Various things

So if you were wondering why we hadn't updated lately, this is more or less why. First, we've got the Japanese blades that are heat treated and have the clay scrubbed off, but not polished. second, we have the japanese blades at various stages of being polished, but still need to be finished or have the fittings attached. There are more, but I didn't have the memory in the camera to take pictures of all of them. These are all custom orders, we're not just making them to make them. I've also included a close up of one of the newer blades that we're still polishing. Its only at 600 grit oilstone right now (so polishing is about a third done) and the new quenching process combined with the new clay we're using, the hamon really pops out, even before the polish is complete. We're really happy about that. This isn't one of those 1050 katanas, either. this is a 1086 M blade, so the hamon being that pronounced is just gorgeous, getting something that high carbon to show that much contrast is incredibly difficult.
There's also a picture of the "Roman WIP bench" which is basically a stack of Fullum, Pompeii and Mainz style swords in various stages of finishing. most of the blades are done being polished, and most of the rough work is done on the fittings, scabbards still need to be fitted, leatherwork needs to be done etc. We're also working on a few pugios on a new pattern (our old one is historically correct, but we found a new style that is also historically evidenced that we like a little better) that aren't pictured, as well as a number of spear heads.
There is a picture of the damascus ozark fighting bowie as well, it has now been annealed, next is heat treat, we're planning to fit it with a stabilized maple burl handle and hand forged guard and fittings. The blade is random pattern damascus, 1095, 52N100, and O1, if memory serves. Its going to be gorgeous.
In addition to all the blades pictured, we're in the middle of restoring an 18th century cavalry saber, finishing european swords, two sgian dubhs, three seaxes, a number of unpictured katanas, wakazashis and tantos, and starting work on a oakeshotte type 4 migration period ring hilt sword, with a hilt patterned off of the ones at the Vendel, Nydam, and Sutton Hoo finds.
long story short: we've been real busy. Oh, did I mention we're having a knife making class and had to fabricate 3 gas forges for it? cause yeah, we're working on that too.
Hope you enjoy the pictures and stuff,
-liam

A brief introduction to Morrow's Blades

Mark Morrow is a smith with over 35 years of experience forging steel. Mark has extensive experience in bladesmithing, blacksmithing, tool making, armor, casting, even leather and wood work. He began crafting knives at the age of 13 out of junk steel, broken saw blades, leaf springs, anything he could get his hands on. Eventually he built a forge, started making his own tools, building bigger and better forges and adding to his shop.
Mark branched out into decorative ironwork, which he still does, but concentrates on historic and custom blades and weapons. Mark creates all sorts of blades and weapons, from European to Frontier, Roman to Japanese, and everything in between. He has even created blades from fantasy cult classics like the He-man sword from Masters of the Universe, fully functional and combat ready .
Mark has martial arts experience appropriate to the weapons he crafts, operating under the philosophy that to make a sword you need to know how it is used. Mark makes every blade combat ready, capable of withstanding any use the historic blade would undergo, unlike many modern replicas, which simply do not hold up.

If you're wondering why this blog is written in the third person, it is because Mark can't be pulled away from his work long enough to type this out. The art of bladesmithing is Mark's business, hobby, passion and life. Luckily, I've gotten him to agree to take pictures of his work, in progress and finished, and share it here for the benefit of those whom, like myself, can't forge a flawless katana. Yet.

If you'd like to check out some of his work, visit his website, it may be under maintenance at the moment, I'll try to get some pictures on here as soon as possible.

www.swordsmith.net

Enjoy,
-Liam