Trying to mod a 15 year old Practical Hanwei Knightly Sword
Feb 24, 2018 11:59:26 GMT
Post by pandem on Feb 24, 2018 11:59:26 GMT
15 years ago I obtained what I have now identified as a Practical Hanwei Knightly Sword. I intend to reprofile the blade -to a live one- with the help of an experienced blacksmith and knife smith friend of mine. As well as probably re-heat-treating it. We just recently became journeyman metalworkers and since we both like blades, we have decided on this little side project.
The blade geometry of the 15year old blade is different than the one currently on the market. Instead of 3 fullers that run down the entirety of the blade, it has only one. And the tip of the older model is slightly more tapered and less rounded.
I have the following question:
Is it possible to reprofile such a blunt training blade into a live one, without removing toooo much stock?
-The blade barely has any distal taper, as well as having a pretty thick blunt edge (2mm-1.5mm). Obviously, one can put an "edge" on it but the edge of the blade is 8-6mm away from the ridges made by the fuller.
What steel is it?
After some research, I have found out that it is either 1065 or 1090. According to KoA, it's 1065, according to many other retailers, it's 1090. I assume that Hanwei used to use either the 1065 or the 1090 for their older swords in the past. However, it is possible, they may have used a different steel altogether 15 years ago (who is to say they didn't switch the steel type more than once).
If anyone knows what steel its made of, or can make an educated guess on what steel it might be, it would be much appreciated.
Can I hard-solder the guard?
-The guard hasn't been press-fit onto the tang, in fact, its pretty loose. This resulted in my wooden handle disintegrating after I tried a Mord-Hau. I am considering hard-soldering the crossguard onto the blade, but I am afraid it might ruin the heat treatment near the lower part of the sword. But if hard soldering is an option, would you recommend brass or silver?
New Model
Old Model
The blade geometry of the 15year old blade is different than the one currently on the market. Instead of 3 fullers that run down the entirety of the blade, it has only one. And the tip of the older model is slightly more tapered and less rounded.
I have the following question:
Is it possible to reprofile such a blunt training blade into a live one, without removing toooo much stock?
-The blade barely has any distal taper, as well as having a pretty thick blunt edge (2mm-1.5mm). Obviously, one can put an "edge" on it but the edge of the blade is 8-6mm away from the ridges made by the fuller.
What steel is it?
After some research, I have found out that it is either 1065 or 1090. According to KoA, it's 1065, according to many other retailers, it's 1090. I assume that Hanwei used to use either the 1065 or the 1090 for their older swords in the past. However, it is possible, they may have used a different steel altogether 15 years ago (who is to say they didn't switch the steel type more than once).
If anyone knows what steel its made of, or can make an educated guess on what steel it might be, it would be much appreciated.
Can I hard-solder the guard?
-The guard hasn't been press-fit onto the tang, in fact, its pretty loose. This resulted in my wooden handle disintegrating after I tried a Mord-Hau. I am considering hard-soldering the crossguard onto the blade, but I am afraid it might ruin the heat treatment near the lower part of the sword. But if hard soldering is an option, would you recommend brass or silver?
New Model
Old Model