This will be the last one I make until I get some proper tools. Cutting with a hacksaw & files are getting to be a bit tiresome. Although the learning experience was worth it I would like to start making some serious pieces. For that, I need the right equipment.
All I had to work with was one piece of 1/4 in. steel and 2 pieces of solid nylon (similar to what kitchen cutting boards are made of) for the handles. The same as last time, I do not know what kind of steel this is. The black finish is also a mystery.
I started by rough cutting the overall shape with a hacksaw (pant & wheeze) and then finished with files. This was very time consuming but the shape took on a unique look after awhile. Not having a drill press, I decided not to pin the handles on but instead I epoxied them into place.
The nylon itself was very difficult to work with, especially without the right kind of tools. It took a lot of filing & patience to get them to fit right. The brass tacks were put on to aid in grip. Again, it was all I had on hand. I did use the hand drill for a small lanyard hole.
Why make a sword? Well, it was a long piece of steel and I had never attempted anything like it. Besides, as a self proclaimed amateur I do things a bit differently. Overall, it does fit well in the hand and is comfortable to hold. I did not attempt to heat treat this steel because I would have had to make a rather large fire to do a piece this big, so I left it as I found it.
I do not have a sheath as of yet, but I am thinking Kydex will probably be a bit cheaper than leather....or maybe no sheath at all.
OK, now for specs. OAL: 28 inches. Weight: 2 3/4 lbs. Width 1/4 in. Steel type: Unknown. Finish: Unknown.
You may have noticed that I did not put a very aggressive edge on the blade. I did not want it to be razor sharp as I figured it would just be a wall hanger anyway. As far as I know, all the Zombies were wiped out by the folks over in the Busse forum.
The project itself took a little over 4 days to complete. Going to start saving my pennies for the proper equipment to do things right. Until then I will pay close attention to the way you guys do things & hope to one day reach your level of professionalism. Thanks for looking & all comments are welcome.
All I had to work with was one piece of 1/4 in. steel and 2 pieces of solid nylon (similar to what kitchen cutting boards are made of) for the handles. The same as last time, I do not know what kind of steel this is. The black finish is also a mystery.
I started by rough cutting the overall shape with a hacksaw (pant & wheeze) and then finished with files. This was very time consuming but the shape took on a unique look after awhile. Not having a drill press, I decided not to pin the handles on but instead I epoxied them into place.
The nylon itself was very difficult to work with, especially without the right kind of tools. It took a lot of filing & patience to get them to fit right. The brass tacks were put on to aid in grip. Again, it was all I had on hand. I did use the hand drill for a small lanyard hole.
Why make a sword? Well, it was a long piece of steel and I had never attempted anything like it. Besides, as a self proclaimed amateur I do things a bit differently. Overall, it does fit well in the hand and is comfortable to hold. I did not attempt to heat treat this steel because I would have had to make a rather large fire to do a piece this big, so I left it as I found it.
I do not have a sheath as of yet, but I am thinking Kydex will probably be a bit cheaper than leather....or maybe no sheath at all.
OK, now for specs. OAL: 28 inches. Weight: 2 3/4 lbs. Width 1/4 in. Steel type: Unknown. Finish: Unknown.
You may have noticed that I did not put a very aggressive edge on the blade. I did not want it to be razor sharp as I figured it would just be a wall hanger anyway. As far as I know, all the Zombies were wiped out by the folks over in the Busse forum.
The project itself took a little over 4 days to complete. Going to start saving my pennies for the proper equipment to do things right. Until then I will pay close attention to the way you guys do things & hope to one day reach your level of professionalism. Thanks for looking & all comments are welcome.
