help or info about viking sword

[kevin -the professor]

Hello Everyone,

I am making a Viking-style sword for a friend. I have never made one of these before, though I have always wanted to try.

So, I have welded up four bars with 9 layers each. The middle two bars are counter-twisted, and the outter two are straight laminate.

This is just a quick etch to check on the pattern. I still have to do the filework and set shoulders on the blade, and take a little more off of the edges and out of the fuller. But, it is 90% ready for heat treat.

I should heat treat tomorrow or the next day - I use a charcoal ground forge for sword-length pieces. I plan to quench in oil.

1. Any and all advice about finish grinding, polishing, heat treating is welcomed.

2. I am torn between making the guard and pommel (only one piece this time) of wrought iron or of damascus. If I do wrought, I want to do some inlay or at least put twisted wire in filed grooves.

3. I have found a lot of info about how to make pattern welded sword blades, but next to nothing about making the guard and pommel, so any advice about this portion of the process is especially-welcomed.

Thanks for looking. Wish me luck at heat treat.

Kevin

 

[David Loukides]

Hi Kevin,
What is the over all length? How are you going to temper it?
When I get a chance I will give you a call.

 

[kevin -the professor]

Hey Dave - It is 33", I still have to set the shoulders, but the blade will be about 27".

I am making if for a colleague who is about 5'6" tall, so it is a little short, but that is ok since my quench and etching tanks were made for 33" and shorter.

I am going to temper in my oven, unless I come up with anything better.

kc

 

[McAhron]

Hey Kevin,you should read through Peter Johnsons posts over at Dons forums.He has several good posts on the subject.