From what I understand, it is impossible to reforge a sword once it was broken.
Westerners, we have forgotten our origins. We speak all the diverse languages of the country in turn. Indeed the man who was poor at home attains opulence here; he who had no more than a few deiners, finds himself master of a fourtune.
As to how to fit it- I would have to handle it, but try and get it apart. It went together at some point, so reason stands that you can take it apart.
Check to see if the pommell screws on- or is it peened over? Screwed on is simple, peened is a bit more troublesome and could require some grinding and worste case a new pommell as well...
I have only had one fencing blade break, and it was not hard to replace... although it was an epee blade with a screw on pommell, so very simple indeed.
If you want to fix it for sentimental reasons, you could have it mig welded, and grind/polish to smooth, but I wouldn't want to ever use it for any kind of competition or practice.
I don't see why you couldn't retreat a sword, once you get it to quenching temperature, I don't think it remembers that it was done before.
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Squire to Jarl Asgeirr Gunnarson, Barony of Vatavia, Calontir
Once a fencing blade is broken it should stay that way, the preasure that is put on a foil blade is substantial and can go through a jacket or a mask if broken in a certain way!
As to refitting the blade unscrew the pommel and the handle and guard should slide off relatively easily. Depending on the pommel style you may have a little brass piece that fits into a recess into the blades tang, this will have the thread on it or alternatively it may have a whole for a threaded tang. If you get athreaded tang and find out it is the other type mark the tang, cut it and grind out a recess and fit it that way.
I really wouldn't worry too much about the blade. It's been my experience that the blade is really the "disposable" portion of the weapon. As long as you still have the bell guard, grip, and pommel you still have your grandcestor's weapon.
As for blade choice, any blade (foil type) should work with your fittings, and be close enough to the broken one only you will know the difference!
Looks like the only unanswered question is the thread type, what the english vs. metric- take the blade once removed (with the threads) to the hardware store and see what style threads it has- English or Metric.
Go to an Ace Hardware store (not a big Home Depot type place) and ask for some help on if the threads are metric (6X1mm) or English (12-24). Should be pretty easy to figure out. Then order the appropriate foil blade. If the blade fits in with the little brass pressure fitting type- no need to worry about english vs metric- you re-use the brass fitting and grind a notch in the back of the blade (copy the notch on the broken blade).
I hope this helps- if you have any other questions feel free to ask!
As for the blade type- depends- it this a functional weapon (actively used for fencing) or just a cool heirloom that you want to fix? Functional weapon I would get a blade made by a reputable maker (the Leon Paul), if decorative, get the assorted European blade (save $3).
If it's fatigued to the breaking point you don't want to try to re-use it even if you re-weld it and re-heat treat it.
You can save the blade as a wallhanger, but I would suggest you do so in pieces rather than run the risk someone 40-60 years from now will do something they will regret with a blade that "looks good" Perhaps a "shield" on the wall with the broken part "hidden". Or you can sculpt a lady holding a tray for it...
A typical use for broken blades is shish kabab skewers if you want to keep the blade "in use"
ok, I am gonna go figure out which threading system I have, I am gonna get a new two, (one for the other in the set as well) then use the blade and a half that I have now as a display. I have all the appropriate things to make 2 hilts, baskets, and pommel for display.
so take the blade to an ACE and check out which I have metric or standard?
if it is standard get the 12-24 and if it is metric get the 6x1mm.
thanks a buch guys!
~Casey
"Its the job thats never started that takes the longest to finish, thats what my old gaffer says..." Samwise Gamgee, J.R.R. Tolkein
I really wouldn't worry too much about the blade. It's been my experience that the blade is really the "disposable" portion of the weapon. As long as you still have the bell guard, grip, and pommel you still have your grandcestor's weapon.
" This is a genuine antique axe! USed during the days of Thomas Jefferson! Course, the head has been replaced three times, and the handle six, but its a genuine antique axe!"
I would also suggest that you _NOT_ use the other 60 year old blade for competition, or it may suffer the same fate. Get a replacement blade, and use the bell and grip.. but save the blade for a display piece..
