That's a bit sad. When I read the title my first reaction was: "He clearly loves swords. I'm happy for him that he found a way to try his hand making swords." B

That's a bit sad. When I read the title my first reaction was: "He clearly loves swords. I'm happy for him that he found a way to try his hand making swords." But turns out the title lied. Also I would say he is letting the "perfect" be his enemy. Nobody ever woke up being a master sword smith. Everyone who ever made a great swords made a bunch of crappy swords first, followed by some mediocre ones before they made a great one. > it's a specialized craft Yes it is. > that requires much detailed knowledge of metallurgy Being among the best sword makers, crafting the best swords? Maybe. Some amount of practical knowledge of metallurgy helps there. I wouldn't over estimate the required knowledge though. You are not growing monocrystaline turbine blades. You are not manufacturing subsafe valves for a deep submersible rescue vessel, or a nuclear attack submarine. You are making a sword. But in general: Just try to do a thing! I have much more respect for a backyard sword smith who made a crappy sword which looks kinda bad and can't hold and edge, than for a sword snob who has thousand excuses why they can't do a thing.