Start for the Ashokan Challenge

TekSec

TekSec

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Dec 8, 2006
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Thought I'd give a sneak peek at my entry for the Ashokan sword challenge. Have a LOT to do still but got the one side hand sanded to 600 grit. Took me about 3 hours but I'm extremely happy with the results so far. Other side is ground to 220 so you can see the difference. Steel is 5160, heat treated to 55-56 RC. Blade is a hair under 19" and with the tang is just under 26". Still have to get the wraparound guard worked up, it will be 304 stainless with copper fittings and pommel, full takedown with an African blackwood handle. Really enjoying working on this in between my many other projects! :D Sorry for the crappy pics, amazingly it won't fit in the light box :confused:

This is how it started. Well, that is after rounding the tang, tapping and grinding to 220 anyhow...
DSCN2148.jpg


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And this is the hand sanded 600 grit side.

DSCN2144.jpg


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Cool!!! Good start. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with. I got permission from a museum curator to handle & measure some civil war foot soldier swords. May try MY version of them based on measurments, style and 'feel'.

Keep at 'er & show progress pics!!!:thumbup::thumbup:
 
That's a great idea looking at the real things! My research consisted of looking at pics on the 'net and the rest was guesswork :D
 
Great start, I hope to make it to Ashokan this year
Next year is year of the sword though right? 2010?
G2
 
Looks good to far Erik, If I didn't know you to be an exceptional craftsman, I would have a problem with that rat tail tang, but it shouldn't be a problem.
 
Thats some cool stuff Erik! I cant wait to see it done. By the way have you made any progress on the last longish blade you were working on? I have been eagerly waiting for an update.
Thanks
 
Gary,

This year is the sword year (2009). Although with as much as I have left to do I almost wish it was for 2010.

Sam,

Yea, I wasn't happy with it either after the fact. I had redesigned the tang to send to David to cut out and unfortunately he cut it before I got it to him so I just decided to deal with it. I'm going to reinforce it with copper spacers and fittings so it should be fine.

William,

It's still sitting. I'm going to finish it also before Ashokan and will have it with me. I have a bad habit of getting things to a certain point and then setting them aside :(
 
Nice, definitely will need to get there, always enjoy the Sword weekends!
G2
 
Looking good Erik, and thanks for reminding me to get my butt in gear, althought its a bit hot to forge damascus here today.
Del
 
Lookin good Eric!
I think the "sword" weekend is in 2010. They do it every 5 years....last one was in 2005.
Mace
 
Mace said:
Lookin good Eric!
I think the "sword" weekend is in 2010. They do it every 5 years....last one was in 2005.
Mace
Click to expand...

OH!!!! I didn't realize there was actually a specific sword weekend! Thanks for letting me know!
 
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