So, I made a sword

[KPeacock]

My path to bladesmithing started a few years ago with a quest to make a very good friend of mine a damascus hunting knife. After building a few forges, some tools, finding an anvil, and all of the other stuff that goes into learning to be a beginner I made a few knives. they were more test pieces than decent knives, but that got me a point where i was confident in my welds and I made my first damascus hunting knife. I gave that knife to my friend on his wedding day and he was very appreciative. A year later his brother, also a very dear friend, was to be married. When discussing the wedding he made it known that as the older brother, he thought a fitting gift would be a larger knife. Specifically a sword. I started making a stock reduction 38" long blade that was very angular and looked very much like the broadswords of children's stories. As it was progressing, it just didn't seem right to make something like this without forging. So, I talked to my friend and we decided that it was indeed better to have something that looked more dated. something along the lines of a bastard sword, but not quite.

 

Anyways, I started forging and I was much happier with the hammered finish look. The guard was forged kinda close-ish to shape, then filed to get it to look decent to the eye. I then hammer finished it to match the blade. The pommel was similarly finished. The wood in he grip is Bubinga. A family member refinishes private jet interiors and this was pulled out of a jet that was being refitted with a new updated interior. This particular jet belongs to Michael Jordan of all people. It's not a rich history of battlefield glory, but it gives the blade a bit more than just some random wood I found in a lumberyard.

 

Firstly, I can not believe how difficult it is to keep long straight lines when forging. I am much more impressed with the swords i have seen on here after making one myself. Secondly, I am disappointed with the final result as there is a very slight warp in one section from the quench that i was unable to straighten out. The blade is also not symmetrical in outline. I hadn't the time to reforge and requench it. The new owner claims he likes it as is due to the appearance of distress. I know that it is not what i intended it to be, but it's literally out of my hands now.

 

I'm also not crazy about the look of the wood with the antiqued steel. I sandblasted the scale off of the steel, then antiqued with gun bluing and bleach. I am happy with the patina that developed, but the relative brightness of the wood and brass rivets just doesn't seem to fit well to my eye.

 

I've recently been blessed with a son, so my time is very limited and i know it will be a long time before i attempt another sword, but i am happy that i had the opportunity to make this one. overall, i am okay with the result, but not terribly proud of it. I learned many lessons while working on this, and for that i am grateful. I feel as though small EDC and hunting knives will seem relatively easy to make now. Please share any criticisms you have. I intend to learn as much as i can from my errors on this project.

 

Thanks,

 

Kris

[Kip Kaiser]

I think it looks very nice. I have yet to try a sword. If my first turns out that nice I will be pleased.

 

Kip

[Isaac Humber]

I don't understand why there was only one reply to this...maybe becuase it didn't fit the mold of what a "good" sword is supposed to involve? Sure, the guard profile might be too large, the blade has a slight warp, the cross section isn't well defined... etc. Yet, I mean, it was your first sword.... and that being considered, it's an excellent attempt. A unique and beautiful object in it's own way.I love the hammered finish.

Edited November 7, 2013 by Isaac Humber

[Josh A Weston]

I like the hammer marks in the sword. It does give it some extra personality. I usually grind all my personality out and although I like the final appearance I usually feel so sad to see the grit get stripped out. I think this is a great first sword. And incredibly ambitious length for a first sword. I know what you mean about your post-creative critical eye. I keep my first sword on display in front of me as a constant reminder of where I have come from. It's horrible, and that's a big part of what drives me to get better with each build. DOn't let it get you down, use it to fuel your next build.

[Miles Hebbard]

Well done, the first is usualy the hardest, maybe the guard could be smaller, and the handle and pommel a little bigger, the bigger the blade, th bigger the handle should be, a blade that size needs a firm grip!!! I'll be waiting to see your next job, keep it going and try make the next one a little better, Ed Caffery's advice to me when I started out!

[Erik Olson]

that's what i'm working on now of all times, a sword much like that one, congrats and you really should keep forging, it's not something to be given up, even at the appearance of a child (shudder). but keep the blades true to your style, a blade is not what the maker makes it to be, but what the owner puts into it that gives it it's beauty. so once again, congrats, and keep forging, i hope to see more of your work soon.

[GEzell]

I very much like it, the proportions look right on to me and the hammered finish looks very well done. I would think the pommel could be a bit larger to help balance it out, but still, I bet the new owner is quite happy.

[JPH]

Hello:

 

Well...all I can say it sure looks better than the first few I made...could use some refinements here and there but all that comes with experience and experimentation...I would strongly suggest that if possible you handle some "real ones" and take a lot of notes... You will be surprized at how much you can pick up as far as design goes when you are able to do that....

 

As far as the other stuff..that hammered/piened look on the guard especially is very "eye catching"...

 

JPH

[Doug Lester]

Better than I've done on a double edged blade, let alone a sword. They are a bit more tricky than knives. You need to consider a heavier pommel to bring the point of balance back towards the guard which will make it more responsive in the hand.

 

Doug