primtechsmith Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 In your opinion. What are the basic fundamentals a novice needs to master before moving on to the infamous "sword" :roll: , or any other stereotypical hand forged item. I know in my learning process so far the basics are always present, and repetition is making them second nature... Also what are some basic items a novice can practice on to master these basic skills? Peyton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Zietman Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 s-hooks? I like trace hooks, they make me happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irnsrgn Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 measuring, cutting- hot and cold, hammer control, drawing, fullering, swaging, bending, upsetting, punching, welding, grinding, filing, finishing, hardening and tempering Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 This is a good time to mention Woody's classic piece Dissertation on making Magical Swords Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I would advise that they make their weight in knives before they do a sword. Thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie Zietman Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I agree with Thomas! They should make their own body weight in finished (as in forged, ground, hilted, sharpened) knives before moving on to a sword. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primtechsmith Posted February 24, 2006 Author Share Posted February 24, 2006 I have made hundreds of s hooks out of all types of material, and in all sizes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted February 24, 2006 Share Posted February 24, 2006 OK so you should have hammer control down. But those hooks were probably mild steel; working high carbon you will need to learn forging temp ranges, heat treat, finishing, hilting, sheath/scabbard making (*NO* blade should leavy your shop without some type of sheath---even if you are sending it to the sheath maker!) You have much better turnover time learning all this on knives---you can put in a lot more time forging 1 sword and ruin it in heat treating and still not know what went wrong or ruin a bunch of knives learning the basics in less time. Why folks assume their first time forging a sword will come out right I never know---like assuming the first time you drive a car you are ready to win a road race... Thomas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yesteryearforge Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 If I read your post right you are not interested in making a sword at all but rather wanting to know what are the basic exercises that would further your hammer control and expand your smithing abilities. If thats the case do what insrgn suggest plus make some nails and rivetts practice putting heads on rivetts / there are a multitude of uses for rivetts in blacksmithing that you cant allways use a factory made rivett on such as hinges and the like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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