Another caltrop thread

[jackmcauliffe]

As someone who makes, and blacksmithing partner makes, tons of caltrops the most obvious way is to split both ends to the middle, which may very well be how these where made in this picture. I know it does not appear that way but it is easy to hide bend metal to look less like a split and more like a singel piece. However I lean much more towards the theory that these where forge welded togther in two pices either as an "x" as robert said or as two "L"s. It seems ridiculous that three prongs would be welded togehter at one point and it does not look that way to me. Welding three sides is an impracticle technique as when you hammer two togther, the third splits away. Forge welding is the majority of my work and most of what I work with is low carbon (historical iron/steels), higher carbon steels and welding the like.
I can also confidently state that it is probably easier to forge weld to pieces together than it is to split twice. these welds are very simple and most people fear forge welding and think it is so difficult because people associate forge welding with pattern welding and making swords. This means 100% of your welds have to be solid and hold through heat treatments, battle testing, and really for asthetics. These dont have to go through such rigorous work. they are crude and can be made in a quick and efficient matter in this form.

I apologize if this sounds incoherent and pompous in some respects. I am on a few heavy pain killers for my tooth right now. I hope you all understood the gist of what I was explaining and don't take it as an attack on anyone's theory.

As for the annealing, the weld could or could not be annealed. The steel is unlikely high carbon so it would not effect strength. Higher carbon steels are too valued for real tools to be thrown out on a battlefield to stop feet and hooves. making tons in a batch, it is probably best to weld, bend and be done.