damascus sword ideas please

[bulldogsblades]

Ok gents, I am looking for ideas. I want to produce a sword from my version of chainsaw Damascus

But I am unsure as to the style or overall shape I want it to take. So, hit me with ideas please. Provide drawings, photos, exc. If possible. I thank you for your input ahead of time.

Bulldog

 

[Mark Nelson]

What is the weight of the block? Rough size etc. So we all know how much steel you have to work with. Thanks.

 

[bulldogsblades]

Any size I want. The photo is just an example, I haven’t made the sword billet!

 

[Mark Nelson]

Oh in that case I think that a Gladius would look incredible. To be honest almost any sword would look great in Damascus but I have always had a fondness of the shape of the Gladius. Either way keep us up to date if you will.

 

[bulldogsblades]

I will certainly consider it, I think it would lend itself well to this pattern. Thanks a bunch!

Bulldog

 

[GHEzell]

You might want to try something single-edged for your first long blade, they are considerably easier to differentially heat-treat than a double-edge. A single edge can be edge-quenched, but a double edge will require clay.

As far as patterns, these sites might give you inspiration...
http://www.antiqueswords.com/
http://swordforum.com/
http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/index.html

 

[Ebbtide]

A wide blade would show off the pattern, so I'll vote for a
Pirate Cutlass with a knuckle guard.

 

[the possum]

Well, the best of luck in your endevour! I also heartily recommend spending a few months researching, and swordforum.com is a great place to start. Also, it may be best to start with a shorter sword, rather than trying to tackle a longsword right away. As the blade gets longer, not only do they become harder to physically shape, but also a thousand details in design on balance, dynamic handling characteristics, tapers, weight reducing tricks, proper pommel weight, etc. all come into play to a MUCH greater extent. Mess up one little thing, and you might just end up with a wall hanger. Smaller blades are far more forgiving.


By the way, I think you might be more satisfied with the results if you start out designing a sword to fill a particular role/need, rather than just designing one that looks cool. What kind of armour would it face? Cut or thrust, or cut&thrust? What time period and region? (modern needs are also quite valid)