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Unpopular opinion: I'm torn over making sharp historical weapons for sale | Blacksmiths - nhfree.com

Unpopular opinion: I'm torn over making sharp historical weapons for sale

A regular customer wants me to forge a working medieval mace for his collection. He claims it's just for show, but I've seen how these items can get into the wrong hands. Once, I sold a combat knife to someone who posted online about carrying it for protection. That made me question my part in it. Should I start asking for more details or just say no to such jobs? I need input from other smiths who might have faced this. How do you balance making a living with feeling responsible for what you create?

3 comments

3 Comments

michael_bennett117mo ago

What's your first instinct when a customer gives you that uneasy feeling? I sold a fighting knife years ago that ended up in a shady post online, so now I have a personal rule to ask more questions. If someone wants a weapon, I need to hear it's for a display case or a history group, not for carry or use. That chat filters out most of the bad eggs and lets me keep making a living without the guilt. Maybe try that talk with your regular and see if his story adds up.