Swords, Blades and Horseshoes

Summer Shoes

2011-08-28T18:24:00.000-07:00

I just smacked out a pair of American Saddlebred country pleasure shoes-These shoes are compared here to a #1 keg shoe, twixt the pair. The shoes are made from 3/8" x 2" bar stock. The dimensions are specific to an individual horse that requires the severe toe weights pictured above.

Twas the Night before Christmas

2010-12-24T00:31:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the Blacksmiths Shop All the horses were stirring, and just wouldn’t stop.
The shoes were hung around the forge’s dim glow,
In hopes that the Blacksmith would soon make a show.

The horses soon settled, all quiet and fed.
While visions of candy mints danced in their heads.
I’m in my apron and Ma with her night cap.
Had just settled had just settled down to watch Netflix ASAP!

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
Horses and carriage drawing ever so near.

With a little old driver, so lively and quik,
An unscheduled appointment, ...I’m gonna be sick.
More rapid than eagles my curses they came,
he whistled, I shouted and called him a name!

"Oh Blacksmith! Oh Blacksmith! Don’t dash away!
Come out on the porch, I have something to say!

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
They met with an obstacle, I threw in the sky.
Behind the shop to avoid obstacle that flew,
The carriage with horses and the old man too.

And then, in a twinkling, I ran in the shop.
The prancing and pawing, it’s just got to stop.
As I drew out my head, he was turning around,
I unhook the bellows with not even a sound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
I squeezed the coal dust from the bellows and covered him in soot.
Now he’s a bundle of black and he started to hack.
He looked like a black bear, I said just “stay back”!

His eyes how they glared, with his body impaired.
Made me worry a little, maybe even got scared.

I thought I seen smoke, when he gritted his teeth.
Encircled his head just like a wreath.
He had a black face, soot down to his belly,
That shook as he coughed, and was just kind of smelly!

He was chubby and plump, like a jolly old elf,
He laughed when he saw me in spite of himself!
A wink of his eye and a shake of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to work,
He nailed on the horse shoes, I felt like a jerk.
Laying my hand over my eyes & nose,
He gave me a nod, up the carriage he rose!

He grabbed the reins, to the team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Poem Parody by ©WadeSeiders2010

Come join our "Like" us list on Facebook

2010-12-23T13:59:00.000-08:00

Mini Damascus Trade Axe necklace Drawing on Facebook

**You will be required to respond to a message from us if you win within 3 days for a shipping address or we will redraw another random number, No exceptions! So go to the link and click "Like" us on our page and get in on the drawing.

Northwest Farrier Icon

2010-10-25T21:30:00.000-07:00

This was a behind the scenes event at the 2010 NWSA Fall Classic Horse Show. There is a display board at the Salem, Oregon Fairgrounds for Farriers to put their shoes on display to show their craftsmanship and Blacksmithing techniques. The boards purpose is to honor and pay tribute to the late Bob Gwartney, a Saddlebred Farrier who learned his craft from the Ernst Brothers in Kentucky.

My first encounter with Bob was memorable, in the early to mid 80's, I was apprenticing for a Saddlebred/Jumper Farrier named Delver Gianella, who has shod for the majority of large Saddlebred barns in the NW.
We pulled up to Chuck Courts barn in Snohomish, WA to find this old beater truck that had scrap and misc. items tossed in the open bed of the old pick up, it looked like it was itself headed for the scrap yard.

Gianella and I walk up to it and Gianella comments "look at this heap of Gwartneys" then he reaches in the back of the bed and pulls out a very well crafted 1/2 round Saddlebred toe weight shoe. Gianella then said: Can you believe that something this well forged comes from a heap like this? ...Looks are deceiving.
This was my first impression of Bob and I have learned that it is a good way to get to know someone by observing (admiring) their skills and craftsmanship.

Some of the traditional Saddlebred barns still call their Farriers "Blacksmiths", The extensive forge work for some of these horses shoes require precision Blacksmithing for their shoes.

This photo courtesy of Rhea Turner

So, Delver Gianella and I made some shoes for the Gwartney Memorial Board. Gianella made his interpretation of the 1/2 round toe weight shoe "Gwartney style" and I might add that it was spot on.
I made the Roadster and the Lateral toe extension shoes. Delver and I teamed up after 25 years to forge a Saddlebred country pleasure shoe out of 1" round bar, wedged at 4 degrees.

The Roadster

Saddlebred Country Pleasure

Lateral Toe Extension

1" Half Round Toe Weight

Some of the shoes on this Memorial board are made by Jamie Pruitt, Zack Morris, Bobby Bewley and others to name a few. Larry Bewley was my first instructor in 1983.
I just thought this story behind the scenes should be told.

A Throwing Tomahawk

2010-09-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

Throwing Axe

Just out of the forge, a throwing Tomahawk ready to be hardened and tempered. This one will weigh 1 lb after I'm finished with sanding. Then heat blued is the plan. HBC Fort Vancouver style with a rounded poll. Made out of 1060 steel. Authentic in looks, but not in construction with it being hand forged out of a medium-high carbon steel.

"Spada de Lato is Finito!"

2010-09-03T21:32:00.000-07:00

Finito

The Spada de Lato-Side Sword is now constructed. Completely hand forged, hot brushed steel. Black Ray skin beneath a braided wire wrap on the handle...Mounted on a Lucifer's Lace patterned blade.

Additions update

2010-08-27T22:38:00.000-07:00

Stage5

...just an update on the addition of the small port or side ring and I choose the covering for the grip also. In my next post I will name the element parts that make up a whole sword and hilt, each is composed of several distinct components.

Assembly with Blade

2010-08-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

stage 4

My interpretation of the Spada De Lato (Side Sword) is taking shape. All of the main parts of the Hilt are rough fitted with the hand forged and welded cross guard heat seized on the tang of the "Lucifer's lace" patterned blade.

The components of a Hilt

2010-08-16T15:57:00.000-07:00

stage 3

This is the main anatomy of a Hilt and how some are constructed, minus the Ray skin (stingray) or wire wrap. I'm still undecided at this point what will eventually cover the Walnut wood handle.

Rehilt continued...

2010-08-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

So far, so good! A roughed out hilt & pommel ready for fitting on the blade. I still need to add a lateral ring. The house's-(triangular pieces in the center of the hilt) remind me of jump welding Saddlebred horse shoe toe clips.

stage 2

A Rehilt

2010-08-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

I've decided to rehilt one of my blades to transform it into a "Side Sword".
So here it begins...
Pieces are forged and then forge welded. I will use only my hammer to stick the welds, keeping the authentic seam look like it was done in the past...tricky.

Stage 1

Just looks like pieces stuck together-Good strong welds in the beginning are very important!

Fur Trade Axes

2010-05-28T23:06:00.000-07:00

I've been making 1st half (1820-1850's) 19th century fur trade axes, and also 18th century (1700's) trade axes, also referred to as the Belt Axe, Tomahawk, and or Hatchet etc. I stay true to the period in their construction, hand forging & hand welding the poll onto the bar to be the axe on the 19th century &

Forging the poll on the 18th century axe, Both types are steeled in the bit, hardened & tempered.

Originally Iron was used with a file steel as the insert for the bit. I will have only a limited number of authentic iron with steel bit as the true wrought Iron is hard & expensive to acquire. So I've decided to use patterned steel as axe stock, keeping the construction historically correct and voila!

Fur Trade Axes ~Modified~

35th annual OKCA Show (Oregon Knife Collectors Association)

2010-04-17T00:27:00.001-07:00

Union Hall Forge/ Wade Seiders will be attending the Oregon Knife Collectors Association’s annual show in Eugene, Oregon.

The show will be held this year on Friday, April 17 thru Sunday April 19. It is located at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene, Oregon.

Union Hall Forge’s table will be at table #C12. We will be displaying some of our work.

Saturday: 8AM to 5PM

Sunday 9AM to 3PM

Bulletin

2009-08-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

(Click here to go there)
or go to side bar and look for "Blades Available for Purchase" While your there you can check out my gallery also. Thanks Wade

The Fort

2009-07-21T15:43:00.000-07:00

Fort Vancouver in Washington State is a very interesting place, without getting into the academics of interpretation too heavily. Circa 1820's, Fort Vancouver was built and occupied for the next 4 decades by the British/Hudson Bay Trading Company.

Of course my interest in this place is the vast artifacts recovered and documented. Also, the Blacksmith shop, with the bellows and forges as authentic as originally constructed, or at least as close as possible.

The opportunity to be a part of the Cannoneer crew that gets to fire the 3lb cannons and swivel guns is also of interest.

With some practice, study, and sweat I've been constructing some Poll Axes and Hinges. Because of the absolutely tremendous number of artifacts available at the Fort these axes can be very authentic in their reproduction.
BTW, these artifacts are available for public viewing by appointment only, by contacting Fort Vancouver National Park Service.

Fiddling with Folders Part 3

2009-06-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

This folder is not influenced by the Sword. The blade is highly laminated, Contorted complex steel.

I have three folders made with this Gordian knot patterned steel. This particular knife is framed with Brass and Rocky Mt. Elk horn furniture.

The matching knife is my personal carry knife. These 2 prototypes are not available for purchase, But, I do have an Identical knife available for puchase. The difference...Mule deer Buck horn Furniture.

Fiddling with Folders Part 2

2009-06-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Again with the sword influence with folders. I used logging cable Damascus on all parts, Blade, Spring and lockback lever were all made with cable Damascus.

I used a double fuller, which is a characteristic of European blades. Brass framework is slabbed with stablized Buckeye.

This is another prototyype (You've seen it here first!) Hopefully to be available for purchase in the near future. Original prototypes are not available.

Fiddling with Folders Part 1

2009-06-15T21:46:00.000-07:00

As with my fixed blade knives, they are also influenced by Swords.

I thought; "you know, I should extend this concept to folding knives." A Viking sword tip constructed in a folding knife. Copper and Green stablized Boxwood was my frame work, Complex composite Viking Broad sword tip constructed blade.

Pictured is the prototype (You've seen it here first!) These will hopefully be available in the future for purchase. However the original prototypes are not available.

The Hammer Finish

2008-08-04T23:22:00.000-07:00

True "hammmer finishing" is "hand forging" your shape in steel and from start to finish. In swords, blades and horseshoes, how far can you go? All the way is the answer. If raw forging, Medevil flare appeals to you, This is Tight, Sick,or Rad or Whatever.

Short Sword
19.5 in. Blade, 26 in. overall

Examples that are shown have not been touched by a Grinder, File, or a Rasp. No shiny finish here. The edge of the blade and sword were dulled with a sander. The sword is mild steel fittings, ferrel, pommel and guard. The blade is 1060 steel, "medium carbon" hardened and tempered. The pommel and guard are seize fitted. The tang is nearly through 7/8s of the pommel, then pinned.

The handle is wood core with twisted wire hooked into notches in the wood. Tightly wrapped and I mean it doesn't move! Steel ferrels hold it in place, No glue, No expoxy,and No solder.

Saber Blade
32 in. at ricosso to point.

The guard, I believe is gray iron, some scrap that I thought was "Wrought" or "Puddle iron". The gray iron cracks badly on edges but adds character to this piece for me. If I make some of these, I will test it for durability. ...Future Video perhaps.

The only problem with hammer finish is getting it thin enough and not have it warp during hardening. I use techniques that prevent and fix warping of blades during the hardening process, But that's more pages than I care to write at this time.

Bayonet style fighting blade
11.25 in. at ricosso to point

Horseshoes forged from 3/8" x 1" barstock and 1/2" x 1"
Large hind shoe with caulk and wedge

Half Shoe example-Brazed in forge diamond caulk on a Warmblood shoe

Moving on to Horseshoes,
Hammer finished horseshoes are common among competition Farriers-In fact it is routine. The better you are at it, The less filing the is, and if your good you don't even need that.
Some Blacksmiths are phenominal at this, prepping your anvil and hammer, with heat and hammer control make for smoother hammer finishes.

Sparrow Cutlass Sword ~WINS~ Best Fighter Knife of Show

2008-04-17T22:44:00.000-07:00

SPARROW CUTLASS SWORD~
X&O PATTERN WELDED BLADE OF 320 LAYERS OF FOLDED STEEL, 5160, 1095, 15N20, AND MILD STEEL, HAMMER FINISHED HILT AND POMMEL, DOUBLE COPPER WIRE WRAPPED LEATHER HANDLE. BLADE LENGTH 21 3/4“, BLADE WIDTH 1 5/16“-BALANCED AT 1 3/4“ IN FRONT OF THE GUARD-A VERY QUICK FEEL, OVERALL 29 1/4”.

A Sample...

2008-04-10T02:03:00.000-07:00

El Cid

2008-04-07T18:21:00.000-07:00

My buddy Ralph Tuttle let me pick up a piece of his art work for the show. This piece is called "El Cid" a 14th century short sword. It is an interesting piece and well suited for the blade show in Eugene, Oregon.
(I hope my table is big enough.)

Pre~Show Preview

2008-04-04T16:16:00.000-07:00

Well, It's finally here, well almost...Show time. It's at the Eugene Oregon Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday April 12&13, 2008. Come see us at table B 12.

These are Gordian knot blades that are acid etched, to accentuate the patterns in the blades. I just fitted them with forged nickle guards and rose wood handles.

I might make a reappearance with the saber style fighter and maybe a Hunter style.

I will also take an assortment of hammer finished blades before any grinding is done.

A Sneak Peek

2008-02-16T13:48:00.000-08:00

It's time to start updating after a long period of neglecting my site.

I have several projects in the works on and I thought I would like to share some new patterns that I've been working on. Also, I wanted to share the perfect quench experience.

Before blades are hardened, they are brought to and "ideal temperature". After forging and shaping you cannot see the pattern of your steel through the oxidation and slag left on the blade. But, when the blade is brought to the ideal temp., the slag blows off the surface during the quench leaving the steel bare and the pattern exposed, looking almost like a gray marble.

It's pretty exciting when this happens for you the first time.

The scratches in the blade are from a rockwell #65 file and 120 grit grind marks, at the point of finishing when I usually quench. But still not to the point of buffing for a finished look.

These particular blades are a variation of stacked 1095, 5160, and 15N20. In the Jim Hrisoulis "Gordians Knot Pattern", twisted and counter twist billets are forged together and then twisted again.
This is a lot of forging, it takes a lot of steel. With a Billet of stacked steel measuring approx. 2"x3"x12", you end up with a lot less blade stock than you would think.

In The Master Bladesmith Book, this pattern was developed by Jim Hrisoulos and he has said in the book that "This is a pattern that would get attention at Knife Shows", ...We'll see.

I should have at least 1, and Maybe 5-6 of these patterned blades at the
(O.K.C.A.)Oregon Knife Collectors Association Show 2008 in Eugene, Oregon
Our table # is B12. Come see me.
The dates are :
Dates -- April 12 - 13, 2008
Times -- Saturday 8 am - 5 pm - Sunday 9 am - 3 pm
Admission - General admission $5.00/day

The Blades That I Use

2007-06-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

Some of the most abused blades you could make are "Hoof Knives" and "Nipper Blades" also known as hoof nippers for Horseshoeing.
I test my blade hardness and Tempering and Design on these blades. The style of knives range from as many different styles as there are styles and techniques of Farriers. I make the style of hoof knives I like.

These blades have to be hard enough to hold a good edge, If it cuts smooth through thick leather with ease and absolute control, it works great on horse hooves.
If the blade snaps it can seriously injure you usually by cutting at various depths from forearm to thumb and or the horses flexor tendon.

There are 2 Farriers who have greatly impacted the Farrier Industry and who stand out among others-who are alive today-who bring a new meaning to the art of Farriery.

Bob Marshall from Langley BC, who runs the best hands on clinic for advanced Farriers around and Dave Duckett who has the best lectures I've heard, it's just as impressive to watch them smack iron.
I've given both of these men a hoof knife,
Dave's was a pattern welded blade of 15n20, 1095, 1080 and if I remember correctly a Mahogany or walnut handle.
Bob's was a Mahogany handle with a differential temper 15n20 blade. Both are marked with my insignia W.A.S. trademark that I use on both blades and horseshoes.
Hopefully they like them, If not they just collect dust like the tools that I have that just don't feel quite right.

Although I can, But don't shoe the same type horses. The horses that I shoe are Gaited as in 3 gaited, Hackney, Etc.
With a little imagination, their techniques can be easily applied in all aspects, with some modification, from hoof preparation to fitting shoes to forging efficiency to smacking iron with impeccable precision.

The shoe that most Farriers look at that makes them think of these Men is the "Roadster Shoe" also my practice shoe forever.
A special thanks to Valley Farrier/Valley Forge and Tool for their hard work and effort to make it possible for the Farrier Industry to learn from these professionals.

General Purpose Cable for knives

2007-04-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

Ok, finally I'm caught up and now I'm able to some special pages that are informative and interesting for some and maybe not for others. This is a web album complete with some narration and videos also pictures of the making of a Cable billet and then a Cable knife.

*For those of you that have never set foot into a Blacksmith shop, It's dirty and messy perfect for creating masterpieces. If it were clean it would be a sign of not working hard enough or much worse a sick mind so I'm told.(Sweeti)

The making of a Cable Blade

The 2007 OKCA Blade show

2007-04-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

The 2007 show in Eugene was nice, the table was set for the display and Jerry got to pick his blade, then he changed his mind to pick another.
I said: “Are you sure?
He said:”Yeah, It’s really tough to pick just one.”
I thought to myself, he must have really liked them and I wanted it to be tough for him to choose. Great feedback from the show, Future commissioned work for some antiques replacements, compliments from other makers, Makes for a successful show for me.

It is now early 2007

2007-04-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

I have finally put together a small inventory of my concept knives, with the help of one of my supporters who fronted me all the leather tooling and scabbard making supplies in trade for one of the show knives. My Sweeti helped me do all the scabbards, “hand tooled by an authentic Norwegian”

Also, I added the “Sparrow Cutlass”-I must have rewound the props managers clip on “Dead Mans Chest” about 50 times to get a look at the authentic 1650’s Cutlass Jack Sparrow used, he said it felt better than all modern day props, made for the move –“Balanced and Quick” I thought Ahh, I know why- It’s a characteristic of a well forged blade. I had to do one for the show. So it was going to be 320 layers of folded steel in this quick little Saber. A X&O pattern, Fullered, distal taper, forged hand guard made of steel, hollow steel pommel, wire wrapped leather handle-I may change to just leather like the original (Maybe), …Beautiful and Quick a success for me.

Refining the American~Norseman Blades

2007-04-21T15:07:00.000-07:00

Now this time after the show was an important time for me concerning Bladesmithing, in developing my own personal style, truly original with the extensive hand forging and Blacksmithing. With this concept brought into blades that are smaller than Swords-but with some of the same construction, It gives a unique look and feel as well as strength. I will take my Nordic pattern billet and forge this in the same way as a Viking Sword with a fuller that ends where the wrap around the end begins. Making a 5” to 10” knife, American Style with Nordic aspects.
The same will be done with Saber constructed knives.
Hence... Steel hardware, fittings on a fullered blade with a distal taper, curved guards and the influence of swords forged into a smaller knife. Pieces of history and culture put together into a smaller knife.

This will be my trademark style or personal stamp whatever you’d like to call it. First will be a Nordic constructed blade-A composite of multiple billets, profiled American Style, Stag handle with the theme mind when constructing the piece. ~What would a Bowie look like if the Vikings would have stayed in America~
This will be altered and refined in future pieces trying to get a look similar to that of cutting a Bowie or a hunter styled knife out of the end of a sword.
Next will be the Saber Bowie, Forged Steel Fittings guard with a blade. Double wire wrapped Ray skin handle, fullered cable blade. I will also mix and match these 2 styles, the future styles will be … (In the works)

2006 Blade Show

2007-04-21T14:40:00.000-07:00

Cutlass Steel Hilted Saber and below a Steel Cutlass with A pattern welded Hunter

This 2nd show was a little difficult to put together very much inventory. The time for preparation is less than you think, out of all the blades I work on at the same time only half actually make it to completion, The same is still true today.

The 2006 show went about the same as the last. I added to my inventory a Viking Constructed Sword, the German Rapier, A Cutlass made from Cable, 2 Axes, A Short Sword in a Lucifer’s Lace pattern Damascus and several smaller blades.

My first Butterfly Damascus knife

My first American~Norseman Concept Blade

Menlo Circus Club, Atherton, Ca.

2007-04-19T23:14:00.000-07:00

-
Farrier Business takes me to Menlo Park near Stanford University in California, It looks like 2006 is going to be a heavy load…I got 2 things going for me, 1) I’m determined and 2) Bull Headed. I’m sure my Sweeti Thinks I’m Crazy.
*(Note from Sweeti~No, I think I’m Crazy and you have 3 things going for you. 3) the backing of a good woman.)

It’s now Fall of 2005…

2007-04-19T22:41:00.000-07:00

Farrier Business keeps me busy, I’m starting to think of the 2006 OKCA Blade Show. I’ve printed 4 pictures from the web of a German Rapier being built, I just had to do it.
I sure could have used about 20 more pictures of the steps of the steps in between. But after several try’s and destroyed pieces over several days. I finally did it, Determination or just Bull headed, whatever you call it was success to build on. ~is anything ever truly mastered?” I think not”

As I work on Blades with Pattern welded designs such as Lucifer’s Lace, X&O’s, Viking constructed Blades, Etc. I test the steels, I use the swords and Knives in Hoof Knives. I use them daily, Some Damascus, Some single alloy, m2, 15n20, 1080 and Etc. I do prefer 15N20.

Now it’s summer of 2005…

2007-04-19T22:33:00.000-07:00

Rodeo season for my brothers~they usually come to stay at our place over the 4th of July, with a group of guys that compete in the same Pro Steer wrestling events with the Columbia River Circuit.
I thought this year I would make a private competition among the group. The fastest time receives the Cable Bowie knife, It was fun to do.
Sam Mackenzie out of Jordan Valley, ID Won, My Brother Carl was pissed. I don’t expect he’ll be traveling with Carl next year.

The rest of this year, when time would allow I was working on Mosaics, and patterns on blades. Also, working on Rapiers and Sabers. I really want to increase my skills on the hand forged intricate hilts. They look so good when the turnout, especially with the wider Battle blades that still have edge cutting capabilities. Not to mention the folded steel patterns that can be part of such a blade.

2007-04-19T22:23:00.000-07:00

Lot’s of people came to the show, So many different people to meet. Both Sweeti and I enjoyed the show. Lucky for me I have a large family and my cousin Justin Seiders came by to “save the day” and buy one of my first skinning knives. (I recently thought I should call him and trade him for a more recent piece.)
When everything was over I couldn’t help thinking of how much work I needed to do to achieve the level of quality and artistic originality to stand out at the show with expert craftsmanship of individual makers.

Now the time lapses in between my stories.
Extensive Blacksmithing~Farrier Jobs for customers built over 2 Decades, But that’s another story. Maybe “Memoirs of a Horseshoer”

Winter 2005

2007-04-19T22:05:00.000-07:00

It’s been a long time since I have updated, So much has happened and labor spent on an endless experience of creativity, Learning, success & failures.

I will begin at winter of 2005.
My first knife show in Eugene, Oregon. Without a clue of how much preparation goes into a presentation of your pieces. ~It was just a little to late~instead of taking time on a few finished pieces I thought “oh hell” I’m taking everything and so I did. I figured everyone gets to see where I started.
So, with the support of my Sweeti, I made my first journey to the OKCA (Oregon Knife Collectors Association) Knife Show in Eugene, Oregon.

My first Rapiers, a Nordic Sword, Some Skinners and some Bowies were in my inventory, not to exclude a couple of axe’s made from logging cable.
-

The Rope test and Vegas

2007-04-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

Now practicing guards for a cutlass type blade, And working on single alloy steels. Testing in the fashion of the "Journeyman Bladesmith test", A rope cut....on a free hanging 1" manilla rope in one swipe. Chop through 2, 2X4's for toughness. Then shave hair on the arm for durability, Then put the blade tip in a vise for a 90 degree bend for a break test. It is not to break more than half way thru the blade. 5160 worked great for this.

This is what I used on a Cutlass given to Linda's adopted Moms husband Gary Shattuck, A three tier guard with a bronze pommel, 5160 blade (Spring Steel) this blade felt really good in your hand.
Fall 2004
A Las Vegas trip was planned, Linda's son Jeremy was to marry his fiancee' April at Mt. Charleston Lodge. During the visit he showed me a knife he liked to skin with, but it was too long. So I was to make a wedding present, A ladder patterned Skinner for Jeremy and a Damascus Bracelet for April. With a severe topographical etch.
Linda's son Carl received a Skinner for birthday present, Which is from the same billet as Jeremy's and also Linda has a small skinner out of the same billet too. It worked out good that way I think.

Winter 2004
Able to forge the cable....
Elk hunting with my Dad in the Blue Mountain area, I picked up a piece of 1-3/4" type 1 general purpose cable a few years ago. I planned to forge something from it after laying it in my scrap pile, James (James Cox from the Farrier supply) decided to make a blade from it.
I hesitated to do anything with it because I didn't know if I would like the pattern.~ Being just 1 alloy of steel, But after seeing the blade profiled by James, I liked the pattern.
This piece of cable I decided to forge was laying in the mountains for years. This will be my attempt at an Ax and hatchets. The huge knot was forged into 1 large plate of steel, it looked like it wanted to be a double bladed battle axe. I seen one in a video game. So I figured I would run a drift thru the top of the plate, form a hole for a handle,This cable doesn't like that. It looks like it wants to be two axes.
One took the shape of my first battle axe, Next took the shape of a throwing axe. The patterns revealed, I look into them, I'm posessed...I have to make a Saber too.

The "Hammer In" Experience

2007-04-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

Spring 2004
Coming up on Fathers Day
I decided Dad should have a gift this year. We usually give each other a beer for a few days when I visit or vise versa. This year is different, So I wanted to give him different examples of Damascus, Steel constructed into a "D ring Bowie/ Machete, 100 layers of 01,&1084 steel, twisted for the blade, Nickel silver and carbon steel with a butterfly pattern (X) on the outside of the "D"ring guard and ladder pattern on the inside. Nonmanipulated for the pommel. This was the last blade done before the up and coming event.
Summer 2004
The long anticipated Hammer In, 3rd annual, Held at Bronks Knifeworks, A symposium I heard about at the Eugene, Oregon Knife show (O.K.C.). These guys were Master Bladesmiths so I already had a list of questions, Linda and I both attended...You get more info. with 2 people asking questions and listening. Because what one of us didn't get the other did.

We have arrived in Bothel, Washington for the "Hammer In"
(A Bladesmithing Clinic). I have to say that everyone I encountered and engaged in conversation with were meaningful to me and Linda as well I'm sure.
For the sake of compacting my scribbles to a minimum, there were 3 demonstrators.

Ed Caffrey M.B.S. , Lyle Brunkhorst, and Michael Bell

That left the biggest impressions. My eyes danced around the Bladesmith shop of Lyle Brunkhorst who put this event together, whether in collaboration with the others I don't know.
I had not seen a Bladesmithing shop before...They(Lyle and Ed) used a 30 ton hydraulic press for welding a basic billet of 80 thin layers of steel, mainly 15n20,1080, and or 1095. This is a superior Damascus combo after formed into 1 piece.
The press can contort this bar or billet and manipulate it into many types of designs. Commonly referred to as "Mosaic Damascus".

Ed Caffrey was up next with his insight and experience in this trade proved invaluable to me in every aspect. With fantastic examples of his labors, I was really trying to be careful of what I asked because I had so many questions. I really wasn't sure which ones were stupid questions, Good thing for me, every question was answered and they didn't even kick me out.
This was good!!
Michael Bell was up next with Oriental Blade construction (Katana- Shinogizukuri style)Cable, Heat treating, and composite construction. His son Gabriel also exhibited the Tanto knife.
I could write a page on every stage of moves I seen him make. His demonstration will prove to be very useful to me.
One other person I spoke with was Tom Ferry...His quest for patterns through many manipulations and multitudes of billets was very interesting to me. He showed me a dagger and I don't have enough words to describe it except it was truly, a masterpiece.
My head was swimming in so many directions with the possibilities in my own quests, Tom seen this and said "this is what I do with mosaics,
You just do your own thing."
With those words, At the end of the Symposium Tom Ferry had just refocused my perspective on this event. I learned a good many things from everybody.
The money and time was well spent and was so worth it.
Thank's guys!

Patterned Bladesmithing

2007-01-03T15:34:00.000-08:00

It is now winter 2003-2004, after reading my newly acquired literature on Bladesmithing I decided to deviate from Rapier to Viking Broadswords. First I would try stacking 3 different bars of steel, each with 100 layers. All 3 bars are manipulated differently for contrasting patterns.
The practice of this kind of stacking is getting my skills prepped for the Viking sword, composite construction. A letter opener/ want to be dagger was first. It was made with 2 twisted bars and middle serpentine patterns (which split apart in a welded section). Oops!
Next, was the Kukris style-leaf looking blade. I probably should have actually looked at a Mideastern style blade before I made this one, too late now. One Damascus bar on the top edge was not manipulated, serpentine in the middle with a twisted waterfall on the cutting edge.

At last confidence in composite construction, one step closer to the Nordic sword.

The Viking Broadsword

With confidence in tact, I started with 6-3 foot patterned bars. 3 of which are forge welded together end to end on one side of mild steel. Then I repeated it the same way again on the other side. Now the cutting edge would be 200 layers of high carbon steel notched and then flattened for the pupose of patterning. Then I continually welded around the core from point to guard in one piece.

This is the example of this procedure if the sword was cut and you are looking at the inside construction. The gray color being the mild steel center, the blue color being the patterned steel, and the purple or fushia being the outer cutting edges.

I can see why these blades can be masterpieces, because the multiple patterns can be absolutely beautiful. It took me 7 days to construct my first Viking broadsword.
My wife, Linda being a daughter of a Norwegian immigrant requested a Viking broadsword, so I was eagar to oblige her. With my stamp on one side and a double L stamp for Linda Lou on the other side.
With the trait of grand chivalry, My queen is presented the Viking Broadsword

The Quest continues...

It's now spring 2004, searching for information I bought a "Blade" Magazine and found that there was a knife show in Eugene, OR. This was a must do! So Linda and I made arrangements to check it out. I had never been to one before this.
Thru my forging blade endeavors I had met up with a fabricator and tool man named James at my supplier who was interested in blades himself. In this quest for information on bladesmithing sharing information is crucial. His knowledge of Metallurgy and products brings welcome advice and updates.
James attended the knife show as well with his wife Jenny. This show was absolutely huge! Masters of all aspects of Bladesmithing, Knife making, and artisans of patterned steel from simply breath taking to extremely complex matter of artwork. You really have to see it to believe it. This inspired me to make some smaller blades.
Practice the Damascus
I decided to make a few skinner type knives. Try testing for hardness and practice suface manipulations also simple twisted laminates. So that I did...I don't consider myself a knife maker, but I will try to learn.
So I produce a few...one in particular was manipulated different on each side, It was laying on the dining room table as an exampleof the Damascus steel blade for family and friends to see when visiting. Jerry and Rosa, long time family friends (and the best salsa makers ever) from Silver Lake, WA came to visit. Jerry liked the skinner and also a filet knife I made. He wanted to make a trade with me...His black powder Hawkins 50 cal. rifle with extra 54 cal. barrel and all the accessories for the two blades and 1 more filet knife in his design customized just for him. I like black powder weaponry so I agree to trade and proceeded to forge his custom filet. I added a bronze fish head and tail on the handle trying to give him a little extra for his original. It turned out beautiful and now I'm the proud owner of a Hawkins black powder rifle 54 cal. and 50 cal. and its a nice addition to my 50 cal. Kentucky pistol.

2007-01-03T15:05:00.000-08:00

BOSOM KNIFE AND BODICE KNIFE (BELOW)
DAMASCUS (NICKLE SILVER-1095)
CORE- (01-1080) 175 LAYERS,
COCO BOLO W/ BRONZE CASTED FITTINGS

LASTLY IS THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN HUNTER AND THIS WAS A MATCHING PAIR (OTHER NOT SHOWN)

LARGE DROP STYLE SKINNER
DAMASCUS (01-1080) 27 LAYERS
MAHOGANY HANDLE W/ MOSIAC PINS

D-Ring Bowie style Knife

2007-01-03T15:00:00.000-08:00

Damascus blade and Guard with Mahogany handle

The Beginning Journey into Damascus Swordsmithing 2003

2007-01-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

SWEPT HILT RAPIERS
DARK HANDLES
326 LAYERS, (S7-MILD STEEL) MAHOGANY
CENTER-FLAMBURG
STAINLESS STEEL W/BIRCH HANDLE

First of all, Let me thank you for visiting my page...
How I got started.
In the fall of 2003, sitting on the couch after a hard days work or at least a semi-hard days work.
Being a frontier gamer in the days when Pong and Atari were the thing, I retreated to the leisure of playing Xbox...Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean was the game of choice. The blades used in this game by the characters were detailed in their own style, with information that placed them in a certain period with the purpose and quality explained.
Well, I got curious...and went to the computer and punched in the names of some of these swords, Such as the Schiavona, Swiss Flamburg and . etc. Much to my surprise these were real blades although some were exaggerated. The museum pieces and original pieces intrigued me to delve further in my quest for information about original swords.
I stumbled on an obscure site of a man in Europe (England maybe) who was making an original piece. A Swept Hilt Rapier I believe. He started with three pieces of steel to make the Damascus, 1 hard and 2 soft, W2 and 203E I believe. He went thru the process of folding the steel and completeing a hilt (handle) the finishing touch was a gold star. The process was in text only, I wished that there had been pictures because I am visual. After discovering this information I thought S*** I could do that!
So I walked in my blacksmith shop...and I scanned the area for a couple bars of soft steel, then I just needed one hard steel bar. I thought well, I have no idea what W2 is and much less 203E. But I did know that my pritchell was pretty damn hard. Alas that will be the materials for my Bilet. (S7 sandwiched between 2 mild steel bars)
I knocked the cobwebs off my coal forge and built my fire and went to work. It was welded successfully! 300 layers was my goal, After 1 fold of the steel, I thought Bull S*** this is a job for "Squeaky" my 50 lb little giant trip hammer. I plugged him in and let him rip. At about 150 layers my bilet started cracking on the ends so I quit while I was ahead. I made my tang and drew the blade and fullered a groove down the middle. It was looking pretty damn rough being the first one...But I cussed it together!
I was really excited to see this pattern expose itself as I was hammer finishing...I laid it across my coal forge fire to lightly soak, My attention was diverted to my wife as she walked in the door to show me something in a magazine. She asked how my project was going? I turned back towards my forge with a gasp; My 48" rapier was burnt into 2 pieces with white sparks dancing in the blast of my forge. I said "Darlin' you might want to leave now" I collected my thoughts and kept my temper under control and decided "damn it" I'm gonna make something out of this! It's way to much work to just throw away and I have to see what it looks like in at least some sort of blade. And.... Vu lah! my first dagger/letter opener, loose fitting and all was born.
Etched in vinegar vapors, the blade revealed a very contrasting patterns against my choice of steels. This pattern in the steel intrigued me greatly. I had started a quest to collect information and continued forging Damascus.
So, now begins my journey towards SwordSmithing
First of all, my goal is to reproduce the Schiavona, a 17th century masterpiece in its original form. With an exception I'll use higher quality steels for usability reasons.Before attempting this I must familiarize myself with metallurgy, history, soft metal casting, woodworking, leather working and basic swordplay. No small task.
I decided to begin with Rapiers and Daggers. To march forward with me in this adventure is my wife Linda; she currently assists me greatly in my business. Linda is equipped with a digital camera and computer skills as well as communicating with people that are beyond my comprehension, which in turn makes this possible for me to bring you this website. Both of our skills in each of our areas increase rapidly with each new challenge.
My first completed blade was the Swept hilt Rapier, with a single fuller on both sides of the 320 layer S7-Mild steel blade, two ring guards and a mahogany handle. This took many countless hours and days to create.
During the period of making this blade, I needed information so looking at the books that were advertised on various websites I decided: Jim Hrisoulas was the way to go. I held off on buying any new books because my Farrier business is slower coming into winter. I created a wish list for Christmas which included the books I needed. Meanwhile I practiced just forging blades from mild steel, making sabers, rapiers etc.
Then Came Christmas 2003 and lo and behold Linda must have passed on my list to my Mother and she sent me "The Complete Bladesmith" and "The Master Bladesmith " By J. Hrisoulas. Hungry for information my nose was constantly buried in the books, thousands of possibilities were now in front of me.
Now my second rapier was an attempt at a ladder pattern, which turned out to be something else! Nevertheless,it was assembled into a Swept hilt similar to the first with no fuller.
The third blade was an attempt at a Flamburg, using stainless steel. The grinding work was grueling but finally assembled with a 3 ring swept hilt and birch handle.
Wade Seiders
Blacksmith, Bladesmith and Farrier