Handcrafted Blades by Ross Leidy

Ross Leidy wrote: If blade building was my full-time occupation, I could work through the list a bit faster.    Also, I work on the blades at a comfortable and unhurried pace, which produces the best results IMO.  And when I do get to your blade, you'll want me to take the time to do it right, won't you?

I must say that once the process is started, the time to complete a blade is more than reasonable. I was actually surprised by how quickly the blade was completed.

Hey Ross, I gladly take the blame for that...the blade is more than enough compensation  I'm just happy I got in while you were still relatively 'unknown'. Now you are on your way to becoming a mytt celebrity 

That red tide combination blade looks gorgeous. (all of them look gorgeous, but man, that would fit me so well)  I'm guessing these are not cheap though. Is $150 the right neighborhood?

I've recently been put on the waiting list so I obviously have a while before I get my blade. I cannot comment on its aesthetics or playing characteristics yet, of course, but I would like to mention that Ross has been extraordinarily attentive, patient, and thorough in his emails.

Hey guys, thanks.  I do try to be responsive and to keep people updated on blade build progress.  I admit, it is a challenge to strike the right balance between responding to email, working on blades, working on projects around the house, etc.  Oh, and having a life. 

How about a Pentagraph with a Dremel mounted to it?

fatt wrote: Even at 7 plies it is a thin blade and it has flex. For that reason it behaves more like a 5-ply. The koto is not hard enough to make it stiff and the result is a solid feel, medium soft with not much of an impact transfered to the hand at ball contact.

I wanted to share a couple photos of the blade that I just completed for aeoliah.  The shape is based on the Violin J-pen, and even the composition starts out like the Violin with a kiri core and white ash medials.  But the similarity ends there with this blade using the very hard, very beautiful bloodwood outers.  It's going to be a fast one!

I had a feeling someone would ask for that.  

That is one nice-looking jpen!

I am very happy to see the pictures. It is very nice indeed ! Since the only difference with Violin is only the outer ply, I believe it would be just the "Faster Violin".
Ross, will the blade come with your logo on the handle ?

aeoliah wrote: I am very happy to see the pictures. It is very nice indeed ! Since the only difference with Violin is only the outer ply, I believe it would be just the "Faster Violin". Ross, will the blade come with your logo on the handle ?

it's also thicker than violin.

After working with the masur birch for the handle on mmerkel's blade (first post in this thread), I've been keeping my eyes open for more of it.  I stumbled a cross a small batch of masur birch veneer, and I quickly snatched it up.   I put together this 5-ply with a kiri core, mahogany medials, and masur birch outers.  I estimate it will be an OFF with only a small amount of flex.   Since it will be my test blade, I used my current favorite vase-shaped anatomic handle.  The handle woods are jobillo and purpleheart.

That's beautiful! Now if it plays half as good as it looks, it's gonna be a killer 

Gorgeous blade.  The top ply looks hard.  Is it as hard as the bloodwood?