Studying at Western University starts with a knife-forging competition

Chapter 118

Lin Yuan made a video call with Richard to discuss the specific design of the knight's sword he had ordered.

Lin Yuan moved his laptop to the office area, sat down next to the materials shelf, and pointed the webcam at himself and the tool wall behind him. Matt moved a chair next to him, holding a laptop, ready to take notes at any time.

Richard was already there when the screen lit up. He was sitting in the study of his Boston home, with a wall of dark bookshelves as his backdrop, the spines of the books arranged neatly from deep red to navy blue.

He wore a light gray cashmere sweater, his hair was combed more neatly than when we last met at the blacksmith's, and he wore a pair of silver-rimmed reading glasses on his nose.

"Lin Yuan." He pushed his reading glasses down a bit, looking down at me from above the lenses. "I've been thinking about the Knight's Sword for a few days now, and I have some concrete ideas."

"Go ahead," Lin Yuan said, opening his notebook and holding a pen in his hand.

"The Knights Templar of the Middle Ages." Richard spoke slowly, each word seemingly having been rehearsed in his mind several times before uttering it. "I want a sword that anyone familiar with medieval history can instantly recognize as belonging to the Knights Templar."

Not the standard Crusade sword, not one of those overly ornate ceremonial swords in a museum, but the real kind that members of the Knights would carry.

Lin Yuan wrote the four characters "Knights Templar" in his notebook and then drew a horizontal line under them.

"The guard must be cross-shaped," Richard continued, gesturing with his hand. "Straight, horizontal, simple."

Forget the fancy curls and curves; it's just the most typical cross shape.

The ends of the handguards can be given some simple decorative treatment, such as slightly curled or rounded ends, but the overall design should maintain the simplicity of the cross shape, which is the core visual symbol of the Knights Templar.

Lin Yuan nodded. The cross-shaped guard is a typical design of medieval knight's swords, with clean lines and a clear function.

The emblem of the Knights Templar is a cross, and making the hilt of their swords into a cross shape is both historically accurate and echoes the symbolism of the order.

"Where's the sword pommel?"

"A spherical or wheel-shaped counterweight, simple and dignified." Richard paused here, picked up a piece of paper from his desk, on which was a sketch. The outline of the counterweight was the shape of a helmet, with the top arc simulating the dome of a knight's helmet, and a slight bend at the bottom, like the outline of an armor visor.

"I have an idea." Richard held up a sketch in front of the camera. "Make the counterweight ball in the shape of a knight's helmet."

It wasn't one of those exaggerated masks with complete facial features, but rather an abstract helmet with only an outline. Those who knew about masks would recognize it immediately, while those who didn't wouldn't find it jarring.

Lin Yuan stared at the sketch on the screen for a few seconds.

The outline of the counterweight ball is simple and powerful, and the curves and angles of the helmet are handled with restraint, without any superfluous decorations.

This design, when placed on a sword themed around the Knights Templar, is both distinctive and doesn't disrupt the overall sense of solemnity.

"It can be done. It can be cast in brass or 3D printed, with an aged finish." He made a note in his notebook.

"The blade." Richard put down the sketch in his hand, changed his sitting posture, and leaned forward slightly. "I want you to use the same silver-iron alloy with cloud-patterned steel used to make Doug's short crossblade."

A cool white background with pale gold patterns. I've seen that color in Doug's photos; it's a restrained, understated elegance, not ostentatious, but it shines through when the light turns. This style suits the Knights Templar perfectly.

Lin Yuan wrote in his notebook, "Silver-iron alloy + cloud-patterned steel, cold white background + light gold pattern".

"The hilt," Richard continued, "wrapped in black leather. A typical grip for a medieval knight's sword, not the feel of modern tactical materials. The leather surface could be alternately wrapped with metal wire to increase friction, either gold or silver threads would do."

In addition, the surface of the sword hilt should be engraved with the emblem of the Knights Templar, featuring one or two knights on a horse.

It doesn't need to be too big; just carve one near the guard.

Lin Yuan thought for a moment. The process of wrapping leather with metal wire alternately is not difficult, but it requires meticulous manual operation.

The emblem can be engraved by etching or chiseling. The Templars' emblem has simple lines and can be pressed onto leather or chiseled into metal.

"What about the overall feel?" he asked.

"Solemn, simple, religious," Richard said, emphasizing each word. "Don't be flashy. Don't be like some custom-made swords, which are covered in gold thread and jewels."

The Knights Templar are a group of monks; their weapons are first and foremost tools, and only secondly symbols of their status. It must be a usable sword, not merely a decoration to hang on the wall.

Lin Yuan meticulously listed all the requirements in his notebook, and after confirming that nothing was missing, he looked up at the screen: "The construction period will be about six to eight weeks. Given the complexity of the materials and processes, it can't be rushed."

"I'm not in a rush." ​​Richard leaned back in his chair, took off his reading glasses and placed them on the table. "Take your time and do your best. As for the deposit—that ship we talked about last time, I've already had the dealer arrange delivery. It should arrive in the next few days."

Lin Yuan paused for a moment. "Mr. Wayne, that ship is too valuable. I only make a sword; I don't need it." Richard interrupted him, his tone calm but uncompromising. "That ship isn't your payment; it's a deposit. I'll pay you separately. The ship is a gift, and also my recognition of your craftsmanship. If you accept it, our deal is done."

Matt coughed softly off-screen. Lin Yuan glanced at him, and Matt mouthed "accept".

"Okay. Thank you," Lin Yuan said.

Richard nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'll have my assistant compile the details of the sword into a document and send it to you."

"Let me know whenever there's any progress on your end." He hung up after saying that.

Lin Yuan closed his laptop and leaned back in his chair. Matt walked in from off-screen and sat down next to him.

"A Ranger lure fishing boat," Matt said in a tone that was somewhere between sighing and resigned. "My dad is..."

He's really dedicated. He's been collecting knives for over twenty years, and I've never seen him chase after someone like this to order a knife.

"Those knives he collected before," Lin Yuan turned to look at Matt, "who did he buy them from?"

"Most of them are from auctions, and a few are ordered directly from well-known swordsmiths. But those swordsmiths are all old men in their fifties or sixties who have been making their names for twenty or thirty years. You're only twenty-one, and they've already put you on the same level as them."

Lin Yuan remained silent. He opened his notebook, looking at the design notes he had just jotted down: a cross-shaped guard, a helmet-style pommel, silver-iron alloy with cloud-patterned steel reinforcement, a black leather-wrapped hilt, and the Templar Order emblem. Every single detail required time and patience.

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