Completed [The Arma'Drex Smithy] Repairing and Sharpening Daggers

[Favchean Hronis]

Timestamp : 60 day of Fall, 513 8 bells The heat was oppressive, in the back of the smithy, next to the forge. The heat from the fire that is stoked high enough to heat steel to the point of flexibility coming off the oven in waves, almost visible to the naked eye. At least that is how Favchean Hronis feels as he mans his 'post' today near the forge. Instead of crafting a new dagger, instead of even designing a new hilt, the Master has Favchean doing the most boring job of all. Servicing training daggers so that they are able to be used once more in training young warriors in the arts of the dagger. Great for the warriors, not so great for the Akalak responsible for upkeep on the simple daggers. This meant that Favchean was in for a day of relentless grind, of sharpening each blade repairing hilts, testing for minute cracks in the steel that would render a blade useless. On top of that, he was also in charge of re-firing cooled blades. This technique was used to reinforce the strength of the steel, heating the blade to a yellow glow, then cooling it fast in cold water. Once fully cooled, do it again for a repeat of five times. This helps to prevent it from becoming brittle and breaking. Again, good for the dagger owner, not so great for Favchean. Sighing, the Akalak reaches for the next dagger on the pile. His large hand cupping the hilt familiarly and comfortably as he raises it to eye level. Definitely needs sharpening, these maybe training daggers but they are daggers for the proficient students. Nothing teaches skill more then a chance of a cut or puncture upon failure. Grinning at the thought, but pulling his mind back to the task at hand, he tested the hilt by applying pressure on both ends of the dagger. The hilt was fine, and it did not look as if it had any stress cracks in it so he pulled over the sharpening stone. First he lubricated the stone and the dagger with a small amount of mineral oil, causing the steel to sheen just a little. He then reached over to grab a rag on the table to wipe excess oil off his hands, so that his grip was sure. Next he picked up the dagger once more, knowing that if he angled the blade too low the blade will be sharper but will need re-sharpening much sooner, he angled it closer to about twenty degrees perpendicular to the stone itself. This would make it take just a fraction longer to put an edge back on it, but that edge would stay. Slow strokes were needed, but steady as well, so that there were no uneven bumps along the edge. Again this was so repetitive that Favchean found his mind wandering to the upcoming Beauty Fest. Being of the age where many Akalak males were expected to have began searching for possible mothers for their children -love or otherwise were unnecessary- Favchean knew that his own father would expect Favchean to be there, beads ready. However Favchean knew that unless he used the Nakivak then he would simply have to wait until he met and fell in love with a Konti. He hated the thought, but also understood the need for children, of using Nakivak but neither could he also accept a mate of anyone less then Konti. The chance of his causing her death through childbirth was not one he was willing to take. So he had settled in his mind that if he must use Nakivak it would be a Kelvic. Their life spans were not that long any way, so he would not be robbing the female of too many years should she perish. This last thought was cut off with a burning pain in his right palm, and he swore under his breath when he looked down and realized what his woolgathering had begotten. A thin red line seeped red blood, bright against the green-black of his palm. The dagger had slipped, and he was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he hadn't stopped it from slicing into his hand. Swearing again, he grabbed a fresh rag and wrapped it around his palm tightly, grumbling as he tied it tight. He wasn't going to stop his chores over a slice, bad enough that he would have to report it but if his job was not completed over an injury -that was totally avoidable- he doubted he would ever live it down with the Master blacksmith.

[Favchean Hronis]

In a foul mood now, Favchean checks the edge, wipes it clean of any left over blood and drops it not softly into the done box. His hand wrapped in a towel will make his job that much more difficult but not impossible and he vowed to keep his mind on his work from now on. Checking the position of the sun, the Akalak turns to the cooling barrel -more like a bowl as it is shallow enough for daggers- and withdraws the first dagger. On its base a small mark of blue was made, which told him this was its first cooling. He tested the daggers steel, satisfied that it was cool to the touch now he moved to the forge and inserted the blade into the pincers. First, he wiped away the blue mark and placed a green one, that would mark it on its second cooling. Carefully he placed the blade into the forge to begin its second round of heating. While it was heating he went and gathered the other blades in the cooling bowl, and placed them in order from Green marks for second, yellow for third, orange for fourth, and the red marked blades for the fifth was moved to the bin set aside for the Master blacksmith. Once the first blade was yellow hot again, Favchean moved it to from the forge into the cooling barrel once more. A thick billow of steam rose from the water, not making the heat around the forge any more bearable. Then he went to the next, removing the green mark to a yellow and heating it. While this one heats he sits back on his stool and picks up another dagger. This one was obviously ruined, the blade compromised by a thin but visible crack down the center. This was thrown into the scrap bin, and another dagger is retrieved. Again, the oil was rubbed on the whetstone, again the angle was chosen and again he begins the slow stroking to hone the blades edge. The difference,is this time the Akalak's pale blue eyes remained steadfastly on the edge, and once it was ready he was able to put in the finish bin. Once more he stands and takes the blade of the dagger from the forge, pulling it out and plopping it in the cooling barrel causing another great bellow of steam. His face was covered with perspiration, not from physical exertion but just the sheer heat of the forge, and his body ached only from repetitiveness of the endeavor. However, he continued the rest of the day with his labors. He did manage to finish repairing all the training daggers, though some of the re-fired blades were not finished, that was to be expected with the time it takes to cool the metal. At the end of the day Favchean leaves the smithy, glad that this day was done.

[Caelum]

Thread Award Name: Favchean. Skills: Weapon Smithing +2 Blacksmithing +1 Lores: Sharpening Daggers Notes: Straight to the point. I like it. Please delete your post with this thread link in the Riverfall grade request thread and, as ever, feel free to PM me with any questions, concerns, or cobbler.