Designing a sword

[WaysofOld]

Well I seem to have started something really deep and thought provoking with my last thread without knowing very much, Hows that Irony for ya? I have Decided to make my sword out of 5160 and if I think somthing else might do better I'll make another.

What inspired me to make a sword was the movie "Conan The Barbarian". Laugh if you want but there was somthing about the sword that he had that was both strong and mystical. So if you are wondering what I want to make I guess it would be a functional version (not identical version) of the sword that Conan had. Movie props look good but are probably poorly balenced. I guess you could call his sword a Hand and a half short (29 inch blade) Broadsword. The hilt of mine will look a little less elaborate but the sword overall it will have the same profound and Magical look. (At least in my minds eye it does).

I have Decided to use a full tang design for the handle, rivetted wood wrapped with leather. And maybe a stainless guard and pomel would look nice and be durable too. Can A fuller be used to lighten a sword blade instead of a distal taper? fullers are much easier to do then diatal tapers on a uniformly wide blade.

Thanks for the thoughts!


WaysofOld

 

[Loki]

Yes a fuller does reduce the weight of the blade. Fullers have traditionally been used to both lighten and add rigidity. Here's a look at a full length fuller http://www.christianfletcher.com/html/swordset.html
Good luck on the project!

 

[Social cameleon]

In addition to lightening the blade, a well designed fuller tendws to stiffen it. The distal taper doesn't, but makes it penetrate better on a thrust. Judging from your description, it sounds like you're going for a cutter over a stabber, so the fuller would be a better idea.