Tribal Short sword WIP

[BenR.T.]

This is the longest blade I have done yet, and comes in at just over 20".
It is full flat ground, and will be getting an antiqued "tribal" finish on the blade and handle.
I will be heat treating it this week and will post up some progress pics then.
Let me know what you think.

 

[Cutshaw]

I like the profile. I'm looking forward the rest of the WIP.

 

[Storm Crow]

Liking it quite a bit so far, Ben!

 

[gregorio]

looks like it has a lot of potential

 

[BenR.T.]

So I re-profiled the handle a bit, added a spanish notch, and heat treated it. Then I realized I had forgotten to stamp my makers mark on it, so I ad to anneal it, and re do the heat treat today. I will post up some pictures after I have started sanding the blade. I think I am going with a distressed Wenge handle, with a partial hemp wrap.

 

[Michael Rader]

That's a great size for a short sword. Looks good so far.

-M

 

[vladdracul]

Looking good so far ! Let us see the final stage

 

[atomicjoe23]

Can't wait to see the new pic's!!!

 

[BenR.T.]

Here is the latest update, at this point the blade is antiqued and ready for the handle.The handle is drying right now and I will likely finish it tomorrow.

 

[Sduong]

great looking sword, what kind of steel?

 

[Irezumi]

Great looking blade but prefer a couple of extra inches on the handle of a blade like that.

 

[BenR.T.]

Thanks guys, it is .214'' thick, 5160. Being full flat ground it is very light in the hand.

 

[rkmoore]

Very nice! I really like the full length swedge and the addition of the spanish notch. Do you know how much it weighs as is? I would guess right around 22oz.

 

[BenR.T.]

Here are a few pics of the handle being finished, the sword is finished at this point, it just need to put an edge on it. I may or may not make a sheath for it.
I will probably leave it up to whoever buys it, whether or not they want one and what type.
I will try and get finished pics up later.

glued up

rough ground

Ready for Teak oil

finished up

 

[atomicjoe23]

Is that sisal or hemp wrapping? I really like that. . .I think I've seen that on some of your other work as well.

Also, just out of curiosity what is/was the purpose of a "Spanish notch"?

Thanks!

 

[BenR.T.]

It is a hemp wrap soaked in epoxy. And the spanish notch for me is purely decorative.

 

[atomicjoe23]

Cool. . .thanks for the info. . .

I did a quick search on Spanish notch and seems that there is some conjecture as to what the "Spanish Notch" was really for, but it looks cool and lends to character to the blade regardless of what it's original purpose may have been.

 

[BenR.T.]

Here it is all finished!

 

[atomicjoe23]

Looks awesome!!!

 

[assuva]

Looks great Ben, thanks for sharing.
Sefa