Niels Provos Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Inspired by Lee A Jones' study on early medieval pattern-welded swords, I have started forging a pattern-welded double-edged sword with a serpent core. I spent most of my Christmas vacation on this and had to start all over when the final forge welding completely failed - that really was a let down. The sword is a 7 bar construction. The serpent core which consists of 3 bars, two twisted bars and two bars for the edge. The blade will eventually be 30in long with a 6in tang. Here are some progress pictures: Preparing the billets: Forge-welding of a billet: The stack of straight laminate rods: Twisting the rods: Forging the serpent: A test etch reveals it: Welding the tip: And the current status: I have also made a narrated video that explains the whole process step by step: Let me know what you think and wish me luck. I have been breaking all my swords lately. Niels Niels Provos The Serpent in the Sword Videos - Sword Resource Search Listen to my Activ8te EDM music releases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Hynninen Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 I think it looks realy nice...love that serpent Good luck. Thanks for showing. Niko Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owen bush Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 the serpent looks great hope it doesn't stretch too much. good job forging soul in to steel owenbush.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Mulkey Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Very nice!!! Can't wait to see this one completed. By The Red Embers - my blog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Coming along nicely, I see. We'll add a beard to that halo yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Thomas Obach Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 i'm really hoping this one will come out ... i really felt terrible when the last one did make it - - good luck, i'm crossing my fingers all the weld are perfect Greg North Shore Forge & Ironworks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Shearer Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Just awesome... “Then something Tookish woke up inside him, and he wished to go and see the great mountains, and hear the pine-trees and the waterfalls, and explore the caves, and wear a sword instead of a walking-stick.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels Provos Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 Thanks for all the encouragement. Owen, it stretched a little bit but not too much I hope. The sword billet started with about 26in and after beveling I am at 32in; so 30in blade length after subtracting the 2 inches I used for the tang. I hope to get a test etch tomorrow. Niels. Niels Provos The Serpent in the Sword Videos - Sword Resource Search Listen to my Activ8te EDM music releases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 It is amazing how very methodical you work Niels, you are almost making this routine LOL! Let not the swords of good and free men be reforged into plowshares, but may they rest in a place of honor; ready, well oiled and God willing unused. For if the price of peace becomes licking the boots of tyrants, then "To Arms!" I say, and may the fortunes of war smile upon patriots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim austin Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 (edited) Outstanding Niels! The video presentation is really well done too, although I had to stop it at 1:15 to get some eye protection for the MIG-welding footage. Keep up the good work. Edited January 20, 2012 by jim austin Historically Forged Axes & Tutorials Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Stephens Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Great video! I really like your twisting jig. That is a great idea. Very dramatic serpent presentation! Awesome effect. Can't wait to see the finished blade. --Dave -----------------------------------------------"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly." -- Theodore Roosevelthttp://stephensforge.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marius A Bacher Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Awesome work Niels! And I must say that is a beautifully produced video, I can't wait to see the next installment. Thanks for Sharing! Marius A. Bacher "To learn and not think over what you have learned is perfectly useless. To think without having learned is dangerous." - Gore Vidal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Kemp Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 +1 on the above! Michael KempOld and Twitless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Helmes Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Hi Nils. Very interesting work! There is a viking sword at the Royal Ontario Museum that has a serpent in the blade. I was not able to capture the serpent as the corrosion was bad and I'm not a photographer. The serpent seemed to have such sharp corners and a tight weave that I would be willing to assume that it was actually cut into the surface of the core. It would have been nice to see the other side. Thanks for sharing this! Jeff http://www.jeffhelmes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels Provos Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 Very interesting work! There is a viking sword at the Royal Ontario Museum that has a serpent in the blade. I was not able to capture the serpent as the corrosion was bad and I'm not a photographer. The serpent seemed to have such sharp corners and a tight weave that I would be willing to assume that it was actually cut into the surface of the core. It would have been nice to see the other side. It would be great to see a better picture of that sword. Jeff posted a drawing from Ypey, a few years ago, but besides that one, I have only seen modern examples. My sword attempt just finished annealing so I hope to do a test etch soon - maybe next weekend. Niels. Niels Provos The Serpent in the Sword Videos - Sword Resource Search Listen to my Activ8te EDM music releases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jared Stier Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 this should be pinned Practice random acts of Viking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J. Helmes Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 It would be great to see a better picture of that sword. Jeff posted a drawing from Ypey, a few years ago, but besides that one, I have only seen modern examples. My sword attempt just finished annealing so I hope to do a test etch soon - maybe next weekend. Niels. I wish I could have caught the surface properly. They have just a small collection of Viking and anglo saxon work on display. All of it is remarkable. Not a word is mentioned about patern welding anywhere in the display and I even wonder it the museum has any idea of what they have. Anyone near Toronto is advised to spend a some time there. http://www.jeffhelmes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Stephens Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 this should be pinned Good idea! -----------------------------------------------"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly." -- Theodore Roosevelthttp://stephensforge.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillG74 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Wow! Thank you so much for taking the time to make that video. It would be awesome for more to take the time to share like that. Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels Provos Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share Posted January 29, 2012 No luck on the etching. After establishing the flats, I was trying to put it into my tube with acid, only to discover that it's too small. I wiped on some acid by hand, but the contrast is not good enough for a photo. Now, I am waiting on the fittings for a 3in PVC tube. Niels. Niels Provos The Serpent in the Sword Videos - Sword Resource Search Listen to my Activ8te EDM music releases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niels Provos Posted February 12, 2012 Author Share Posted February 12, 2012 There has been some progress on the sword and I was able to successfully heat treat it today. Here are some progress photos. Forging the bevels by hand: Forging bevels with the power hammer: Straightening (I hate this part): Grinding the fuller: Heat treating: The sword after heat treat: I have also posted a video for those who want to see more: Now, I have to figure out how to clean up the fullers. If anyone has any tips, I would appreciate them. Thank you, Niels. Niels Provos The Serpent in the Sword Videos - Sword Resource Search Listen to my Activ8te EDM music releases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Looks awesome, Niels! I use an old wheel the same diameter as the one I ground the fuller as a backing to sand out the grind marks by hand, pushing it longways. You can also use a piece of wood sanded to size, or even a soft EDM stone if you can find one that doesn't scratch too bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Shearer Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 I am in awe . Also, I have a serious case of tool envy... “Then something Tookish woke up inside him, and he wished to go and see the great mountains, and hear the pine-trees and the waterfalls, and explore the caves, and wear a sword instead of a walking-stick.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLenaghan Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Way to go Niels! glad to hear it survived HT! Thats center core looks cool too, cant wait to see it finished -Michael Lenaghan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Corbin Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 Wow Niels. That's fantastic!!! Really looking forward to seeing this one completed. "This was the age of heroes, some legendary, some historical . . . the misty borderland of history where fact and legend mingle." - R. Ewart Oakeshott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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