Historical swords: Creation, Restoration, and Fabrication

Historical Techniques and Materials in the Falsification of Bladed Weapons

Matyáš Jedlička

A blade is, no doubt, one of the most significant tools accompanying the development of the human race (along the wheel, rice cooker and brewing yeast). The history of bladed weapons is not only a story of warfare, craftsmanship, and culture, but also one of deception. From the middle ages to the modern antiques market, swords have been copied, altered, and falsified in ways that blur the line between authentic artefact and convincing illusion. This presentation aims to explore the fascinating and often overlooked world of sword falsification, revealing how forgeries have existed for centuries and continue to evolve today. Famous examples such as the Ulfberht swords show that imitation is not purely a modern phenomenon - already in the Viking Age, blades bearing prestigious names were copied by less skilled smiths seeking to profit from reputation. Similarly, in Japan, master swordsmiths became targets of imitation, with later blades falsely signed to increase their value. Rather than focusing only on historical anecdotes, this talk highlights the methods behind the deception. How do forgers make a brand-new blade look centuries old? What materials do they use to imitate traditional steel? And how can something as subtle as a forged inscription or an artificially aged surface mislead even experienced collectors? By examining techniques such as chemical aging, composite construction, and the misuse of modern materials, the presentation uncovers the practical craft of forgery - where science, artistry, and opportunism intersect.

I am a 2nd year Ph.D. student of microalgal biotechnology at the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamental of the Czech Academy of Sciences, supervised by Dr. Irena Branyikova. Although this may seem like a subject that is quite distant from the world of metallurgy, I have forged my first knife at the age of 9, and remain a passionate amateur blacksmith to this day. I am particularly interested in bladed tools, as well as cast iron appliances developed in the age of the industrial revolution. Apart from forging knives, I also enjoy historic archery, beer brewing and bioreactor design and development, a skill that synergises surprisingly well with steel manufacturing.

 A Brass Handled Sabre - Research and Restoration

Ondřej Lavička 

One should think that a sabre should be relatively simple to categorise. Get a book with lots of pictures of swords, find a matching one, express joy and continue with your day. Sadly, I had a harder case to crack.

 Alloy Analysis in Historical Metallurgy

Jáchym Šimon Kotalík

This project looks at how people used to work with metals and what exactly those old objects are made of. By breaking down the elements in an alloy, we can spot the unique "recipes" used in different times and places. It’s essentially detective work - using the chemical makeup of a tool or jewelry to figure out where it came from and how old it really is.