sam uke 2 Posted June 4 (edited) Greetings, This is my first post after lurking a bit. I pestered @Salem Straub on IG after seeing him forge a cool Mainz gladius, and he suggested I post here. I'm slowly working on a Pompeii gladius (first sword), and trying to work out the pommel, handle, hilt details. I plan on having a wooden pommel/hilt (possibly with non-ferrous inlay on hilt) and a bone handle. I've searched the forums, and watched some YouTube. I'm looking for specific details on how the handle (mostly pommel) fit-up to the shoulders of the blade. I could also use suggestions for tang length, and thoughts about how the shoulders should be filed (eg; 90deg or radiused). Here's what i've done thus far... I used a big 'ol leaf spring and forged to pre-form. I want to end up with a thick medial ridge Forging the bevels took a long time. She's just under 2" wide and ~ 24.5" long (blade len). Rough grind pre-HT. Edited October 1 by sam uke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeb Camper 627 Posted June 4 Welcome aboard! That's all I got... I would suggest looking for historical examples with weights and measurements to make scale drawings to use as a reference. Sword site might have something. I'll get you a link. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeb Camper 627 Posted June 4 http://sword-site.com/thread/959/fulham-gladius Heres just one example. Oh, there's a guy here you should talk to. Partick something... @Patrick B. P. I think. Not sure if he hangs around much, but he makes a fine gladius! Good luck! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian Dougherty 670 Posted June 4 I can't help much with gladius construction details, but I wanted to also throw in my welcome and say that it looks like you are off to a great start, and that we'll all be glad to see your WIP. The guys who know the historical details on these will be along soon with input. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jake cleland 275 Posted June 4 Is far as I'm aware, these just had an oval bronze plate, pierced for a fairly neat fit round the shoulders of the blade, and inlaid into the base of the wooden guard. The pommel generally would have some kind of sheet metal reinforcement on top, and a peening block that the tang was peened onto... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 1,793 Posted June 4 That's about all I know about them as well. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sam uke 2 Posted June 19 I cleaned up the bevels and profiled the tip. i'm just about ready for HT. I shortened the blade and tang a bit so it will fit in my oven for temper. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to grind the tip post-HT? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 1,793 Posted June 19 Not sure what you mean? How have you been grinding it so far? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sam uke 2 Posted June 19 8 hours ago, Alan Longmire said: Not sure what you mean? How have you been grinding it so far? I've been grinding the tip to match the parallel portion of the bevels, but was unsure if there was a distal taper (only on the tip) or something i'm missing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeb Camper 627 Posted June 19 I dont think there is a notable secondary grind like the tip of a Japanese sword blade. I could be wrong. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 1,793 Posted June 20 And I don't know enough about gladii to say if they have distal taper or not. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kai Lawson 1 Posted June 20 I would highly recommend looking at both historical examples (you can google various versions of the Pompeii gladius--it changes over time), and checking out myArmoury for historical examples with dimensions and discussion. Apparently, copper alloy hilt plates and pale woods (i.e. birch) are the most common hilt components, but specific hilt forms and tang buttons also varied a little with find location and time. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sam uke 2 Posted July 14 Survived HT and temper. Post HT clean-up on the grinder. On to hand sanding... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sam uke 2 Posted October 1 Walnut hilt and elk handle bedded and rough fit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeb Camper 627 Posted October 2 I'm interested to see how this plays out! Looks great so far! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
