First Dao

[wdl]

A few months ago I decided to try and make a sword. After first making a dagger to see what I could do I made this Dao. As you can see, it's full tang. The handle is made out of Corian(trademark Dupont Corp.). It's a synthetic polymer for countertops with ceramic in it. Definately a great material to work and finishes execellently. I've been using the sword a bit so the polish is starting to haze alot. The metal is just mild steel, I didn't bother trying to harden it because it was mostly an experiment, which at this point I'm hoping turns into more than such. The handguard is solid 3/16th inch brass, it too was polished to a mirror shine but after a few weeks of use is starting to loose it. The next sword I make will put a layer of automotive clearcoat on it so it won't tarnish.


What do you folks think? Any comment or constructive critizism is welcome. :)

http://www.jmanuel.net/sword/Pic00012.jpg
http://www.jmanuel.net/sword/Pic00015.jpg
http://www.jmanuel.net/sword/Pic00017.jpg
http://www.jmanuel.net/sword/Pic00019.jpg

-Will

[BM2]

I think you did a fine job, Will.
What did you use as a pattern? Have you thought of trying to go with an oval shape guard with a flange?

[CaptinPickAxe]

Nice!
Its exciting to see blacksmiths on KFMonline. Is it combat gauge steel or Wushu? Again, nice work.

How the balance on it?

[wdl]

This is the first knife I've ever made. I also have no previous metal working experience.

It's full tang like the Dao, the second picture is crappy but shows this. The scales are Corian(TM Dupont Corp.) like the Dao. I put about 30 hours into the dagger, the learning curve was pretty steep to get it to look like I wanted. Especially considering I did it in a woodworking shop(My woodworking experience isn't exactly... long either, just have access to a good woodshop). The Dao took me about 15 hours.

The blade is once again not the best metal for making knife/swords. It's a piece of 1inch by 1/8th inch I bought down at Lowes to give it a try. I did however harden this in a fairly... "shade tree" fashion. Did it with a hair dryer aimed at the blade in a woodstove. Was in shock when I litterly had the fire hot enough I couldn't look straight at it. Whatever works. :twisted:

I need to grind and edge on it, but I think it would hold one for a bit unlike the Dao.

http://www.jmanuel.net/sword/dagger1.jpg
http://www.jmanuel.net/sword/Pic00004.jpg

-Will

[wdl]

Originally posted by BM2
I think you did a fine job, Will.
What did you use as a pattern? Have you thought of trying to go with an oval shape guard with a flange?

The guard itself is oval shaped. Of course no flange. I'm working on getting setup to mold solid pommel ends and flanges. I just took a piece of 3/16ths stock solid brass and cut out the gaurd then fit it on. The entire handle does not come apart. It's epoxied and pinned with 5/16th brass studs. I modeled the base pattern after a friend's combat steel Dao.

CPA, the metal is just a piece of junk mild steel another friend of mine got from his place of employment as scrap. The next one I make I will use annealed tool steel to make the blade and then harden it. Also, this blade has not taper in it, it's 1/8th inch thick from the top to the pommel. This effects the balance a bit, but not signifigantly. I also found that I made the handle a bit too long. The balance doesn't feel right unless your hand is as far back on the handle as it can go. Next one I will find a way to hollow grind and taper, shorten the handle, etc. That's what the first one is for, to learn. :)

-Will

[The Willow Sword]

Angelsword.com these guys might be who you would want to ask questions of if you are wanting to get in to the actual tempering of the blade.

Good looking sword:)


PEACE,,TWS

[Royal Dragon]

AWESOME!!

It's good to see a fellow metal worker on board!!

I actually have an ATS-34 Bowie (Similar to a Ka Bar) and a broad sword in the planning stages.

For the Broad Sword, I want to start out with 1/4, or 3/8th stock at the handle, and taper it to about a 1/6 th at the pointy edge. I'm thinking this will transfer more weight to the handle, and balance it better as a Broad sword is so blade heavy by it's nature.

I want to make the handle out of a good rope, or maybe something along the lines of para cord, similar to the old EK Warrior Bowies.

Sure, it won't be a purely traditional in designe with a handle like that, but as everyone here knows, I put my own touch on every thing I do, so it would be fitting.

[Judge Pen]

Nice Will! I didn't know that you were that talented! Good dao's are hard to find in my opinion. Bring it to the test in a couple of weeks. I'd like to feel it.

I may commision you to make me one some day!

[wdl]

Thanks for the complements folks, JP especially. I'll be happy to bring it by the test. I had it up there last time I was at the Hua seminar and let Masters Mullins see it, he had a suggestion or two for me(pretty much why I wanted him to see it) and gave me his typical affirmative nod.

TWS, thanks for the link, that may prove useful. They definately have some nice blades.

-Will