Longquan craft
Shen Guang Long's sword-making process is not a single action, but a series of continuous judgments: material, heat treatment, forging, quenching, straightening, grinding, and assembly together determine a sword's stability, feel, and appearance.
Select materials based on blade type, intended use, and desired feel, confirming the foundational state for subsequent forging.
Determine the basic material conditions of the sword body to lay a stable foundation for forging, quenching, and grinding.
Material selection affects the blade's weight, toughness, hardness, and stability during long-term use.
Some sword types achieve a balance between hardness, toughness, and structural stability through combinations of different materials for the blade.
Allow the properties of different materials to serve the structural needs of a single sword.
The composite treatment will affect the blade's toughness, rebound, and durability.
Repeated forging gradually shapes the material into the desired form, establishing the initial length, thickness, and lines of the sword body.
Allow the material to enter the sword body structure from the blank, establishing the basic form.
Forging quality affects the sword's uniformity, center of gravity distribution, and control during training.
While still at high temperatures, continue to shape the sword body, gradually clarifying its outline, thickness, and basic curves.
Utilize high temperatures to achieve more effective shaping and structural adjustment.
Hot forging affects the smoothness of the blade's lines, as well as the amount of work required for subsequent straightening and grinding.
After the temperature has dropped, continue shaping the form, checking the straightness of the blade, the edges, and the localized structure.
Correct the minor deviations after hot forging to bring the sword closer to its final form.
Whether the shape of the clubface is accurate affects the stability and visual straightness during the swing.
The heated blade then enters the cooling phase, at which point the material's state undergoes a critical change.
Through temperature and cooling control, the sword obtains the desired hardness and structural state.
Quenching affects hardness, toughness, and durability, making it a critical step in determining a blade's performance.
Check the straightness, symmetry, and overall lines of the blade, making subtle corrections where necessary.
Ensure the blade structure and visual lines meet subsequent grinding and assembly requirements.
Straightening affects the swing path, appearance, and sense of stability during use.
Through multiple rounds of polishing, the sword's surface, ridges, and luster gradually take shape, making it easier to discover any remaining imperfections.
Completes surface finishing, contouring, and the foundational aesthetic.
Grinding will affect the blade's luster, edge line definition, and overall texture.
Finally, complete the hilt, guard, tassel, scabbard, and other fittings, and check the overall balance, grip, and detail finish.
Ensure the blade and accessories form a complete product, confirming it is displayable, usable for training, and deliverable.
Assembly affects grip, center of gravity, overall appearance, and suitability for different use cases.
User Experience / EXPERIENCE
The craftsmanship page not only showcases the production process, but also helps visitors understand why swords, though seemingly similar, offer different experiences in terms of stability, feel, and appearance across training, display, and gifting scenarios.
Stability
Stability determines the basic performance of a sword during training, swinging, and long-term use, and also affects the user's trust in the sword's feedback.
Handfeel
The feel comes from the blade's structure, weight distribution, and assembly tuning. The requirements for feel vary depending on height, training stage, and purpose.
Impression
Perception isn't solely about decoration; quenching, grinding, and fittings all contribute to the blade's luster, the level of detail, and its presentation as a gift.