of Fatal Woman Forge. A badass bladesmith, adventurer and dear friend.
Zîara was forged by myself, Jennica Martinez (Fatal woman forge), and Andy Franks (Witchcraft forge) During the 2022 Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire. We forged her in a striker team, working under my guidance. She is ENTIRELY hand forged. The curves are forged in, not ground.
Swinging ringing sledgehammers full force, 90F sunlight blazing down on us, the the forge and crowds of onlookers roaring. She was created with immense love in front of many thousands of onlookers as a piece of performance art and personal challenge.
I finished her this summer, and I am delighted. There are flames etched upon her serpentine curves, the guard and pommel were sculpted melted and textured with a detail torch. The handle was intricately and organically carved to add an incredible amount of grip and flair.
Zîara is hands down one of the best blades I have ever made. Both aesthically and performance wise. I have made in excess of 1,500+.
I am DEEPLY proud of her, and I have faith that whoever ends up with her, will cherish her in the way she should be.
Victory through fire and steel!
-Ethan Kempf
