Duncan
Sep 12 2003, 07:24 AM
Steel takes a lot of time to work no matter what is done to it. Your hours show your pride in the workmanship.
I really see no reason for every one to fold a blade or some of the other things that certain jobs require. It depends on the person and what they want or can do that matters the most.
Now the German leather is a nice touch!
QUOTE
Do you know the specs on tempering?
Colors or just text? The colors may not be right due to different settings in every ones PC's but I think I can get close to the real thing with an image.
Whitemanfrtown
Sep 9 2003, 10:00 PM
Here's a shot of a sword I manufactured back in 2000. It's approx. 49" long and weighs around 3 lbs. The blade is 1/4" thick at center.
Whitemanfrtown
Sep 12 2003, 10:19 PM
Well, here's my let-it-fly-uncontrolled yap on this subject:
I don't really wanna temper the thing but mainly because I have the idea that it would require too much work. However, if the outcome were to make a significant difference in its durability, cutting edge, etc then I may elect to do so later. I cant do it where I live and might...... wait... I think I can get away with burying it beneath the pig at the next luau... :idea3: ..........Ok maybe not.
Ijust dont know how to nor what good it's going to do. But I am interested to know so if ya got data please do tell.
I would like to have a sword that is functional. That one Ill take my time making and will probably make it concurrently with the finishings on the castle. (Or this really nice guy they call Duncan could make one for me... :eyebrow: ) But I would certainly love to celebrate a high income month or a milestone of castle construction achieved by mounting watermellon and cantelope on fence posts outside and have myself a carving festival :biggrin2:
Duncan
Sep 10 2003, 05:29 AM
Looks good how'd you make it? You want to tell us about your tempering techniques?
Duncan
Sep 13 2003, 09:11 AM
I see no reason to temper your blade, if you had I was going to ask how you did it.
Tempering that length of material is a job believe me!
The metal the blade's made from was somewhat treated during the manufacturing process and is fairly springy with out further work.
What blade to use at a luau: 
hmmmmm....I'm gonna say....a blade long enough to reach but short enough to cut the meat. Your want to keep the other guests from getting your share of the pig.... Your blade exactly! :laughlong:
Caution!!! When you carve the melons do not cut down, side to side is good, but down will result in your buying more fence posts! :banghead: speaking from expeirence that is.....
As soon as work around here slacks off a wee a bit I'll post a tempering guide. :computore:
Flattery will get you no where LOL, we will see as time goes by and your castle gets closer to completion. :nod:
Whitemanfrtown
Sep 12 2003, 02:32 AM
Unfortunately, no tempering techniques. It's not tempered. When I decided to make it I figured I would just dive in and go for it and see how it turned out thinking that if it was alright that I may make another of higher quality. I used a 6-in grinding wheel, angle grinder and various sanding and buffing tools. It was a piece of steel flatbar. Took about 45-60 hrs to make. The handle is omprised of the tang (about 10" long and two hickory half-ovaled pieces. It's wrapped in this thin, fine German leather my father had.
Folding the blade was way too much for me under the circumstances at the time I made it - no adequate space nor knowledge or tools to do it so I made the cosmetic brand.
It has killed a fair share of centepedes and large cockroaches in its time though. :eyebrow:
Do you know the specs on tempering?
Whitemanfrtown
Sep 16 2003, 01:24 PM
Just for giggles: This is actually about the 10th weapon like this that I've manufactured if you count all the creations as a kid. There were actually more but we shouldn't count the cheesy bows, spears etc.
The first piece that I put any time into was a wooden sword about 3.5 feet long shaped using a wood rasp. It was painted and actually wasnt too bad for being done by a twelve year old. Next I made a dagger out of a flat file in my dads workshop using a grinding wheel. It was good until it "disappeared" ... my parents Im sure had something to do with this as they were acting slightly different that week. That one was sharp and quite strong. Thanks Dad. :sneaky2:
Then in 7th grade I made another wooden one. We had to make something - mine was unique same method as the other wooden one.
I wanted metal so at 15 I got a piece and started on one wich I never finished but it at least it made it up to the trial stage of hacking gallon-milk jugs of water on the balcony where we lived - that ws fun. :biggrin2:
Come to think of it I dont remember if that one "diapppeared" or not but it might have... 
Now that Mom and Dad dont have a leash on me I can create freely and surprisingly enough I haven't been jailed or dumped in the looney bin. Actually, Dad has now helped me with the sword-manufacturing as he's the one who gave me the leather. (Ironic.)
Once I made this crossbow that fired chopsticks... :laughlong: it was cool but the trigger mechanism consisted of manually lifting the bow string over the little knobs that was keeping it cocked.
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