Making a bush sword (part of it, at least)

[Storm Crow]

These were some progress shots taken by the photographer to whom I traded a bush sword (Paul Cruz). This isn't all of the process, of course, but it gives at least some idea of what's involved in making a bush sword.

Processing the steel:

After all the forging is completed, the profile is finalized on a grinder, and the blade has the scale cleaned off, filing the primary bevel:

Heating the blade for the first quench:

This is my favorite picture from the whole photo shoot:

The first quench into veggie oil: Note that the camera isn't necessarily showing the color in the steel accurately.

Checking with a file to ensure that the blade hardened properly (it did):

Time to do it again: This happens three times unless there is a warp that requires re-heating to fix.

Many warps (and long blades are more prone to that than short blades) can be fixed without reheating if you work quickly and carefully. There is a short time window after the quench before the steel crystals fully set up, and during that time the blade can be flexed back straight. Here I am doing that using my post vise and my vertical quench tank to flex against:

Who is that handsome devil with the stylishly long sideburns?

 

[John Frankl]

Great looking blade!!! Very Jimmy Fikes meets Tai Goo!

You might get better quench results with a slightly bigger tank.

 

[Bigfattyt]

Only thing I don't like about the Bush sword is that it is not mine!

Also, on a side note, the forged roses on your site/blog are fantastic! I don't normally tell a dude his roses are fantastic, but there you go!

 

[Storm Crow]

Thanks, guys!

John - That's a definite compliment. Tai has been a major inluence on me, as I think is obvious. I didn't find out about Jimmy's work until I'd been forging for years, but it is right along my alley and I enjoy looking at it.

The tank extends down a little ways, so there's a decent amount of oil in there. I haven't had any problems with how it's hardening, though at some point I may make a longer one to handle longer blades.

Bigfattyt - Well see, there's a real simple solution to your problem.

I like my roses as well. The only thing, and I speak from experience, is that it is patently unwise to give one (or several) to your beloved and then *ever* express that since you have given her roses that never wilt, you are not obligated to get her fresh flowers again. It does not go over well, even if she knows you are joking. In fact, you may find youself obligated to get fresh flowers for her immediately thereafter.

I gave the first one I made to my mom. She still has it and enjoys it.

 

[willrise]

Very cool, can you post more pics of that wicked looking hawk/axe too

 

[Storm Crow]

Willrise - Already did: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/878789-Better-ax-pics

 

[Lorien]

excellent stuff here. Really enjoyable.

 

[John Frankl]

Could you email me at johnfrankl@yahoo.com.?

I'd like to discuss your kit knives.

Thanks.

 

[jball1125]

Very cool pic thread. Thanks for sharing!