A Group of Rice University Students Forged A Sword For Their Capstone Projects
In an epic saga reminiscent of a medieval quest, a brave group of Rice University students embarked on a journey not to slay dragons, but to forge a sword worthy of legends... or at least a college competition. Originally chronicled in a recent article posted in the school’s student newspaper The Rice Thresher, this merry band of seniors put aside their differences while combining forces (and capstone projects) to conquer the challenge of forging an awesome blade. Let’s take a look at their epic tale of fire, metal, and a bit of academic madness.
Who Gives a Hoot about Forging a Sword?
The team, a motley crew of engineering wizards and enthusiastic novices, set out to create not just any sword, but one that screamed (or rather, hooted) Rice University pride. Led by Jackson Hughes, Nathan Yun, George Lyu, Matt Moore, and Balla Sanogo, they crafted a high carbon steel blade, an aluminum owl head for the pommel (because what's more Rice than an owl?), and a handle made from the fanciest of epoxy resins and carbon fiber. The result? A sword that was part Excalibur, part university mascot.
(Image credit: Francesca Nemati / Thresher)
When Engineers Play With Fire
This year's Bladesmithing Competition, hosted by the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, was no ordinary forge fest. It was a call to arms for interdisciplinary collaboration, where students from different engineering backgrounds came together, probably wondering who signed them up for this medieval-themed reality show. Each member brought their unique set of skills to the table - from mechanical engineering know-how to a decade-plus of casting experience, proving that diversity in a team can lead to some seriously cool (or hot, in this case) creations.
Trial by Fire (and a Few Other Challenges)
The journey was not without its dragons, metaphorically speaking. The team faced logistical nightmares, like finding a forge that wouldn't turn their dorms into a scene from Game of Thrones and dealing with equipment that was more stubborn than a mule. Despite facing struggles along the way, they navigated through these challenges with grit, determination, and probably a fair amount of caffeine.
More Than Just Hammering Metal
For the team, this project was a crash course in not only blacksmithing but also in life skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and the art of not setting anything on fire unintentionally. Nathan Yun reflected on the surprisingly doable nature of the task and encouraged future students to dive headfirst into new challenges - because who knows, you might just end up forging a sword. We say ‘huzzah’ to Rice University Materials Science and Nanoengineering for supporting and furthering the bladesmithing community. Want to learn more? Be sure to check out the original article here.
As our tale of Rice University's valiant swordsmiths comes to a close, remember, this is just a glimpse into the fiery world of bladesmithing. For more such "hot" bladesmithing content, be sure to follow BRUTE de FORGE. We're your one-stop destination for all things forging, from sizzling stories to tips that can turn even the coldest steel into a masterpiece.
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