foil1more

lol Solutions where never that simple in AP physics. I was getting ready to get out the old equation sheet. I believe I'll go with an iron or steel guard then. Another question though. When steel is heated to about 575-600F (I think, correct me if I'm wrong) it oxidizes blue. How durable is that oxidation? I'd like to make the guard and pommel dark blue.

It actually isn't a full size claymore. It's just made to look like one. The blade after the ricasso is 24". I guess I over thought the balance question. Didn't think about something that simple. Here's a picture of the blade. The red sharpie mark is what the final shape of the tang should be (the screw tang will be cut off). I wedged a 12" (30cm) ruler behind it for reference. I haven't decided weather to use iron, copper or brass for the guard and pommel yet. The handle will be wood.

I'm new this forum but I have have been making (or attempting to make) handles for knives for a few years. I don't have the tools to forge a blade nor have I built my forge yet. I bought a cheap sword a long time ago. It's supposed to be like a claymore but it is too small and horribly balanced. I plan to cut off the screw tang and turn most of the 9" ricasso into the new tang, making it into a one handed sword with about a 24" blade. My question is how do you know how big to make the pommel to get the balance you want?