Elite Sapphire
Would any of you happen to know where I could find a smith anywhere in Southern Florida that can smith a Irish Longsword for me? I had to leave mine back in Ireland.
I know several people that can, myself being one. My question is, how much are you willing to pay?
I can hammer out a cheap one with straight lines and a sharp edge with good heat treatment from a leaf spring out of the junkyard for a few hundred bucks. I'm sure it will cleave most targets with ease.
More money = better materials. Not necessarily a better blade though. 5160 is a tough spring steel that would put any laminated blades I've made to shame.
If you want me to smelt the iron and go from there, it's going to be several thousand dollars. It takes me almost a week to prepare for the smelt alone. I have access to ore here, but the sulfur content is a bit high, even after roasting. I'd have to order some vanadium iron ore to get the best quality. After smelting, you still have a choice, Laminated or Wootz. Both will take the same amount of time, but the Wootz has a higher chance of failure as it is very "finiky" to work with.
The fittings will also cost a pretty penny. Exotic woods and precious metals are not cheap.
I wish I could do it for free, as I love doing this. But I need to survive and materials, although can be scrounged up at a fair price, take their toll on your wallet......
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