I'm attempting to make my first sword and I'm not sure about what to make the handle out of. A typical sword handle is made out of wood but I'm not sure how thick it should be and if it'll be strong enough. Can someone(s) lend me some advice? The blade is almost two feet long and the handle I was planning on having it be about 9 inches long but that be changed.

how long is a length of string?  hard to answer without more details.   a No Dashi needs a longer handle than a viking blade, a foil requires a slimmer one than a Flamberge. Do you wish leather wrapping, or visable wood with an oil finish? maybe a wire wrap?

Generally, the tang should be at least 2/3's the width of the blade tapering down.  As far as the wood for the handle, oak is about as sturdy (and easy to get) as they com.  Don't forget to make a properly wieghted pommel.

I want leather wrapping for sure. I want the handle to be long enough to carry with two hands but easy to hold with one. I feel kinda dumb asking but what's a fLAMBErge?

Generally a flamberge is a fairly large two-handed sword with a wavy blade (flamberge would mean flame blade). It can also come in a one-handed form, but I think most people think of the larger variety first.

Could you post pictures of the sword? Might help with the feel/intent. Big difference in what ya put on a gladius to what ya put on say, a kris or a wa-tachi.

Sounds like the handle you want would probably be good for a Bastard, also has another name and think it might be                   

hand and a half sword maybe.....

Blade is somewhere usually around 3 feet, handle is long enough for one or two hands respectively.

It is a cross between a longsword and a broadsword, hence the name a Bastard sword.

The blade is about 2 feet long and the handle will be big enough for two hands. Yeah I think it is more of a hand and a half.

Kingsword12

 

Please read up on this, read the entire thing, and the next pages.

 

http://www.myarmoury.com/feature_oakeshott.html

Note that in MANY countries Oak is not easy to get.  Not knowing if you are in South Africa, South America, Australia, etc makes it hard to make good LOCAL suggestions.  Why we suggest folks give their general location in their profile.

 

How heavy do you expect this blade to be?

My issue right now is the cross guard.

This is a starter sword. After this one is complete I'm going to make the one after that in greater detail. Only problem is I don't have a forge.

My guess is I'll have to start over cause I don't have a forge to heat the blade and I will have to make a handle out of wood and make the crossguard. I had thought I could make a generic sword with a stainless steel pvc pipe wrapped with leather as a handle, and weld the blade on top of that.

If all else fails you might try some of the information here.

http://hansoncustomknives.com/magicsword.html

http://hansoncustomknives.com/swordkit1.html http://hansoncustomknives.com/swordkit2.html

Strongly suggest you read "The Complete Bladesmith" by Hrisoulas; your local public library should be able to ILL it for you if they do not have a copy.  He covers a lot of sword building information in it.  And let me assure you that several HUNDRED pages written by a master of the craft is actually better than a couple of posting written by who knows?

Strongly suggest you read "The Complete Bladesmith" by Hrisoulas; your local public library should be able to ILL it for you if they do not have a copy. He covers a lot of sword building information in it. And let me assure you that several HUNDRED pages written by a master of the craft is actually better than a couple of posting written by who knows?

Agreed, good bit of reading. And I *think* Doctor H is still lurking around here, so he might chime in