[Scott Roush]

It's been a while since I posted here... but here are some things I've been working on.

Just finished this broken-back seax with phosphoric iron/pattern welded composite blade. Elk and yew with iron spacer in handle.





And here is a La Tene I inspired short sword made from work hardened phosphoric iron. There was no heat treatment here.. just hammer hardening in a fashion similar to that of a bronze blade. Iron alloyed with phosphorus lends itself to the possibility of hammer hardening.







Here is a picture of the hammer hardening in progress:



The process greatly added to the stiffness of the spine actually giving it quite a bit of spring that was not there before as well as improved edge toughness when chopping on oak. I'm still waiting to have it rockwell tested.

And lastly.... I have a work in progress on a Spanish Belduque on my blog. I'm forge welding the wrought iron fittings directly onto the blade in a traditional manner:

http://www.bigrockforge.com/blog/

There are also some updates and writings on my work in smelting, etc.

[Benjamin Rial]

I had the good fortune of meeting Mr. Roush in person this past weekend and was able to view and handle these two pieces in person. They are magnificently done. Balance and construction are solid, fluid and they have a very positive "organic" feel. First class work IMHO. Bravo sir!