| The Cutlass is: |
| not a weapon I'm interested in |
|
4% |
[ 6 ] |
| a weapon I would like in my collection |
|
58% |
[ 71 ] |
| not my usual interest but I like this one |
|
36% |
[ 44 ] |
|
| Total Votes : 121 |
|
| Author |
Message |
Ben Potter
Industry Professional
|
 Posted: Tue 12 Jan, 2010 12:15 am Post subject: Cutlass work in progress |
 |
|
I am documenting the process of making this piece on my blog and thought you might like to see it here as well.
I forged the blade a couple of months ago so this is about crafting the hilt.
Ben Potter Bladesmith
It's not that I would trade my lot
For any other man's,
Nor that I will be ashamed
Of my work torn hands-
For I have chosen the path I tread
Knowing it would be steep,
And I will take the joys thereof
And the consequences reap.
|
|
   |
 |
Ben Potter
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Tue 12 Jan, 2010 12:21 am Post subject: |
|
|
Here are the steps so far.
Knuckle bow and thumb-ring after forging:
Thumb-ring after shaping and polishing:
Knuckle-bow in-let for the tang, and rough shaped:
Ben Potter Bladesmith
It's not that I would trade my lot
For any other man's,
Nor that I will be ashamed
Of my work torn hands-
For I have chosen the path I tread
Knowing it would be steep,
And I will take the joys thereof
And the consequences reap.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matthew Stagmer
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Tue 12 Jan, 2010 8:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
Looks great so far. I will be watching this one for sure!
Matthew Stagmer
Maker of custom and production weaponry
Youtube.com/ThatWorks
|
|
|
|
|
Shahril Dzulkifli
|
| Posted: Wed 13 Jan, 2010 3:32 am Post subject: Cutlass work in progress |
|
|
Ben,
When that cutlass of yours is finished I hope you'll show the pictures. 
“You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength”
- Marcus Aurelius
|
|
|
|
|
Ben Potter
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Wed 13 Jan, 2010 8:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I finished shaping the knuckle bow and forged the shell guard:
Ben Potter Bladesmith
It's not that I would trade my lot
For any other man's,
Nor that I will be ashamed
Of my work torn hands-
For I have chosen the path I tread
Knowing it would be steep,
And I will take the joys thereof
And the consequences reap.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matthew Stagmer
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Thu 14 Jan, 2010 8:43 am Post subject: |
|
|
Whats the shell forged from? Is it wrought or something?
Matthew Stagmer
Maker of custom and production weaponry
Youtube.com/ThatWorks
|
|
|
|
|
Ben Potter
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Thu 14 Jan, 2010 9:59 am Post subject: |
|
|
1018 mild steel, wrought it really hard to get on this side of the country, I'm looking for it but it is elusive.
Also, I thought that the steel would work better for this design,
Ben Potter Bladesmith
It's not that I would trade my lot
For any other man's,
Nor that I will be ashamed
Of my work torn hands-
For I have chosen the path I tread
Knowing it would be steep,
And I will take the joys thereof
And the consequences reap.
|
|
|
|
|
J Helmes
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Thu 14 Jan, 2010 12:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
nice design ben! I look forward to seeing this one progress.
cheers Jeff
|
|
|
|
|
|
Martin Murd
|
| Posted: Thu 14 Jan, 2010 1:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Cutlasses are one of my favorite type of swords.Alas, my current financial state does not allow me to buy one and has reduced me to a window-shopper.
Nevertheless... you have an excellent sense of design and function, therefore i'd very much like to see, what will unveil.
Merlon
|
|
|
|
|
Ben Potter
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Fri 15 Jan, 2010 11:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Made it back to the shop today for a bit and shaped the shell guard.
Ben Potter Bladesmith
It's not that I would trade my lot
For any other man's,
Nor that I will be ashamed
Of my work torn hands-
For I have chosen the path I tread
Knowing it would be steep,
And I will take the joys thereof
And the consequences reap.
|
|
|
|
|
Ben Potter
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Tue 19 Jan, 2010 1:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
Here is the days progress, Polished the shell guard, and started the engraving:
Ben Potter Bladesmith
It's not that I would trade my lot
For any other man's,
Nor that I will be ashamed
Of my work torn hands-
For I have chosen the path I tread
Knowing it would be steep,
And I will take the joys thereof
And the consequences reap.
|
|
|
|
|
Petr Florianek
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Tue 19 Jan, 2010 3:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
i like this one, not my period but beautiful
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matthew Stagmer
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Tue 19 Jan, 2010 1:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Lookin good so far Ben.
Matthew Stagmer
Maker of custom and production weaponry
Youtube.com/ThatWorks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dustin R. Reagan
|
| Posted: Tue 19 Jan, 2010 1:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Ben Potter wrote: | 1018 mild steel, wrought it really hard to get on this side of the country, I'm looking for it but it is elusive.
Also, I thought that the steel would work better for this design, |
I bought about 100 lbs of wrought from these folks. Seems to be good stuff, though it took me a couple tries finding the right heat to forge it at (you have to forge it *very* hot -- almost at white heat -- or it crumbles and splits ). I got it in 12" long sections of the 3/4" round and 1/4" x 2" flat. We are relatively local to each other...Let me know, and I'll let you have a piece, at cost, to try out.
The wrought is from an old (late 1800's, i believe?) grain elevator.
http://www.wisconsinwoodchuck.net/price_list_wrought_iron.pdf
Dustin
|
|
|
|
|
M. Eversberg II
|
| Posted: Thu 21 Jan, 2010 10:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
While not my usual interest, I will watch this as it goes along. Your projects are always interesting.
M.
This space for rent or lease.
|
|
    |
|
A. Spanjer
|
| Posted: Fri 22 Jan, 2010 5:08 am Post subject: |
|
|
I just have to say, I love this sword.
Great work!
|
|
|
|
|
Ben Potter
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Sun 24 Jan, 2010 12:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
Cut in and rounded the background and drilled the holes for the rivets today.
Ben Potter Bladesmith
It's not that I would trade my lot
For any other man's,
Nor that I will be ashamed
Of my work torn hands-
For I have chosen the path I tread
Knowing it would be steep,
And I will take the joys thereof
And the consequences reap.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Matthew Stagmer
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Sun 24 Jan, 2010 10:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
I like! Well done on the holes. I know how hard it is to get them lined up just right.
Matthew Stagmer
Maker of custom and production weaponry
Youtube.com/ThatWorks
|
|
|
|
|
Ben Potter
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Mon 25 Jan, 2010 8:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
Getting the holes in the right places is a pain.
This piece is domed enough that I couldn't use the drill press and had to do it by hand to get the angles of the rivets right.
Ben Potter Bladesmith
It's not that I would trade my lot
For any other man's,
Nor that I will be ashamed
Of my work torn hands-
For I have chosen the path I tread
Knowing it would be steep,
And I will take the joys thereof
And the consequences reap.
|
|
|
|
|
Ben Potter
Industry Professional
|
| Posted: Tue 26 Jan, 2010 10:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
Here is another days progress:
I chiseled in the lines of the engraving and did some polishing. it is the details that take forever.
Ben Potter Bladesmith
It's not that I would trade my lot
For any other man's,
Nor that I will be ashamed
Of my work torn hands-
For I have chosen the path I tread
Knowing it would be steep,
And I will take the joys thereof
And the consequences reap.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is a standard topic
