Dubird 6,815 Report post Posted September 21, 2010 I've never been a huge Terry Pratchett fan, but this somehow doesn't surprise me. Source: http://www.news.com.au/technology/terry-pratchett-creates-a-sword-with-meteorites/story-e6frfro0-1225926584339 ENGLISH fantasy author Sir Terry Pratchett says he was so excited after being knighted by the Queen that he decided to make his own sword to equip himself for his new status. It was not enough, however, simply to find some metal and get a blacksmith to bash it into shape. Pratchett, believing the sword would not truly be his own unless it was made from metal he had produced, found a field with deposits of iron ore near his home in Wiltshire, west of London. He gathered the deposits and smelted the iron ore himself. The author, 62, who has sold about 65 million copies of his books, which include the Discworld series, said: "Most of my life I've been producing stuff which is intangible and so it's amazing the achievement you feel when you have made something which is really real." With help from his friend Jake Keen — an expert on ancient metal-making techniques — the author dug up 81kg of ore and smelted it in the grounds of his house, using a makeshift kiln built from clay and hay and fuelled with damp sheep manure. Pratchett, who has Alzheimer's disease, also said he had thrown in "several pieces of meteorites — thunderbolt iron, you see — highly magical, you’ve got to chuck that stuff in whether you believe in it or not". After days of hammering the metal into bars, he took it to a blacksmith, whom he helped to shape it into a blade, which was finished with silverwork. Pratchett has stored the sword, which he completed last year, in a secret location, apparently concerned about the authorities taking an interest in it. He said: "It annoys me that knights aren’t allowed to carry their swords. That would be knife crime." 1 Sledgstone reacted to this Quote Yesterday was the deadline for all complaints! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ladywriter 7,783 Report post Posted September 21, 2010 I dun think I'd go that far Quote Look at the flowers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kite 3,263 Report post Posted September 21, 2010 arnt there like 1028731082 ppl knighted a year Quote Bruce Campbell: '' This place has more security then the Batcave '' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeathscytheX 9,732 Report post Posted September 21, 2010 There can only be one! RnrXiaPVeHY Quote GET A NEW FUNK ON BEFORE YOU GET DUMPED ON! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sledgstone 8,672 Report post Posted September 21, 2010 Thats pretty cool. That sword would have been even better if he made it look like Frodo's sword Sting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tristan9480 198 Report post Posted September 22, 2010 http://avatar.wikia.com/wiki/Sokka's_Sword lol maybe he is a fan of avatar Quote [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sledgstone 8,672 Report post Posted September 23, 2010 Ahh! I forgot all about that! Yes! That sword was awesome! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
