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The Writer’s Guide to Sails
Posted on January 20, 2023 Leave a Comment
The sails are the engine of every sailing vessel, since they are the primary source of propulsion. Humans have been catching the wind with sails for over 5,000 years. Although there have been advancements in materials and complexity of rigging, the concept remains the same. I covered the basics of sails in my The Writer’s […]
The Writer’s Guide to the Technology of Ships
Posted on December 9, 2022 1 Comment
Most people look at a sailing ship and don’t think of it as a piece of technology. But technology is “the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes,” according to the dictionary. Ship sails and hulls are the product of millennia of practical scientific application. If a hull has an incorrect shape, the ship won’t […]
The Writer’s Guide to Casting Metal
Posted on October 28, 2022 Leave a Comment
While blacksmithing may be the most well-known method of shaping metal, casting is a craft just as ancient. Casting can also produce intricate shapes that a blacksmith cannot match. Casting is commonly represented in fiction, especially in the “gearing up” scenes, although many of those scenes are inaccurate. As always, magic is the exception to […]
Writer’s Deep Dive: Damascus Steel
Posted on October 14, 2022 Leave a Comment
Damascus steel blades have been prized for their sharpness, durability, and balance of hardness and flexibility. Throughout history, steel has been valued, upheld as a gift from the gods. Yet Damascus steel has a legendary status and to this day is ascribed near-mythological properties. Now, let’s dive in! What is Damascus Steel? Damascus is a […]
The Writer’s Guide to Types of Metals
Posted on September 30, 2022 Leave a Comment
The metal used in the forging process is just as important as the item being made. Poor quality will cause bent blades or dull tools. Today, I will explore the most common metals found on our planet and some of their history. This is not an exhaustive list and does not mean you cannot make […]
Rebecca Shedd - Author 