Redwall Abbey

I love how Boar the Fighter made Martin's sword, it's so awesome, it being made out of a falling star. What are your thoughts?

Ah, yes, Martin's sword. I'm surprised we haven't done our crazy fan thing on this one yet. ;D

I think it's total awesomesauce. Made from a fallen star? Yes. Just, yes. :D It has a reputation of being magic, perhaps there is something to that - Boar spoke the names of warriors as he was hammering it, didn't he? Or maybe that was just for effect. ANYWAY.

I'd like to know how the handle survived so long. The blade makes sense - hey, it's a meteorite - but surely the handle would have... I dunno, grown mold or whatever it is old sword handles do?

I wanted Russa's stick to appear in later books (and it probably would have if the chronology were preserved and there wasn't an unnecessarily huge time gap between Taggerung and Triss)

Quote from: Osu on July 17, 2011, 04:40:40 PM
...but surely the handle would have... I dunno, grown mold or whatever it is old sword handles do?

It depends on what the sword handle is made of. If it was a metal handle wrapped in leather, the leather could be replaced as it wears out over time.

Quote from: daskar666 on July 17, 2011, 05:11:00 PM
I wanted Russa's stick to appear in later books (and it probably would have if the chronology were preserved and there wasn't an unnecessarily huge time gap between Taggerung and Triss)

Ummm... I did too, but this topic is about Martin's sword.

Quote from: Osu on July 17, 2011, 04:40:40 PM
I'd like to know how the handle survived so long. The blade makes sense - hey, it's a meteorite - but surely the handle would have... I dunno, grown mold or whatever it is old sword handles do?

Yes, now that you mention it, the sword handle should have deteriorated some. Wasn't it leather after all? And it stayed out on the weather vane for seasons. I guess its just adds to the mystery of Martin's sword. ;)



Oh... Matthias and I must have posted at almost the same time 'cus his post wasn't there when I started writing mine.  ;D

Quote from: Matthias720 on July 17, 2011, 06:31:31 PM
It depends on what the sword handle is made of. If it was a metal handle wrapped in leather, the leather could be replaced as it wears out over time.

Yes, that's a good point too. It just never mentions that they have to replace the leather...

Pretty awesome sword. But I think sometimes it's overrated and kind of like "okay we get it it's a sword!!!"

Just as a guide, these are the known wielders of Martin's sword. List taken from the Redwall wiki:

Martin the Elder Warrior
Luke the Warrior
Martin the Warrior
Badrang the Tyrant
Gonff the Mousethief
Dandin
Mariel Gullwhacker
Snidjer
Catseyes
Dingeye
Dethbrush
Samkim
King Bloodfeather
King Bull Sparra
Asmodeus
Matthias
Jess
Malkariss
Mattimeo
Martin II
Abbot Arven
Dannflower Reguba
Log-a-Log Dippler
Deyna
Skipper (Triss)
Trisscar Swordmaid
Bragoon
Hortwill Longblade Braebuck
Abbess Fenna
Sister Armel
Shard
Rakkety Tam MacBurl
The Grumpy Watervole
Magger
Vizka Longtooth
Orkwil Prink
Laird Bosie McScutta of Bowlaynee
Clarinna
Uggo Wiltud
Posybud
Jum Gurdy

I don't remember Jum Gurdy having Martin's sword?

Well, it says he did in the Redwall wiki, where I got that list.

I'm pretty sure I know what the answer will be, but I've always wanted to know, when Martin's sword was named "Ratdeath" in Redwall, why wasn't the name carried on in the books that followed Redwall in chronological order?

I guess it's because when BJ wrote Redwall he didn't realise he would be writing a whole series of the books, and a whoppingly large series at that!

When did Gonff wield the sword

Quote from: Log-a-Log on July 19, 2011, 10:31:51 PM
When did Gonff wield the sword

Maybe Martin dropped it during a fight and he saved him with it, or maybe one time he just examined it? Too much to remember something as vague as that. (Up until someone figures it out and tells us, of course.)

The only time I can recall for when Gonff had Martin's sword is during the Legend of Luke, when they rescue Chugger from the painted ones. I think.

Quote from: Osu on July 22, 2011, 04:37:52 PM
The only time I can recall for when Gonff had Martin's sword is during the Legend of Luke, when they rescue Chugger from the painted ones. I think.

Yes, I remember something like that. I'm pretty sure it's Legend of Luke.

I love Martin's sword! I like the red pommel it has! The blade is TOTALLY AWESOME! How in the world can somebody say that a sword made from a STAR isn't awesome!!? (Not that anybody has.) Plus, the blade looks awesome to. (They really made it look good in The Legend of Luke.) And thirdly Badrang, Clunny and Tsarmina fell upon it's balde. (Tsarmina only partly.)

I like Martin's sword, but I don't at the same time.  In one sense, its a great weapon for the warrior mouse, and a great gift from Boar.  What strikes me as troubling is the fact anyone who wields it is practically invincible with it.  Is it magic? I sure didn't think so, but how else do you describe the item that cannot break and makes its wielder like God?

Quote from: Lutra on July 23, 2011, 02:10:17 AM
I like Martin's sword, but I don't at the same time.  In one sense, its a great weapon for the warrior mouse, and a great gift from Boar.  What strikes me as troubling is the fact anyone who wields it is practically invincible with it.  Is it magic? I sure didn't think so, but how else do you describe the item that cannot break and makes its wielder like God?

Well, it didn't seem to help Dethbrush much, or King Bull Sparra, or Malkariss. ;)

Because of that, I don't think that it's "magic" exactly, at least magic in any way besides the fact that it's as invulnerable as Superman.

The most likely reason why all the good characters who use it seem to do so well is that Martin has a certain tendency to come back from the grave and tell any (good) character that's using it how to fight, which, considering all his real-life experience, plus any more he might've picked up at Dark Forest ;), is incredibly powerful.

This isn't limited to the sword itself; Rakkety Tam, like I mentioned one time, won the fight against Gulo because of a perfectly ordinary shield.

I just finished rereading Mattimeo today, and I have to say that I like the first three books the best when it comes to combat... the description of the fight against the Wearet, for instance, showcases Matthias' skills and shows that he has a clue what he's doing, but it doesn't skimp on the villain either... the build-up for the fight is incredible, and the creature actually puts up a great battle against Matthias, nearly killing him. You don't tend to see that with many of the later villains... partly it's the fact that not all of them are "the best ever" (although nevertheless, many of them should still be much harder than they are), but partly it's the fact that the heroes are overpowered, and it seems likely that we have Martin's spirit to blame for that.

I agree that sometimes the heroes are over-powerful. Especially when they have Martin's sword.

Sometimes only because they have Martin's sword.

Quote from: Osu on July 17, 2011, 04:40:40 PM
Ah, yes, Martin's sword. I'm surprised we haven't done our crazy fan thing on this one yet. ;D

I think it's total awesomesauce. Made from a fallen star? Yes. Just, yes. :D It has a reputation of being magic, perhaps there is something to that - Boar spoke the names of warriors as he was hammering it, didn't he? Or maybe that was just for effect. ANYWAY.

I'd like to know how the handle survived so long. The blade makes sense - hey, it's a meteorite - but surely the handle would have... I dunno, grown mold or whatever it is old sword handles do?

One thing you've gotta remember about hilts (that's what a sword handle is really called). The hilt is actually a part of the metal of the sword, called the ''tang'', therefore it would be as invulnerable as the blade itself...

True. And if the shiny black leather ever got worn and flimsy, then Martin could just get rid of the old leather and rewrap it with some new leather. Simple! Martin's sword is totally fantasmystic!

Quote from: James Gryphon on July 23, 2011, 06:15:37 AM

Quote from: Lutra on July 23, 2011, 02:10:17 AM
I like Martin's sword, but I don't at the same time.  In one sense, its a great weapon for the warrior mouse, and a great gift from Boar.  What strikes me as troubling is the fact anyone who wields it is practically invincible with it.  Is it magic? I sure didn't think so, but how else do you describe the item that cannot break and makes its wielder like God?

Well, it didn't seem to help Dethbrush much, or King Bull Sparra, or Malkariss. ;)

Because of that, I don't think that it's "magic" exactly, at least magic in any way besides the fact that it's as invulnerable as Superman.

The most likely reason why all the good characters who use it seem to do so well is that Martin has a certain tendency to come back from the grave and tell any (good) character that's using it how to fight, which, considering all his real-life experience, plus any more he might've picked up at Dark Forest ;), is incredibly powerful.

This isn't limited to the sword itself; Rakkety Tam, like I mentioned one time, won the fight against Gulo because of a perfectly ordinary shield.

I just finished rereading Mattimeo today, and I have to say that I like the first three books the best when it comes to combat... the description of the fight against the Wearet, for instance, showcases Matthias' skills and shows that he has a clue what he's doing, but it doesn't skimp on the villain either... the build-up for the fight is incredible, and the creature actually puts up a great battle against Matthias, nearly killing him. You don't tend to see that with many of the later villains... partly it's the fact that not all of them are "the best ever" (although nevertheless, many of them should still be much harder than they are), but partly it's the fact that the heroes are overpowered, and it seems likely that we have Martin's spirit to blame for that.

I don't think the sword is magic at all. Its just a well-made weapon and can be used by anybody. Also, the only one that I can think off the top of my head that was pretty much a hero just because of the sword was Dandin. He woke up next to it, left the Abbey with Mariel, and became a warrior in no time

the sword is awsome

Hey, guys! Martin the Warrior's sword is a broadsword! I found a picture of a real sword that looks exactly like it!!! Martin the Warrior truley exists, as does his blade!!!!

(http://www.trueswords.com/images/prod/c/templar_broadsword_540.jpg)

Awesome picture! Where did you find it?

I Googled it. ;D I looked up European Medieval Broadswords, and got that! Isn't it awesome?!?!

It looks exactly the same. I wonder if Brian Jacques based it off of that

I picture it looking like that too! I picture boar's sword looking cooler though.

Boar's is massive and incredibly heavy, and it has writing going down it like this:

B
O
A
R

T
H
E

F
I
G
H
T
E
R

And random swirly patterns in the corners, but it one corner, instead of a swirly pattern it has a carving of an adder.

Quote from: Coobreedan on September 05, 2011, 08:37:35 PM
...but it one corner, instead of a swirly pattern it has a carving of an adder.

You had to add that little detail, didn't you? ::) ::)

I personally liked the part in Legend of Luke, where Martin used the red pommel stone of his awesome sword to cure the Dunehog chief of his toothache! A funny, yet practical way to use his sword!

Quote from: Nightfire on September 09, 2011, 11:32:36 PM
I personally liked the part in Legend of Luke, where Martin used the red pommel stone of his awesome sword to cure the Dunehog chief of his toothache! A funny, yet practical way to use his sword!

Yeah I liked that too. Thing I dont get is, where did they get the leather for the sword? Isnt leather from cows?

Leather is actually the hide from any type of though-kind animal. Cows, horses, goats, bears, lions...ect.

Not adders right?

Well, snakeskin is used for items....not sure about sword handles, so you're safe. :)

Although a certain Mercenary Squirrelqueen has been wanting a new vest lately...

*wicked giggle*

AAAAAAAH! *Runs away from 'Martin's Sword' Topic*

 :D :D :D :D Okay, back to the subject...I wonder if the falling star was a Meteorite, or a Comet?

It was a meteorite, as mentioned in the books.

While we're wonderin', wot if the meteor had taken a different courze an' hit Kotir inztead?

That's sorta happened before. Balisstas remember?

You just had to spell 'ballista' as 'Balissta' didn't you?  :D Anything to fit a snake into the topics.  ;)

Oh, ssssstop it Nightfire.

It would make Matthias' quest a whole lot better in Redwall if the sword was never made, but would he kill Cluny? And would Frair Hugo survive? Plus he'd of never met Gingivere and restored his friendship with Captian Snow. The Gousim would also of lived in terror from me forever.
So it's good that never happened.

What if there was just a bit more metal, and instead of making an invulnerable sword, Boar made an invulnerable shield?

Martin's sword would still be remade, of course, and it would still be extraordinary, but it wouldn't be unbreakable or infinitely sharp, so periodically, I suppose a Badger Lord or Lady would have to remake it, if it got damaged.

I think Asmodeus is awesome, but creepy. He's cool, but I'm also kinda glad that he was beheaded with you-know-what.  :D

I shouted "YEEEEEES!" when he was killed.

 :D I shouted the same thing...but not when Asmodeus was killed. I shouted "YEEEEEES!" when Baliss was killed!

YEEEEEEES!

I also love how there's an inscription running down Martin's sword. Kind of like Sting from LotR.  ;D

        I

         A
         M

         T
         H
         A
         T

         I
         S

I don't like the inscription. Kind of makes it seem like the sword is ONLY Matthias's.

They only did that in Mattimeo and Redwall, though. I don't remember it ever having an inscription on the Martin the Warrior cartoon.

I wouldn't have been the same blade, so it did not.

The inscription was placed by Boar, so Matthias is probably in the Salamandastron timeline where Lord Brocktree is.

I don't actually remember any of the books mentioning the sword having that written in it. I might be wrong though, but I thought Nelvana made that up.

Martin's armour played a large role in Redwall and Mattimeo, but I don't recall Martin ever wearing any armour! Amy thoughts behind this? I'm pretty sure I already know the answer...

I made a post about it on another, similar topic here (http://redwallabbey.com/forum/index.php?topic=34.msg27262#msg27262), that covers Martin's armor.

Ah, yes, of course, the fight between Martin and Tsarmina! Forgot that bit! Thanks, James!

In the later books they always find the sword or the sword is passed on. But what ever happened to the armor after Mattimeo?

Well, my best guess was recorded in a similar question about Martin's shield (http://redwallabbey.com/forum/index.php?topic=34.msg27198#msg27198). I assume Martin II kept it, but didn't take it with him in Pearls of Lutra because it was too bulky for a long voyage.

Since Martin II was the last mouse warrior of Redwall, my guess is that the armor stayed in the gatehouse, and was eventually moved somewhere else, maybe back down to Martin's tomb, to keep it safe and out of the way.

I still think the fallen star metal thingie is a pretty cool idea. ;D

i would love to weild it

Okay I found something about the blade's writing.

From:Redwall

QuoteDown the center of the blade ran a blood channel, either side of which there were symbols which Matthias could not make out.

Quote from: Plugg Firetail on November 09, 2011, 08:45:59 PM
Okay I found something about the blade's writing.

From:Redwall

QuoteDown the center of the blade ran a blood channel, either side of which there were symbols which Matthias could not make out.

AHA! ;D
But I still don't like the inscription.

well...  I kinda like it, cause it personifies the sword. Sometimes things that get passed down, and have the original users mark on them make you feel more attached to it ;D

what i would like to know about the sword is, what are the measuements of the sword?

A toothpick. ;D

i always thought of the sword at being a broad sword. with a blade that is 40 inches long, a handguard that is around 6 inches long, an handle that is around 6 to 7 inches long. but that's just me. right now i am trying to make the sword in AutoDesk.

Quote from: Tiria Wildlough on December 18, 2011, 05:53:51 AM
A toothpick. ;D

Actually it would be the size of a normal broadsword. Take note that Brian Jacques makes the various woodlanders to be the size of people, he just enlarges some animals, and shrinks others.

With Redwall though, it appears the opposite. A slight bit with Mossflower, but after that the form you described appears to be the manner things work.

Quote from: DanielofRedwall on July 18, 2011, 06:44:26 AM
Just as a guide, these are the known wielders of Martin's sword. List taken from the Redwall wiki:

Asmodeus

I have always wondered how a snake wields a sword :-\

i don't think that the snake acturally weilded it, i think that he carried it in his mouth to his den when he took it from the birds

That would be some humerous sword battle, then :D

I've always wondered if the Sword was a simple broadsword or if it was actually a greatsword with a fuller (what some people [erroneously] call a blood channel.)

Trying to post picturesque examples, but forgetting the method.

(IN OTHER WORDS, HELP!)

Sword of The Warrior later Sword Of Martin The Warrior
passed through many hands: Luke The Warrior >> Martin The Warrior(Luke the Warrior,Badrang)>>Matthias>>Mattimeo(Matthias,Mattimeo,Jess)Martin II

MTW's sword is equal to excalibur

How so?  What do you mean exactly when you say equal to Excalibur?

if it was magic, then it must have been made of a SUPER,SUPER! fine quality of metal in order to avoid easy rust.

Well, it wasn't magic, but presumably it was taken good care of after the events of Redwall. 
Also, there are some metals that aren't as susceptible to rust, and if you combine that withe the thought that they measure time in seasons, not years, I would think that once could reasonably argue that it's not as  unrealistic as it would seem.  Not to mention the fact that it came from a meteorite, so one could make the argument that it's a metal we haven't discovered.

I've seen swords that are just as shiny as the day they were made from the Muromachi period, so they were probably about 400-500 years old. They've been taken good care of, so they're still in great condition. Granted they're now kept in controlled environments, but I agree with Bragoon, the metal of Martin's sword was from a meteorite so it probably has special properties that would protect it from rust.

I think the whole "wielding thing"  is just phycologic.  Martin endows his spirit on the Redwall Champion.

Quote from: Lily on January 26, 2012, 12:40:30 AM
I've seen swords that are just as shiny as the day they were made from the Muromachi period, so they were probably about 400-500 years old. They've been taken good care of, so they're still in great condition. Granted they're now kept in controlled environments, but I agree with Bragoon, the metal of Martin's sword was from a meteorite so it probably has special properties that would protect it from rust.

Of course! Being meteoritic iron, it probably contains natural alloys such as iridium and tungsten, which are hardening agents in steel, as well as chromium, which would defend from rust.

Plus, Brian specifically mentioned that Boar "folded the steel" many times during the forging of the Sword. That specific method was used in only two cultures around the world, the Vikings and the Japanese. There is a reason that Viking and samurai blades are in practically the SAME condition almost a millennium after they were first taken out of their annealing fires.

Quote from: Nightfire on September 12, 2011, 08:53:21 PM
:D :D :D :D Okay, back to the subject...I wonder if the falling star was a Meteorite, or a Comet?

Weelll, seein' as how a comet is basically an interspace snowball, it would be kinda hard to forge a metal sword out of it.

It had to be a meteorite.  A meteorite is a bit of rock/metal/etc. that actually made it through Earth's atmosphere to the ground, whereas a comet is something that travels through outer space.

Well, what ever it is, its gotta be chip-proof

didn't boar say it was a falling star?

Yes, he did, but I don't think that can be taken literally. 

this does go with the sword, was Martin the warrior left handed or right handed? in some photos it shows him as left handed.

maybe he can use both, it dosn't really matter

I would say right-handed, since that's how he's portrayed on both the British and American covers.

I've always sort of assumed that the creatures in Redwall were all right-pawed unless stated otherwise (like Perigourd did when he was shouting out his challenging remarks to the tree thingummies that had bothered his party on their way to Redwall) but I guess there's no proof one way or the other.  It's not terribly important to the story, so I guess Mr. Jacques just left it to our imaginations. :)

Does it really matter what hand he used? His sword is Symmetrical, therefore it is used the same way in both directions. Besides, swords can be used in either paw no matter who it was made for.

I agree, for good or evil.

It's not made from a star, its made from a meteorite. They just look like stars. Hence tje name shooting or falling stars. But how were the inhabitants of Salamandastron supposed to know that?

because i think they said they saw a star fall!  :P

Well in every book, they say it was made out of a falling star. Whilst (pardon the expression) other books say meteorite.

Mahoney is right, it had to have been a meteorite. What we call "falling stars" or "shooting stars" are not stars at all, they're actually meteors entering the Earth's atmosphere. The ones that survive to hit the ground are called meteorites. With our knowledge of modern science we know the difference, but as Mahoney said, how were the inhabitants of Salamandastron supposed to know that? They look like stars, so they're called stars.

Shouldn't we use Redwall science then? This is a fiction series! Is there such things as science when you read Fantasy? No there is not. It's called Fantasy for a reason, if I were to think with science in mind, then (pardon the geometry If-then statement) I'd be freaking out about TALKING ANIMALS! We take this in stride without considering science. This is a whole new world.

sci-fi and fantasy aren't two combating genres.

I was just saying that, semantically speaking, the others who have called it a meteorite are technically correct. I wasn't trying to bring science into Redwall. In fact, if you read my post you would have seen that I ended it by saying that the inhabitants of Salamandastron have no way of knowing what we know so that's why they called it a star.

Oh, I get it now.

Hmf. About how long does it take to make a sword though?

thats a good point and according to the book only one night

But it was a Badger Lord.

Quote from: MatthiasMan on June 23, 2012, 04:26:54 PM
Hmf. About how long does it take to make a sword though?

Hohohoho! Now that's a good question, me lad! Okay, I am literally an apprentice blacksmith, plus I've read every book on sword-making I could get my hands on, so I know what I'm talking about here...

Now, in the books, Brian says that the sword was forged from the metal of a fallen star, aka meteoritic iron.
First thing, meteoritic iron, ESPECIALLY if you found enough to forge a broadsword (what I'd give to have a meteorite fall in my yard right now.. ::)) would be very hard to forge. Meteoric metal is usually a natural alloy of metals like striated iron (which is iron wherein the alignment of atoms have allowed the metal to form crystal patterns), manganese, tungsten, alumuminum , and chromium, or any combination thereof. Metals like manganese and tungsten increase the melting point of iron, making in more resistant to heat, and better at absorbing carbon, making it really hard and easy to hold an edge. An aluminum alloy decreases density, making the steel lighter, and more flexible, and less likely to fracture. Finally, for the crowning touch, you have chromium, which when added to iron makes it resistant to corrosion (explaining why the ancient blade still looks so good after such a long time)

Now onto forging. Let us assume, for the sake of argument, that on that night so many seasons ago the "perfect" meteorite fell. This meteorite, in order to become Martin's magnificent blade, will need about equal portions of each element listed to be forged properly. Boar, having found this magnificent piece of metal, now has to melt of the slag off. Slag is the waste product that comes off the first forging. Now that that's done, Boar has to decide how to forge. This process takes about a day and a half.

Then, there's the process of turning this lump of iron into a sword. First the smith has to divide his steel into edge, haft, and tang pieces.

  Brian said that Boar "folded the steel". This indicates that Boar was using a forge style called "pattern- welding". Pattern-welding is ExTREMELY difficult, requiring precise, rapid strokes of the hammer in order to weld the separate pieces together. Pattern welding can  and should only be done by a master smith. A a pattern blade is a near-perfect blade. It is resistant to fracture, holds an edge permanently, and if chromium is involved, will not rust. it can even cut through lesser blades!

This process, even with modern tools, can take weeks or months. With a sea-coal forge like that described in the books, it could easily take up to three months, or in other words: a season!

Quote from: DanielofRedwall on July 18, 2011, 06:44:26 AM
Just as a guide, these are the known wielders of Martin's sword. List taken from the Redwall wiki:

Martin the Elder Warrior
Luke the Warrior
Martin the Warrior
Badrang the Tyrant
Gonff the Mousethief
Dandin
Mariel Gullwhacker
Snidjer
Catseyes
Dingeye
Dethbrush
Samkim
King Bloodfeather
King Bull Sparra
Asmodeus
Matthias
Jess
Malkariss
Mattimeo
Martin II
Abbot Arven
Dannflower Reguba
Log-a-Log Dippler
Deyna
Skipper (Triss)
Trisscar Swordmaid
Bragoon
Hortwill Longblade Braebuck
Abbess Fenna
Sister Armel
Shard
Rakkety Tam MacBurl
The Grumpy Watervole
Magger
Vizka Longtooth
Orkwil Prink
Laird Bosie McScutta of Bowlaynee
Clarinna
Uggo Wiltud
Posybud
Jum Gurdy

wait malkariss wields it?? isn't he the bad guy in mattimeo?? i fail to recall him using it

When Matthias falls, Malkariss gets his paws on the sword and is about to kill Matthias when the slaves pelt him with rocks. Heeheehee, I love that part.

Ohhh ya I remember now. Thanks

One question I had about the sword:
In the tv series it had the words "I am that is" written on the blade. I can't recall that in the book. Is that just something the tv series added on?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure they just added that. I don't have the book with me right now so I can't check  :P

Yes, I don't like it.

Nope, it was in the book.  It had those words inscribed on the blade, just like in the T.V. series.  Mr. Jacques left it out of the other books though, because after it became a series, it no longer made sense. 

It was in the book? I seem to recall it being described as a "plain warriors sword" do you recall where in the book it says the words are written on the sword?

Bragoon, your information is false!

Soon as I find my old redwall book im looking this up :p

Quote from: White One6193 on July 04, 2012, 05:01:31 AM

Quote from: MatthiasMan on June 23, 2012, 04:26:54 PM
Hmf. About how long does it take to make a sword though?

Hohohoho! Now that's a good question, me lad! Okay, I am literally an apprentice blacksmith, plus I've read every book on sword-making I could get my hands on, so I know what I'm talking about here...

Now, in the books, Brian says that the sword was forged from the metal of a fallen star, aka meteoritic iron.
First thing, meteoritic iron, ESPECIALLY if you found enough to forge a broadsword (what I'd give to have a meteorite fall in my yard right now.. ::)) would be very hard to forge. Meteoric metal is usually a natural alloy of metals like striated iron (which is iron wherein the There'll of atoms have allowed the metal to form crystal patterns), manganese, tungsten, alumuminum , and chromium, or any combination thereof. Metals like manganese and tungsten increase the melting point of iron, making in more resistant to heat, and better at absorbing carbon, making it really hard and easy to hold an edge. An aluminum alloy decreases density, making the steel lighter, and more flexible, and less likely to fracture. Finally, for the crowning touch, you have chromium, which when added to iron makes it resistant to corrosion (explaining why the ancient blade still looks so good after such a long time)

Now onto forging. Let us assume, for the sake of argument, that on that night so many seasons ago the "perfect" meteorite fell. This meteorite, in order to become Martin's magnificent blade, will need about equal portions of each element listed to be forged properly. Boar, having found this magnificent piece of metal, now has to melt of the slag off. Slag is the waste product that comes off the first forging. Now that that's done, Boar has to decide how to forge. This process takes about a day and a half.

Then, there's the process of turning this lump of iron into a sword. First the smith has to divide his steel into edge, haft, and tang pieces.

  Brian said that Boar "folded the steel". This indicates that Boar was using a forge style called "pattern- welding". Pattern-welding is ExTREMELY difficult, requiring precise, rapid strokes of the hammer in order to weld the separate pieces together. Pattern welding can  and should only be done by a master smith. A a pattern blade is a near-perfect blade. It is resistant to fracture, holds an edge permanently, and if chromium is involved, will not rust. it can even cut through lesser blades!

This process, even with modern tools, can take weeks or months. With a sea-coal forge like that described in the books, it could easily take up to three months, or in other words: a season!

Just wanted to comment that your post was very informative and interesting.  I often hang out by the blacksmiths at civil war reenactments (I'm part of the engineer corps for the events though).  They never work with swords though obviously so your information was really interesting.  Thanks for taking the time to write that out.

Quote from: W0NWILL on July 05, 2012, 04:02:26 AM
Bragoon, your information is false!

Mind giving Proof for that statement?

So was mr. J trying to make the sword kinda magic or not, I can never tell. Sometimes his characters say its just a normal sword than the sword itself later will make the main character a great warrior all of a sudden.

It's more the spirit of Martin the warrior that gives them a boost. Make sense?

Ya that definetly makes sense. After all his spirit is active in the dreams of practically all the swords weilders so why not active In them themselves; giving them a boost? Thanks :)

Quote from: danflorreguba on July 05, 2012, 06:52:09 PM
It's more the spirit of Martin the warrior that gives them a boost. Make sense?

yep

i think the vermin should have a sword of the same metal to make things interesing

Quote from: danflorreguba on July 05, 2012, 06:52:09 PM
It's more the spirit of Martin the warrior that gives them a boost. Make sense?

It's like in Star Wars when Luke Skywalker'z zpirit had been pulled from hiz body an' only little Jacen and Jaina Solo could zee hiz zpirit an' hear him, an' Exar Kun waz uzin' theze creaturez tae attack hiz body, and Luke'z zpirit joined with Jacen momentarily tae fight off the creatures while weilding Luke'z lightzabre. In thiz way for tha' brief amount o' time Jacen waz able tae wield the blade az well az the jedi mazter himzelf.

Quote from: HeadInAnotherGalaxy on September 20, 2012, 09:17:49 PM

Quote from: danflorreguba on July 05, 2012, 06:52:09 PM
It's more the spirit of Martin the warrior that gives them a boost. Make sense?

It's like in Star Wars when Luke Skywalker'z zpirit had been pulled from hiz body an' only little Jacen and Jaina Solo could zee hiz zpirit an' hear him, an' Exar Kun waz uzin' theze creaturez tae attack hiz body, and Luke'z zpirit joined with Jacen momentarily tae fight off the creatures while weilding Luke'z lightzabre. In thiz way for tha' brief amount o' time Jacen waz able tae wield the blade az well az the jedi mazter himzelf.

Sad thing is, I understand that reference.

I say it's Martin's spirit and iridium. Iridium is often found in meteors, sometimes called 'shooting stars',
an aleternative to a meteor already lying on earth is a 'fallen star'. See my idea?

So, what do you think makes the sword of Martin so strong?

I swear there's a topic about this, but I'll be dipped if I can locate it....^^

I think its purely Martin's Spirit and the faith it brings the abbey dwellers.  This isn't a series where you see odd magic pop in and out of the story willy-nilly, so falling stars aren't the answer. ;)

The way it was made was another reason it was  such a good sword.

Lutra, I have to say yuo are Utterly Otterly Awesome.

Quote from: Lord Gorath on November 19, 2012, 01:11:45 AM
Lutra, I have to say yuo are Utterly Otterly Awesome.

Yes, he is utterly otterly awesome!

Nice....now please stay on your own topic. :P  Being otterly awesome has nothing to do with Martin's sword.  Least I'm pretty sure it doesn't!

Uh, i gave the Sword of Martin to you, Lutra, and you are utterly otterly awesome.

I think it's Martin's Spirit that makes the sword so strong.

I think it was how it was made. How can a "Martin's spirit" make it strong?

Well getting the feeling that you are holding one of the blades that the amazing warrior Martin held it definetly has some power and honor over you.

Yes, but that doesn't make the sword strong. Again his spirit doesn't "live" in the blade.

Martins sword is awesome, powerful, and bright. Period. If a sword like his existed then whoever wielded it in Medieval Times would have a ruling dynasty still going on today.

There were plenty of awesome swords. Martin's is cool cos of the legends and the spirit of Martin helping the wielder.

I think martin's sword is awesome!

you mean a "comet" when you say "metal from a falling star" right?

Or a meteorite.

or even a piece of uranium!

Quote from: Buckler The Leg Buckler on December 02, 2012, 07:59:52 PM
or even a piece of uranium!

Waht're ya thinkin?!Uranium is deadly!

I don't think it is a magic sword because in a few books people say that the people who wield it give t its "magic" not the sword.

Also it is said Martin's sword was made using bits of a meteorite which is partly responsible for the power of the sword. I think it is a fantastic.

Oh yeah, I think Martin's spirit makes the sword so strong. I also think it really depends upon who wields it. I really like how each generation has a different warrior to wield the sword. My favorite to wield the sword so far is either Dannflor or Trisscar.

Im my opinion, Martin's spirit has nothing to do with it being so strong. I think Martin's spirit is who puts his Sword in the right hands. It is said in several Redwall books that Martin's Sword was so strong was because it was made from a falling star.

There are many different kinds of strength. 
Yes, the comet/fallen star/meteor is what made the sword physically strong (as Boar mentions in the book), but also the sword gives a certain strength to its wielder.  This is a more psychological kind.  I don't think its Martin's spirit per se, but rather a new found confidence in the beast holding the handle.  Kinda like if you were given Michael Jordon's basketball shoes and told to go shoot some hoops.  You'd feel a little more empowered to have something of a 'great one.'  I think Martin's spirit inspired bravery and action, but when it all boils down to it, strength and courage are found within.