Mini Sword

This miniature Braveheart inspired whiskey/martini sword took me about 30 minutes to make.

Tools you need:

1 framing nail
Small brass nail or thick brass or copper wire
Hammer
Anvil
Blowtorch
file
drill with a small drill bit (1/16)
Sandpaper

Here is the beautiful video of the making process.

Making a Handle

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First we need to make a hole in the nail for the future handle guard. I fixed the nail on the anvil with the clamping wrench and marked the hole with a center punch. When i drilled the hole with an 1/16 drill bit.

Next step is shaping the handle. It's easy to do with an improvised lathe (drill) and a file. After I finished shaping with a file, I polished it with a 250 and 800grid sand paper. It's easier to polish the handle at this stage, while the blade is not flat yet.

Shaping the Blade

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Now you can try yourself as a real blacksmith, but on a smaller scale. =)

Heat up the nail with a blowtorch and bang it with a hammer on an anvil. Nail is pretty soft than its red hot. If you don't have a blowtorch you can still flatten the nail. All you need is a bigger hammer and more patience.

After initial shaping of the blade on an anvil, I flatten it out with a file.

Sharpening

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I used a file to setup sharp corners of the blade. Then polish it with the sandpaper 250grid and 800grid.

Making a Handle Guard

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To make a handle guard we need a small brass nail. Put it through the hole we drilled before and secure it with a few bangs of hammer. Cut the ends with pliers. Brass is very soft metal, you don't need to make it hot to shape. few hits oh a hammer and the handle guards will be flat. Then you can band them and finish them with files and sandpaper.

The more you sand with a high grid sandpaper the more shiny your sword will be.

Now You Can Enjoy Your Manly Drink.

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