C Craft 183 Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 9 hours ago, MLenaghan said: The antler is nice piece of elk and 95% solid, I think the pictures are showing really rough grinding marks... also I have a sword with the entire grips antler and it's held up really well even after grinding pretty thin, then again with my luck it will fall over and break in half As for the why? haha not sure I can really answer that! my wife says I cant sit still or relax... and bladesmithing has always been a great creative outlet for me... and I've always kept it a hobby and tried to avoid selling blades as it adds stress to something that I use to fight my stress! Also means I can have complete control of my project without having to worry about other input, unless it's wanted of course. As to why blades like this well I love historical swords, and making copies of some have taught me a great deal about the design, construction and overall feel of a sword it's still more or less following a blueprint. My day jobs is a custom TIG welder but most days I'm still following someone else design... a sword like this one is a open idea in the sense If Dave used this design, I'm sure the sword would look very different! If 10 smiths made this sword you'd have 10 different blades. but honestly I suck with words for this stuff, if we ever meet in person it's something I'd love to discuss around a camp fire and some cold dark beer! Thanks for taking the time to answer my question. I like the answer! It is hard to describe what drives us to others but, inside you know you just got to follow that feeling!! Best of luck and I can't wait to see this one when it is done!! Link to post Share on other sites
Viktor Johansson 19 Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 This is an epic project! Is that whole beauty made of melted down nails? Early iron age is so mysterious and your project is incredibly exciting to follow. Thanks for sharing. Link to post Share on other sites
MLenaghan 57 Posted November 22, 2017 Author Share Posted November 22, 2017 Well have some work to show as of now, I weld and polish a lot of stainless steel for my day job so lack the motivation to come home and polishing a sword but it's at a point that's showing off the blade construction and the hearth steel so I'm happy! Also been carving the handle and getting all the pieces to fit which is time consuming work. Without rushing it the goals to finish before the new year, and maybe spend another 6 months making a sheath hahah 5 Link to post Share on other sites
Zeb Camper 782 Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 This is so cool. Would you mind sharing a bit more about how you made your hearth steel? I'm mainly wondering about charge weights, and frequencies. I love japanease culture, but I don't have time or resources for a full on tatara smelt. Seems you've found a way around all that. Very cool sword. Link to post Share on other sites
C Craft 183 Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 That blade is just awesome, it is a showpiece in it's own right!! Link to post Share on other sites
peter fontenla 98 Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 I love, beautiful work! in what measures was the distal taper? regards Link to post Share on other sites
Wes Detrick 488 Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Holy hell, that steel is awesome! So much character Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Stephens 428 Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Really a great project! Thanks for the detailed WIP! Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Miller 136 Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Duuude! That steel looks like something from outer space! Link to post Share on other sites
GEzell 136 Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 I love the steel, the handle design, the blade shape... Epic. Link to post Share on other sites
MLenaghan 57 Posted November 25, 2017 Author Share Posted November 25, 2017 WOW thanks a lot you guys for the positive responses! Haven't been on the forum as much but this reminds me why it's the best place on the internet!!! hi Zeb Camper, I don't have a formula for hearth steel, and to be honest learnt everything from the bottons and bloomers thread here and hanging out at Scott Roush place.. honestly I get the hearth running till there's a couple good "drops" in the charcoal , then I stick a long thin rod or nail into the center of it, wait a few minutes and pull it out. if the tips melted off and sparkling I know it's ready. After that it's a small handful of nails or little bolts ever "drop" or 2nd drop. I'll throw small amounts of beach sand in randomly for a little slag. I'll run it till it doesnt wanna take any more and then pull it. this is normally 3-4 beers in... goodluck! Hi Peter Fontenla, the blades a little different, it's like a large bronze age leaf blade, hollow ground with a shallow double fuller. The center rib is rather thick but tapers very fast to the edge. blades 730 grams, 71.5 cm length 88cm overall 53mm wide at the base and 6mm thick tapering to 3mm about 10 cm from the tip 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Zeb Camper 782 Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
Kris Lipinski 144 Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Really cool! Link to post Share on other sites
MLenaghan 57 Posted December 8, 2017 Author Share Posted December 8, 2017 Well I'm happy to say the lake sword is complete! Been a long project well over a year and many attempts in the making, and the biggest thing I'm taking away from this is really taking the time and extra effort seems to go a long way. Another huge thanks to David DelaGradelle for letting me base this sword off of his design! Now I find myself is a strange place with out a big project on the go, need to get back to the forge 4 Link to post Share on other sites
Zeb Camper 782 Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 That is just amazing! I would like to see some studio quality pictures. I'm sure there are details that cannot be fully appreciated unless seen in person. Link to post Share on other sites
Wes Detrick 488 Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 Holy crap Michael, that is superb work! David's design is gorgeous, and you did it justice. This is a fantastic piece of art Michael. Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 2,822 Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 That's even better than I was expecting, and that's saying something! what is that written on the pommel plate? I can't quite make it out... Anyway, in recognitions of the spirit and skill that went into this, I hereby nominate you for a Fiery Beard! Unless you already have one, I don't remember... but you deserve one anyway. Do I hear a second? 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Kris Lipinski 144 Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 Beautiful! And impressive! Link to post Share on other sites
GEzell 136 Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 3 hours ago, Alan Longmire said: That's even better than I was expecting, and that's saying something! what is that written on the pommel plate? I can't quite make it out... Anyway, in recognitions of the spirit and skill that went into this, I hereby nominate you for a Fiery Beard! Unless you already have one, I don't remember... but you deserve one anyway. Do I hear a second? I'll second that. That sword is mind-blowingly awesome. Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Dougherty 1,210 Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 Bravo! Very impressive project all around. Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Stephens 428 Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 A project to be proud of! Well done, man! I dig it. Link to post Share on other sites
Joshua States 1,781 Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Congratulations Michael! Fire it up! Most impressive indeed. Link to post Share on other sites
Jeremy Blohm 511 Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 On 11/21/2017 at 10:37 PM, MLenaghan said: Well have some work to show as of now, I weld and polish a lot of stainless steel for my day job so lack the motivation to come home and polishing a sword but it's at a point that's showing off the blade construction and the hearth steel so I'm happy! Also been carving the handle and getting all the pieces to fit which is time consuming work. Without rushing it the goals to finish before the new year, and maybe spend another 6 months making a sheath hahah My jaw hit the ground when i seen these pictures!! Awesome blade! Link to post Share on other sites
Fox Creek 3 Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 I second that Alan. Fiery beard! Link to post Share on other sites
Jeremy Blohm 511 Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Fiery beard for sure!!! Link to post Share on other sites
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