October 7, 2024 by Heather
I Want to Make a Sword!
“I Want to Make a Sword”—How to Encourage Aspiring Bladesmiths
There’s something primal about the allure of swords. Many of us, as children, have grabbed a stick and pretended it was a sword—whether that sword could summon lightning to slay dragons or awaken sleeping princesses didn’t matter. It was magical, and you were invincible. That feeling often lingers long after childhood, resurfacing in video games or movies, and for some, it manifests in a desire to create real swords with their own hands.
As a bladesmithing school, we regularly meet students whose dream is to forge a sword as their first project. While we fully support this dream, we always advise beginners to start with smaller blades before progressing to swords. Just like learning to walk before you run, forging smaller, more manageable knives will set you up for success when you eventually move on to making swords.
Starting Small: The Path to Swords
Bladesmithing is a skill that requires patience and precision, and creating a sword as a first project isn’t practical for most. Even though we’ve had inquiries like, “Can I make a ninja sword in one day?” (often from excited teenagers), we gently explain that learning the basics with smaller blades will provide the necessary experience for larger, more complex projects like swords.
The process of forging a sword is not as simple as creating a “long knife.” It requires specialized equipment and techniques, particularly when it comes to heat treatment and finishing. A typical forge that works for smaller knives will be fine for forging out the blade but (you can only heat and hammer small sections at a time anyway) may not suffice for sword-length steel, especially during quenching, where the blade needs to be evenly heated and then cooled in a long, oil-filled quenching tube. Many blades warp during this stage and need straightening, which adds to the complexity of the task.
Grinding and polishing such a long blade also presents challenges. You’ll need additional workspace and equipment, not to mention the sweat and patience required to hand-polish a sword to perfection. And don’t forget the handle, guard, and pommel—each of which must be precisely crafted to ensure the sword is properly balanced.
Crafting the Scabbard
Making the sword is only part of the project. You’ll also need to create a scabbard, which is typically made of wood with a leather wrap. The scabbard must fit the sword perfectly, without allowing it to rattle. This involves careful chiseling, sanding, and fitting before the leather and metal fittings are attached. Even this process takes significant time and skill.
Encouraging Young Bladesmiths
Young bladesmiths should be encouraged but also guided thoughtfully. Making a sword is not a quick endeavor. If, after forging several smaller blades, their passion remains high, they’ll be ready to try their hand at a sword—and may just surprise you!
For safety reasons, we only accept students aged 16 to 18 if they are accompanied by an adult, although younger students have successfully passed through our forge under supervision. Youngsters need to understand the inherent dangers in bladesmithing, particularly when using machinery. Proper safety gear is essential, and finding safety glasses and gloves that fit smaller hands can be a challenge. However, with planning, it’s possible to make the forge safe and accessible for younger students.
Platforms of varying heights help them safely reach anvils and machinery. Ensuring they stay focused is also crucial, as accidents happen quickly when concentration lapses. Bladesmithing is not for the easily distracted, but for those with a true drive to learn the craft, perseverance will pay off.
Don’t Discourage, Guide!
It’s important not to discourage young people from bladesmithing or even from learning how to care for knives. Both the American Bladesmith Society and the Southern African Bladesmith Association have youth groups and events like Hammer-Ins to nurture young talent. Even Scout groups or schools can introduce children to bladesmithing through hands-on workshops.
There are too few opportunities for youngsters to experience crafts like woodwork or bladesmithing in today’s education systems. If you know a local bladesmith who is willing to share their skills with children, encourage them! It only takes a few generations for these crafts to fade, and we must do our part to keep them alive.
Not Just for Kids
Interestingly, we’ve also seen an influx of older teenagers, many just out of school, who have no clear direction for their futures. Some have spent countless hours playing video games involving swords and knives, yet lack the physical coordination or stamina required for a full day of forging. These individuals are often a danger to themselves and others in the forge.
To set expectations, we include this note on our course page:
“Please do not book these courses unless you are 100% interested in knives. Don’t attend just because you showed a passing interest in ‘ninja’ swords and your mom signed you up because you have no other hobbies. You need to be able to work physically hard all day and follow instructions to stay safe.”
Bladesmithing is far from a gentle weekend hobby—it’s an art form that demands focus, hard work, and a genuine passion for the craft.
Keeping the Craft Alive
In the U.S., many community colleges offer craft courses, including welding, design, and jewelry-making, all of which complement bladesmithing skills. If you’re interested in pursuing bladesmithing, consider enrolling in one of these programs to broaden your skill set.
In the end, whether young or old, everyone with a passion for bladesmithing should be encouraged to explore the craft—starting small and working their way up. With dedication, they may one day forge that sword of their childhood dreams.
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