Have you tried forging different types of swords, including a claymore sword? I guess not. You can increase your adventure by learning how to forge this type of sword.
It might seem difficult, but if you duly follow the steps and procedures, you will achieve a good result. Providing you with the steps and procedures to follow when forging will make it easier.
The claymore sword is a Scottish type of sword. It is common among the residents of Scotland. The use of this sword started with the Scottish officers to serve as a weapon.
It is still in use by some Scottish officers in Great Britain and also some commonwealth countries. The use of this type of sword still reigns long after its birth.
There are different ways to forge a claymore sword. We will be giving steps on a method of forging.
Instructions on how to make a claymore sword
Step 1: Get a Block of Steel
Most claymore swords are made of steel. To forge your claymore, you will have to make use of steel blocks. The steel block should be about 15 to 20cm long, 4cm wide, and 3cm tall.
Step 2: Heat the Block of Steel
Place the steel block in a forge, preferably a propane forge. You should heat the steel block to a very high temperature. Heating the steel to a high temperature will make the steel malleable, hence easy to forge.
Pro Tip
If you have a thermometer, you should heat the temperature to about 1500℃. But if you do not have a thermometer, you should heat the steel till it becomes red hot.
Step 3: Hammering
You have to beat the steel block to a flat shape. It will require a gradual but constant hammering. You will also have to put the steel into the forge for heating frequently. When beating the steel, you should note the following;
- You should beat the block to a flat but triangular shape. One end of the steel should be pointed while the other should be broad.
- Ensure to beat the steel block to the flatness of a sword’s blade.
- You should beat the blade evenly so there won’t be a problem after forging.
- You should beat the blade until it becomes longer and flat.
Step 4: Shape out Your Steel
There are two ways you can go about this. You can either grind out the rough shape or cut out the shape before grinding. Grinding before cutting might take a lot of time, so you should cut out the shape first before grinding.
Quick steps to cut out shape
- Mark out your shape on the steel. It will enable you to cut the shape out properly.
- You should place the steel on the anvil for cutting.
- Cut out the shape. You can make use of a hacksaw, jigsaw, wheel cutter, or chisel.
After cutting the shape you want, you can now grind. You should also note that the hilt is attached to the blade of the claymore sword so you should cut out the shape of your hilt while cutting that of the blade.
Step 5: Annealing
After having the shape of your claymore sword, you should anneal it to make it tougher and stronger. To anneal, you have to;
- Place the sword in a forge.
- Heat the sword to a very high temperature.
- Retrieve the sword from the forge after heating for a while.
- Allow the sword to cool steadily. You can either place the sword in wood ash or in the open air to allow it to cool gradually.
In place of annealing, you can reheat and quench the blade. They both perform the same purpose.
Step 6: Grind and Sharpen Your Claymore Sword
To have a perfect claymore sword, you should grind the incomplete sword. The belt grinder will be of great help here. You should grind the surface to make it smooth.
You should also sharpen the edges of your sword, and you can do this with an angle grinder. The edges of the sword should be sharp and the surface smooth.
Step 7: Finishing and Polishing
You can add your finishing touch to the sword. It will help beautify and make your sword unique. You can also polish your sword to make it more presentable. You should also attach the handle to the sword.
FAQs on how to make a claymore sword
Question
Is there any other way to harden a claymore sword aside from annealing?
Yes, there is another way to harden and temper your claymore sword. You can harden your sword by reheating and quenching. The purpose of both acts (annealing and reheating) is to expel the gases embedded in the steel and make the steel stronger.
Question
Can I forge my claymore from scrap metals?
Yes, you can forge your claymore sword from scrap metals only that it will require you to commit a lot of time to forging. The claymore sword is a strong sword so you should forge it with a durable material. You should make use of steel to forge your sword.
Question
What differentiates a claymore from any other sword?
The claymore sword has unique features. What mainly differentiates the claymore sword from many other swords is its shape. The shape of a claymore sword is uniform with a straight guard and langet running down the blade’s center.
Video on how to make a claymore sword
Warnings
To ensure safety when forging, you have to follow simple precautions. These precautions should help you stay safe when forging your claymore sword. These precautions include;
- Always maintain a clean and tidy working environment.
- Always check all tools before use.
- Remember to put on safety wear.
- Make use of the right tool for each task.
- Ensure you do not make use of damaged tools.
