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This page has been kept to a concise overview of the technical processes involved in weapon manufacture. To go into the full details of weapon manufacture would be a major subject in it's own right and take a web site of it's own. For most people the technical processes only become an issue if a weapon fails to perform or is being used in the wrong fashion. As with all other features of this site please contact Paul if you need more information or are interested in specific technical details.

Bladed Weapons for Re-Enactment.

Swords and other bladed weapons can be found throughout most of recorded history, across a vast span of times and cultures. They come in many shapes and sizes-as do their users. A sword has therefore always needed to reflect the qualities of it's owner, in size, weight, form and construction, and also in the usage intended for his or her weapon. In this way it may best become an extension of the owner's will on the battlefield, a servant to their cause.

For these reasons, and because Paul is a craftsman producing articles by hand from scratch, he is able to offer a custom service.

All bladed weapons are made to the highest specifications, the swords and knives you see illustrated are fully combat ready, and are backed by a one year guarantee against breakage, excessive notching and loose (rattling) fittings. They may be supplied sharp or blunt, for  re-enactment purposes. A typical sword blade is between 66-76 cm long, and 5 cm wide at the top. All of Paul's sword blades are fullered - narrowed along the inside of the blade.

For combat purposes please specify the exact use you wish the swords to be applied to, as different steels offer different properties, with regard to combat safety, for example I would not recommend a hard EN45 blade for inside or stage use. The soft Vanadium would be a far better choice in that instance.

Some blades are fashioned from EN45 steel and are then optimally heat treated in oil, this being done in Paul's own forge. This tempering process ensures the strength and flexibility that is desirable in a top class weapon. Components are not sent away to be treated elsewhere, Paul preferring to keep this critical process entirely under his own control. Fittings are of mild steel or SG Iron, both well suited to the purpose, and can be inlaid, overlaid or have plaques silver soldered or pinned in - see Special Inlays, Finishes and Detailing below.

As a re-enactor himself, Paul is always concerned that a sword should be:

* Not over heavy

* Well balanced

* made of only suitable high grade materials

* Properly treated using heat processes, so that the blade is flexible and is resistant to notching

* Have full radius tangs, not under built, nor have square corners and bolted on pommels.

* Well finished

* Give a crisp ring when struck- this is an indication that pommel, guard and grip are secure. Swords that rattle are neither well made, nor a pleasure to use.

The pommel on standard swords is made form cast steel, and the hilt, or crossguard, is made from a steel strip. Alternatively, custom pommels and hilts are created as one offs from solid steel. All these items can be inlaid - see Special Inlays, Finishes and Detailing below, Paul also offers a range of lost wax bronze fittings, from a variety of different periods, but all are copies of specific finds.

Swords should have the feel that they are not overtly products of the 21st Century. A point worth bearing in mind is that sword smithing has as much to do with pleasing aesthetics as it has with sound engineering. For the living history enthusiast and the sword collector this is especially worth considering.

Special Inlays, Finishes and Detailing.

Items such as swords, saexes and axe heads can be treated by Paul to give finishes other than the standard polished steel. Plunging the hot weapon into oil causes an attractive blue sheen, which gives a limited degree of rust protection. An alternative is to use a chemical treatment that simulates the effect of rusting, resulting in a smooth, but aged appearance. This treatment produces very striking results.

Inlays can be used as another method of enhancing a weapon. Inlay can be applied to most steel weapons that Paul produces. Grooves are cut into the steel. Sterling silver, brass or copper wire is then beaten into the grooves, and the surface is flattened and polished to produce a smooth finish.