My first custom sword started with the titanium blade, then was developed one idea at a time. It was also the first in a series of dragon theme pieces.
The grip is formed from two pieces of redwood glued into an "L" shape, then carved into the dragon likeness. The wings are silver-plated copper. Sterling silver strips are inset into the grip. Eyes are synthetic ruby, teeth are carved ivory. A synthetic "alexandrite" is set in the pommel. (This is actually a corundum based "imitation" birthstone, that color shifts from red-violet to blue-violet under incandescent or fluorescent lighting.)
A friend made a black snake-skin sheath for the sword.
Leather lanyard is attached to the sheath with cast silver claws on the ends. Following the purple/green color of the blade, a piece of green and one of purple fluorite were cut and polished for the claws.
Using a solution-soaked piece of felt, the blade was anodized to purple that reflects green highlights.
Shortly after finishing the first sword, I began work on a titanium blade broadsword. I started with a carved redwood handle, with small silver dragons in the cloud-like carved swirls of the wood, although this was changed later.
The guard is a winged dragon "impaled" on the blade, with anodized titanium wings riveted to the silver dragon. The new handle is oak, carved into a crystal cluster pattern. This was coated with black epoxy, then a final clear coat with blue-green mica powder, giving the color tint and sheen. Lab-grown blue quartz crystal tips are set in silver for the pommel.
The blade has a hammered steel overlay with a central channel running the length. The channel has rectangular black onyx cabachons and carved black horn set at about 6" increments. The exposed titanium edge was sponge-anodized to purple and green.
The broadsword incorporates several special effects. Titanium coated quartz crystals are featured in two silver medallions set in the handle. When both medallions are held, a touch sensitive circuit causes red LEDs in the dragon's head to glow, lighting up the garnet eyes and the inside of the mouth.
A concealed switch in the front medallion turns on power to an electroluminescent panel (a lime light panel) set below the crystal in the pommel, giving off a pale blue glow.