Good read so far guys. Keep it up.
As for the Viking sword film, I haven't seen it yet, but totally understand how producers and filmmakers have a different set of standards and agendas than bladesmiths. I was in a production once and cringed when they called it "primitive knifemaking", especially when my only condition was that they wouldn't call it that. I recommended they call it "neo-tribal", or something less definitive. Oh well, once the release gets signed, it's out of your hands. I guess the publicity wasn't all good... or all bad. I totally get why some actors turn down big roles, just to avoid being type cast.
I think the big push right now is to make science look more dramatic, romantic and entertaining than the reality of actually doing science really is, … especially in big media productions. They are good at it! The science shows are very entertaining, but I wonder how many scientists and professionals that have been on them actually approve of the outcome... or aren't a bit embarrassed?
I’m not a big fan of working 52100 for knife blades, for all the reasons stated. I think it is good advice to stick with a couple simpler steels, one for slicing and one for chopping until you get the hang of them. 52100 has been over hyped in my opinion,... but not that it can't make a very good blade.
I think the best things about science are that, it’s a good way to reaffirm what you already believe,… and to sway public opinion.
