Hand forged -v- CNC blades

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Sep 10, 2007
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Can you provide me (a newbie) with information regarding the pros and cons of hand forged blades and machined blades (CNC). What I have heard is the CNC blades tend to be much more percise and have true lines as well as can carry a more exact edge. The handforged blades offer the authenticity of hand working the blade as was done in historical settings. What else should be considered? I realize it comes down to preference but I would love to hear some feedback!
Again, I love the information on this site! You guys have been helpful.
dadarrow
 
Can you provide me (a newbie) with information regarding the pros and cons of hand forged blades and machined blades (CNC). What I have heard is the CNC blades tend to be much more percise and have true lines as well as can carry a more exact edge. The handforged blades offer the authenticity of hand working the blade as was done in historical settings. What else should be considered? I realize it comes down to preference but I would love to hear some feedback!
Again, I love the information on this site! You guys have been helpful.
dadarrow

It's been my long held opinion that unless you are some sort of historical correctness fanatic one should not get to hung up about how the end product is generated as long as the end product is acceptable.

For example Angus Trim uses a CNC mill to rough out his blades and then hand finishes them with a grinder. The result is a sword that performs well... but often looks like it was machined. On the other hand Albion also uses a CNC mill for their blades and then hand finishes them on a grinder, however due to either more time spent on the hand grinder or a different CNC program design, or different prototype design they turn out swords that do not appear to be machined. Same basic methods but the end results are different.

On the other hand you have Al Massey an ABS smith who specializes in celtic leaf styles. His blades are all hand forged, and often come out with uneven grinds being somewhat disproportional etc. Then you've got Rob Miller of Castle Keep, whose blades are all hand forged yet look as good as anything Albion does on a CNC mill, with straight grinds beautiful proportions etc. Same basic methods but the end results are different.

I don't think any method of construction has any inherent superiority over another (although designs might) as long as the construction is of good quality.
 
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