Early sword-making attempt!
Aug 6, 2010 23:56:34 GMT
Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2010 23:56:34 GMT
So I got extremely bored at work today and rather than do something actually PRODUCTIVE or work related I decided: "Hey! This would be a great time to get a head start on my blade-smithing hobby!"
Only problem was at work I lack steel... or a forge... or pretty much anything that would facilitate the metamorphosis of carbon atoms into a razor sharp instrument of tatami nightmares.
Sooo I did the next best thing! I worked with what I DID have (cardboard, duct tape, electrical tape) and crafted my first blade! It's of obvious Roman influence as you can tell from the pictures below. I had a problem with the handle being a bit flimsy and upon scouring my warehouse for something suitable to shim it up I found a 90 degree plastic brace used to protect boxes when you strap them down to a pallet. Well 90 degrees wouldn't do, so I ran over it with the fork lift to flatten it and carved out a couple of notches from each end to slide over the pommel and guard and then electrical taped the hell out of it. voila!
"But Wes! What good is a sword without a scabbard?!" You ask. My thoughts exactly! So using the same cardboard I made a 3-layer scabbard (The center layer is contoured to follow the arch of the blade tip so that it doesn't move around once sheathed) Then I thought. "Hey! I need a suspension system!" But since I had no leather or buckles or anything I had to once again scour the warehouse for suitable materials. The laces from my work boots worked perfectly! I cut each of them in half and braided the four cords together to make the strap.
All-in-all I am pretty proud of her. She may not be chopping any bottles in half, but I'm sure her new owner will have lots of fun with her until he breaks it hitting his sister over the head. ;D
In all seriousness, I did make this today while bored. I gave it to a co-worker to give to his 6-year-old son (who's name I wrote in futhark on the blade) The strap was a little too small for me anyways
Only problem was at work I lack steel... or a forge... or pretty much anything that would facilitate the metamorphosis of carbon atoms into a razor sharp instrument of tatami nightmares.
Sooo I did the next best thing! I worked with what I DID have (cardboard, duct tape, electrical tape) and crafted my first blade! It's of obvious Roman influence as you can tell from the pictures below. I had a problem with the handle being a bit flimsy and upon scouring my warehouse for something suitable to shim it up I found a 90 degree plastic brace used to protect boxes when you strap them down to a pallet. Well 90 degrees wouldn't do, so I ran over it with the fork lift to flatten it and carved out a couple of notches from each end to slide over the pommel and guard and then electrical taped the hell out of it. voila!
"But Wes! What good is a sword without a scabbard?!" You ask. My thoughts exactly! So using the same cardboard I made a 3-layer scabbard (The center layer is contoured to follow the arch of the blade tip so that it doesn't move around once sheathed) Then I thought. "Hey! I need a suspension system!" But since I had no leather or buckles or anything I had to once again scour the warehouse for suitable materials. The laces from my work boots worked perfectly! I cut each of them in half and braided the four cords together to make the strap.
All-in-all I am pretty proud of her. She may not be chopping any bottles in half, but I'm sure her new owner will have lots of fun with her until he breaks it hitting his sister over the head. ;D
In all seriousness, I did make this today while bored. I gave it to a co-worker to give to his 6-year-old son (who's name I wrote in futhark on the blade) The strap was a little too small for me anyways