"What did I want?
I wanted the hurtling moons of Barsoom. I wanted Storisende and Poictesme, and Holmes shaking me awake to tell me, "The games' afoot!" I wanted to float down the Mississippi on a raft and elude a mob in company with the Duke of Bilgewater and the Lost Dauphin. I wanted Prester John and Excalibur held by a moon-white arm out of a silent lake. I wanted to sail with Ulysses and with Tros of Samothrace and eat the lotus in a land that seemed always afternoon.
I wanted the feeling of romance and the sense of wonder I had known as a kid. I wanted the world to be what they had promised me it was going to be -- instead of the tawdry, lousy, fouled-up mess it is."
-- Glory Road, Robert Heinlein

This is the only official Lady Vivamus, endorsed by the Heinlein Prize Trust, in a limited edition of 100 swords, based on the sword described in the Robert Heinlein classic, Glory Road.

This has been a dream sword of Howy and Jody's since they were kids. They teamed up with Lars, Jason and Steve to come up with this design based on Heinlein's very detailed description:

"...and [I] found there the blade that suited me the way Excalibur suited Arthur.
I've never seen one quite like it, so I don't know what to call it. A saber, I suppose, as the blade was faintly curved and razor sharp on the edge and sharp rather far on the back. But it had a point as deadly as a rapier and the curve was not enough to keep it from being used for thrust and counter quite as well as chopping away meat-axe style. The guard was a bell curved back around the knuckles into a semi-basket but cut away enough to permit full moulinet from any guard.
It balanced in the forte less than two inches from the guard, yet the blade was heavy enough to chop bone. It was the sort of sword that feels like an extension of your body.
The grip was honest sharkskin, molded to my hand. There was a motto chased on to the blade but it was so buried in curlicues that I did not take time to study it out. This girl was mine, we fitted! I returned it and buckled belt and scabbard to my bare waist, wanting the touch of it and feeling like Captain John Carter, and the Gascon and his three friends all in one."

"I drew my sword and glanced along it, feeling its exquisite balance while noting again the faint ripples left by the feather-soft hammerblows of some master swordsmith. I tossed it and caught it by the forte. "Read the motto, Star."
She traced it out. "Dum vivimus, vivamus! -- 'While we live, let us live!' "
-- Glory Road, Robert Heinlein

Similar to a military or fencing sabre and suitable for both thrust and heavy cutting, the slightly curved, hollow-ground blade comes to a rapier-like point, and is sharp 10" along the back edge.

Only a limited number of these swords can be made in the course of a year. The sword ships in a specially designed handmade wooden box that can easily be converted into a display box for your sword.

Limited Edition Lady Vivamus … $2,775
Reservations can be placed with a deposit of $500. Convenient payment plans available.

As with all Albion Mark™ swords, these pieces are guaranteed for life against defects in materials and workmanship.
This guarantee does not apply to damage caused by your modifications, neglect, inappropriate use, and natural wear and tear. Refurbishing services for your sword, when necessary, are available for a reasonable fee.

Specifications for
Lady Vivamus
Overall length: 42" (106 cm)
Blade length: 35.25" (89.5 cm)
Blade width (at bell): 1.375"
CoB: 3.75" from Guard (9.53 cm)
CoP: 23" from Guard (58.4 cm)
Weight: 2.75 lbs (1.25 kilos)

Features

		Double hollow-ground 1075 steel blade designed by Master Swordmaker Jody Samson
		Etched Latin motto "dum vivimus, vivamus" or "while we live, let us live!" on both sides of the blade
		Hand-hammered deep steel bell-guard with investment cast thumb-rest,/ferrule, backstrap/pommel by Lars Hansen
		Leather covered felt hand-pad lining the guard
		Black rayskin-wrapped molded wood grip, with German silver braided wire overwrap The spine "feature" of the genuine rayskin is visible one one side.
		Fully functional, sharpened