Measle Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Ok so im just getting into bladesmithing, so new still working on my forge. But my first project was going to be reforgeing a sword I got as a gift. It's just a simple sword u can get at any flea market for like 10-20 bucks. It's pretty beat up with bends and dents from the last owner and my question was can u reforge one of those swords cuz I have been told it would just break if I tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmccustomknives Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 If it's stainless, no. If it rust, maybe. There is really no reason to. Re-forging blades is something from the movies. I suppose some these smiths here have the knowlege and skill to do it, as for me I'd just start from scratch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Measle Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share Posted June 17, 2012 Well what I really wanted to do was play around with the steel but I think I can just make out 440 stainless steel on the blade and u said no to stainless so I guess I'll leave it alone and thanx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 If it's stainless, no. If it rust, maybe. There is really no reason to. Re-forging blades is something from the movies. I suppose some these smiths here have the knowlege and skill to do it, as for me I'd just start from scratch. why can't we re forge stainless? Inquireing minds want to know. (I agree he should not try either way, Learn the basics before jumping into the deep end) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 You *can* forge stainless, even the 440 grades. However it is more difficult and the heat treatments is A LOT MORE DIFFICULT and not suggested for a person starting out as getting it wrong can result in injury to your self or friends. Also blades don't get reforged in general as they already are to size and any more forging makes them *under* sized. The old legends speak of taking broken blades and welding them up into a billet and then forging that billet back into a blade---that will be smaller and lighter unless the material lost in the welding and forging is made up by adding more. (Pay no attention on how Hollywood shows it in the movies as it's about as accurate as their super hero movies are to real life...) Now welding up piece of a broken sword *may* improve it if it broke due to inhomogeneity or too high of carbon content. However modern alloys don't suffer that---except that you may introduce it trying to follow what worked for steels 1000+ years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmccustomknives Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 Thanks Mast C, that's what I ment. <_< Not that forging wasn't possible, just that it is beyond most to do it. I wouldn't try it, I learnt my leason about high chromium steels. My elbow still hurts. It won. :angry: I will forever be a newbie when it comes to stainless. :wacko: I'll leave it to you guys. :o Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avadon Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 How exactly does one hurt oneself from heat treating / tempering stainless? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 By using it How exactly does one hurt oneself from heat treating / tempering stainless? It could break in use. Pieces could fly and injure user or bystanders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 I have yet to see anybody *not* at least try to swing a sword---even if it's a SLO wallhanger. I have seen SLO wallhangers come to pieces with a simple swing. A chunk of metal doesn't have to be a good sword to do damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.