Hello Everyone,

This was a serious learning project. I managed to create my first leaf blade and first dagger. I am happy with the handle and the blade, although I had a bad time with the ricasso. Also, there are a couple of belt marks, and it needs more polish.

But, I have always wanted to make a leaf blade dagger. I think they are beautiful. This one won't win any contests, but it means I am on my way!

10" blade
1.4" wide
1/8" thick
flattened diamond cross-section

handle is maple of some sort,
brass guard
leather spacer
copper-nickel butt cap

quenched in heated canola, tempered at 375F for 3 one-hour trials.

Comments, encouragement, ideas, ADVICE, all welcomed. This was a challenge, and despite its obvious flaws, came out better than I expected.

Thanks for looking,

Kevin

Beautiful knife! You should be proud. No advice as I'm still learmimg. But kudos on a fine job!

That's a great looking blade, keep it up!!

Adam

No advice from me either, as I'm still at the beginning of the learning process, but everything seems to be good with the HT. Good job. What kind of steel did you use?

It is 1095. At this point, that is all I ever really use. That or W2.

I wanted to keep the steel simple and as close to the historical types as possible without learning how to smelt for myself.

thanks for looking,

kevin

You amaze me sir!!! Wonderful work.
Finnr

thanks for the kind words. A person with more experience than me told me that this may be better described as a spear point rather than leaf blade.

It was forged as a leaf blade, but every time I goofed with grinding, I ended up taking a little more off of the swells or shortening the point to make up for it. So, I have almost parallel sides (it actually swells most of the way from ricasso to just behind point, then tapers to point - there is a very small swelling at base).

My wife wants me to call it THE SMURF SWORD! It looks like a good cut and thrust compromise for a mighty blue warrior! (her comments).

Kevin

Nice job, But I don't consider things "spearpoints" unless they are on the points of spears

very nice. keep up the good work.

very nice, can't wait to get to making my own blades! Awsome job Prof

thats a bit big for a smurf. there only 3 apples high you know? any way great blade!

New guy
I checked with the expert, and she confirmed smurf height.

Maybe it is sort of a smurf claymore?

thanks for the compliment. I have now been trying to pattern weld, but have managed to goof it up every time I try to get more than 8 layers. I may make the lowest layer count ever (besides san mai).

Kevin