Briquet sabre

[SBranson]

It's been a while since I posted anything. It's been a summer of experiments in laminating steel, working on some kitchen blades and this little proiect. I've been working on it in bits over the last couple months, in between other things.

I've always loved the design of the Napoleonic infantry sabre, the briquet. I figured it would be a fun little sword so I finally, after a couple years of thinking about it got out the bar of L6 I bought ages ago for this.


There was a lot new to me on this. The fullers were forged in. First D-guard too. Forging the guard was a mind-bender and took two tries.. so was that back strap piece. These started as an old piece of anchor chain so there was some major forging to coax them into these shapes.

The scabbard isn't done and I'm not sure how far to take the rest of it. There's still some forge marks on the guard and I only took the blade to 400x.
I wondered whether to post this as I'm not sure it's finished but it's as finished as it will be for a while. I am going to take it to Lorien's to test the steel and have some fun first.


If you're wondering about the habaki.. well I forged in the fullers and then had to shorten the blade from the tang end and so the fullers would have run into the guard. I thought the habaki was a nice way to make the transition and though not at all traditional, I think it looks quite good.


The blade is 24".

At this point in the forging of the guard, I hot cut a slit with a chisel and forged the side tine out to shape.

 

[DesRosiers]

Most impressive. So many of your blades I would love to own.

-Haley

 

[SBranson]

Thanks Haley. This would be a great Zombie Apocalypse blade.

 

[BenR.T.]

Wow Stuart, this is mind bendingly cool!

 

[fishface5]

Super duper sweet, love the habaki!

 

[i4Marc]

I love everything about this piece. Super talented smith.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Well Done.
You are certainly not afraid to tackle the tough projects!

 

[Dawkind]

Another wonderful example of your work.....thanks for taking the time to post these pictures my friend.

 

[Lorien]

I'll take it!
(I even get to test drive it first )

 

[Deweyknives]

Very nice piece Stuart!! Thank you for sharing with us!

 

[gator68]

Nice work.

Re the habaki. On "real" swords the fullers can run under the guard. Fit and finish standards are different from knives.

 

[Patrice Lemée]

I know I will always say WOW! when you post a new knife and this time was not different. I love it.

 

[SBranson]

Thanks for the kind comments. As I said, I was hesitant to post this as uncompleted but I think it's close to it's potential at the moment and served as a great learning experience for a more refined sabre in the future. It's only by trying these things way outside my comfort level that I can even begin to grasp the work of a Kevin Cashen or a Vince Evans. Well, actually, by trying these things it usually gives me more questions..

Re the habaki. On "real" swords the fullers can run under the guard..

I did see that but more often not. It just seemed like a stronger construction choice in this case.

 

[keithf]

Well Stuart, all I can say is wow ! Very cool.
Cheers Keith

 

[gator68]

Just to be clear -- I'm not criticizing. it's hard for a knife maker to leave a gap anywhere.

 

[Will York]

What a handsome package.

The word that comes to my mind is "manly".

 

[Bob Leedy]

Exemplary job on a tough challenge. Turned out great. Love the guard and backstrap, but that long fuller had to be a real bugger. What's the handle wrap?

 

[JParanee]

Very cool

 

[BRTATCK]

Very well done Stuart. A very tough build and you did a great job. Love it!
Brion

 

[D lisch]

Very Very cool Stuart I just love the forged guard you do what you do very well