making your own weapons

[SanHeChuan]

Recently I bought a pair of butterfly knives and I was appalled by the quality. The Paul Chen swords that I have bought were cheaper and of a much higher quality. While the materials them selves weren't that bad, the assembly, the connections, and the PAINT JOB :eek: :confused:, sucked GDA's rotting nut sack.

I’m an aspiring architect and like many of my ilk I believe that god is in the details. I require three things from any thing I purchase, quality, aesthetic, and function. In the martial arts weapons market it’s limiting enough just to find functional weapons.

I would enjoy making my own weapons and would have access to a metal, and wood shop. The problem is that I don’t know how I could make real, functioning blades, and I doubt I’d have the skill or the means to forge blades, so what other options do I have?

Commissioning a blade would be about as costly as commissioning a whole piece.
Could I use sheet metal maybe, cut it and sharpen it, would that meet the standard of real blades?
Any help, suggestions, and ideas about making your own weapons would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Tigerdragon]

I don't know a great deal, however, in order to make a "functional" weapon....by this I assume you mean that you could actually use it in battle....you would need, at the very least, stainless steel. Anything else would dull and rust over time, even if they get no use.

If you do have access to a metal shop, you could get raw stainless stock and cut, mill, polish and sharpen it. Although it is doubtfull. Most metal shops don't usually have the bits nessicary for milling stainless. Usualy it is just for lower grade steel and aluminum.

I would suggest going to a steel fabrication company and talking to them about how you can go about it. They may not know about weapons specifically, but can at least put you on a better path then I can.

Hope this helps a little

[Ray Pina]

Interesting, I was just thinking the other day how much I would love to learn how to fold and make my own katanas. Anyone have a clue to any in the US, NY, that teaches such a skill?

[Aramus]

Sorry, if a sword or any metal is cared for properly, it will not rust (my mother's old stuff, my swords...ok one has rust this is my fault by not caring for it properly.)

Anyway:
Here are some websites with some useful information on swords:
http://swordforum.com/
http://swordforum.com/articles/ list of their articles.
http://swordforum.com/sfu/ gives background information, misconceptions, important concepts (forging/tempering makes the sword, how to care for your weaponry, etc.)

http://thehaca.com/essays.htm This is a list of some articles that may interest you.

Hope at least something helps.

Peace
Remember, I'm special just like everyone else.

[Cipher]

SanHeChuan,
I sent you a private message. Read it and let me know.


A good place to look for blade making info is Blade Forums (http://www.bladeforums.com) I got started by the help of everyone there, they are a great bunch.

[Ray Pina]

Cool. Thanks. I'm going to check that out later.

[Cipher]

Here is another great Japanese sword making site (http://www.engnath.com/public/intable.htm) this site is based more on making a Japanese sword and some other good info.

[GeneChing]

Go to a knife show. Gun shows also have lots of knives and books on knife/swordmaking. There'a also a few good mags out there that focus on this sort of stuff.
I made swords for a living for half a decade, and let me tell you, it sucks as a 9-to-5, but it can be a lot of fun as a hobby. My biggest tip - start with good tools and good materials.

[Kristoffer]

that site was really cool! I have a sword wallpaper now! :D