Bush sword in the works

Stormcrow

Well-Known Member
This one is being made for a very patient member of another forum in trade for a Hay Budden anvil.

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The blade is approximately 16 inches long, with a false edge, integral guard, and double choils/finger notches. They would be great for choking up for carfully knocking small limbs off of a pole to smooth it up or other similar tasks. Triple hardened in veggie oil, multiple temper cycles. I'm working out a small warp right now. Long blades tend to warp during heat treatment, and the closer you forge to final shape, the more important it is to get it straight without grinding. I'm using a trick that is fairly new to me, flexing the blade a bit past straight with a C-clamp, a flat piece of steel, and a couple of washers for spacers, then give it another tempering cycle. It works well, but sometimes has to be done more than once.

Hopefully when I check on it in the morning, it'll be where it needs to be and I can proceed to wrapping and sealing the handle.

Got other bush swords in the works as well. :D
 
Saw this baby on BF. It has a certain elegance to it with its sweep. Much more than your run-of-the-mill machete. Kudos. Let us know more about your straightening technique and how this one works out. -Troy
 
Stormcrow,
Very nice looking bush sword. I am interested in seeing/hearing more about the straightening process also. Wade
 
Here you go, fellows. This is on a student's blade:

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You just clamp it up, pull it a bit past center, and cycle it through a tempering cycle again. If it didn't straighten it enough, clamp a little tighter and do it again. Doesn't get hot enough to affect the paint on the C-clamp. :)

I forgot to mention that this is a trick that I learned from Rick Marchand.
 
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Thanks, guys! I got the handle wrapped and shellacked, and am about to check on it and see if it needs another coat. Hopefully I can sharpen tomorrow.
 
i got to play around with this one yesterday and it just begs to be used. as soon as you pick it up you gotta start hacking away at stuff.:lol:
 
Still needs sharpening, but at least the wrap is done and sealed.

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Better pics taken outdoors once the edge is sharp.
 
The bush sword's owner came by the shop this past weekend and picked up his bush sword. This was the longest Kydex sheath I have made so far!

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The happy new owner with his blade:

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This is the third blade of mine he has gotten.

The first, a custom bushcraft knife:

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He also picked up this little sharp-nosed mouse:

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Here's a litle hacking on hackberry bushes with the bush sword:

[video=youtube;cUPGjsBYEuQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUPGjsBYEuQ[/video]
 
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