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The Complete Bladesmith: Forging Your Way to Perfection
The Complete Bladesmith( Forging Your Way to Perfection) <> Paperback <> JimHrisoulas <> PaladinPress
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 28, 2021
If you want to forge an artistic and possibly useful sword or knife this book will show you how, a bit skimpy on the forge and workshop details but does include some info on Damascus steel. Also has some useful bits about wooden, horn and ivory handles and some simple sheathes.
January 5, 2018
Great guide
Very good and very thorough. I picked this up to learn more about blades so that i can follow along while watching Forged in Fire.
Very good and very thorough. I picked this up to learn more about blades so that i can follow along while watching Forged in Fire.
December 10, 2020
All the things you can't learn in a 30 minute TV show. Readable, entertaining and practical... this is essential for anyone who wants to know how to make pointy lethal objects.
December 15, 2011
A very comprehensive guide to crafting knives and swords. It covers setting up a workshop (with forge, hammer, tongs, anvil, grinders, and quenching barrel); choosing from among the many high-carbon steels suitable for forging; building and sustaining a proper charcoal or coke fire; forging the blade via drawing out the steel bar, tapering, shaping, packing, and finally annealing the metal; and various types of tangs (the tongue of metal which extends down into the grip of the knife or sword).
From here the bladsmith adds a grip, pommel, or other fittings made from ivory, horn, antler, wood, or metal; sharpens and polishes the blade; and makes a sheath from leather. Other topics include scrimshaw (the Esikmo art of etching whalebone) and creating the right balance point for a sword.
The book spends substantial time on the legendary art of creating Damascus steel blades (aka watered steel, aka pattern-welding. This is a technique where two types of metal (such as high-carbon steel and nickel) are folded over each other in hundreds of layers, creating both a very strong and flexible blade, but that can also be etched with acid to produce fantastic patterns (hence "watered steel"). The Norse and Japanese bladesmiths were some of the most accomplished at pattern-welding, and the book spends a chapter each covering the differences in their techniques.
From here the bladsmith adds a grip, pommel, or other fittings made from ivory, horn, antler, wood, or metal; sharpens and polishes the blade; and makes a sheath from leather. Other topics include scrimshaw (the Esikmo art of etching whalebone) and creating the right balance point for a sword.
The book spends substantial time on the legendary art of creating Damascus steel blades (aka watered steel, aka pattern-welding. This is a technique where two types of metal (such as high-carbon steel and nickel) are folded over each other in hundreds of layers, creating both a very strong and flexible blade, but that can also be etched with acid to produce fantastic patterns (hence "watered steel"). The Norse and Japanese bladesmiths were some of the most accomplished at pattern-welding, and the book spends a chapter each covering the differences in their techniques.
October 21, 2016
This is a book which you don't put back on your shelf it remains on your desk for quick references. This book covers it all from shop setup to making the sheath for a sword. Its specialized knowledge specific to making blades of all types. Including how to strike the metal to form the various shapes of knife tips. Along will valuable information it also has many pictures to lend visual aid when designing and building sheaths, guards, fullers, and many other step.
If you forge blades or wish to pick up the craft then this is one of the must books to buy, if not the first book.
If you forge blades or wish to pick up the craft then this is one of the must books to buy, if not the first book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews