nerdsmith Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 Here it is up for judgement/admiration whatever you want. Just had to share this enlightening experience with everyone especially new smiths looking to do this type of stuff. I first of all only have about 5 months of experience, so please excuse the craftsmanship and the willingness to go ahead and do what all of the forums say not to do. But I like to think i am a responsible person but I couldnt resist making one of these. It started with a piece of T25 "S" of rebar, its the 1" stuff. I was flattening it with intention to make some stock for whatever reasons, but when it started to get flatter it started looking like a sword. To excited to stop I just kept going with it and its been a blast. Learned a lot from doing this project, especially about file work and how important good quality sandpaper(also Draw filing with sand paper+1). It is made out of T25 "S" rebar which would mean its just a little better than a xxxx, but it have a lot of these suckers i just decided to go with it because it would be good exercise in hammering, guard/pomel creation, and finishing. So tempted to try to heat treat this but I have put in way too many hours filing and sanding to stick it in the flame, and since this is just a wallhanger and not for use it was a mute point anyway. I did a hardening test on the material and it snaped so it has some carbon in it but whatever ill just order stock when i feel im ready. Anyway enough of the essay that is my post. I chose to make a langes messer or "Long Knife" because it has IMO the simple design that doesnt require fullering, that and I am really into European martial arts, especially the manuscript of Talhoffer. It is just a long knife with a sword like guard essentially. I also like how there is no specific design in the blade but have a few guidelines according my research. Its still a work in progress i have everything mocked up just waiting on sandpaper i ordered so i can finish the blade before i work on the rest. Well enough of the talk, here it is. Total Lenghth = 34" Blade length = 24" Cross Guard = 8" Dont you hate it when things like this happen..... Shitty guard work... I will be forging it to the blade next time..... Checking the balance.... Been balancing this thing since its creation. Just practicing for the future. Ps. The scales for the handle are not finished it very very rough. Made out of cedar/juniper smells goooood. -Tim M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BM454 Posted May 25, 2012 Share Posted May 25, 2012 I like it. Keep up the good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted May 26, 2012 Share Posted May 26, 2012 I hate to admit it, but that rebar blade is looking good, Now about that crater in the cross guard... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nerdsmith Posted May 26, 2012 Author Share Posted May 26, 2012 Thnx for the reply guys, yes that cross guard looks worse in the photos, was thinking about maybe forging a replica tang and then try to reforge that guard to close the gap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 WOW!. I say, scrap the rebar and get some real steel! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robakyo Posted May 27, 2012 Share Posted May 27, 2012 I hate to admit it, but that rebar blade is looking good, Now about that crater in the cross guard... I think we are on the verge of a Planetary Polar Shift! ; ) I really like this "Long Knife" that you forged too! Don't know what happened with your guard though. I don't have a drill press, don't know if you do either, but I was barely able to drill straight when making my one and only guard. I broke quite a few drill bits in my cordless. : ( Files cleaned up the mess. Then silver solder. I'll read Rich Hale's excellent article/Tutorial concerning this subject next time I tackle another guard. I wonder how consistent the material is though. Whatever, I'll bet you gained some valuable information in the process. Keep experimenting, and be Safe! Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rileyhw Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 XXX XXXX man looks great! I'm working a a sword now too that i really shouldn't be doing but it so hard to resist it.(: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPH Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 on the guard..fill it with braze rod and re-slot...that's what I would do if I didint want to redo the guard... JPH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nerdsmith Posted June 6, 2012 Author Share Posted June 6, 2012 Yah I'm thinking about just reforging the guard.. I do have a drill press. the problem was my impatient filing and also i did not compensate for the amount of filing and sanding of the blade. It was very thick at one point i dont know what i was thinking while forging but the result being a huge gap in the guard. not knowing how to fill it with blaze rod, seems like welding involved. So just going to forge a new guard same style maybe bit thinner to cut the weight down, and reforge the pommel to fit the end of the tang better. Thnx for the interest and advice.. CHeers. -Tim M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robakyo Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 How's it going with the guard reforge? Your blade seems flawless. With a well fitting guard, this would be a nice sword! Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nerdsmith Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 Havent been at the forge lately, the location of it + begining of summer = miserable place to forge. It was fine in the winter when the direct sun would warm me up but now I need to get away from it as it is too dam hot, plus the lighting is messing up heats. Last thing i forged was a few bodkin type arrow heads. In the process of moving my anvil/forge to a more cooler and darker place, and itll prob be one of the first things ill be forging after its set up. My neighbor does have a plethora of welding apparatuses maybe i can get him to fill the gaps and save some fuel/time, just have to pick up some rods if i do that route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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