Some of the sledge hammers used by strikers either on struck tools or directly on the workpiece. The one on the right followed me back from Turkey.

A simple squirt bottle helps a lot when tending the forge (preventing unwanted spread) as well as keeping the hammer and anvil wet for wet forging.

Mostly done, I just need to clean up the hide-glue stains and engrave the brass plate. The blade is 83cm long and 5cm wide at the base. The centre of balance is 17.5cm in front of the guard and total weight is 1.145kg. Grip: 10.7cm with limewood core with calf-skin covering. I am starting work on the scabbard soon.

Ironwork

A few items for the house made during a brief one day detour into the gentle art of blacksmithing before returning to the usual blade oriented routine. It does help one relax and reset before continuing with a challenging project.

We managed to forge this hammer in one and a half hours. Not bad for a 4.4 pounder.

Some of the tools used in making hammers.

Latest sword featuring engraving and copper inlay

A sword in 11th century style.

Filework on the cross. In this case the cross was forged fron a piece of medium carbon steel.

Firmly setting the fittings in a pitch-bowl for the engraving and inlay work.

Channels for the wire inay cut into the pommel. Now to insert the copper wire.

Work cleaned up with some light filing and artificial water-stone.

The hollow for the brass plate is carved into the steel cross and undercut.

Inlay and engraving done.

Forging hammers

The 45mm diameter piece of axle is slit from both sides so that the holes meet in the middle. The key to not getting the slitting chisel stuck is to keep changing the angle upon each strike, thereby creating a hole slightly larger than the chisel itself. Also, cool the chisel after about three strikes and roll the wet chisel in ash to form a powdery lubricant.

The slit should be longer than the diameter of the drift used to define the form of the eye.

The latest set.

For this project the forge was run on anthracite, useful for heavy forging. The side-blown design prevents clogging that is a bit of a headache in the more conventional bottom blown forge. An extra brick wall was put up to retain the heat better.

Longsword pictures

This sword is quite nimble in the hand due to the hollow ground blade. It tracks well in both onehanded and twohanded use. Now to pack it for shipping.