My kids have been home A LOT lately. They're perpetually bored because they can't live their normal lives lately and finding something new to do for an hour or two can be quite welcome. My daughter recently saw a video on-line somewhere of a guy forging double-head nails into "mini swords" to give to kids at a knife show. She thought it looked like fun and asked me if she could give it try. Although I make knives via the stock removal method and my shop isn't really set up for forging I was more than happy to help her "forge" some mini "swords" :p . After all...pounding hot nails isn't really forging so it doesn't take much to pull it off. So, this is a project anyone can do with very minimal tools required.
Anyway, we had fun. I had her put on safety glasses and a leather apron. We heated the nails with a small torch. We pounded a variety of shapes until she was tired of swinging the hammer. Then I showed her how to grind a quick bevel and touch up the profile (all of which could have been done with a hand file as well). Last, she wound "handles" on them with embroidery thread.
It was an hour and a half of fun that also happened to teach her about how to use a few tools. In the end she was more than happy to tell me that she made her first knives a lot faster than I did :D .
Of course torches, hot nails, power grinders, etc...all require close adult supervision, experienced instruction and appropriate protective gear.
Here's a few pics of the "sword forging day". :D
"Forging" mini swords with my kids
"Forging" mini swords with my kids
:spyder: Spyderco fan and collector since 1991. :spyder:
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
Re: "Forging" mini swords with my kids
If there was an award for "Coolest thing on the web today," then you'd take home the prize. The swords are neat, and I love it when the youngin's use their hands, tools, and minds to do things.
:) :spyder: :D
:) :spyder: :D
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Re: "Forging" mini swords with my kids
Nice! :)
- Connor
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
"What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Re: "Forging" mini swords with my kids
Very, very cool, Chad! :)
A day without laughter is a day wasted. ~ Charlie Chaplin
Re: "Forging" mini swords with my kids
Thanks guys! I have to admit I had fun making sword toys. :o :)
:spyder: Spyderco fan and collector since 1991. :spyder:
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
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Re: "Forging" mini swords with my kids
Awesome, very cool!
- The Deacon
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Re: "Forging" mini swords with my kids
+1 :)
Paul
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Spydiewiki
Deplorable :p
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
My Personal Website ---- Beginners Guide to Spyderco Collecting ---- Spydiewiki
Deplorable :p
WTC # 1458 - 1504 - 1508 - Never Forget, Never Forgive!
Re: "Forging" mini swords with my kids
My younger daughter and I have been making wooden swords for years. She takes them in for school projects, and has 'armed' most of the kids in her class.
I'm definitely going to do this with her in the next couple days.
Thanks for posting this! :)
I'm definitely going to do this with her in the next couple days.
Thanks for posting this! :)
Re: "Forging" mini swords with my kids
Awesome! I hope she has a good time with it! :)
:spyder: Spyderco fan and collector since 1991. :spyder:
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
Father of 2, nature explorer, custom knife maker.
@ckc_knifemaker on Instagram.
- Larry_Mott
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Re: "Forging" mini swords with my kids
That's cool! And i agree, anything non-digital for kids (an us adults for that matter) today is a welcome relief to see :)
"Life is fragile - we should take better care of each other, and ourselves - every day!"
//Eva Mott 1941 - 2019. R.I.P.
//Eva Mott 1941 - 2019. R.I.P.