You can’t just mash a bike chain and expect a blade. The iron in those links is wrought, not steel, and its alloying elements will make a brittle mess. If you want a blade that holds an edge, start with proper steel, heat it to the right temperature, hammer it out of the shape, and let the grain flow. I’ll show you how, but if you’re going to keep making mistakes, write them down in your Not Quite notebook and come back to learn what went wrong. And remember, a hammer named Diplomacy is no substitute for discipline.

Good, that’s the mindset. Write the flub, then let’s go over the plan step by step. No shortcuts. Just the hammer and honest work. We'll get a blade that actually holds up.