Thesis Presentation

        My name is Tory and I’m a 3^rd year Stage Properties Graduate Student.  I’m currently working on my thesis.  I declared my thesis topic May 5^th, 2010.  My advisor and I had been talking about what I wanted to do my thesis on, and he asked if there was anything that I felt I hadn’t learned here and that I would want to focus on for my thesis.  I told him I wanted to forge weapons.  With some tweaking here and there, we came to an agreement as to what I would be doing.  My proposed thesis entails producing three historically accurate, safe stage combat weapons; a spearhead, a knife, and a sword.  I’m also going to attempt to write a “How To” book on the process.  I will document the process, and research the processes once used.

            My first source is The Complete Bladesmith: Forging Your Way to Perfection by Jim Hrisoulas.  Jim goes into extreme detail on every aspect of bladesmithing.  I chose the basics of blacksmithing to show as part of my slides, as well as the construction of a forge, and the layers of heat in a forge. 

Looking at these diagrams is part of what helped us to realize the ways to improve our current coal forge.  We realized that the blower was much too weak, the blower pipe was too narrow, it was misdirecting the airflow, and the grate bars were much too close together.  We added a larger pipe at a 30 degree angle to aid in the airflow, attached an electric blower, removed one of the grate bars and properly spaced the remaining bars.  When speaking to the NC ABANA members at the fair, they told us over the layers of heat in a forge, so I opted to include the diagram in my lecture as well.  You can see the different layers of heat, and depending on which layer you work in affects the amount of carbon is added or removed from your stock.  Ideally you work in the neutral zone for forge work.  

There are then the diagrams of how to draw out a bar.  There’s the method of drawing out the bar using a cross peen hammer, and the method of drawing out a bar using a bottom fuller.  The diagram of widening a bar using a cross peen hammer, followed by the diagram of how to upset a bar.  Followed by the diagram of how to make a 90 degree bend, and the diagram of how to taper a bar.

            The first weapon I chose was the Scottish Dirk.  Dirk’s changed drastically though out time.  The Scottish Dirk evolved out of a cross between the Scottish dudgeon and the ballock.  The dudgeons pictured here are all circa 1600-1620.   The earliest Dirk’s appeared in the early 1600’s.   The Dirk is traditionally used in accompaniment with the targe, which is a type of circular shield.  The large brass disk at the top of the pommel, that is quite distinctive in the Dirk, served the purpose of keeping the dirk in hand even while the targe was taking blows.  The blade was originally 12”-13” long, thick and triangular in cross-section and profile, and was only sharpened on one edge.  The handle was wood, and what started out as a few plain Celtic bands carved into it, quickly evolved into the whole handle being intricate knot work patterns.  As time went on, firearms were introduced and a “kidney stabbing knife” was no longer as necessary, so the Dirk evolved.  The blade became thinner, and started to become sharpened on both edges.  This meant that you could now make a dirk blade out of a broken sword blade, which became a common practice.  The handle changed shape, becoming less cylindrical.  Present day the Dirk is still carried as a part of the traditional Scottish outfit. 

            The second weapon I chose is the Niu wei dao.  The Niu Wei Dao is known by many names, such as the Ox Tail Sword, or the Chinese Broadsword.  Like many Chinese swords the Ox Tail Sword was named after its shape, which resembles an oxtail.  It is a type of Chinese saber from the late Qing Dynasty period.  It is identifying characteristic is its heavy blade progressing into its flaring tip.  Interesting fact is that the Ox Tail sword was a civilian only weapon.  The Ox Tail sword is an incredibly light sword, with the blade usually only weighing around 2 pounds. 

            For my final weapon I chose a Viking spearhead.  The Viking spearhead varied throughout time, starting at a mere 8” and evolving to sometimes being as long as 24”.  Spears were originally made from iron and were pattern welded, they were often inlayed with different metals or had intricately carved patterns in the blades.  The sockets were usually forge welded shut, but often were left unwelded.  Some spears had “wings” welded onto the sides of the socket, and these spears were called krókspjót  which means barbed spear. The spear heads were held onto the shaft by a rivet, which was easily removable.  The stories explain that it was so that you could render it impossible to have your own weapon thrown back at you.  Sagas and myths play a huge part in finding out Viking history.  Odin’s spear was named Gungir, which means “Swaying One”.  It was told to have had runes carved into the tip, and never missed it’s mark and always killed.                      

Works Cited

Ager, By Barry. "BBC - History - Ancient History in Depth: Viking Weapons and Warfare." BBC - Homepage. 15 Oct. 2010. Web. 26 Oct. 2010. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/vikings/weapons_01.shtml>.

From this site I used the image of the assorted blades and spear heads shown in the 18^th slide.

Bush, Owen. "Viking Spear Head." British Blades :: Custom Knife Making. Web. 26 Oct. 2010. <http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?73841-Viking-spear-head>.

From this site I used the image of the leaf shaped spear head shown in the 17^th slide.

Cannan, Fergus. Scottish Arms and Armour. Shire, 2009. Print.

From this book I used the images in slides 13-15.  I have also used it as one of my primary Scottish Dirk references for research so far.

Chen, Paul. "Paul Chen Spears." Discount Cutlery - Pocket Knives - Fixed Blades - Knife Sharpeners. Web. 26 Oct. 2010. <http://www.discountcutlery.net/en-us/dept_21314.html>.

From this site I used the image of the Viking spear head with the wings from the 17^th slide.  It is 16” overall.

H, Kenneth A. "My Brand New Niu Wei Dao! - Sword Forum International." Sword Forum International - Powered by VBulletin. 27 Jan. 2007. Web. 26 Oct. 2010. <http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?p=880452>.

From this site I used two images of the Niu Wei Dao from the 16^th slide.  It is an approximately 70cm  blade.

"Historic Spear Heads." Swords and Armor. Optimus International, Inc. Web. 26 Oct. 2010. <http://www.realarmorofgod.com/store/html/Products/Historical-Weapons/Historic-Spear-Heads-545.html>.

From this site I used the image of the Viking spear head in the 17^th slide.  It is 9.25” spear head, with a 4.25”  socket.

Hrisoulas, Jim. The Complete Bladesmith: Forging Your Way to Perfection. Boulder, CO: Paladin, 1987. Print.

From this book I used the images shown in slides 3-11.  I have also used it as one of my main references so far in my thesis research.

JKoo Sword. Longquan Jkoo Sword. Web. 26 Oct. 2010. <http://www.sinosword.com/ProductShow/?p=Folded-Dao-Oxtail-Dao-Niu-Wei-Dao>.

From this site I used the image of the Dragon Niu wei Dao in the 16^th slide.  It is a 55cm blade, with a 19cm handle.

"Scottish Dirk IB." Swords and Armor. Optimus International, Inc. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://www.realarmorofgod.com/store/html/Products/Swords/Renaissance/Scottish-Dirk-IB-509.html>. 

From this site I used the image of the hardwood handled Dirk from the 12^th slide.  It is a single edged blade that is 13.5” long, with a 6.5” handle.

"Scottish Dirk PV." Swords and Armor. Optimus International, Inc. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. <http://www.realarmorofgod.com/store/html/Products/Daggers/Medieval/Scottish-Dirk-PV-657.html>.

From this site I used the image of the black handled Dirk from the 12^th slide.  It is a single edged blade that is 14” long, with a 6.25” handle.

Short, William R. "Hurstwic: Viking Spear." Hurstwic, a Viking Age Living History Society. 1999. Web. 26 Oct. 2010. <http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/manufacturing/text/viking_spear.htm>.

From this site I used various images used in the 17^th and 18^th slides.  I also used them as a source of historical reference and information.