Forging

[Caius Titius Verus]

Hello,

I would very much like to learn how to forge simple metal blades, like for knives, pugio,...

Looks like we have most of the equipment that is required, (fire, motor, hammers,...)

Is there anyone that knows of sites or books with good information on the how to? Like; how long do you heat the metal, what techniques do you use,... Or anyone that has experience on this topic?

Thanks,
Caius

[Sassanid]

Hi Tom,

A good starting point is the book "Iron for the Eagles, The Iron Industry of Roman Britian" by David Simm & Isabel Ridge. Tempus ISBN 0-7524-1900-5

Andrew

[Scaevola]

A good place to start is whether want to forge the same way the Romans did or just learn to forge in general.

[Caius Titius Verus]

Thanks Andrew, looks like a nice book, I'm looking for a place to buy a copy.

Well of course It would be best to forge as the Romans did, if it were possible, I would like to learn that! Though it will be more easy to find a tutor for modern forging...

greets,
Caius

[Primvs Pavlvs]

Trust me as someone who has forged Roman blades. Pugio blades are not a simple project.

[santell]

Here's a site with a 1904 manual on blacksmithing. Read and enjoy.

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/topic/prese ... hy/toc.htm

Juan Santell

[richsc]

A companion book that Dave Sim wrote that apparently goes into more detail on actually how he selected tools etc (don't have the book but am still looking for it) is:

Beyond the Bloom: Bloom Refining and Iron Artifact Production in the Roman World (British Archaeological Reports (BAR) International S.)
David Sim
# Paperback 155 pages (October 1998)
# Publisher: Archaeopress BAR
# ISBN: 0860549011

The book describes a series of experiments carried out in order to replicate the working environment of a Roman blacksmith, by using tools and equipment as close to originals as possible. The results provide a database that will enable archaeologists to compare evidence found in archaeological records with the experiment results.

[Gashford]

Hello there

Beyond the Bloom and Iron for the Eagles are pretty much the same book. The first is his experiments and earliest attempts, both failures and successes on how to make items. The second only has the successes as it is more of a sanitised version of the data. Both are good reads just the first is rawer than the second. IMHO

Blade manufacture is a tough thing to start with and there are oh so many ways to get to the same, looking, piece. Stock removal, billet forming, combinations of the above etc can all lead to a blade.

I have never made a sword only a couple of small knives from basic metal stock beaten to shape. I have been told however that pugio are much harder than swords.

The best book I was told to purchase was this one as a starter

[url:26dgtrkf]http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0873644301/qid=1116500323/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/104-0296745-0083118?v=glance&s=books&n=507846[/url]

Hope this is useful.

All the best

Graham

[Caius Titius Verus]

Thanks you all!

These books will be very handy! I already ordered the Complete Bladesmith. I'm still looking for a copy of Beyond the Bloom and Iron for the Eagles.
By the way, Santell that site is great!!!

greets,
Caius