Joshua States Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 It looks good to me you big bolshy bas.... I'm hoping @Matthew Parkinson shows up here. He's made at least one of these that I know of. 1 “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dougherty Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 Looking good Rob. Amazingly straight to my eyes! As I visualize (fantasize?) the quench operation on long blades, one thing that seems like it will be difficult is the transition from horizontal to vertical without letting the balde bend under its own weight. I assume you grabbed the tang with some tongs and supported the middle with a stick somehow? How did it go? -Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 That'll do! The bigger the blade the less hard it should ideally be. If you can file the edge with some difficulty that's a decent indicator. File on an as-is leaf spring, that's what you're looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted January 13, 2021 Author Share Posted January 13, 2021 (edited) 7 hours ago, Brian Dougherty said: Looking good Rob. Amazingly straight to my eyes! As I visualize (fantasize?) the quench operation on long blades, one thing that seems like it will be difficult is the transition from horizontal to vertical without letting the balde bend under its own weight. I assume you grabbed the tang with some tongs and supported the middle with a stick somehow? How did it go? Hi Brian, I was worried about this too but it turned out to not be a problem. As the floor of the forge was full length flat firebricks and long enough for the whole blade I was able to lay it flat and flip it without bending it to get an even heat throughout. I only slid it back and forth about an inch to avoid hotspots directly under the burners. when the time came to take it out to normalise x3 then quench I just flipped it on its edge and slid it out using a pair of tongs for mid support as you suggested. I think a horizontal forge that was shorter than the blade and that you had to be constantly working in and out to get up to heat would be harder to keep straight. I suppose if you had a shorter horizontal forge you could slide a piece of box the length of your blade through the forge and wait for the middle of the box to come up to heat. Even though the ends of the box sticking out of the forge would be colder it would give the flat support as you were sliding the long blade in and out getting the blade up to heat and perhaps stop the sag. If that makes sense. 4 hours ago, Alan Longmire said: That'll do! The bigger the blade the less hard it should ideally be. If you can file the edge with some difficulty that's a decent indicator. File on an as-is leaf spring, that's what you're looking for. Thanks Alan I think it is just a fraction harder than the spring. 19 hours ago, Joshua States said: It looks good to me you big bolshy bas.... Thanks Josh not only are you a wonderful bladesmith you are a true wordsmith as well. Edited January 13, 2021 by Rob Toneguzzo 1 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted January 24, 2021 Author Share Posted January 24, 2021 (edited) On 1/6/2021 at 2:25 AM, Alan Longmire said: With a little luck you might be able to use the remnant heat in the bricks to temper that beast... Hi Alan, I have been further pondering about this. As I was able to get the whole blade to a nice straw doing this (with guesswork) but was very cautious not to overheat as I did not know the retained temp of the bricks. Perhaps in future blades if I fire the forge and get it up to heat and then shut it off and get an infrared thermometer and monitor how long it takes to get the bricks to cool to the correct temper heat and how long they hold at that heat, I should be able to work out a reasonably accurate way to temper long blades and be able to do repeat cycles. it will require experimentation but may just be the answer i have been searching for.. I have also been pondering how I am going to make the guard and this is what I have come up with so far and the rest I suppose I will just continue to make up as I go. I hot punched the tang slot through the guard and marked areas to later forge into the round sections for the quatrefoils however this did not turn out as I had hoped so I have cut them off and will weld sections cut from a round bar on the ends for the quatrefoils and drill and file the holes. I was also racking my brain as to how I was going to bend the guard evenly for the downward sloping quillons when the answer was staring right back at me. My 8lb cut off sledge had the right shape so I clamped it in the leg vice, heated it up and then clamped the slot over the flat top of the hammer and tapped both quillons down. I will have to tweek and refine things a fair bit and file the slot to fit but I am happy with how it is starting to take shape. Here it is pictured sitting on top of the roughly ground blade (still a lot of refining the bevels, fullers, tang etc still required here too) I have a cool idea for the pommel and will post some pics of my idea when I get this guard sorted. Edited January 24, 2021 by Rob Toneguzzo 4 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 Brilliant! Use what you have Do what you can 1 “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dougherty Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Nice solution 1 -Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted January 26, 2021 Author Share Posted January 26, 2021 Here is a bit more progress on the guard and how things will fit together. I still have to work out a collar. 4 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjorn Gylfason Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 This is coming along great 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 I was wondering how you were going to approach that bit. Looks great! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted August 29, 2021 Author Share Posted August 29, 2021 Well, like with so many of my projects this one has been patiently maturing and rusting. I progressed the guard a bit but have many file strokes to go. This was more difficult than I had planned. 2 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidterico Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 Cant wait to see it when done. KT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 This from Geoff Keyes 1 8 “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Middleton Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 Ain't that the truth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joël Mercier Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 Finitiob ain't the funniest part huh? It's an everlasting battle... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 16 hours ago, Rob Toneguzzo said: This was more difficult than I had planned. I have total faith in you and your ability to knock this out of the park. 1 1 “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 Hello Friends, it has been a long time but for me everything goes around in cycles and I have returned home again. This story continues where it left off after a storm knocked over a Banana tree and I could not find my machete to cut it off. I went to my shed and felt something calling me to a dust covers shelf and there she was! Rusty and dusty but there. I thought ….I have just the job for you. Well after a semi blunt unfinished blade sliced through the trunk like it was not there a fire was lit inside me and this project must be finished. 3 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 The guard turned out so much more difficult than I planned. Here it is so far, I have a lot of work cleaning up the blade, guard and completing the pommel, handle etc but Things are coming together. 7 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ouellette Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 That looks awesome! Bob O "When I raise my flashing sword, and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance upon mine enemies, and I will repay those who haze me. Oh, Lord, raise me to Thy right hand and count me among Thy saints." My Website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 Robb! Good to see you again. Very good to see this project back in the process. This is an awesome build. “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 Welcome back! I like that smile on your face right after you lopped the banana tree in two. I know that feeling all too well. I may actually finish up one of my own that's been sitting for the last six years or so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidterico Posted March 11 Share Posted March 11 Thats some nice work your showing. KT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted March 11 Author Share Posted March 11 5 hours ago, Joshua States said: Robb! Good to see you again. Very good to see this project back in the process. This is an awesome build. Thanks Josh, much appreciated 2 hours ago, Alan Longmire said: Welcome back! I like that smile on your face right after you lopped the banana tree in two. I know that feeling all too well. I may actually finish up one of my own that's been sitting for the last six years or so... Thank you Alan. Yes..I felt quite the warrior with my vanquished foe at my feet. Never too late to finish a project Any advice on POB for this type of sword? I have it about 5 in from the guard at the moment 1 minute ago, kidterico said: Thats some nice work your showing. KT Thanks KT 1 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Chalifoux Posted March 12 Share Posted March 12 Great job so far! Yeah, guards of that sort are harder than they look. For POB on a sword that size, you'd be looking for the 4" range depending on the final weight. If the weight is going to be over 4lbs, I would say under 4" (but definitely not less than say 2.5"). You want blade presence, but not so much that it feels like you can't control the swing. Modeling clay is your friend here, so you can dial in the weight and balance to what you want before you cut steel. 1 Facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoy's Forge Posted March 13 Share Posted March 13 I love a good long haul project, sometimes slower is better. If you get frustrated , or lose the love for it you can get careless and waste all the time you put into into it by some dumb carless mistake. Looks like you got your mojo back on this one . I love it, Keep us posted. Good to see your work again . Got any inspiration for the handle like a spiral fluted ebony.... Well I won't try to color you with my ideas LOL www.hoyfamily.net Isa 54:16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.Lu 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. Mr 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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