First sword project Im currently working on, a Gladius!
Sept 8, 2023 14:05:21 GMT
Post by danthedj on Sept 8, 2023 14:05:21 GMT
Hello everyone,
Im new to the forum, posts-wise. Ive been a lurker for a while now, but only recently have I found the time and motivation to actually go about making something.
Ive looked at a few of Albion's gladii up on kult of athena, as their pictures are fairly good quality and they usually give detailed measurements one might need for a decent replica in the end.
I based the blade on the Tiberius and the hilt on Augustus.
I had to use 4mm thick 1075 equivalent because thats the only steel I had at the time. Im in the process of ordering some 1060 in various thicknesses, for future projects.
Ive been told that 4mm is actually fine for a gladius, but I would have liked something a bit thicker. Oh well...
I also couldnt wrap my head around how to do the distal taper using the stock removal method, so my sword has none...
It will only taper near the point some, for obvious reasons, but other than that, the spine of the diamond cross section is 4mm throughout.
Funnily enough, the center of mass of such a blade is not all that much far forward, and when the handle is on, it comes down to 120mm from the guard, which is fairly close to Albion's pieces. At 670g as of now, its also spotish on
The only difference is of course the dynamics, but I dont think its all that much crucial on such a short blade.
If I figure out how to upload a few pics, youll notice that its still very rough from the grind, but Im working on making everything smooth.
Its proving rather slow with 60 grit sand paper, as I have no other way of achieving straightness (all my files are too rough for the task and scratch the surface rather irreparably).
Anyways....
This post was just to introduce my work and more importantly, to ask you where would one get some concrete information for different swords distal tapers, weights, points of balance, percussion etc etc
I would like to make quite a few different swords from history in the future, but I want to make them properly, so I need to know how thick was everything and how it tapers towards the tip
My main project for the future would be a viking era one handed sword, for which I really need some serious info when it comes both to distal taper and fuller deepness change if there is any?
Knowing the thicknesses these blades usually came in (at the base at their thickest) is also very helpful, as it will help me pick an appropriate size stock for when I eventually start making one.
Besides that, Id really like to make a couple of 'longswords'. Not sure which type yet though...
I also quite like those Alexandria type xviiic's
Any specific info you have on literally any sword from the middle ages is highly appreciated.
Thank you for the help!
I hope you like my first sword...
imgur.com/gallery/PkRbgGe
Edit: While Im at it, I would like to ask whether you know of any gladii without a ribbed grip. I dont like how it feels in my hand and would prefer to leave it as is, if thats historically accurate. Also, I need help when it comes to those peening blocks. Im no caster and all I can do is either use a piece of sheet brass or try to machine something out from a 10mm thick brass rod. So with that in mind, if could you recommend some historically accurate peen block designs that were used on gladii that would be relatively easy to reproduce and look the part? Thanks.
Im new to the forum, posts-wise. Ive been a lurker for a while now, but only recently have I found the time and motivation to actually go about making something.
Ive looked at a few of Albion's gladii up on kult of athena, as their pictures are fairly good quality and they usually give detailed measurements one might need for a decent replica in the end.
I based the blade on the Tiberius and the hilt on Augustus.
I had to use 4mm thick 1075 equivalent because thats the only steel I had at the time. Im in the process of ordering some 1060 in various thicknesses, for future projects.
Ive been told that 4mm is actually fine for a gladius, but I would have liked something a bit thicker. Oh well...
I also couldnt wrap my head around how to do the distal taper using the stock removal method, so my sword has none...
It will only taper near the point some, for obvious reasons, but other than that, the spine of the diamond cross section is 4mm throughout.
Funnily enough, the center of mass of such a blade is not all that much far forward, and when the handle is on, it comes down to 120mm from the guard, which is fairly close to Albion's pieces. At 670g as of now, its also spotish on
The only difference is of course the dynamics, but I dont think its all that much crucial on such a short blade.
If I figure out how to upload a few pics, youll notice that its still very rough from the grind, but Im working on making everything smooth.
Its proving rather slow with 60 grit sand paper, as I have no other way of achieving straightness (all my files are too rough for the task and scratch the surface rather irreparably).
Anyways....
This post was just to introduce my work and more importantly, to ask you where would one get some concrete information for different swords distal tapers, weights, points of balance, percussion etc etc
I would like to make quite a few different swords from history in the future, but I want to make them properly, so I need to know how thick was everything and how it tapers towards the tip
My main project for the future would be a viking era one handed sword, for which I really need some serious info when it comes both to distal taper and fuller deepness change if there is any?
Knowing the thicknesses these blades usually came in (at the base at their thickest) is also very helpful, as it will help me pick an appropriate size stock for when I eventually start making one.
Besides that, Id really like to make a couple of 'longswords'. Not sure which type yet though...
I also quite like those Alexandria type xviiic's
Any specific info you have on literally any sword from the middle ages is highly appreciated.
Thank you for the help!
I hope you like my first sword...
imgur.com/gallery/PkRbgGe
Edit: While Im at it, I would like to ask whether you know of any gladii without a ribbed grip. I dont like how it feels in my hand and would prefer to leave it as is, if thats historically accurate. Also, I need help when it comes to those peening blocks. Im no caster and all I can do is either use a piece of sheet brass or try to machine something out from a 10mm thick brass rod. So with that in mind, if could you recommend some historically accurate peen block designs that were used on gladii that would be relatively easy to reproduce and look the part? Thanks.