Valentin Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Ok...finaly i have the chance to make a real sword ! An Italian importan customer asked me to manufacture a large sword of about 1.7meters long 65 melimeter wide. The problem is as some of you may know i have never made a sharp pointey object that looks like a sword or knife I wante it to be beuitful not necesarly usefull as i know the sword will stay just at display so it won't be in use. This is why i think i will make it of mild steel (second reason is caz most of the material i can buy in stock is mild steel). Any tips about making it are apreciated ... i think about starting from a square 25x25 wide but this is a real chalange for me. Any help about how i should make it and look good is apreciated.Remember i have no experience about making swords :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 When you make the blade make sure all the lines are symmetrical and straight, and give it a HIGH mirror shine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentin Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 Is it a good idea to protect it with bee's wax after that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Oh yes. With something thatis going to de for display, make everything VERY shiny it will make everyone go OOOO AHHHH when they see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentin Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 i don't know if u have seen this site but ... i found it looking arround for pictures for inspiration they are some fine looking reproduction swords Swords by Albion Swords Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 Yes Albion is the world's best production swords company, they are some of the finest swords in the world, even better than a few custom maker's swords. Best advice is, make the sword how you think it should look, if it is not going to be used then it can be 100% artistic, wether you base the design from your head or from historical models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentin Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 Shoud i use spring steel or mild steel ? any way it will be just for display (spring steel is the only thing i have in high carbon- i make some dies out of it) i am thinking about rust when i am asking this question Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 I would suggest a microcrystaline wax like Renaissance wax if you're going to wax the blade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 if it will not be used then mild steel will be perfect, if you could get a stainless steel that would be even better but no big deal if you cannot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentin Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 iF I GOT IT WRITE the sword will sit outside ... in the weather and i don't want it to rust .Is it a good idea to sprai paint it with ..how is it caled the paint that you aply on the car after it has been bainted to make it shine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcraigl Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 an exterior lacquer is probably what you're talking about Valentin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentin Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 Oh yes that was the word lacquer ...is it a good idea to cover the finished metal with it ? BTW this is how i want the sword 2 look like THIS Just kidding but ...Wow it looks nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 17, 2008 Share Posted January 17, 2008 If it's going to be outside the question is rather how long before it starts to rust. It will ahve to be repainted/waxed on a regular basis. Stainless is the way to go. BTW when researching oversized overweighted non-using swords look for "Bearing Swords" Swords that were carried before a King or other VIP to indicate their power. There are a good number in existance from Renaissance times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentin Posted January 17, 2008 Author Share Posted January 17, 2008 Found some good ones (that i liked) 10x but ... how do i make this cave i don't know how it's caled ...it's the cave that sits on the middle of the blade ... i think it's used for the blood to pour out from the body here is what i mean The Gotland Viking Sword Photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcraigl Posted January 18, 2008 Share Posted January 18, 2008 It's a fuller. Good luck, forging a sword that looks decent seems to be a pretty big task to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynjr Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 It's called a blood groove. It's not so much to allow the blood to pour out but to keep the sword from getting stuck inside the body. (i.e. quick removal so you can stick the next guy!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valentin Posted January 19, 2008 Author Share Posted January 19, 2008 It's a big chalange for me to... probably i'll start working at it in the middel of the next week so wish me good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mende Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 It's called a blood groove. It's not so much to allow the blood to pour out but to keep the sword from getting stuck inside the body. (i.e. quick removal so you can stick the next guy!) It also serves to lighten the blade while maintaining its strength ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 It's called a blood groove. It's not so much to allow the blood to pour out but to keep the sword from getting stuck inside the body. (i.e. quick removal so you can stick the next guy!) That was an old wive's tale. The groove was known as a fuller, bloodgroove is not the right term:mad:. As Mende said it was to lighten and improve the sword's balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pault17 Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 If it's such a tale, then why do those cool looking jap kitchen knives (santuko) have those little dents in them? I was told so food won't stick when slicing. no sarcasm, just curiosity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynjr Posted January 19, 2008 Share Posted January 19, 2008 I will admit that it is from fantasy stories that I've always heard of it called a bloodgroove. I've never really done any research to find out differently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Salvati Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 No big deal, it is a common mistake. You are lucky you said it here not on one of those other swordforums, they bite your head off over little trivial stuff like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynjr Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 It's funny though, it was all those sword fantasies that I read growing up that kept a long held spark of interest in blacksmithing that got me to take that first course a few years ago. Now I find I'm not so interested in making swords. I've made one short sword out of mild steel but don't really have the interest in making any now. I'm more interested in practical items. Making tools, household items............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 Valentin..............,make the blade..the way you want...it will come out as you wish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted January 20, 2008 Share Posted January 20, 2008 larry...just go for it....make what you want,.....it will work out in the end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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