Videos | Solar Storm - 1678653 Alberta Ltd

So an Arming Sword, A rapier and a dagger walk into a bar...

Arming Sword - Full Build

26.5" blade. Fluted Ash burl with gold plated brass wire wrap. Coat of arms on the cross guard and STRENGTH etched around the pommel. This is the first of the three blade set Arming Sword “STRENGTH”

Fluted Handle with Gold Wire Inlay

Making this gorgeous fluted handle with gold plated brass wire inlay

Fullers and Bevels

Starting with the Arming sword for this set. First task is to get the steel ready for heat treatment. Starting with a blank 5160 stock, its time to add the fullers and bevels to make it a sword shaped object.

A Sword is Born

Before the heat treat, it is a pointy stick. Fire adds a soul to the blade.

Videos - Medusa's Revenge (Newest videos on top)

Scabbard Mounted Sheath!

Creating the leather sheath for the hand of Medusa and mounting it to the sword scabbard.

Making Ash Scabbard

Making the Ashwood Scabbard for Medusa's Revenge

Medusa's Revenge - Finishing up

Putting it all together. one of the most challenging builds I have done. 20.5" 440 layer CuMai Kopis. OAL 26". Fake Ivory and black micarta handle with copper accents. Medusa's head adorns the pommel carved from Elk Antler.

Medusa's Revenge Part 4 - Disaster Recovery and handle scales.

We do this not because it is easy, but because we thought it would be easy. After a disaster on the first and 2nd blades, I finally met with success on the 3rd. It is time to put together the segmented handle scales of fake ivory, black micarta, Medusa head pin and copper accents. #cumai #bladesmithing #damascus #swordmaking

Medusa's Revenge Pt 4 - Medusa's Head

from the elk head to Medusa's head

Medusa's Revenge Pt 3 - Taking Shape

Its starting to look like a Kopis!

Medusa's Revenge Day 2 - Layering Up

Building the layer count up. 2-64 layer billets

Building Medusa's Revenge Pt 1

Making the initial Damascus Billet for the CuMai

Design The Build, Build the Design Pt 2

Mondays Minute - Using knifeprint and images to create a design.

Design The Build, Build the Design Pt 1

Mondays Minute - Using knifeprint and images to create a design.

Test Etch

I always have to have a look. and it looks fantastic!

How to

2x72 Misting System

Save the heat treatment with a $12.50 CNC sprayer. Keeping a constant spray of water over the blade keeps it cool and ensures to dont get the edge too hot after you heat treated the blade

Straightening Hammer - It really works!

Need a tool, make a tool, this is the way.

Quench to Cutting Board

How I made these two Chef's Knives

Electro Etching a Touchmark

How I electro-etch my touchmark onto my work with a home built DC setting for depth and AC for Darkness.

Damascus Acid Etching

This is how I etch my damascus. I use the solution described in the "Test Etch of Medusa's Revenge" and hand sand things up to 2000 grit

Lazy Man's Fuller Sanding

Hand Sanding Fullers just plain sucks. So if you need a tool, make a tool

Videos

Need a Kiln, Make a Kiln...

I need a kiln to heat treat the Kopis CuMai sword. I had been using the pottery kiln from my wifes 3 cats pottery, but it isnt big enough and CuMai needs a precise temperature control. Thus a kiln. I wrote an article on how I planned this out on my website at https://www.solarstorm.ca I got the fire bricks in bulk from Plainsman pottery https://plainsmanclays.com/store/index.php?find=Fire+Brick&pictureflow=1&iframe=0&store=1f5v2j7n4i Mortar https://www.amazon.ca/UNITED-STATES-HDW-MFG-HA/dp/B000FSQTAC/ref=sr_1_14?crid=2NIPNDFG7TC2M&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s7nuch3W0MlWoPdb3ZoLpbi9LJt5l1iu0ZvpC5nsbwT5Hwmfd8xGC4xWvulN4myRn6m5c0TlEMMWcbEJO2V_Zt4KrDPB6otb0PlyPVAf4GHFpRNNM-01-khJLf0MHCsPva3c6rVjymuqE1AFjEm_gupOr574Ctb2NsgZf7AcnpHTbYjbOByKUcveXImPMzHfTrZsw9vqRQ3PNFyLGGIxy9HztrpQSlKja-W43LI9wLUXsfYeGr_0Jeu82AynFUJM.BZe0848_gTF-jOGYcbkwP5J6XheXU8JrFrOzdrvRr0E&dib_tag=se&keywords=refractory+mortar+2300&qid=1722350078&sprefix=refractory+mortar+2300%2Caps%2C104&sr=8-14 Ball Router Bit (the only place I could find them) https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/power-tool-accessories/router-bits/30180-plunge-ball-bits WARNING! Enter this store at your own peril! you WILL buy more tools than you need! Follow along on the Medusa's Revenge CuMai Kopis Build https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVtsSujiC1w&list=PLMScSDwkFa8ZCYnDd4S50gHm4nJ9y3gkM&pp=gAQBiAQB

Need a Kiln, Make a Kiln Pt 2

Part 2 of the Kiln Build. Insulating the fire box and wiring explanation. Part 3 finishing details coming soon

Etching the Cobra

Etching is like Christmas. As the pattern reveals, the realization of all the hard work comes to life

Creating the Cobra Sheath - Part 1

Design the build, build the design. Step 1 creating the paper plan for the cobra sheath

Cobra Sheath Pt 2 - Tooling the leather

My way of tooling leather for a sheath.

Making the Cobra Sheath Part 3 - The pocket

Making the pocket and a dumb mistake…

Creating the Cobra Sheath Part 4

The rest of the parts and punching the stitching holes

Creating the Cobra Sheath - Part 5

The last part of making the sheath. Airbrushing the leather for a two tone finish.

The birth of a sword

Until the heat treatment is done, its just a piece of steel. Born in fire a hunk of sharp steel becomes a sword.

A full takedown blade

There is a satisfaction when everything just clicks together

Orbit Paring Knife

4" Twist Damascus Paring knife. Memorializing a charm from from a pets collar in the handle