One of my as yet unfinished projects. This one inspired by the Edward III dagger which was discussed recently. The blade is one half of a leaf spring from a Model T Ford. The grip is again Ironbark. There will eventually be a steel plate at the pommel end, however I'm not sure how to finish it off. I don't think the die I have will stand up to threading this steel and I'm wary of peening the end for fear of cracking the grip. I may try something unusual which might horrify purists... we'll see.

Anyway on with the photos. Any comments/suggestions are welcome please.

Nick.

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Nice work! A mapp gas torch (availible at hardware stores as a plumber's torch) is hot enough to anneal the end of your tang and allow you to thread it. Heat the last couple of inches of tang until it is a nice cherry red (or until a magnet no longer sticks) and then stick it in a pile of wood ashes or other non-flammable insulating material to cool slowly. This may take a few hours, with big pieces it takes overnight at least. You may want to pre-heat the insulating material for something this small. This same method is what I would recommend if you plan to peen it also.

Thanks Justin for the advice.

There's the excuse I needed to fork out on a MAP Gas torch.

Thank's Chad, I stand corrected.

That's what you get for skimming through the posts just looking at the pictures.

Nick.

Nice work. I made a dagger from a leaf spring once myself. I was asked this weekend if I would every make another one, and my reponse was, "not without a power hammer." These kinds of projects take a lot of patience, and that material fights back pretty good. I peened the end on my dagger without any trouble, but my pommel was also wedged in place (purely by accident, I can't take any credit for that part).

Threading may still be the way to go. I look forwar to seeing it completed.

-Grey

Ok here it is finished. As you can see, the blade is less than perfect. I had a little trouble polishing it but there comes a time when you just have to put it down and call it finished before you start hating it.

Anyway...

Nick.

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