| A piece of matai, a yellow close-grained
native timber was used to carve two blades of equal length.
I was inspired by the wood's natural beauty and called the two
swords Castor and Pollux.
Castor together with his twin brother Pollux
were Greek heroes born to Leda wife of the King of Sparta.
Leda, however, had been seduced by the god Zeus (Zeus was
in the guise of a swan at the time). Consequently Pollux was
the son of Zeus and immortal whereas Castor was not. Despite
this difference between them the brothers seemed inseparable
as their exploits reveal. Both took part in the Calydonian
boar hunt and were involved in the rescue of their sister
Helen (of Troy). Both joined the quest for the Golden Fleece
sailing with Jason and the Argonauts.
Finally, both fell for two sisters, Pheobe
and Talaira and while trying to abduct them Castor was killed
by Idas, one of the irate prospective husbands. Pollux was
devastated by his brother's death so Zeus allowed the brothers
to share immortality. They were elevated to the heavens and
can now be seen as the two brightest stars in the constellation
of Gemini (the Twins).
Specifications:
Castor blade type; double edge, flattened
diamond
Pollux blade type; double edge, flattened hexagon
Both blade length; 57cm., 22 inches
overall length; 79cm., 31 inches
Woods used:
Both blade; matai
Castor cross-guard; rimu (sapwood)
pommel; jarrah
Pollux cross-guard; red beech
pommel; rimu (heartwood)
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