Sword for the Arkansas Show -PICTURES of Complete Sword

ScottRoush

ScottRoush

Joined
Jan 10, 2010
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Well I wanted to take something big to the show. Real big. It's a 31" blade 2" wide at base, 1/4" base thickness with distal taper to 1/8", Oakshott Type XV subtype A ... which is a 12-13th century long sword... basically a two handed bastard sword. These were designed for thrusting but I wanted it to be a cutter to so it is pretty thin in profile. Forged from Aldo's low MN 1075.. 1/4" x 1.25" stock. It will have forged wrought iron fittings.. as seen in one of the pictures.

Had some warp towards the tip but I've got most of it out and two more tempering cycles so I should be able to get it. I was very pleasantly pleased with how little warp I got (vertical oil quench)... and full hardness from base to tip.

More pics tomorrow!

forged.jpg


better.jpg


The tip looks messed up in the picture but that is an illusion from glare and reflection.

si
 
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It's looking good. I'm anxious to get a look at it up close. The AKA Show is a great time and I'm working on something special for it as well but not far enough along for photos.

See you there.

Gary
 
Thanks Gary... I hope to have time to walk around meet everybody.

Looking forward to seeing your something special....
 
Congratulations Scott,

Making a blade that big is a real acheivement! It's going to be a stunner.
 
David it does feel like an accomplishment. Not only was it long, it was thin. And there are so many dimensions on such a large scale that need to be symmetrical so it doesn't tie itself into a knot in the quench. I am honestly just thrilled. Hate to be sappy.. but doing stuff like this.. it's like a fantasy come true.
 
Whoa!!! That's gorgeous. Nothing like holding a blade like that in the hand eh?

I know what you mean about the fantasy come true... It's like all the hours of imagining as a kid packed into a talisman.
 
Congrats Scott on a fine looking sword blade!I look forward to seeing it completed in person at Little rock!
 
Thanks folks..

Yeah Stuart... you said what I was trying to say and better..

John you won't have any choice. It's going to be standing like a beacon on my table and it will be hard to miss.
 
Looks like you're off to a super start with that blade - though this is obviously much more than a 'start'. Looking forward to seeing it finished.

Roger
 
Thanks folks.. I, myself, am looking forward to seeing this finished despite how much fun it is. Swords are lot of work!

Here are the pieces about to go together. The pommel is two plates of wagon wheel wrought pinned together with a big chunk of brass in between. I will also throw it in the forge and press together a bit. You want a LOT of mass down there to counter balance the blade. There is an ebony spacer and the handle wood is ash scales with pieces of maple glued in between to create the 'mortice' for the tang. This was intended to just provide the shape and base for a wrapped handle... but the light color wood looks so nice with the ebony and etched fittings, I'm starting to wonder about that.

The blade still isn't finished yet... still messing with the distal taper and geometry of tip. The tip is a PAIN.

IMG_1050.jpg
 
Stuart I think swords gets in the blood fast. Right now... they're all I want to do. I need to start another wakizashi. I quenched one in water last week and broke it correcting warp.
 
I dono about this sword, I think when its finished you should send it to me for 5 years of thorough testing ;)
 
Looking good Scott, on a blade that pointy and long, the geometry can't be easy. Very nice work, and I say go for the handle wrap!!
 
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