I am working on a great project.

One that is quite a honour. I do not generally make comissions any more but could not turn this one down...

The SEAL insignia is an Eagle holding a trident and a flintlock in front of an anchor.


I am Making a Trident for US Navy SQT (SEAL Qualification Training) Class 312.


It will be a Graduation Gift to NSWBTC (Navy Special Warfare Basic Training Command).


US Navy SEALs tradition to give a graduation gift upon completing training required to become SEALs.


So I am making a pattern welded Trident, not a fishing trident but a hero piece, Neptune's trident suitable for use against (big)sea monsters . I have taken my inspiration from the sea, using heavily laddered wavy material and of course pattern weld............I wanted the piece to be reminiscent of harpoons and anchors and wieldable by a by a (very) strong SEAL but not a trident for a mere mortal....... as forged the head is 14lb......

I have found this to be a very challenging piece and I am now on version 3, which ironicaly was my original idea (thanks Mick Maxen for putting me back on the right path towards simplicity). I tried to split the forks from an 8 bar patternweld, but alas it was not to be. and I have a monstrous billet of not wavy enough patternweld that will make some lovely (big)seax.......

anyhow here is where I am at the present, the handle is to be wavy ash with a damascus spacer and buttcap.....The prong are wavy random lap welded onto a 3 bar patternweld and the core is the same with 4 bar and forge welded socket. hard to tell size from the pic but its big.....

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the tips are cod mouthed and forge welded shut...
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Its a very blacksmithy piece and lots of lap welds , this is the weld between the socket and middle prong...
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I will up date as I finish the piece...

Nice piece. Just wondered if the Navy contacted you or an individual. The US is having a lot of problems with phony seal claims these days, estimates of 1000 phonies to one 1 real seal out there. I am sure you checked your source but if you did need to double check google Don Shipley, retired Seal. He verifies seal claims for the public, has the personnel database and contacts at Command to do so. Busy guy too, debunks about 25 phony claims a day.

I wonder how that trident looks like after it's done.
Keep up the good work, Owen. ;)

I have been polishing for a couple of days.....hard hard work on the arms.
24 120 240 400 grit almost there...
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getting there though
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Owen, That is going to be a stunner - well done and looking forward to seeing it all etched up.

Tod

the forks are etched...
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Off to get wood tomorow...

I am working on the trident end cap, a rolled socket to have at the foot of the trident, high layer damascus. Rolled and forge welded:-

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Its getting there:- just some leather round the central "connecting tube" and some pro photos.....

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Looks spectacular, Owen. I would personally suggest peening the rivet heads out about to about half of the roughness you have them at now (i.e. smoother - but not completely smooth). They strike me as providing too stark a contrast with the delicate finish on the rest of the metal. Cheers!

- Gregory

well it is finished .
here are a couple of macro photos.

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Just saw some pictures on FB....

A spectacular work, indeed!

Wow! :eek:

Really impressive work there on an intimidating scale. What better graduating gift than an English-made weapon from Greek mythology!