TheoRockNazz Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 I've been working on another blade inspired by the katzbalger style sword... and honestly can't figure out if I like it.I think I want the whole guard to be broader, which would mean I need to untangle and untwist then draw out. I rather like the perfect squareness of the guard material though (I cheated and did the cuts with and angle grinder), and don't trust myself to perfectly squarely draw out the guard.Then I started doodling some other neat ideas I like a bit more, but only work if I draw out... but is it worth it? Maybe I set this guy aside and experiment.In retrospect I should have played with this design in mild steel first before cutting up a bar of S7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.w.s. Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 Looks cramped and a little forced, definitely not big enough. Remember, the guard is there to fully protect the hand, not to "just barely" protect it. Is there a reason you're working the guard on the blade? J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JME1149 Posted September 11, 2015 Share Posted September 11, 2015 Of all your doodles, the one that jumps out at me is the bottom right corner. It looks simple yet elegant. Maybe if you go with an octagonal shape rather than square, the twists might look a little more finished or refined. Maybe try a mockup in a piece of mild steel before you commit to changing what you have.Just the humble opinion of a non-bladesmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheoRockNazz Posted September 11, 2015 Author Share Posted September 11, 2015 JWS: Yep, okay, you're right. I love integral knives, and thought the katzbalger was perfect for an integral guard on a sword. I also like a challenge, haha JME: That one seems to be everyone's choice. I have no mild steel in my stocks, gotta pick some up. Ah geez - why didn't I remember this before? - I should get some clay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 I kind of like the guard pattern in your Avatar. Truth is I don't really have a good mental image of any of them but couldn't let a good straight line lay. I can however see how the idea works and am getting crazy stupid intricate mental images of basket hilts made with high contrast pattern welded stock.Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matto Posted September 12, 2015 Share Posted September 12, 2015 Rocknazz do you forge in sandals a lot, how does that work for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheoRockNazz Posted September 14, 2015 Author Share Posted September 14, 2015 Haha, hobbit feet. Just kidding - outside the shop I always wear sandals, something I got from my old sifu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frozenthunderbolt Posted September 14, 2015 Share Posted September 14, 2015 I've got to say, that from a (Semi) practical point of view, I would lean towards the bottom left design. It is simple (light - not adding weight to the sword) but provides decent protection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheoRockNazz Posted September 17, 2015 Author Share Posted September 17, 2015 Did that for this guy, would like to do something a little more elaborate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted September 17, 2015 Share Posted September 17, 2015 One period piece I have seen has the guard twisted and then "thorns" cut out of the edges ending in a rose bud at the ends. Have you tried stamping an inscription along the sides before twisting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheoRockNazz Posted September 18, 2015 Author Share Posted September 18, 2015 Interesting... no I have not... like a flower pattern or actual words/text/symbols? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Durman Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 I'm just haunting the threads and this one seems fairly old, but I wonder if you could anticipate the distortion that the twisting would cause on an inscription with actual words/text/symbols and compensate for it when you make them. It would be an interesting experiment, but it seems like it would be almost certainly easier to simply do it after twisting with a dremel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 Good Morning, Try it!! Take a piece, punch in your desired expression, Twist it gently and control the twist with a cup of water. STOP before you go too far. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Ling Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 On 9/11/2015 at 9:11 PM, matto said: Rocknazz do you forge in sandals a lot, how does that work for you I used to forge in crocks, then got tired of burns....... Littleblacksmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 29, 2016 Share Posted July 29, 2016 I don't like the scale burns on the tops of my feet so I generally do not wear sandals myself. (also the wife complained about holes in my socks...) With my leather boots I will demonstrate to students that dropping a piece is not a major incident---and why plastic shoes are NOT ALLOWED at my forge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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