Aaron Gann Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 hello again. I'm forging a blade out of a spring railroad clip, not sure if this is a dagger or short sword yet so I was just curious how long does something have to be for it to be considered a sword? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 Brobdignagian or Hobbit sword/knife? What I'm saying is it depends on a number of variables, some physical, some cultural, some traditional, some time period, some just personal taste. Frosty the Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Gann Posted December 2, 2010 Author Share Posted December 2, 2010 speaking in a general sense western european short sword. right now it is a little more than 19 inches. alas I ran out of coal and my fire died so i'll be doing some more next week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 speaking in a general sense western european short sword. right now it is a little more than 19 inches. alas I ran out of coal and my fire died so i'll be doing some more next week At 19" I'd say it depends on the blade width, hilt shape and edge(s). It'd probably be on the large size for a knife but not out of the question depending on who's using it and for what, say a butcher or upholsterer. Certainly not too small for a short sword, good size in fact. Just remember, I'm no bladesmith so my opinions are almost completely unpolluted by real knowledge. Frosty the Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Steinkirchner Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 there really isn't a clear cut boundary between a short sword and a sword or a dagger. it really depends on what you want to call it to an extent, although a blade that is 32 inches probably couldn't be called a shortsword and a 7 inch blade is no longsword, but in the case of a 19 inch blade it goes to whichever side you like. personally consider a shortsword as being 20 inches or less, but that is just my personal opinion. P.S. post pics good luck with your project Ed Steinkirchner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Gann Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 alright well these are cell phone pics but it's all i got for right now hope ya enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 3, 2010 Share Posted December 3, 2010 You may want to look at the Naval Dirks of the British Navy for something that was intermediate between a large dagger and a short sword. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thingmaker3 Posted December 8, 2010 Share Posted December 8, 2010 I found a record of a 16" gladius (short sword) and a 20" main gauche (dagger). I suggest simply calling it "Bob" to avoid confusion. :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny203 Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 im no sword smith shoot im no any smith yet. But in my opinion call what it tells you to call it when its done. it will speak to you, your heart will know hey i made a dagger or hey this is a decent short sword. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin1050 Posted December 20, 2010 Share Posted December 20, 2010 Some people say if it is under 24'' it is still a knife. Spartan and Roman short swords were under that but were wider, usually 2'' or so at the ricasso. Tough call I guess it depends on the shape of the blade and the width. I have a couple of spring clips that I am turning swords. I am still drawing them out, so I am unsure of what the final length will be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robakyo Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Hey Aaron, looks like you are off to a good start. You started this off with a rail spring clip? I have several of those. So, is the carbon content a respectable level? Maybe so since they are called "spring clips". I didn't realize that they could be drawn out so long. Nice work! Also, I see that you are using a track plate, or whatever it's called, supported by a stump. How well does that set-up work? How is the rebound? I ask because I am still assembling my own equipment and hacked out an anvil from a piece of R.R. track given to me by a friend. I thought of adding the plate elsewhere, and maybe also using one of the square holes as a hardie hole. In such case, I would be using the round hole to mount the spikes. I just worry about the shaft getting stuck. Anyhow, at 19+ inches I would call it a short sword. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Countryboy39067 Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 alright well these are cell phone pics but it's all i got for right now hope ya enjoy Nice!! What cell phone do you have. The reason I ask is I have the old IPhone 3G and I can't post pictures through the web browser or the IPB app. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiapan Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I likes the look of it so far. That took a lot of pounding to get it that far. keep at it and show the pics as it comes along, I am really interested to see how it turns out. Also post some pics of the spring clips before you started. a true before and after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balian625 Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Hey im going to reiterate what robayako (sorry if i spelled that wrong as i didnt write it down ) how is the carbon content? Does it hold a good edge? Also, could someone post a pic of what a rail road spring clip looks like? I'm a fan of sharp pointy objects as well and I must say this is very very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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