Scott A. Roush 18 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) ugghhh.. This has been a tough one. I decided to start this project on a really rainy, crap weather week and right in the midst of major shop moves, overhauls, hunting season, wife on trips, chaos. I've always thought that the weather thing was just superstition.. but now I'm not so sure. I've dealt with weld failures at every step of this process. I finally got it all worked out.. but then I was left with a blade that I thought was beautiful.. but too narrow for the original idea behind the project. So today I decided to draw out some straight laminate of 15n20/1084 into a high density edge bar.. and add one more layer to this thing. The core as it is... is a single bar of straight laminate.. 1045/1075 between two bars of 15n20/1084 twist and an edge of 1075. And now this additional edge bar. Another factor that came into play was the fact that I put distal taper into all my bas for the composite that caused me to go a little more narrow in the tip. Such a complex action these composite blades. Anyway... it is intended to be a Migration sword and will have bronze, bone and black oak hilt. Here are some pictures of the journey to this point... Here is where it is right now.. and hopefully solid tomorrow: And casting the bronze pommel cap from native Michigan copper with some tin. Edited October 24, 2013 by Scott A. Roush Link to post Share on other sites
Fox Creek 3 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 I'm lovin' it Scott. I have a good feeling about the outcome. Keep us posted. Link to post Share on other sites
Doug Lester 270 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 It will be nice to see that blade welded up and etched out. It should be interesting. Doug Link to post Share on other sites
Hoy's Forge 27 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Like opening a package at Christmas! Im anxious to see the finished product! Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Stephens 414 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Looks very promising! Looking forward to watching this one be born! --Dave Link to post Share on other sites
Miles Hebbard 2 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Sometimes trouble and struggle results in somethig special, I've got a feeling this is something special! Link to post Share on other sites
James Helm 119 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Wow! Looking forward to seeing where this goes! Link to post Share on other sites
C Craft 176 Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 You know I am usually not into swords but I have seen some fine ones on here and this is an example what looks to be a classic. You had my intrest with the first picture. My jaw feel open and all I could say was WOW! Two thumbs up! Alan I still think we need better smilies! I keep having to go borrow ones! Link to post Share on other sites
Scott A. Roush 18 Posted October 24, 2013 Author Share Posted October 24, 2013 (edited) Thanks folks... Well this project is finally starting to look like it will have a happy ending. Here it is after welding up the last edge bar, truing up flats, and grinding fuller. Tomorrow will be edge bevels.. and maybe heat treat. Edited October 25, 2013 by Scott A. Roush Link to post Share on other sites
Scott A. Roush 18 Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 hehe... with that fresh test etch and without the edge bevels ground you can hardly even tell that blade has a deep fuller! btw... this test etch was done in sodium bisulfite (Hot Tub pH minus). I might use that more often as it also eats scale like nobody's business. Link to post Share on other sites
matt venier 3 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Hey Scott It's funny but at first seeing the picture but not reading the post I thought it was some kind of flaw near the tip, then realised it was the fuller! Your the second person to talk about sodium bisulfate today, looks like I gotta get me some of that. Link to post Share on other sites
Scott A. Roush 18 Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 Matt.. I did a longer etch using it and it really mucks it up! It's a little too universal in it's appetite. :-) But for a quick etch OR to just eat scale.. it is amazing. You can wife forge scale off with a paper towel after a few minutes in fresh, warm sodium bisulfite. As to the fuller.. yeah that picture really is deceptive. Link to post Share on other sites
Dan P. 39 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Looking nice, Scott. I would love to know more about your casting process. Link to post Share on other sites
Scott A. Roush 18 Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 Looking nice, Scott. I would love to know more about your casting process. Dan... I carved a wax model and impressed it into Petrobond oil clay. The Petrobond is in a typical 2 part wooden casting flask that I made like you would use for normal sand casting. It's pretty rough casting methodology. The carving in the wax is more of an exercise than anything. There is enough of an impression left in the cast piece that I can basically re-do it using chisels, punches, rotary tool, etc. For me it's mostly just getting the bronze into a shape that will work. If anybody has considered getting the Delft clay kits.. don't! Petrobond is the same stuff and way, way cheaper. Link to post Share on other sites
Nate Bocker 1 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I really like the pattern in the center, and if Rappunzel's hair had been a metaphor for a sword, this would be it... (not in a cartoonish, kids way, but the darker Bros. Grimm sorta style) Link to post Share on other sites
Mark Green 17 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Looks great Scott!!! Link to post Share on other sites
MLenaghan 57 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I'll be watching this one for sure! Good luck Scott Link to post Share on other sites
Scott A. Roush 18 Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 Thanks guys. Nate.. I love the Rappunzel metaphor. It has never occurred to me. I actually just read that story to my son for bedtime. I have bad feeling. I heard a ping when withdrawing from the quench and I quickly put it into my temper oven. I haven't yet opened to look. I'm feared. Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Stephens 414 Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 Scott, Please tell me more about this sodium bisulfite. Scale is my arch nemesis. Since moving to FL it's tough to use my old method of a 7" grinder with a cup wheel since you have to do it outside, and outside = death (heat) here. Where do I get it, and how does one use this magic elixir of anti-scale? Thanks in advance for the help! --Dave Link to post Share on other sites
Scott A. Roush 18 Posted October 27, 2013 Author Share Posted October 27, 2013 PM sent Dave. Link to post Share on other sites
MLenaghan 57 Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 BOOOO!!!!! I hope that cups there's filled with something to warm your sprites Link to post Share on other sites
Scott A. Roush 18 Posted October 27, 2013 Author Share Posted October 27, 2013 BOOOO!!!!! I hope that cups there's filled with something to warm your sprites My sprites are doing just fine Michael. that braggot there would burn off their pretty little toes.. Link to post Share on other sites
Thom Board 0 Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 Really sorry to see this Scott. My condolences. Thom Link to post Share on other sites
MLenaghan 57 Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 hehe Scott if your forge sprites are misbehaving you have to catch some and set them back in line! Link to post Share on other sites
Eric C 1 Posted October 27, 2013 Share Posted October 27, 2013 What about a matching dagger or something out of the broken tip? That is unless there is a lot of damage that will keep you from using it. Link to post Share on other sites
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